Pete Thorn demos the Friedman Jose amp

[Kapo_Polenton]

Another demo where this amp sounds fantastic...Again, Dave should seriously consider injecting a little more of this raw aggression and bright attack into his other production amps.

Hell yeah, the synergy BE fell flat for me because of those damn rounded soft mids. Raw is what makes amps cut and chug. Really wish he'd have a "raw" switch.The DLX at least seems to have more bite when compared. I still like the 800 better but the DLX isn't far off .

 

[Geo]

I really didn't care for that demo. I am glad he brought the Tele out out but I would I would have liked to hear more of the dynamics of the amp.


And he's a gaywod.

 

[MusicIsLife]

This is generally the most common complaint about the Friedman signature sound...They tend to present at somewhat dark, and "produced" sounding and yes "too polite" is a term often used as well. That said, from the clips I have heard, the Jose model seems to be the most organic and "raw" sounding in the Friedman line.

I think the JEL also has a growl that seems to be lacking in most of the other Friedman's. I think there have been talks of another round of 100w JELs, perhaps a v2 version rather than identical to the original.

 

[SonVolt]

1) I though Pete's demo was great. The top-end didn't seem too "polished off" IMO, I thought it was quite strident, but usable.

2) I own Friedman and Marshalls, and I feel like forums are just regurgitating the mantra that Friedman's are too polished and "produced" sounding. Maybe I've got shit for ears, but that hasn't been my experience.

 

[LP Freak]

1) I though Pete's demo was great. The top-end didn't seem too "polished off" IMO, I thought it was quite strident, but usable.

2) I own Friedman and Marshalls, and I feel like forums are just regurgitating the mantra that Friedman's are too polished and "produced" sounding. Maybe I've got shit for ears, but that hasn't been my experience.

Couldn’t agree more

 

[BABMusic]

I had the chance to compare my BE50 to a JVM410 recently (while it lasted). Comparing them actually convinced me I do not need a bright cap added in my BE50. JVM was more aggressive and worked better for metal, but the BE was tighter and sounded better to me when playing any kind of leads. I found I could make the BE sound closer to the JVM by engaging the C45 switch. Both are good amps, but I think with Friedman a lot of the criticism comes from their price tag. Do you really get what you pay for (2 times the price of the JVM)? I can't answer that for anyone else but myself.

 

[SonVolt]

The JVM is so damn ugly tho.

 

[angelspade]

1) I though Pete's demo was great. The top-end didn't seem too "polished off" IMO, I thought it was quite strident, but usable.

2) I own Friedman and Marshalls, and I feel like forums are just regurgitating the mantra that Friedman's are too polished and "produced" sounding. Maybe I've got shit for ears, but that hasn't been my experience.

It really depends on what that terminology means to each individual and what your point of reference is. I find that some of the high-end boutiques have this kind of polished / produced quality to them....and it's not necessarily a bad thing. An example would be the Diezel Herbert, a great sounding "metal" amp; But if you're used to the bright, raw attack of say a Peavey 5150II or a Mesa Rectifier, then a Herbert may take some getting used to as it tends to present as a "produced" sounding high-gain tone. It seems that people who are used to a Marshall Plexi, JCM800 and even JVM series amps have a similar initial response to plugging into a Friedman. It's got plenty of Marshall DNA for certain, but in a refined sense. I liken it to the difference of a high horsepower American muscle car and a European sports car...Similar HP perhaps, but handles and feels smoother.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

It really depends on what that terminology means to each individual and what your point of reference is. I find that some of the high-end boutiques have this kind of polished / produced quality to them....and it's not necessarily a bad thing. An example would be the Diezel Herbert, a great sounding "metal" amp; But if you're used to the bright, raw attack of say a Peavey 5150II or a Mesa Rectifier, then a Herbert may take some getting used to as it tends to present as a "produced" sounding high-gain tone. It seems that people who are used to a Marshall Plexi, JCM800 and even JVM series amps have a similar initial response to plugging into a Friedman. It's got plenty of Marshall DNA for certain, but in a refined sense. I liken it to the difference of a high horsepower American muscle car and a European sports car...Similar HP perhaps, but handles and feels smoother.

Agree. I don't think anyone is saying it is a bad thing. just a preference thing. Good sounding amps for sure but you really notice it when going back to back with an 800 for example. For me, those mids just don't do it.