Whats this new Friedman amp??

[2dor]

Yeah, no 20W / EL84 amp I tried ever did it for me - they sound alright I guess for low volume noodling. Maybe a 4 x 6v6 power section might be better dunno. IMHO 50W and above is where it's at.

 

[angelspade]

It's true that it's not worlds apart from other Friedmans like the BE varitants. But, when I had the Jose 100 in my possession, it was the best sounding circuit for a high gain Plexi voicing that I've ever heard. Getting access to this circuit for $2000 less than the 100 watt, is huge. I would just say, don't underestimate this circuit, that's all. It's beautifully voiced and the midrange was perfect sounding in the 100 watt version. I just hope the 20 watt version does it justice. Also, Michael Nielson told me yesterday that the 20 watt version has more gain than the 100 and a huge bottom end.

I agree that the marketing can be a bit obnoxious, but hey, at least they are not doing what Mesa did with the C+.

Did you get rid of the Jose 100?

 

[mentoneman]

I can tell you what takes the excitement out of a new release, regardless of the manufacturer.
It’s all these YouTube assholes, getting it ahead of time and shilling the shit out of it. It takes the excitement and the fun out of everything.

it has become a bit much. i suggest that if dave launches a new product, he should control the world video premiere to his his tone talk show exclusively, to at least direct social media traffic and super chat$$ to one place first and reap those viewer benefits.

he can still have whoever demo as he sees fit but do it all *live* on YT with players zooming in remotely with their fancy streaming gear they all have and playing/interacting with product. let players discuss pros AND cons as they check out the amp with dave for 1 hour max, not just blowing smoke for 3+ hours. eliminates 10 guys with the same product soy boy facing up the net with childish avatars.

and if you can’t get your point across in this ADD world under an hour you’re lazy and vein and don’t belong in the media making business. this isn’t the jerry lewis telethon.

or is it?

 

[BABMusic]

Did you get rid of the Jose 100?

Yes, I returned it, although I felt bad about doing so. It's the best tone I've heard from a Friedman, but there are other things to consider with an amp, unfortunately. I would like to see if a 50 watt version ever comes and would like to try the 20 watt in person if GC ends up carrying them locally. Funny for you, but Michael Nielson said that the 20 watter has 20% more gain than the 100 watt version.

 

[angelspade]

Yes, I returned it, although I felt bad about doing so. It's the best tone I've heard from a Friedman, but there are other things to consider with an amp, unfortunately. I would like to see if a 50 watt version ever comes and would like to try the 20 watt in person if GC ends up carrying them locally. Funny for you, but Michael Nielson said that the 20 watter has 20% more gain than the 100 watt version.

OK, got it. It's tough to say from videos and not being in the room...But I will say that in the Sweetwater demo it definitely sounded more gained and a bit more saturated...Almost like there was light boost in front of it.

 

[BABMusic]

OK, got it. It's tough to say from videos and not being in the room...But I will say that in the Sweetwater demo it definitely sounded more gained and a bit more saturated...Almost like there was light boost in front of it.

I think unfortunately, none of the YT videos can give you a true sense of what it sounds like. I think this is true for other amps as well. It's going to have plenty of saturation and gain if you have a higher output pickup, but that's not really the the most exciting thing to my ears. The mids in the amp are just, so balanced and pleasing to the ears. You can turn them up or down and the amp sounds wonderful. This is the biggest difference I noticed between the Jose and my BE50. BE50 mids can also sound good, but not as organic or perfect as the Jose. Turning up the mids on the BE is a very different sound than the Jose, and I don't like it set that way. Also, probably sounds like boost because of those wondeful diodes in the Jose. The diodes, like the mids, are just done so well in the amp.

 

[angelspade]

I think unfortunately, none of the YT videos can give you a true sense of what it sounds like. I think this is true for other amps as well. It's going to have plenty of saturation and gain if you have a higher output pickup, but that's not really the the most exciting thing to my ears. The mids in the amp are just, so balanced and pleasing to the ears. You can turn them up or down and the amp sounds wonderful. This is the biggest difference I noticed between the Jose and my BE50. BE50 mids can also sound good, but not as organic or perfect as the Jose. Turning up the mids on the BE is a very different sound than the Jose, and I don't like it set that way. Also, probably sounds like boost because of those wondeful diodes in the Jose. The diodes, like the mids, are just done so well in the amp.

Thanks...and I agree. While I don't believe that the Jose has enough gain in it for my tastes, I will have to say that I have yet to a demo that doesn't sound great. And yes...The mid character is what I believe is most appealing tonally with the Jose.

 

[jski59]

I really like it, keeps that stringy plexi character at the lower gain settings.

 

[skoora]

Any 20 watter you feel is lacking, throw it into a Power Station, hit the warm switch and Bob’s your Uncle.

 

[Harry Dunne]

philx 20 and friedvox in the pipeline and heard they both sound great.

back to jose





i think the tones in the sweetwater demo sound better than these but i like this next one for playing a poppier style with the amp, plus guys a racks and tyler kinda chap…

That last clip has mas GASing hard. My main project is 80s AOR inspired music and this amp can do that in spades

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

I think unfortunately, none of the YT videos can give you a true sense of what it sounds like. I think this is true for other amps as well. It's going to have plenty of saturation and gain if you have a higher output pickup, but that's not really the the most exciting thing to my ears. The mids in the amp are just, so balanced and pleasing to the ears. You can turn them up or down and the amp sounds wonderful. This is the biggest difference I noticed between the Jose and my BE50. BE50 mids can also sound good, but not as organic or perfect as the Jose. Turning up the mids on the BE is a very different sound than the Jose, and I don't like it set that way. Also, probably sounds like boost because of those wondeful diodes in the Jose. The diodes, like the mids, are just done so well in the amp.

Just out of curiosity, did you ever get the master volume cooking like up near half on the 100 watter? I would think like other Plexi based amps some gain in the power section could be a factor.

 

[BABMusic]

Just out of curiosity, did you ever get the master volume cooking like up near half on the 100 watter? I would think like other Plexi based amps some gain in the power section could be a factor.

No, I never did. The amp really is designed for high volumes, although it sounds great at bedroom volumes as well. That was part of the reason I felt like it was too much amp for me. 50 watts is more than enough volume for me, but 100 is just kind of silly for me, as I play almost exclusively at low volumes.

The reason I prefer 50 watts over 20 is because I have yet to hear an EL84 amp that I loved.

 

[skoora]

I thought the NAMM Phil x clips for his 20 watter sounded pretty damn good. Wonder when that will be in the wild.

 

[BABMusic]

I think they said late October for the Phil X 20.

 

[cobrahead1030]

I must be getting old and jaded. I used to get SO juiced over a new piece of gear with hype and a 'release date.' Well produced demo videos used to always have me reaching for my wallet. If I just close my eyes and listen to the demo videos - this new lil' Jose definitely sound good. Not knocking it at all. But absent the hype - am I hearing anything in the actual guitar sound that most of us couldn't capture with the amps and stomps we already own?

That and the way inflation has permeated the music gear market: knocking on the door of $2 grand for a 20 watt mini amp??? Not saying its 'over priced' but I guess EVERYTHING is 'over-priced' these days. Put that thing on my porch with shipping and tax for under $1,500.00 and I find myself thinking about it when I should be working... nudge that price up to $2k and I'm content to swap pickups and bodies/necks on the partscasters I already own for that 'something new' feeling with my gear.

I like cobrahead's approach here - wait for the first used one to pop up within driving distance.

I understand where you’re coming from.

Also, from someone who’s worked in US manufacturing for 15 years now. I don’t know how anyone can build a decent amp stateside for under $1500 anymore.

 

[Geo]

Yeah, no 20W / EL84 amp I tried ever did it for me - they sound alright I guess for low volume noodling. Maybe a 4 x 6v6 power section might be better dunno. IMHO 50W and above is where it's at.

I agree, it should have been a 50 watt.

 

[PDC]

Also, from someone who’s worked in US manufacturing for 15 years now. I don’t know how anyone can build a decent amp stateside for under $1500 anymore.

Truth. ^^^

 

[PDC]

I agree, it should have been a 50 watt.

Also truth ^^^

 

[PDC]

That last clip has mas GASing hard. My main project is 80s AOR inspired music and this amp can do that in spades

No Doubt! I had never heard of this Roop guy, but Dayumm he really plays well. He gets the best that amp has to offer out of it for sure.

 

[thegame]

I don’t think that’s what the doctor meant when he said, “Friedman, you’ve got to go on a diet”.