Suhr Badger 30/Friedman Dirty Shirley/Fargen Olde 800

[ZachHales]

I've narrowed my next amp purchase down to these 3 amp heads. I know, in a perfect world...I should play all 3, but I figured I'd ask if anybody has any first hand experience with any of these amps. Pros/Cons? Obviously I'm looking for mid gain Marshally goodness. Single channel. Simplicity.

What say you fellas?

 

[marshallmel]

I own a Badger 30 and a matching 1x12 cab with a WGS Veteran 30. Can't say enough good things about it. Takes pedals great, super responsive and articulate. If you get a Badger be sure to get a Shiba Drive Reloaded. Amazing pedal with this amp!!

A friend of mine owned an Olde 800 and flipped it pretty quick. Sounded decent when I played it but nothing outstanding. Never played the Dirty Shirley.

 

[Racerxrated]

Just get a JCM/JMP. Go for the original. Single channel. Just sayin......

 

[skoora]

Just get a JCM/JMP. Go for the original. Single channel. Just sayin......

I agree with this but if budget is not an issue, i thought the Dirty Shirley combo i played sounded really good. It was Les Paul, straight in, work the volume knob goodness.

I've only played the 18 Badger and didnt care for it at all. Couldn't get any raunchy top end response out of it.

 

[ZachHales]

I have been leaning towards Friedman as well. I own a Naked and it flat out kills! I am actually selling that to fund this purchase...just want to go more classic and go the single channel route. I've played a custom build Fargen that a friend has & it was very very nice, but it wasn't a stock model.

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

I'd go for an old Marshall first, then if that doesn't scratch the itch go for the Friedman...
But then again Marshalls are cheaper over my neck of the woods!

 

[superstratjunky]

If it were my dough...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afOz0MhVP8g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNH7zH8chbg

 

[ZachHales]

If it were my dough...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afOz0MhVP8g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNH7zH8chbg

Great amp, but I don't have any use for a multiple channel head. I just want bare bones.

 

[ZachHales]

I'd go for an old Marshall first, then if that doesn't scratch the itch go for the Friedman...
But then again Marshalls are cheaper over my neck of the woods!

I've bounced from different Marshalls and my experience is that they're inconsistent. I don't want to chase finding a "good" one. I feel like a Friedman, Suhr, or Fargen would be much more consistent in build quality & tone.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

How about a Friedman Phil X? I would also say jmp or jcm800 given the description. Fail that maybe something from orange to mix it up?

 

[BAN-ONE]

I've recently acquired a new Dirty Shirley combo and it's awesome. They're a fantastic classic rock amp.. They've got the mid-gain Marshally goodness you seek in spades. I use the low gain input and a Rockett Archer for more hair when needed. I did swap out the stock 5881's for some JJ 6L6's and rebias a bit cooler. The bands I gig with are pretty loud. Running it with an additional 2x12 at one show really kicked things up a notch. My Wizard is getting jealous. ;-)

 

[ZachHales]

I've recently acquired a new Dirty Shirley combo and it's awesome. They're a fantastic classic rock amp.. They've got the mid-gain Marshally goodness you seek in spades. I use the low gain input and a Rockett Archer for more hair when needed. I did swap out the stock 5881's for some JJ 6L6's and rebias a bit cooler. The bands I gig with are pretty loud. Running it with an additional 2x12 at one show really kicked things up a notch. My Wizard is getting jealous. ;-)

That's the stuff I like to hear!

 

[Racerxrated]

Now, if you want the ultimate Marshally tone, think about a Wizard....no offense to the other builders but Wizard is just...special. They aren't cheap though.

 

[Racerxrated]

Or that new Metro Plex..that's also a great sounding amp. So many options for ya!

 

[toddbz]

Doubt you could go wrong with any of those choices (MC25 included)

I'm actually in the same boat...and can't make up my mind lol

 

[ZachHales]

Doubt you could go wrong with any of those choices (MC25 included)

I'm actually in the same boat...and can't make up my mind lol

Haha, it's a struggle! I think I've decided on the Dirty Shirley...

 

[BAN-ONE]

Happy to be of service.
I agree that the Wizard stuff is insane, it has a fierce attack, clarity and bottom end that won't quit. I've had mine for 8 years and it never fails to bring a smile. I got the DS for smaller gigs (which there seem to be more of these days ) where the Wiz really was overkill. The DS is a bit more forgiving and rounded, really great fun to play and you can wind it up a bit.

 

[ZachHales]

Happy to be of service.
I agree that the Wizard stuff is insane, it has a fierce attack, clarity and bottom end that won't quit. I've had mine for 8 years and it never fails to bring a smile. I got the DS for smaller gigs (which there seem to be more of these days ) where the Wiz really was overkill. The DS is a bit more forgiving and rounded, really great fun to play and you can wind it up a bit.

Right on. That's what I like about it from what I've read and heard. It's at the top of my budget as well. So, that more than likely rules out the Wizard. Plus Friedmans have superb master volumes.

 

[LPMojoGL]

I've played the Dirty Shirley and Suhr Badger 30, owned the Fargen Olde 800 mkII.
I really like the Fargen. It's probably my favorite Marshally amp I've ever had.
The 60s mode is fantastic, and takes pedals great.
Here's a clip of the 60s mode, first pushed by a Koko boost for EVH sound, then a Timmy for Alice In Chains sounds:
https://soundcloud.com/bmandrell/fargen ... -halen-aic

Here's a clip of the 80s mode:
https://soundcloud.com/bmandrell/fargen-80s-heavy

Here's a link to a thread with more links and stuff:
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... ?t=1456608
Badger is a bit more modern, and the Dirty Shirley has tons of bass and gain compared to the other two. Fargen for closest to Marshall sounds, Badger for a versatile channel to use with pedals, and the DS for that thing that Friedman does.

 

[Racerxrated]

Well. Im going to have to say Friedman all day.
Here is my demo of it:

Well. After hearing that, I must say I'm a fan. Sounded similar to my Jubilee...same sweetness on the high end.