Friedman Be 100 vs Runt vs JJ Jr. What's the best Friedman Amp?

What's the best Friedman amp? Hear how the Friedman Runt, JJ Jr & BE 100 compare to each other in mixes & isolated riffs.
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[@brandonbryson3317]

The Runt is surprisingly the best Friedman for someone who wants an aggressive tone. I’ve heard many guys admit to liking the Runt more than the super expensive models, due to the meaner tone. I had a JJ 100 with the Thump mod(resonance control) and it was a very good sounding amp, but it lacked aggression and something was missing in the mids. I just couldn’t gel with it…sold it for more than I bought it for and got a used 2020 fully loaded Splawn Quickrod for less than half the price of the JJ and I thought it was a huge improvement. All the mids and aggression I was looking for were back.

[@RozsaAmplificationLLC]

I modified a Run 50 for a local guitar player to the JJ preamp design spec and it sound even better. However, without some extra preamp tube, relay, and wiring, is lacking that HBE mode and additional gain stage to really give up the goods!

[@Bognerman14]

That's good to know. I want a Friedman or Splawn like the Nitro. The Runt 50 sounds the best to my ears, even compared to the Be models. I also think thr Dirty Shirley sounds amazing. The Twin Sister sounds great too, but I'd like having a good clean. I also hear that Friedmans have better cleans than Splawns for the most part. I can't decide between Friedman like the Runt or Splawn like the Nitro.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@Bognerman14 Runt plus nice amp modeler like Fractal or Kemper would be all you need

[@BradRocker]

Always excellent reviews, keep up the great work J

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you!

[@SuperCMO79]

Daang Son! Yo Jarrod Great Riffing (songs) at the 16 minute point onwards! As usual but great to hear those! Likey :))

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm gonna start doing more short form videos like this with just riffs and rhythm tracks.

[@johnnyromero3336]

Excellent Demo, Video, and comparison on these amps, it really gives you a better idea of these Friedman's when they are side by side like this. So are we to see a Friedman Amp in your collection anytime soon Jarrod? 😀

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so much. I'm probably not going to be buying one of these but they are pretty good. They are definitely good amplifiers, but I just can't justify the price

[@jrlee243]

yes I do like them all. they have their own thing. the runt I was playing was 50 watt. was the 20 watt? I normally don't like the el84 amps, mainly because the power section breaks up to easy. it muddies up the pre amp gain to me. but the JJ sounds pretty dark in a good way, I didn't hear the harshness of the power stage. But it's how they design around the tubes, not so much what tubes are used. I just have not had good experiences with EL84 tube amps. but the runt is my winner 🏆. thank you for that. that was really great 👍.

[@alseick]

I have tried Dirty Shirley and Smallbox and two Runts. I like the way Runt feels, even 20 is nice, just lacks a bit clarity in terms of bass, but on the other hand sometimes I feel like it has more unique gain character. Smallbox has very nice, clear, fun to play channel 1, but it is low gain. 2nd one is a bit weird, not as alive as Runt. The problem in my case with Runt is that after 5 minutes my ears are kind of getting used or fatigued to the Runt tone and I hear mostly mids, middy tone like orange. This effect is less noticeable for the other amps for some reason.

[@tonykrawzik8176]

Great job on the dial ins of the Friedman's. IMO I preferred the Runt due to the slightly more pick attack hearing in the mix especially. Again it's so so close to the JJ. Again a bit more tweaking the JJ could do it. That Golden Pearl boost is always impressive 🎸👍🏻

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you so much! It was pretty close between those 2. (Runt & JJ) Honestly this is the 1st time I've ever really jelled with one of his amplifiers. I've played them several times and never really liked them enough to buy one. That said, I'm still not buying one lol. Too much money for what you get.

[@TheFunky57]

What alternatives would you suggest buddy?​@TONEWARSgearshow

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

Excellent comparison... I like comparisons like this, cause you can really hear the nuances of the amps, as they share a lot of similarities, vs comparisons that compare say modern American voiced metal amps to more classic Marshall style amps, cause it's like comparing apples and oranges. I got the JJ Jr. cause of that gritty angry gain, yet it still maintains the clarity and note separation with the gain cranked. All 3 amps sound great, and I have to say I was really surprised by how great the Runt sounded... I was not expecting that, and of course the BE-100 has that big low end, but for my the JJ Jr edged them out a bit... Maybe I'm biased, since I own one, but the JJ Jr just has a certain quality to its' gain that does it for me, that grit as you mentioned.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you. I agree, the JJ Jr. Has a better gain structure. Hopefully I can check out the new Steve Stevens new Friedman amp that mas just released

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

@@TONEWARSgearshow The new Steve Stevens looks awesome.

[@martinshelton4725]

Great demo, the runt and jj surprised me. It almost makes me wonder if the 100 watt needs to be cranked in the master volume like an old plexi to get more out of it. It seems the BE 100 is struggling

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Pink Taco is my favorite high gain Friedman amp and less expensive too. For classic rock the Dirty Shirley is fantastic.

[@mtm105]

Don’t forget Runt clean channel. I prefer over dirt. Always have. I use pedals. I’ve read Fender tone, but it doesn’t strike me as such.

[@draper858]

Jared it’s interesting that we play very different styles but prefer the same amps. I liked the j but owned a runt and loved it with a couple pedals

[@Bognerman14]

I thought you played the JJ Jr and thought the MARK V 35w destroyed it? I love the Dirty Shirley the best but really want to try the BE Deluxe 50. Thanks for for the video!

[@billhannum4117]

Wow man I really liked the runt

[@jimmywood6062]

Love your dial ins brother.... Wondering if you have any videos on the BEOD deluxe Pedal? Searching now. Picked one up and curious what your thoughts are on it. \m/

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you like the demos. I don't think I've used that pedal as of yet. I'll keep a lookout for it though. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope you like yours.

[@jd426]

I preferred the runt 20. The JJ is probably easier to play but seems a little messy with an overdrive. I like the hear the metallic tube clunk in a chug. The runt had it. Did you try the pink taco yet. I heard its darker but easier to play and sings. Less high end though

[@MrNastyguitar]

That Runt sounded so full in the mix thats crazy

[@RozsaAmplificationLLC]

I have played all of the Friedman line. The Deluxe's have the most versatility, however the best sounding in my opinion is the JJ 100-watt!! However, as someone pointed out, you have to turn up the volume on 100w amp to deliver the goods and that's LOUD, so a lower watter version of the same design just scaled down is better, however, the JJ Jr is a cheap version of the 100w and transformers different and less quality, so more hummmm. If there was a 20w or 50w version with 6V6 or dual EL34 and with half wattage switch, that would take the prize, but they don't offer that! Soo, JJ is the best in the entire line, but again, you have to turn it UP (otherwise some of the others may sound better at low volume)!

[@michaelrauls4943]

Another great review. I pretty much had my heart set on a small box but now I dunno....... that Runt sounds sweet and I think it's about a grand cheaper.🤔

[@timtaylor164]

The JJ Jr. Sounds amazing and damn its easy to get around. My 100 watt heads are collecting dust.

[@colebertram8482]

i really want to see the friedman BE 100 vs the mezzabarba trinity .

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

and versus Diezel!

[@lucasiciliano]

Hello My Dear Jarrod , great demo as usual ! My tone is Runt ! Runt-20 and JJ-20 are pretty similar thank to 2x EL84 ! Everything change with EL34 power section JJ is to gibsonish tone ! Jerry plays Les Paul since day one ! BE-100 doesn't fit with my ears ! Runt got a "full body" and the right aggression and perfect mids ! To me that amp kicks ... You know what I mean ! 👑🎸🔥

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Good hearing from you. It was a tough decision for me as well. The JJ Jr had a little more grit and that was what made the difference for me anyways. I did enjoy the Runt too. I was surprised

[@lucasiciliano]

@@TONEWARSgearshow Thanks a thousand Jarrod ! I tested Friedman amps in a musical store with a Gibson and cabs that wasn't mine. You're right about JJ jr , it's an hard choice ! EBMM Majesty is a great guitar and her pickups are very sensitive and You had the opportunity to play with right cab and mic placement so it means to listen to subtle details and all the nuances of sound ! I'm waiting for your next video ! Cheers and see You soon !

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@lucasiciliano you are very welcome. I'm glad you found the video helpful. I love my Majesty guitars and the Sonic Ecstasy pickups

[@jconner3891]

Love to have the JJ

[@patrickwade757]

I have the JJ Jr and it rules. various guitars straight into te JJJr into an Orange 2x12 cab. have tons of pedals including screamers adn boosts. the amp does not need it. oddly clean channel is pretty dope. I have a Fender super 60 1x12 combo which has been my go to clean tone for years. its' fund to check out a slight less clean (the jj jr) especially w/ a tele

[@Stretchwreckedem469]

I’ve heard that some of the Legendary Tones V2 Hot Mods work with some of the Friedman amplifiers, even heard one through a Runt 50 and it sounded so much meaner than before. Pure aggression with no punches pulled. I’m curious as to how a hot mod would make a BE-100 sound honestly

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting, I'm curious about that as well

[@ricdale7813]

The Runt 50 sounds even Angrier. Mucho Texture.

[@josephbutler148]

Give me some low mid punch \m/ some amps don't have enough I find but the top end is just as important \m/

[@SuperHotrod4]

Man, that 100 head is huge. You’re trying to tell me he couldn’t put that into a smaller shell. That’s ridiculous.

[@paulblanton1793]

What is your go to amp?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I actually have several. To name a few.... (In no particular order) Redseven Leviathan Evh Stealth and El34 Revv Generator MKIII JP-2C Herbert MKIII Mezzabarba

[@ivsiguitarist]

Awesome tone but it's definitely not built to compete with some of your other high gain heads.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Oh yeah, for sure. I was just curious to see how these amps stacked up against each other.

[@tool69tool69]

9:09 runt 13:28 jj

[@techdeathhippie6319]

The 100 JJ is the best Friedman

[@kylehart9726]

JJ wins Jerry has always had an amazing tone.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Not impressed with the JJ Jr friedman amp. Like the Pink Taco and Dirty Shirley. Have not played BE 100.

[@MultiLan2011]

lose sound on friedman

[@IndyRockStar]

Pro Tip....have your amps dialed in before you start the video. It's tantamount to having to stop to tune your guitar. It's unprofessional and annoying.