Friedman Mini Dirty Shirley - Amplifier Demo - Great Small Amp For The House Or The Stage

Check out the Mini Dirty Shirley specs here:
friedmanamplification.com/head...
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[@JohnnyBGood-ii8kt]

You are so right, I know they have a very high quality rating, they must be good. I think its I'm more into EL-34's, and some of the KT-66, and KT-88 fat tube sounds.

[@MiguelBraz]

Great playing, cool axes, killer tones out of the dirty shirley! Kudos !

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! They just released a new Shirley at NAMM. It is even better!!!

[@markgeorge2069]

I also bought this one based on your demo Brett. It sounds amazing

[@BrettPapa]

Sweet! Hope you are liking it!

[@Matan2222222]

Your mic is clipping when the gain of the amp is all the way up or it’s coming from the speakers

[@katseazzz]

oh man that R9 sound with that amp!!!beautiful top and color btw!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks, wish it was mine haha!

[@TheBhannah]

that lp looks mighty fine and sounds awesome !

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! I'm trying to get my buddy to give it to me haha!

[@blackfender100]

Great demo Papa That little amp head sounds awesome.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! It's a great little beast!

[@GTRJohn13]

That's one great demo sir!!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@brandan2888]

Does anyone know if it is normal for bass knob on this amp to only make noticeable changes to the tone from 0-2? from 2-10 I get no noticeable change. Mid and treble increase as you would expect. Basically I'm stuck w/ either completely rolled off or a lot of the boom. Looking to see if I should return for a new one or live with the one I got.

[@hermitrob5481]

I'd think a new one would do it as well bro! Grab a Treble Tool Pedal by GuitarSystems!

[@stormedbyhippiesc3966]

Beast of an amp. Think I need it

[@BrettPapa]

Yes you do!

[@stuartb3690]

I purchased one of these off the back of listening to this channel. I love it 😍. So much so ,I had a company in the uk ( Zilla ) make me a matching custom 2x12 cab with a couple of 25w greenbacks inside. My quest for that Marshall tone in my head at 20w level is now over. It has agreat fx loop that I needed. It absolutely nails the jcm 800 tone also. So that's Hendrix through to Tom morello covered just for starters. I love classic and stoner rock tones and this nails it. My Orange is now gathering dust !.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha! Awesome! It's a great little head! Glad you like it!

[@Auen73]

That's pretty much exactly what I needed to hear.....lol. Was curious what the DS mini sounds like with Greenbacks since there aren't any clips showcasing that combination. People mistake calling this amp bass-heavy.....It's full sounding classic rock-stoner amp! Just back off the bass and there ya go....right?

[@lespaul1648]

I am a little late to the party here so I apologize. But if you were looking for a Marshall tone...why didn't you just get a Marshall?

[@stuartb3690]

😄, good point. 2 years late mind. I still have the DS , I also have a Marshall JMP 2204 and a DSL 40. I now use my Shirley for heavy blues rock (single coil) my DSL for humbucker heavy palm mute kind of stuff . The JMP is just too loud to use at home !!🤪 Bang for buck I would say the Marshall dsl 40 is the best value. Especially 2nd hand . But the Shirley with a strat would be my desert island gear.

[@stricknine8623]

​@@stuartb3690Talk about a comment that started 💪 strong but ended up weak at the very end.. It's like Clint Eastwood to Dylan Mulvaney.. Go eat a steak and come back like you still have a pair.

[@anthonyward8587]

Fantastic demo man, all the best from Australia.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks!

[@KD-nb3mp]

Incredible playing man!

[@BrettPapa]

Thank ya!

[@jerrybarnesbass1]

HI Bret have u tried the DSM Combo ? and for home recording is the twin sister Combo gonna give me more tone options ? Thanks

[@BrettPapa]

Yes! All versions of the Shirley are awesome! The Twin Sister is amazing. I personally think it is even better than the first version. More refined sounding. Plus with the two channels its pretty tough to beat!

[@donkasner2396]

Brett will this amp get you that Drop Dead Legs 1984 tone without an overdrive or boost pedal? And when compared to the PT-20, is the Dirty Shirley less “stiff” sounding, does this amp have more of a spongy/saggy feel to it?

[@BrettPapa]

Yeah it will get yeah there for sure.

[@jamiemichael2928]

Brett, what cab might you have used on this 5 year old demo of the 20 watt Dirty Shirley

[@JWCFB]

Bret what is the deal with that Strat? I never heard a strat with a bite like that? Ive never seen an angled humbucker on a strat either? Do you have a video about that strat? Is it a custom built or modified guitar?

[@BrettPapa]

Its a Bill Nash 60's style Strat. The hum bucker was added later. Rather than cut out more wood to make it straight I just followed the line of the single coil. Plus being a child of the 80's I loved the look! The pickups are Lollar. The bridge is an Imperial Low Wind and the singles are S Series.

[@marksc1929]

...nice playing and tone Papa

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks!

[@lazynorse5607]

How did you mic the amp? Speaker type? Sounds like mine, best amp I've ever played and owned!

[@BrettPapa]

Friedman 212 cab with V30's. SM57 into a BAE DMP into an Apogee Duet. Such a great little amp! Thanks for watching!

[@BITESIZEJONES]

As he mentioned the mini is plenty loud. Especially with a Les Paul and some kind of boost Overdrive. Super cool amp I love mine. It sounds even better through a well broken in celestion g12h 30

[@BrettPapa]

Great amp! Totally enough to rock a club.

[@jordidosnumerosmes8731]

That's the way for checking an amplifier, thank you!

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@justins2025]

bought one - based off your recommendation over the runt 20.. Love it !!

[@BrettPapa]

Awesome man! Glad you like it!

[@brettschulte3845]

Brett, how does this compare at low volumes to the BTR? I’ve heard the BTR needs to be turned up to sound good

[@BrettPapa]

Both are great but definitely different beasts. BTR sounds fantastic at a low volume. Every video I ever did before I moved to Nashville was with the BTR at a whisper volume!

[@danielhartman6529]

That amp sounds awesome. .Dude your pretty bad ass on the guitar. Tearing up that telecaster.

[@BrettPapa]

Thank ya! Thanks for checking out the vid!

[@craiglluntz]

Great tones. Haven't been able to find one of these locally to demo. Closest was a Runt 20 which was ok. Have you played the Runt 20 and if so, how do these compare? Thanks.

[@BrettPapa]

Both are great. Tough call.

[@craiglluntz]

So is it safe to say that if I didn't dig the Runt, I may not love the DS mini? How similarly are they voiced? Thanks.

[@Nafopwnstar]

Craig Luntz runt is closer to a BE, I guess. So if the DSM is more vintage voiced, the runt is more modern. I tried both and thought the runt was pretty good, but the dirty Shirley blew my fragile mind. Juicy thick tone, and versatile enough to go from blues to 80's glam metal. Highly recommend this amp.

[@craiglluntz]

Nathan Twining have you played the PT-20 and if so how would you compare? I've played the PT a couple of times and it was nice but didn't make me want to run out and buy one. I've seen a ton of comments that the DS is one of the best amps they've ever played.

[@Nafopwnstar]

So I got the chance to do direct comparisons between the PT, Runt and DSM in one sitting. All played with a cheap epiphone that the store had handy, equipped with seymour duncans (no idea which). I didn't play the other friedman's because they are out of my price range. The PT is kinda like the runt, just thicker and more aggressive. Couldn't coerce much of a clean sound out of it, to be honest. The gain structure switch didn't do much for me. I loved it for that 80's hair metal sound, but that was it. One trick pony. Amazing trick, but alas. When I A/Bed it with the Runt, the Runt seemed thinner but as articulate. Runt could get pretty hair with the boost enabled and gain up. When I compared the DSM with the PT...well, the DSM stole my heart. It has it's own special mojo. It could do a wicked hair metal tone, but cleaned up so sweetly. I was actually really impressed with how sweet the cleans could be (cleans achieved with the volume control on the guitar.) The gain structure switch opened up a range of tones, too. It felt like 3 usably different stages of gain, whereas the PT didn't vary enough to warrant the gain structure switch, in my opinion. The Dirty Shirley's gain has such a nuanced character, and could go from filthy filthy blues to gorgeously saturated hard rock tones. I have no doubt that with the right OD you could push it to do some older forms of metal. But the versatility from the amp alone was impressive. I played the PT first and liked it, but thought it wasn't as good as the orange rockerverb I already had. But when I played the DSM I was surprised by the touch sensitivity and that special mojo. As you say, tons of comments say that the DS is the best amp they've played. and yeah, I'd probably agree at this point. My amp experience is hardly extensive, but there was some seriously juicy stuff in that amp that even had me questioning my allegiance to my rockerverb. No one can tell you whether this amp is for you, but life is short and amps are cool. Report back here if you give it a go, man. Would be curious to hear if you like it. Feel free to ask specific questions too, if my response was too vague. These things are expensive and rare, so I'd be happy to help.

[@PeterKertesz2013]

Awesome amp/video Brett,05:52-06:04 the sound is heavenly!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@BertieBacon]

Hey papa! What cabinet and speakers are you running this through?

[@BrettPapa]

Hello! Vintage 30's

[@DelReiRock]

Great video, man!!!! Could you compare the Mini DS to the PT20???

[@BrettPapa]

+Del Rei Rock I’ll see if I can get my hands on them. Stay tuned.

[@mikedfurman]

Seconded, on the fence between these two and your videos are always top notch! Love that you're doing some gear demos now too in addition to your lessons.

[@DelReiRock]

Michael Furman 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

[@tomgutierrez]

Sounds great! I'm a bit still a bit hesitant because I've had a love-hate relationship with master volumes for years. I love this amp but wonder if it would be too much for my condo. How good is that master volume? Is it better than a good attenuator?

[@BrettPapa]

Sounds amazing! What you are hearing there is bedroom level. Friedman's have amazing master volumes!

[@tomgutierrez]

@@BrettPapa You may have just sold another amp for Friedman! Thanks for answering so fast.

[@stuivey1]

Thinking of ditching my kemper profiler for this! 😃

[@BrettPapa]

It’s an awesome little amp!

[@jroobz]

thinking the same thing!

[@moonsama395]

lol why ? why not have both

[@areskochendorfer2532]

Thinking of using my ax8 in conjunction with this. Whatchuall think

[@danielrose703]

That amp sounds good with the Les Paul.

[@BrettPapa]

Yes, it does! Such a great little amp. A good guitar doesn't hurt either, I wish it was mine haha!

[@kirkmulder1599]

Like it's not sounding killer with a strat??? That Bill Nash Strat sounds incredible through this amp.

[@bobryan7722]

Can you gig in a small to medium club and play over a hard driving drummer? In other words is 20 watts enough ?

[@BrettPapa]

Yes it is. Plenty loud.

[@bobryan7722]

@@BrettPapa Thanks!

[@PurposefulPorpoise]

Do you remember what pickups were in that les paul?

[@BrettPapa]

Whatever comes in the R9's

[@troywm1016]

"Papa don't play no Les Paul" 🤣 Thank god for A Chords. I've never be let in Guitar Center 😁

[@deadinside0586]

Awesome amp! Perfect tone. This cab is a 2x12 V30s?

[@BrettPapa]

Yep, it's a great cab! Thanks for checking it out!

[@hermitrob5481]

Sounds like the bottom end crapped out with the Strat at 3:53, and did the same thing with the Tele at 7:22! Got muddy, and yucky both times! Brett noticed it on both guitars, and backed off the gain switch! She shines with humbuckers! Sounds good with singles, but definitely has low end limitations at higher gain settings! I'm sure the Big Boy DS doesn't! Still a cool little head! DAAAAAVE, STAAAAAND BYYYYYYY SWIIIIIIIIITCH! Come on big guy!

[@reverb508]

You're probably right, but it to me, it sounded like the mic was clipping.

[@MrMojoRiiisin]

This or the PT for Zeppelin and AC/DC tones?

[@BrettPapa]

Shirley all the way.

[@runnershigh7573]

Hi Brett! Did you go straight in the amp or first in a drive pedal or tube screamer? Cheers Roger 🎸🇨🇭

[@BrettPapa]

If I remember correctly just straight into the head. Tons of gain on tap in that amp.

[@glisteningkabana8154]

Love the Alice in Chains, respect Papa! diggin the shirley!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@jarretthinds5621]

What cab/speaker are you going through there?

[@BrettPapa]

Its the Friedman cab with Vintage 30's.

[@jarretthinds5621]

@@BrettPapa Thanks, sounds good. I bought one of these based in large part to this video. Arriving today.

[@ericporter344]

I really want one of these, but want to demo it first for myself. Only hear great things about DS, great job on the demo Brett

[@BrettPapa]

Great amp, and the new one the Twin Sister is even better!

[@klaus00763]

Excellent....-:))

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks!

[@richiesplayground7092]

Yeah with the master volume on 4, that won't go over well in an apartment. That's very loud. It is a fabulous amp though. It does a similar thing that the Marshall 1987 does

[@BrettPapa]

Sounds great down low too!

[@jeffhebert9643]

How would this amp take pedals or is it a one trick pony ?

[@BV_Beve]

I have one it takes pedals well & also has a great series effects loop for delays etc

[@solshine2569]

Yes, takes pedals amazingly well. No issues at all, cleans are awesome too. Effects Loop stellar.

[@BrettPapa]

Takes pedals great. The loop is killer and it takes drive really well in the front of the amp too!

[@Sonicblue1922]

regular or mini? what is your favorite?

[@BrettPapa]

Both are great! I would be happy with either. Big one is one of my favorite amps ever.

[@paulcowart3174]

Great amp Almost got one but held off cause the DS40 sounds so much better and why it's almost twice the price Plus I have an 83 800 so holding off for the 40 It might just be the 5881 against the EL84 AND the DS40 sounds fantastic at lower volume especially with the OX Good stuff 👍 BP

[@BrettPapa]

Decisions decisions lol! Thanks for checking out the vid!

[@fixedgear37]

word salad

[@Hiroshi_OK]

You really look nice on les paul!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks!

[@GuyHarrison-nm1xt]

Is it as good as the friedman distortion pedal

[@BrettPapa]

Haha yep

[@nicktuel8125]

What cab where you using in this?

[@BrettPapa]

Friedman cab

[@ibjlgup]

I suspect this is still too loud for home use? May be worth also investing in an attenuator :)

[@BrettPapa]

No actually their master is incredible on all of their amps. Almost all of the videos are at talking volume or less.

[@Marius-vw9hp]

8:15 to 8:55 was pretty insane :O

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks!

[@Tone5DP777]

Another great demo that gives me GAS for this 40 Watt head!!

[@BrettPapa]

+Tone5DP777 It’s awesome! Love that amp!

[@Ganache30]

@@BrettPapa Hi Brett, having played both the mini and the 40, which do you favour and why?! Cheers!

[@zafira976]

Hey Papa, is the mini less gainy than the large DS?

[@BrettPapa]

No I don't think so.

[@zafira976]

Thanks for the quick response

[@KelsterVonShredster]

Good video....you remind me of me LOL.

[@BrettPapa]

You must be funny haha! Thanks for watching!

[@LUckybones25]

Man, that is one rich sounding amp.

[@BrettPapa]

They make great stuff! Cant get enough lol!

[@LinconFaysal]

What is the model of that les paul?

[@BrettPapa]

Not positive, it’s my buddies. I believe it’s an R9.

[@marcotrevisan8605]

what do u think about phil x amp?

[@BrettPapa]

Sounds great!

[@Vince1974]

Nice as always but is it just me or it is quite muddy on the low strings ?! Not tight in the bass department ?!

[@BrettPapa]

Nah it can be as tight as you would like it. Remember though its based on a JTM45 so there are tighter options available if that is your main concern.

[@nihilistlivesmatter]

Will it help a guy with no talent or motivation to practice? If it does it's just what I'm looking for

[@MRay-zj4ro]

Even if you don't practice ever sometimes it soothing just to hold an amp in ones arms.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Sounds like a good plexi with more gain at low volume

[@BrettPapa]

Great little amp! Grerat solution for those that cant afford or just don't need the bigger version.

[@miguelmatias629]

Is it a tube amp?

[@BrettPapa]

Yes

[@miguelmatias629]

@@BrettPapa ok thanks

[@Matan2222222]

Pt20 vs MDS?

[@BrettPapa]

Both are great. PT is more hard rock and metal. DS is more classic rock.

[@Matan2222222]

@@BrettPapa Thanks Papa! Great playing!

[@dazfarrell]

Maz 38 dr z or a Friedman pt20, dirty shirley 20. The delema!

[@BrettPapa]

Hmmmmmm, both great but are completely different. I'd say get them both!

[@dazfarrell]

@@BrettPapa and mega bucks 🤣 sure why not!

[@Bamabluesboy]

Tell me about that Strat.. I’m not a Strat guy, but I like the look and sound of that one.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! It's a Bill Nash Strat with Lollar pickups. Imperial Low Wind in the bridge and S Series for the singles.

[@embreesmith7613]

I get the impression that it was still freakin' loud what apartment did you envision this amp in .. :)) anyways since the 1970's are gone with bar crowds that would sukk up all the watts that an Super Lead had.. I have been using a pedal into a AC-30 a REAL AC-30 of course this amp sounds like it would do well with a Prince of Tone, and the amp just on the verge of break-up

[@BrettPapa]

It sounds great at all volumes. It wasn't too loud really. Just above talking level.

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

Was about to type amazing meaty sound from those single coils, then i spot the bridge humbucker, lol.

[@BrettPapa]

Love that pickup!!

[@Stump51]

Did you kick a pedal on.i saw you kick on something.

[@BrettPapa]

Probably a boost. Maybe a RC Booster. I used that pedal a lot back then.

[@boydrobertson7145]

The Mini Dirty Shirley is the best and most versatile amp Friedman offers

[@BrettPapa]

It is an awesome little amp!

[@boydrobertson7145]

Hi Brett, luv your videos and I agree the Mini Dirty Shirley is an awesome little amp...I bought one too and I can honestly say it has been a huge part of my improvement as a guitar player

[@hermitrob5481]

Cool amp, but not really that versatile for anything but hard rock! Steve Stevens head is the most versatile. Has a clean channel! Goes from Blackface to JCM! Thing is bad ass! Just costs as much as a used car!

[@boydrobertson7145]

Robert Hackett have u tried the mini in the middle position as the cleans are great, Regarding hard rock, the mini is not a high gain amp at all, I 'm not sure if we are talking about the same amp. I have a mini and I play rock blues, southern rock, and classic 70's rock and it's amazing!! btw...Steve Stevens is an awesome player and his signature head is very cool!

[@hermitrob5481]

Yeah I know exactly what is, a hot rodded JTM-45! I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to you, or the DSM for that matter. I just consider a versatile amp, something that can cover any genre of music! All that you named is pretty much hard rock, not metal, but hard rock, IMO

[@yourmomma6909]

Huston we have achieved tonal wood

[@BrettPapa]

Haha!

[@goofy2009ify]

Nice little Blues Rock and Classic Rock amp, but you´ll need a booster/od to get into VH territory.

[@BrettPapa]

Or a good EQ like Eddie did back in the day!

[@voxpathfinder15r]

If you are a pedal guy and only want an amp for the home all you need is a Vox AC4C1 amp - 4 watts all tube, one extra gain stage than the original from the 60s. With a suite of overdrives, boosts and distortion pedals - it will do all the tones of this amp and more and you get that great chime as well when you want a clean tone

[@B2Rockin]

Wouldn't it drive you crazy not to have a presence knob? And damn, at $1,699 for a 20-Watt "mini" head they couldn't include a presence knob and/or a 2nd channel? Reverb maybe? Boy times have changed.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha!

[@B2Rockin]

@@BrettPapa squeaky wheel gets the grease right? (sometimes 🤣) sounds killer though! If it’s that damn good I’m going to have to try it! Thanks for the demo and nice chops! 🤙🏻

[@rocker8692]

I realized the amps dont suck,my playing sucks lol

[@BrettPapa]

Haha!

[@ardiris2715]

An apartment at 3 am with 2 kids sleeping in the next room?

[@BrettPapa]

Sounds great at that level too. Their master volumes work great!

[@MRay-zj4ro]

Try it in someone else's apartment at 3 am with their 2 kids sleeping first just to be safe. :)

[@kirkmulder1599]

As an owner of a BE50 I can attest to the master volume being insanely good on Friedmans. Even at 50w I can get baby sleeping next door quiet with killer tone. Dave’s a genius at tuning an amp’s tone and meaningful and usable control via the knobs. At 25w setting I can get it down to the volume of a quietly played acoustic guitar. And it still sounds sweet and has wonderful dynamics.

[@goodknight37]

Alice In Chains!!!

[@BrettPapa]

Yes!!

[@bengalboy61]

15w 5150iii for only $599 destroys that in sound , cmon daddynostache , love watching your videos

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for watching!

[@hawkinshill9012]

Stay off the crack

[@antonioroman4895]

The Amp with Mater at 4 will get you kicked out of an apartment!!!

[@BrettPapa]

Haha maybe so!

[@woodendoors9532]

Good video. Bad hat.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha!