Pete Thorn demos the Friedman Jose amp

[JonPearson1994]

That's an interesting comment. I've never played the SS100, but I've always been curious about them. But that amp has too few switches for what I prefer.

Just based on my limited experience with the BE50, I can say that if you want a super aggressive metal amp, there are better options out there. Probably the thing I appreciate most about the amp is when playing chords and letting them sustain. You hit chords like the D or even fretted chords like C-G-C-E and there's a very nice balanced or compressed thing going on. You seem to get a tone where you can hear all the notes in the chord very clearly. The harmonics / overtones are also very rich and detailed. Lead lines on the higher strings also retain a nice thickness without becoming piercing to the ear.

I would say the SS100 matched that description as well. It did sound beautiful in that way, it was lovely in the way that a Porsche is - it does what it is supposed to do elegantly and effectively.

I think I just prefer a hotrodded Impala with a little patina

 

[cobrahead1030]

Demo sounded cool, but seems like a rush job. That’s unfortunate because I’d love to hear him dive a bit deeper with some other guitars.

 

[mentoneman]

having played most of the friedman line i’d say the two i like the most are the SSv1 for VH crunch to metal tones and lead shred,

and the JEL 100 for rawer marshall vibes ala jake’s ozzy years-badlands tones and great complimentary clean tone. results highly dependent on the gtr/pickup entering and cab exiting.

Plex, Jose, Dirty Shirley and Smallbox all fall into the next tier of greatness.

in light of my own experiences with the friedman line, i’m getting extremely satisfying results running the synergy be-dlx module into my wdw rig with a mesa mark III FX return as the dry power into a halfback 4x12, and vht 2-90-2 stereo power into my 1x12 celestion wet cabs.

 

[BABMusic]

For Friedmans, to me, the "lowly" Runt 50 is where it's at. It's the most percussive and raw sounding of all the Friedmans I've tried. ( I haven't tried the Plex or Jose yet though). I think he pulled back on some of the filtering to make the amp more affordable and IMHO, it turned out to be the right move for my taste.

Dave's often said it's one of his favorite amps and that it's often overlooked. I've never tried one, but I want to. I almost went with the Runt but ultimately decided on the BE50, because I wasn't sure how much low end the Runt 50 has.

 

[snoqualmie]

For Friedmans, to me, the "lowly" Runt 50 is where it's at. It's the most percussive and raw sounding of all the Friedmans I've tried. ( I haven't tried the Plex or Jose yet though). I think he pulled back on some of the filtering to make the amp more affordable and IMHO, it turned out to be the right move for my taste.

Same here. Killer amp...

 

[MGL AmpWorks]

I think part of it is what speakers are being used. The Jose sounds quite different through Greenbacks vs V30s, for example. Keep in mind that the original Joses were usually Plexis that typically sound best through Greenbacks. The Jose isn't any different, and when the mods are turned off, does a pretty good Plexi complete with plenty of kerrang.

The Jose is the most raw Friedman I've played. I've also got a BE100DLX, and while I can understand why some say it's smoother or more polished, I don't buy into that, either. It can be plenty raw, depends on how it's dialed in. I've got a Herbert, too. If I treat it as a typical amp, I can see why people think it doesn't cut, but that's also wrong. I'm not afraid to set the knobs to whatever sounds best to me and my Herbert has plenty of top end and bite. Not to compare sounds, rather techniques, but think about a Mesa Mark. If you set everything to 5, it's gonna sound rough, but once you figure out how to dial it in, watch out. All of the above have their own sound. They may or may not be for everyone, but for me, I love them all for what they are.

I like my Jose best with higher output pickups, but again, this is what most people were using when Jose designed his mods. I think it still sounds great with PAFs, too, just not my preference for this amp. I have no problem getting pinch harmonics with either, but to be fair, I can get pinch harmonics on my acoustics, too.

Actually, most of the Jose modded amps were not Plexi's, most were early to mid '70's metal panel Super Leads with high voltage that Jose preferred.

 

[ChurchHill]

Actually, most of the Jose modded amps were not Plexi's, most were early to mid '70's metal panel Super Leads with high voltage that Jose preferred.

You're right, I should have said Super Lead.

 

[ChurchHill]

How you dial an amp in absolutely matters...But amps also have an inherent voice and definable characteristics. That's part of the reason one might own a JCM800 AND a Friedman BE....Or a Diezel Herbert AND a 5150. To my ears, Friedman amps definitely have a more polished and refined sound by comparison to most Marshalls. I think many would agree this. While I have not played the Jose, It seems (again, to my ears) that it has a bit more of the rawness and organic aggression some might associate with a great Marshall; And while this is a highly personal point of view, I believe that is one of the primary reasons the Friedman Jose seems to be getting wildly positive feedback from the market, perhaps more so than some of his other production amps.

Exactly! They're just different things, and I think speakers make a huge difference, too. Regarding Friedmans, I found my friend's Small Box to be smoother than I prefer, so I do understand why many think they're more refined and polished. I just don't personally think that my BE-DLX is as smooth as many BEs I've heard. It's smoother than my Jose, but it can still get plenty raw, more so than some Marshalls I've played.

 

[napalmdeath]

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.

The PT20 V2 has it. I've said it a million times, I wish he'd make a PT-50. A simple single channel with the 3 way gain switch, and that V2 aggression with bigger bottles and iron. I love the PT-20 V2, but EL84's always fall short.

 

[LP Freak]

 

[BABMusic]

You're right, I should have said Super Lead.

Interesting to know. My BE50 has a high voltage switch (HV) that is supposed to sound very close to the JEL50 tone. It's an interesting sound, but not the one I use the most.

 

[ChurchHill]

Yeah, I fall into the habit of calling most 4-holers Plexis even though I know they're not. The circuits in several versions of true Plexis and the Metal Panels are very similar but do have seemingly minor differences resulting in quite a range of tones. Metal Panels are known to be more aggressive, or so it seems.

 

[BABMusic]

Exactly! They're just different things, and I think speakers make a huge difference, too. Regarding Friedmans, I found my friend's Small Box to be smoother than I prefer, so I do understand why many think they're more refined and polished. I just don't personally think that my BE-DLX is as smooth as many BEs I've heard. It's smoother than my Jose, but it can still get plenty raw, more so than some Marshalls I've played.

Yes, and also factor in the guitars and pickups you are using. My BE sounds very different depending on the guitar I use. It does like higher output pickups better, but the wood of the guitar will have a huge effect.

 

[mentoneman]

Interesting to know. My BE50 has a high voltage switch (HV) that is supposed to sound very close to the JEL50 tone. It's an interesting sound, but not the one I use the most.

having played the JEL 20, 50, and 100 i prefer the 100 for the sheer fatness of the notes, chords, and headroomy cleans.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Yeah, I fall into the habit of calling most 4-holers Plexis even though I know they're not. The circuits in several versions of true Plexis and the Metal Panels are very similar but do have seemingly minor differences resulting in quite a range of tones. Metal Panels are known to be more aggressive, or so it seems.

My 1972 50 watter was aggressive enough to have as much gain as Pete used here stock with no boost and PAF's.

 

[thegame]

Damn..sorry to hear that

Shit, now I'm feeling sorry I said that!

 

[ChurchHill]

My 1972 50 watter was aggressive enough to have as much gain as Pete used here stock with no boost and PAF's.

Yeah, some of those early/mid 70s Marshalls are pretty gainy. While the Jose is not Diezel or SLO level, it gets more gain that is apparent in Pete's vid. It's more than enough for 98% of what I play.

 

[angelspade]

Yeah, some of those early/mid 70s Marshalls are pretty gainy. While the Jose is not Diezel or SLO level, it gets more gain that is apparent in Pete's vid. It's more than enough for 98% of what I play.

I wouldn't consider it for "modern metal" based on what I'm hearing...But I'd say it's got enough gain and aggression for just about everything else.

 

[geetarmikey]

I usually like Pete's demos, especially some of his deep dives. He's absolutely a shill, but he's a great player and really knowledgeable.

Having said that, I'm actually a little disappointed in this one. Kinda seems like he's just learning the amp, doesn't really quite understand how it all works. It just seems a little short of his typical standards. And how many edits can you fit in one sentence?

Personally, I love the amp! I've heard better demos, though, and this one isn't that bad.

Seemed like he understood how the amp works very well to me.

 

[geetarmikey]

Hell, I ended up trading off my Steve Stevens amp and keeping my SL-X because the Friedman was just too polished. It wasn't just the high end though, it was really though whole thing. Switching back and forth on a switcher, the SL-X was so forward and "interesting", even if it has things that I wanted to change about it (it has been modded since). The Friedman was perfectly acceptable but it just didn't feel as "alive" I guess.

Always wanted an SLX, what are they like?