Played Friedman's JJ100 and BE100 - My Thoughts

[Junk Yard Dog]

I played the JJ first, then the BE. Within a few minutes, I liked the JJ better. I was worried these amps could not cop a decent Plexi, and while other amps can do it better, they can get close. I did not bring my Splawn Pro Stock B+ to A/B them, which will be the real test. I LOVE the features and "refined" modded Marshall flavor of the Friedmans, but I don't wanna lose that "cut" in a live band setting, especially with 2 guitars.

My goal when playing these amps was to find the "cut" and low gain, AC/DC, Kravitz, Crowes Marshall tone. I knew they could do hard rock/some metal just fine.

Overall, these amps are awesome!! I think they are priced a little high, but I can see how these are a workhorse for gigging musicians. Ok, my musings...

JJ100: I found the JJ to be more aggressive than the BE, though the BE was still pretty aggressive. But the JJ is definitely more aggressive. I played it through the SS 4x12 with V30's. I'm sure the cab helped. The beauty of this amp is the Master Volume and Volume for the BE/JBE channel. To cop an aggressive Plexi tone I ran it like this: Master Volume 9:00, Presence 4:00, Bass 2:00, Mids 4:00, Treble OFF, Volume 4:00 - Maxed (5:00), and Gain 8-9:00. If anyone has the JJ, tell me what you think of these settings, depending on your cab, of course. I mainly played the amp this way, and just turned up the Gain to suit the bands I was playing: AC/DC to GNR, to early AIC/Tool.

The JBE was slightly darker, more aggressive, more lows and mids. I liked it, but didn't see myself using it too much. My cover band plays all Marshall bands, so BE channel with the settings above was where it was at for me.

I felt the BE of the JJ with the settings above would compete with my Splawn on some level, and also help me cut through in my other band where the other guitarist plays a 5153 50w with V30's. The dynamics are exactly what everyone says they are: unreal. Probably better than a lot of other amps. I never play clean, and always use my guitar volume to get my clean sounds, so this fits the bill there.

BE100: I dug it, but I could not get the aggressive Plexi sound that that JJ had, but it was still pretty close. I felt my Splawn would eat it, but barely. The BE was not too much different, just felt a bit less aggressive overall. I played with all of the switches and liked Voice to the right, and the SAT, C45 and Fat OFF, for some reason. I could hear a difference in all those switches do, so I found them more than subtle, but didn't feel like they added more than when they were OFF for what I was doing.

Both amps are fantastic and the EQ offers a lot of control and flexibility.

I'd love to get others's takes on comparing these two amps.

Cheers!

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Great! Glad to see someone do the comparison. and someone that owns a Splawn. Been really itching for a Friedman...but haven't got tax returns back yet...

I would love to play either...Being that you owned the Helios too, which did you feel best with for metal...not tool, but say....Evergrey?

I am currently on an overdrive kick...love trying new ones, always use one with my Splawn...Just don't know if it's worth the money to jump up?

 

[Beyond Black]

Great comparison! How does the B+ Splawn compare with the BE100 as far as tightness goes. Is the B+ quite a bit looser that a non B+ Splawn?

 

[PBGas]

I'd love to own either of them! Great amps by all standards!

 

[Traumatized]

I had the pleasure of playing through both amps as well. My pick ended up being the JJ all the way.

 

[232cap]

I had both and the JJ is voiced with more low mids, the BE100 has more of a 80's mid vibe. If you play the BE100 with the boost on they are very close. At first I thought the JJ was more to my liking but after a little knob spinning the BE came out on top if your more into the 80's tones. I had a crew of 3 old school 80's players here and the decision was the same across the board. The JJ was a good amp but we just preferred the mids on the BE.

 

[GtarLover]

The mids are what I really dig about the Splawn QR's.
Been gassing for a Friedman, yet like the "weird" mids of the Splawn amps.

Thanks for the input...will have to try the JJ and the BE100.
Sounds like they definitely have something to offer.

 

[Adambomb]

I own a Quick Rod and a BE100. A few were asking for tone comparisons of both... Got the QR on trade for my Mini Rec and not sure if it's a B+ or standard.


Like I was saying in the other post to the OP, IMHO the BE100 is all around twice the amp the Splawn is, thats not saying the Splawn is not a good amp, it's a great gigging amp, but for more authentic musical tones the BE100 can get the perfect tones for me as far as rock, classic rock and blues. The QR doesnt allow me to get controlled blues tones cause it's an out of control beast that does have LOADS of gain, but its a razor sharp gain that seems to sit under a blanket at times. I've tried about every NOS and new tubes in the QR and it still produces the same base tone. The effects loop of the BE is so much better and doesn't lose ANY tone like the QR's loop seems to make the amp less open and a hair more muddy.

I can play many styles of music on the BE100 with just all knobs at noon and with volume and tone on my Les Paul. The base tone of the BE is just rich with dynamics and very tight in all the highs-mids-lows, which makes it stand out just perfect in a band mix. The QR sounds tight, but in a more "solid state" way if that makes any sense. Thats it, the best way to describe the two is the BE100 sounds like all the tubes are working good and the Splawn QR sounds like a more flat biting solid state tone (which isn't bad if your going to play just classic metal and heavy modern tones, all of which the BE100 can do with a lush biting tone rather than harsh.

So why don't I just sell the Quck Rod you say? Well even though I've had problems with it and tried several different speakers and tubes with it, I feel it's better than most JCM hot rodded amps amps and if my son grows up to play metal then I'll give it to him. It's a good back-up amp for future gigs too.

Anyway thats my take on it. I have some clips I've recorded of both but not sure where or how to upload them from my DAW to the net.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I own a Quick Rod and a BE100. A few were asking for tone comparisons of both... Got the QR on trade for my Mini Rec and not sure if it's a B+ or standard.


Like I was saying in the other post to the OP, IMHO the BE100 is all around twice the amp the Splawn is, thats not saying the Splawn is not a good amp, it's a great gigging amp, but for more authentic musical tones the BE100 can get the perfect tones for me as far as rock, classic rock and blues. The QR doesnt allow me to get controlled blues tones cause it's an out of control beast that does have LOADS of gain, but its a razor sharp gain that seems to sit under a blanket at times. I've tried about every NOS and new tubes in the QR and it still produces the same base tone. The effects loop of the BE is so much better and doesn't lose ANY tone like the QR's loop seems to make the amp less open and a hair more muddy.

I can play many styles of music on the BE100 with just all knobs at noon and with volume and tone on my Les Paul. The base tone of the BE is just rich with dynamics and very tight in all the highs-mids-lows, which makes it stand out just perfect in a band mix. The QR sounds tight, but in a more "solid state" way if that makes any sense. Thats it, the best way to describe the two is the BE100 sounds like all the tubes are working good and the Splawn QR sounds like a more flat biting solid state tone (which isn't bad if your going to play just classic metal and heavy modern tones, all of which the BE100 can do with a lush biting tone rather than harsh.

So why don't I just sell the Quck Rod you say? Well even though I've had problems with it and tried several different speakers and tubes with it, I feel it's better than most JCM hot rodded amps amps and if my son grows up to play metal then I'll give it to him. It's a good back-up amp for future gigs too.

Anyway thats my take on it. I have some clips I've recorded of both but not sure where or how to upload them from my DAW to the net.

Great feedback. I agree the Splawn can get bitey. It will cut, which is my biggest concern in a two guitar band. However, the other guitarist plays an EVH 5153. I had one and sold it once I got the Splawn.

 

[Adambomb]

The BE would probably give you band a fuller huge tone if your other guitarist is playing a 5150. I think anyone thats really played a few gigs with the BE100 will agree that it cuts perfectly in a band mix, atleast mine does with V30's and Greenbacks, better quality tubes and a rebias (sure it would have without all I did to the amp also). I've had it about 8 months and played mainly in a band with 2 guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and everybody singing. They said it's the best amp yet and it's cool I don't have to "blast" it for them to hear it. I've used a Shiva, Splawn, and Mini Recto in that band.

 

[philb]

I think anyone thats really played a few gigs with the BE100 will agree that it cuts perfectly in a band mix, atleast mine does with V30's and Greenbacks. I've had it about 8 months and played mainly in a band with 2 guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and everybody singing. They said it's the best amp yet and it's cool I don't have to "blast" it for them to hear it. I've used a Shiva, Splawn, and Mini Recto in that band.

Fully agree, I play in a two guitar band where my bud plays a Marshall JVM 210H or a 5153 mini and it sounds great. no problem cutting with the BE-100 when comparing with my other amp (Mesa Mark V)

 

[Adambomb]

I think anyone thats really played a few gigs with the BE100 will agree that it cuts perfectly in a band mix, atleast mine does with V30's and Greenbacks. I've had it about 8 months and played mainly in a band with 2 guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and everybody singing. They said it's the best amp yet and it's cool I don't have to "blast" it for them to hear it. I've used a Shiva, Splawn, and Mini Recto in that band.

Fully agree, I play in a two guitar band where my bud plays a Marshall JVM 210H or a 5153 mini and it sounds great. no problem cutting with the BE-100 when comparing with my other amp (Mesa Mark V)

Oh Lord, the Mesa Mark V..... I couldn't sell that amp quick enough after I got my BE100. I never could get but one good clean (which was a good Fender clean) and a just half-way decent classic rock tone out of the MkV.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I own a Quick Rod and a BE100. A few were asking for tone comparisons of both... Got the QR on trade for my Mini Rec and not sure if it's a B+ or standard.


Like I was saying in the other post to the OP, IMHO the BE100 is all around twice the amp the Splawn is, thats not saying the Splawn is not a good amp, it's a great gigging amp, but for more authentic musical tones the BE100 can get the perfect tones for me as far as rock, classic rock and blues. The QR doesnt allow me to get controlled blues tones cause it's an out of control beast that does have LOADS of gain, but its a razor sharp gain that seems to sit under a blanket at times. I've tried about every NOS and new tubes in the QR and it still produces the same base tone. The effects loop of the BE is so much better and doesn't lose ANY tone like the QR's loop seems to make the amp less open and a hair more muddy.

I can play many styles of music on the BE100 with just all knobs at noon and with volume and tone on my Les Paul. The base tone of the BE is just rich with dynamics and very tight in all the highs-mids-lows, which makes it stand out just perfect in a band mix. The QR sounds tight, but in a more "solid state" way if that makes any sense. Thats it, the best way to describe the two is the BE100 sounds like all the tubes are working good and the Splawn QR sounds like a more flat biting solid state tone (which isn't bad if your going to play just classic metal and heavy modern tones, all of which the BE100 can do with a lush biting tone rather than harsh.

So why don't I just sell the Quck Rod you say? Well even though I've had problems with it and tried several different speakers and tubes with it, I feel it's better than most JCM hot rodded amps amps and if my son grows up to play metal then I'll give it to him. It's a good back-up amp for future gigs too.

Anyway thats my take on it. I have some clips I've recorded of both but not sure where or how to upload them from my DAW to the net.

It will say in the serial number on the back whether it's a B+ or not. It would be that last part of the serial