Would you buy a Framus Cobra in 2025?

Title

  • Yes

    Votes: 8 40.0%
  • No

    Votes: 12 60.0%

  • Total voters
    20
TheSneakyTruth

TheSneakyTruth

Member
One is going locally to me. Assuming it’s fully-functional and to be used in a home/light studio setting.

I’m aware they have a reputation for crapping out and being unrepairable. The other John Browne has made a video saga about his.
 
good amps but I'd usually just get a recto

Worth getting one to try if curious though
 
I’ve had 2 cobras & 4 dragons.. down to 1 cobra & 3 dragons lol Cobras are dope & for the right price $1300-$1500 I’d say grab it.. Cobra is like a dual rec on crack & way more shaping capabilities.. especially with the mid notch switch… It can definitely get thin at times so beware of that switch. It’s more of a knob fiddlers amp lol.. You can spend hours just dialing that thing in/fuckin with it.. It’s also good to know which version it is.. Does it have external bias points in the back? I personally prefer the Dragon from the Framus line but to each their own. 🍻
 
Been there, done that. Was cool back then, but way too many other better and more reliable amps readily available. The absolute best advice on the cobra is to make sure it has totally cooled off before moving it.
 
They are good . But nothing too special when you can buy amps in level with it for way way cheaper . Unless a great price ???
 
I looked at The Other Josh Browne's video. They don't look too bad to work on. The opto couplers for the channel switching are the major pain. He mentioned the ones he used that worked. Also, the electrolytic caps would all need to be changed by now if they haven't already been taken care of. The PCB looks real thin. He didn't zoom in far enough to see what kind of pads you would be having to work with if you had to work on the amp.

For 3 channels, the amp's circuit isn't that complicated based on the view of the PCB, but I haven't seen the schematic. Personally, I wouldn't be scared of it. You're probably going to have to dish out some money for maintenance if you can't do the work on your own.
 
For the issues they're prone to, I'd probably pass and get a recto instead. They're badly built amps.
 
I have an FJA modded one. Similar to an SLO but less smooth. Also worse built. If it has its maintenance it should be fine. I do like it and it has a cool feature set, I think it's more unique than a rectifier (which I love), and has a way different play feel.
 
Pretty sure John Comprix is using a Cobra on this album. I definitely like it.

 
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