Runt vs Smallbox

[mniel8195]

Has anyone had a chance to compare the amps? I own the smallbox and i am wondering how the runt compares?

 

[LP Freak]

The Runt is more open sounding with a little less sag

 

[sahlomonic]

Based on the YouTube vids of the Smallbox I've watched and my personal experience with the Runt - they're pretty different (but take my opinion with a grain of salt)

Smallbox seems to be more Plexi-ish with more high-mids and that traditional EL34 sag, where the Runt is very tight and crisp on the bottom end and has more of a low-mid voicing somewhat like a Bogner XTC, with a little more gain than the Smallbox I think.

 

[LP Freak]

Based on the YouTube vids of the Smallbox I've watched and my personal experience with the Runt - they're pretty different (but take my opinion with a grain of salt)

Smallbox seems to be more Plexi-ish with more high-mids and that traditional EL34 sag, where the Runt is very tight and crisp on the bottom end and has more of a low-mid voicing somewhat like a Bogner XTC, with a little more gain than the Smallbox I think.

The SB is darker than the Runt and is not voiced like an XTC at all.

 

[chadprsman]

What LP Freak said, also I loved the SB plexi (clean) channel. I also like the simple clean of the runt 20, but it's different.

 

[mniel8195]

I have not been wowed by the runt clips because it sounds less like a Friedman which is what some people want I guess.

 

[mniel8195]

Would love to hear more opinions on this.

 

[jthair1]

Smallbox has a lot more low end and just feels more organic!

 

[jlb32]

I have not been wowed by the runt clips because it sounds less like a Friedman which is what some people want I guess.

Same here. I was hoping the Runt would be more of a hot rodded Friedman tone at a lower price point. From what I have heard so far it doesn't really seem to be that. Seems to have a much different voicing. Of course I have not tried one out in person as of yet.

 

[LP Freak]

Mine sounds great and much like what you'd expect a Friedman to sound like. The mids are voiced slightly higher than a BE, plenty of gain on tap, tight bottom end, cleans up very well with the guitars volume, beautiful clean channel, very well built at a great price point. So what more are you looking for? And I'm not sure what a hot rodded Friedman is either.

 

[jlb32]

Mine sounds great and much like what you'd expect a Friedman to sound like. The mids are voiced slightly higher than a BE, plenty of gain on tap, tight bottom end, cleans up very well with the guitars volume, beautiful clean channel, very well built at a great price point. So what more are you looking for? And I'm not sure what a hot rodded Friedman is either.

Good to hear. Like I said, I have not played one in person yet. Just have not loved the clips I've heard so far.

As far as "hot rodded Friedman", I was hoping it would be more in the JJ realm gain wise, which it might well be. Just doesn't sound like it in the clips I have heard.

 

[LP Freak]

Mine sounds great and much like what you'd expect a Friedman to sound like. The mids are voiced slightly higher than a BE, plenty of gain on tap, tight bottom end, cleans up very well with the guitars volume, beautiful clean channel, very well built at a great price point. So what more are you looking for? And I'm not sure what a hot rodded Friedman is either.

Good to hear. Like I said, I have not played one in person yet. Just have not loved the clips I've heard so far.

As far as "hot rodded Friedman", I was hoping it would be more in the JJ realm gain wise, which it might well be. Just doesn't sound like it in the clips I have heard.

The gain with the boost on is slightly higher than the BE

 

[jlb32]

Mine sounds great and much like what you'd expect a Friedman to sound like. The mids are voiced slightly higher than a BE, plenty of gain on tap, tight bottom end, cleans up very well with the guitars volume, beautiful clean channel, very well built at a great price point. So what more are you looking for? And I'm not sure what a hot rodded Friedman is either.

Good to hear. Like I said, I have not played one in person yet. Just have not loved the clips I've heard so far.

As far as "hot rodded Friedman", I was hoping it would be more in the JJ realm gain wise, which it might well be. Just doesn't sound like it in the clips I have heard.

The gain with the boost on is slightly higher than the BE

Thanks! Just not sure it can out perform my Soldano Hot Rod 25.

How is the low end on the Runt 50? Does it have more low end than the Friedman Smallbox? I know it's tighter but is it more punchy than the Smallbox also?