Whats this new Friedman amp??

[PDC]

To me the difference is so slight I’d be perfectly happy with the 20 watt for recording and jamming at home.

Agree 100%. There is a difference - but nothing that would prevent anyone from enjoying the hell out of the 20 watt version. The more I listen to it the more I like it!

Yes, but that extra meat also brings in 'sonic real estate' when recording, where it's borderline woofy.

Absolutely. Having the guitar 'elbow its way' in between the kick drum and bass guitar - whether live or recording - makes for a challenging mix. A great illustration of this are the isolated John Sykes / Whitesnake Tracks that have floated around. Most of that tight low-end Thump that your ear tells you is the signature Mesa Mark sound is actually coming from the kick drum and bass.

The more I listen to the flurry of Jose 20 demos, the more I agree that this made sense for the Friedman line-up. A 50-watt would be nice, too. But even though I dig the sound that many of the demos are showcasing from the Jose, these videos are telling me that I really need to spend more time enjoying the gear I already own - LOL!

 

[metalmaniac93]

Exactly!!!
I always think the same thing to myself when I read or hear about people buying "such and such" amp, to own it for 4 maybe 5 months, then go out and buy another amp that does the same exact thing.
You're not old and Jaded, you have just realized that buying new stuff or the same stuff over and over again won't make you a rock god or give you heavenly tones we all "chase".
It drives me crazy when I read how someone has owned a 5150 3 or 4 times. Or how they keep selling and buying a EVH Stealth head because they miss it when it's gone........ Like.... Keep what you have and be happy.
Companies want us to WANT to buy what they have. So every year they rehash the same old thing they had out last year. Or give us a "mini" version of something we own already to drool over and spend hours on here speculating about it, and second guessing if what we have ALREADY is good enough to maintain our living room Rockstar stature.
They stay in business by making us feel if we don't have this years *Updated* version with -"5% more gain"- or one extra switch that does something hardly noticable we are gonna miss out and regret it... It's just all about making money off people who don't realize what they have is already anything anyone could ever want..
Ohhh.. and one last thing...
Everything sounds the SAME!!...
Every Amplifier made after the year 1995 has some of the DNA in it of either a 5150 or a Dual Rectifier.....
Tons of amp companies have come and gone and they all did one thing, make their amps sound like what people love and have already..
My way of thinking and doing is- Keep what you have and be happy.
If you go out and buy something new because it's the "New awesome model" or "This is bigger and better and meaner"..... Well.... You are probably buying what you have already. Just in a new color or cosmetic look..

Save your money people... The only thing that's going to improve your talent or tones is YOU.
What is it they say? Practice makes Perfect....

Well said!!!

 

[mentoneman]

this sounds gainier in a good way versus his long form demo to me.

after playing the BE 100 v1, Steve Stevens v1&2, JEL IRJ, 20, 50 and 100, Jose, Plex and Smallbox and owning the BE-OD & deluxe pedals,

the SS 1, JEL 100, and Plex were my faves but i’m totally happy with my be-dlx module as my friedman-modded marshall hi gain solution.

 

[CarlF]

Well, my gummy kicked in so I was able to sit through the Sweetwater demo with Nick Bocock.

This 20 W amp sounds fabulous. Holy shit. I think I want one soon.

 

[Speeddemon]

...but i’m totally happy with my be-dlx module as my friedman-modded marshall hi gain solution.

Hear hear.
I've been through many, many amp in a box pedals, and none have matched what the BE-OD Dlx can in terms of realism and versatility.
I bought mine used, found out about the Thermionic Deluxe, bought that PCB and built the pedal myself and sold the original again, since now all functions have full size knobs instead of mini pot (presence) or toggle switch (tight).

This pedal does the modded Marshall thing so well, especially into my Engl Savage 60; that amp can sound more dry and tight, but it has less juiciness than the pedal for 80's modded Marshall tones.

 

[The~Kid]

These little amps are great and yeah more small amp love.

My fave small amps sound best cranked.

 

[Elric]

They already have two Synergy modules, the BB and BE DLX, but would be great if they expand even more.

Friedman has a DS module and also designed the Synergy 800 and Plexi modules. I actually have a Synergy Plexi module that Dave did a Jose mod on. It’s quite great

I also have a Salvation Camerock and the Fortin KK, too. So I have a lot of Jose action in the Syn rig!

A Friedman branded Jose module with all the switches would be a Day 1 purchase for me just on principle, though. I’m hoping we see one eventually. I think it would sell great.

 

[eero]

Friedman has a DS module and also designed the Synergy 800 and Plexi modules. I actually have a Synergy Plexi module that Dave did a Jose mod on. It’s quite great

I also have a Salvation Camerock and the Fortin KK, too. So I have a lot of Jose action in the Syn rig!

A Friedman branded Jose module with all the switches would be a Day 1 purchase for me just on principle, though. I’m hoping we see one eventually. I think it would sell great.

How do you compare them? I also have the kk and I wonder how different it is compared to Cameron or Jose flavour

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

How do you compare them? I also have the kk and I wonder how different it is compared to Cameron or Jose flavour

I would like to know this as well.. has to be in the ballpark i would think but if Synergy is going to out out a José preamp, i can wait on that.

 

[ms17a]

Salvation Camerock vs. Synergy Fortin KK

The Fortin KK module covers a wider range of applications thanks to the "Violence" and "EQ Shape" switches. However, the Salvation Camerock module is capable of high-gain tones even without the "Violence" switch engaged. That said, the "Violence" switch does alter the playing feel, shifting it more towards high-gain metal. Nevertheless, I didn't sell the Camerock because it sounds more open in the high frequencies compared to the non-violence KK mode and—despite being capable of high gain—remains highly responsive to the guitar's volume knob. With the Fortin KK, engaging the "Violence" switch results in some loss of that dynamic responsiveness. The differences aren't huge due to the similarity in circuitry, but they do exist.

Setup: Optional Boost pedal into Syn2 into Fryette 2/90/2

 

[PBGas]

It's a great sounding amp! I picked one up and now want the 100W version now as well!

 

[metalmaniac93]

Exactly!!!
I always think the same thing to myself when I read or hear about people buying "such and such" amp, to own it for 4 maybe 5 months, then go out and buy another amp that does the same exact thing.
You're not old and Jaded, you have just realized that buying new stuff or the same stuff over and over again won't make you a rock god or give you heavenly tones we all "chase".
It drives me crazy when I read how someone has owned a 5150 3 or 4 times. Or how they keep selling and buying a EVH Stealth head because they miss it when it's gone........ Like.... Keep what you have and be happy.
Companies want us to WANT to buy what they have. So every year they rehash the same old thing they had out last year. Or give us a "mini" version of something we own already to drool over and spend hours on here speculating about it, and second guessing if what we have ALREADY is good enough to maintain our living room Rockstar stature.
They stay in business by making us feel if we don't have this years *Updated* version with -"5% more gain"- or one extra switch that does something hardly noticable we are gonna miss out and regret it... It's just all about making money off people who don't realize what they have is already anything anyone could ever want..
Ohhh.. and one last thing...
Everything sounds the SAME!!...
Every Amplifier made after the year 1995 has some of the DNA in it of either a 5150 or a Dual Rectifier.....
Tons of amp companies have come and gone and they all did one thing, make their amps sound like what people love and have already..
My way of thinking and doing is- Keep what you have and be happy.
If you go out and buy something new because it's the "New awesome model" or "This is bigger and better and meaner"..... Well.... You are probably buying what you have already. Just in a new color or cosmetic look..

Save your money people... The only thing that's going to improve your talent or tones is YOU.
What is it they say? Practice makes Perfect....

Well said!!!

 

[metalmaniac93]

I bought a JEL-20 last year and something was missing. It was my first low wattage amp. It sounded really great at low volumes, but when I cranked it sounded like crap IMO. Had no balls!!! Thin sounding!!! I then ordered the 50W and WOW!!! Now that what I was talking about!!! Sent the JEL-20 back to SW!!! I still have the JEL-50, but it has taken a back seat to my Monomyth Skeleton Key REV2C and Ground Zero Hellion V2. So I will be selling it!!!!

 

[CarlF]

I bought a JEL-20 last year and something was missing. It was my first low wattage amp. It sounded really great at low volumes, but when I cranked it sounded like crap IMO. Had no balls!!! Thin sounding!!! I then ordered the 50W and WOW!!! Now that what I was talking about!!! Sent the JEL-20 back to SW!!! I still have the JEL-50, but it has taken a back seat to my Monomyth Skeleton Key REV2C and Ground Zero Hellion V2. So I will be selling it!!!!

The JEL 20 was the worst amp I ever owned.

 

[Tone Junkie]

Give it 6-8 months there will be a 50 released.

 

[Speeddemon]

Give it 6-8 months there will be a 50 released.

if this becomes 2xEL34 based, with a (pseudo-)clean channel to switch to, and ideally a footswitchable fx-loop, for less than $2200, I'm game.

 

[LP Freak]

Give it 6-8 months there will be a 50 released.

Doubt it

 

[BABMusic]

Dave didn't sound too interested in a 50 watt version. It also wouldn't be that much cheaper than the 100 watt. He did mention that you could pull 2 of the power tubes and then you've got a 50 watter.

 

[LP Freak]

Dave didn't sound too interested in a 50 watt version. It also wouldn't be that much cheaper than the 100 watt. He did mention that you could pull 2 of the power tubes and then you've got a 50 watter.

I’m sure it doesn’t make sense financially.

 

[skoora]

I don't really get people wanting a 50 when a 100 is released. Especially when it's got a great Master volume. Maybe just putting Voltage drop switches in the 100's will satisfy the 50 crowd? Definitely circuit dependent I guess.
On the other hand I do remember a few years back quite enjoying a used Bogner Helios 50 in a GC, but maybe anything I thought I liked over 100's I tried later were psychological and down to different cabs and a different room etc.