Whats this new Friedman amp??

[Kapo_Polenton]

That headshell looks like a 20watter. I’m guessing a Jose.

I wish he would team up with Nuno on an sig amp.

Friedman does not like anything about Nuno and thinks he is an average player. He doesn't get the hype and is probably the only guitar player alive who can't recognize how incredible a riff writer and lead player he is. Think about that for a second...

Also Nuno has been quite clear about his tone..ratt pedal just as a filter and any Marshall with the bill n Becky humbucker that cuts and the rest is your hands.

 

[romanianreaper]

they do sound very similar until he gets to the single notes and soloing. there the body of the tone drops off some.
however i’d argue that you could reclaim some of that oomph with a nice 4x12 with vintage celestions or even better running a W/D rig with a wet power amp that balances the lows back in.

I agree that a 4x12 can add some of that back.

Let's be honest, if someone had a 100 watt Jose in their video but was actually playing the 20 watt behind the scenes, I'd be gushing about how killer it sounds. Dave does some impressive things with those amps.

 

[romanianreaper]

To me the difference is so slight I’d be perfectly happy with the 20 watt for recording and jamming at home. If I was in a band though, definitely the hundred for the headroom. It’s not quite a sound for me (little too stringy?) in the demos I’ve heard so far, even though I love Marshall tones so I can happily leave the heart wrenching decision to others

Yeah that "stringy" tone pops out more as the volume goes up. When i used my JJ Jr. years ago at band practice, I was like what is happening? But I was playing into a 1x12 as well. Maybe I wouldn't have noticed as much into a 4x12.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

It does sound really good in clips but I agree, 84's don't push like the big daddy and sounds thinner. I would like him to do this in a synergy module so I can throw it in my rm100. Better yet, why is he so reluctant to out this in IR-J format so I can add a channel to my jcm800 and make use of the fx loop to use it's beefier poweramp. That would be an even cheaper purchase and the way forward for more of these i think. Would like soldano to do a preamp pedal as well.

 

[angelspade]

Friedman does not like anything about Nuno and thinks he is an average player. He doesn't get the hype and is probably the only guitar player alive who can't recognize how incredible a riff writer and lead player he is. Think about that for a second...

Also Nuno has been quite clear about his tone..ratt pedal just as a filter and any Marshall with the bill n Becky humbucker that cuts and the rest is your hands.

The rhythm tones Nuno gets from the Marshall DSL100 are absolutely killer

 

[romanianreaper]

I actually think its possible he makes more off of the amount of synergy modules he sells than amps, just because of how cheap and accessible the modules are

It would be awesome to have that Jose tone in a module and then into the Fryette.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

The rhythm tones Nuno gets from the Marshall DSL100 are absolutely killer

Yeah run of the mill first or even second Gen 2000's and his ratt and he always sounds great.

 

[Anje]

Yes, but that extra meat also brings in 'sonic real estate' when recording, where it's borderline woofy.
I've listened his clip on good cans (Beyer DT990 Pro) and for sitting better in the mix, I'd prefer the 20, although the 100 seems to have some extra grind in the high mids, where I find his EQ-ing on the 20 on the duller side of things; especially on the first riff.

I had a similar experience when I did some extensive A/B/C tests between a -now sold- Fryette Sig:X, Engl Invader and a small 2x EL84 Engl Ironball.
Purely for leads, the Ironball was the easiest to 'place' without needing to trim unwanted boomy lows or anything.
For rhythm punch, the larger amps had the upper hand, but for a singing lead, the Ironball was right where I wanted it.

Yes good points.
When used in a band / mix, I've found the 20w (Runt 20 mainly) by themselves (with boost in front) to be fine/great for some lead lines, but were lacking for main rythme parts. Adding back a Marshall 4010 for me in a wet/dry manner fixed it, while still keeping the rig quite compact.
Also, I've always had this video in mind that demonstrates how one of those "small" heads can be great tool for lead parts:



Steve's lead sounds great in that Runt 20 he had setup behind him.

 

[ms17a]

I refuse to talk about this amp as small, because in Europe it will cost 2.099€ ! I mean, I have no objection to good money being made with boutique equipment, but for me as a customer, that is an insult. As a european price comparison, I get a used Diezel VH4, Herbert or Hagen for this price.

 

[BABMusic]

To me the difference is so slight I’d be perfectly happy with the 20 watt for recording and jamming at home. If I was in a band though, definitely the hundred for the headroom. It’s not quite a sound for me (little too stringy?) in the demos I’ve heard so far, even though I love Marshall tones so I can happily leave the heart wrenching decision to others

This is kind of the same boat I'm in (maybe not forever though?). I don't really need a 100 watt amp, but I love the low end and headroom of them. I'm cautiously hopeful that this 20 watt Jose could be something I use for studio only. I originally purchased the 100 watt version for studio only, but maybe the 20 watter will be enough for me to scratch the itch of that awesome Jose circuit. People should remember, this really isn't Dave's circuit in this amp.

 

[LP Freak]

This is kind of the same boat I'm in (maybe not forever though?). I don't really need a 100 watt amp, but I love the low end and headroom of them. I'm cautiously hopeful that this 20 watt Jose could be something I use for studio only. I originally purchased the 100 watt version for studio only, but maybe the 20 watter will be enough for me to scratch the itch of that awesome Jose circuit. People should remember, this really isn't Dave's circuit in this amp.

The power section is

 

[romanianreaper]

This is kind of the same boat I'm in (maybe not forever though?). I don't really need a 100 watt amp, but I love the low end and headroom of them. I'm cautiously hopeful that this 20 watt Jose could be something I use for studio only. I originally purchased the 100 watt version for studio only, but maybe the 20 watter will be enough for me to scratch the itch of that awesome Jose circuit. People should remember, this really isn't Dave's circuit in this amp.

Good point! But Dave is good at making el84 amps sound bigger for sure. You are right though, Dave is taking the Jose and adding his capabilities to it.

As other ls have mentioned though, this checks a lot of boxes for some folks:
- Cheaper than 100 watter
- Can be used for recording and bedroom playing

Like we always say on here, everyone has their own wants and needs based on whether they gig, never gig, like a certain tone, etc. The Jose is a bucketlist tone for me and I almost bought the 100 watter but never would take that to gigs if I got one. So I had to thibk about it being overkill for me personally.

I'm going to see how this amp does once people start playing them more. It is pricey but I almost bought a JJ Jr. a few months ago. This sounds way bigger than those other small amps.

 

[Geo]

The only thing I would add to that is... feels and punches like a 100 watt amp.

I have played many low wattage amps, and I even built a nice 5 watt single ended Class A EL34 Marshall 2203/2204 amp and while it sounds damn good for a smaller amp, it does not punch, feel or have all the dynamics of a 50 or 100 watt amp. Now I've heard Friedman did seem to make the little 20 watters punch harder but aside from using 50 watt output transformers in them a 20 watt amp will never punch like a 50 watt amp let alone a 100 watt amp. It really comes down to physics having to do with the output transformer.

I know I've posted this before but Vic at Mojave amps built his 50 watt Scorpion with a 100 watt output transformer so it did hit like a 100 watt amp yet was 50 watts. It's really akin to pulling two tubes from a 100 watt amp. When I pull two tubes from my 68 100 watt plexi it still hits the same but at less volume but yet my 72 50 watt Marshall still hits and feels smaller by comparison. I'm sure as smart as Dave Friedman is I'm sure he knows all this and he does mention big transformers in his 20 amp so it's possible he is using 50 watt iron in the 20 watters like Victor did at Mojave. I've looked around and found a 25/50 watt output transformer for my little 5 watt single ended class A Marshall to replace the little Hammond I have in there now......so many projects....so little time.

Pull two tubes from your 100 watter and play it side by side with your real 50 watt amp with a 50 watt output transformer and you will find the 50 watter does not punch or have the dynamics of the 100 watter with two tubes pulled, I'm not shitting on smaller low wattage amps by any means but the difference is tangible and real if you are honest.

https://legendarytones.com/mojave-ampworks-scorpion/

Design and Construction


The Scorpion has components mounted on a turret board, wired up very cleanly in an all point-to-point fashion. To many amp and tone purists, this style of build is the best method to use even though it is much more labor and time-intensive. It’s how most tube amplifiers were built in the ’50s and ’60s and is virtually non-existent today as far as mass-production name brands are concerned.


The transformers and choke are custom-specified and built Mercury Magnetics units. The output transformer in particular is of interest. It’s a larger unit that would be seen more often in 100 watt models. Victor Mason states that there was more to this integration than simply taking a 100 watt specified output transformer and using it for the Scorpion’s 50 watt design.

At one time I owned all of Vic's amps. The Scorpion and the Coyote were my favorites.

The Coyote was a big sounding little amp that was too easy to get a great sound with.

The Scorpion took a little ear bleeding and fuss but was glorious once you got it there.

 

[BABMusic]

The power section is

Right, and that's a good point. Who knows, maybe I'll end up loving the power section of this amp when I try it. Going to keep an open mind.

 

[BABMusic]

Good point! But Dave is good at making el84 amps sound bigger for sure. You are right though, Dave is taking the Jose and adding his capabilities to it.

As other ls have mentioned though, this checks a lot of boxes for some folks:
- Cheaper than 100 watter
- Can be used for recording and bedroom playing

Like we always say on here, everyone has their own wants and needs based on whether they gig, never gig, like a certain tone, etc. The Jose is a bucketlist tone for me and I almost bought the 100 watter but never would take that to gigs if I got one. So I had to thibk about it being overkill for me personally.

I'm going to see how this amp does once people start playing them more. It is pricey but I almost bought a JJ Jr. a few months ago. This sounds way bigger than those other small amps.

I can almost for certain guarantee that you would like this more than the JJ Jr. Never played a JJ Jr, but there were lots of them on the used market.

Also, I wasn't trying to imply anything negative when I said that this wasn't really Dave's circuit. It's just that so many players often criticize his amps for being too smooth or too polite, so I would encourage those players to check out the Jose. It's definitely different than the BE voicing, even though I love both voicings.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I suppose the synergy kali is essentially fortin's take on " Jose mods" isn't it? To my ear it does that same stringy/ detailed grind that this jose does. I think there is likely a ton of overlap and that is probably where I will spend my money.

 

[skoora]

I suppose the synergy kali is essentially fortin's take on " Jose mods" isn't it? To my ear it does that same stringy/ detailed grind that this jose does. I think there is likely a ton of overlap and that is probably where I will spend my money.

I think from the clips I’ve heard the KK could be dialed to be more my thing and certainly price of entry is a lot better, even needing a Syn1 or 2. Not feeling the 20ir. I don’t do direct recording. You just never know ‘til you have it with your guitars and cabs and fingers. Could be the Jose would rock my world with some knob turning.
Hopefully the store here that carries Friedman (they have a Jose 100) will get a 20 in and it won’t sell the second they receive it.

 

[romanianreaper]

I suppose the synergy kali is essentially fortin's take on " Jose mods" isn't it? To my ear it does that same stringy/ detailed grind that this jose does. I think there is likely a ton of overlap and that is probably where I will spend my money.

Yeah I would say it is in the same arena. I played a Jose mod Marshall years and years ago and at least my Killer Kali module has that same tone.

I contacted Friedman today about a Synergy module and didn't expect a response because he and the conpany is so busy but I actually heard back.

They are probably going to try to do a Jose module at some point in the future. That is very promising news even if it does take some time. I'm sure there are many steps to getting a module done but at least there is a chance.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Yeah I would say it is in the same arena. I played a Jose mod Marshall years and years ago and at least my Killer Kali module has that same tone.

I contacted Friedman today about a Synergy module and didn't expect a response because he and the conpany is so busy but I actually heard back.

They are probably going to try to do a Jose module at some point in the future. That is very promising news even if it does take some time. I'm sure there are many steps to getting a module done but at least there is a chance.

Friedman is always quick to respond. I would love if he started doing synergy. He has some cool designs. Can you imagine a naked module?