Friedman Pink Taco Mini Combo Amplifier Review

[@sb4663]

Awesome review just needed to hear it with the gain at 12 instead of maxed for some classic rock tones...SO close to the best review ever

[@zafira976]

sounds fantastic and you get what you pay for! it's actually not a bad price at all for a hand-wired amp. The fact that it's a 20watt amp is not relevant, neither makes that fact too expensive for what it is. The only difference with the 50 watt amp is that the PT has EL84s which actually sound better and have a sweeter break-up than the larger EL34s. The amp also responds with more of a vintage character than the larger ones as it's cathod biased. What an absolutely beautiful piece of gear!

[@ianalderman9290]

Ahh Friedman Pink Taco mini combo! Glad to hear it since hearing about it at Winter NAMM! Sounds great!

[@jakeschleifer1303]

This guy makes everything sound so interesting lol

[@G-NutZ]

His ability to change keys and tempos/time signatures from one note to the next is epic

[@GoldtopDude]

I’ve had one for about 6-7 years, worth every penny! Sadly it was discontinued, and the V2 replacement is not hand wired anymore , only Assembled in CA………again, great review!

[@Scott__C]

I love Nick's stuff and the Sweetwater videos. I hate that no one will just flat out say Marshall, Strat, Tele, or Les Paul when that's what they mean. Sorry, I mean British, S-type, T-type and Single cutaway.

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

Wow, Sweetwater is ramping up the production quality on these reviews quite a bit! The Friedman amps seem really expensive, until you start looking at the price of the hand-wired Marshalls.

[@tonedover]

i have a runt 20 head. its the most versatile and incredibly voiced amp ive ever owned (mesa mark iv, 5150, marshall dsl, multiple oranges, sunn t50c, blackheart, blackstar and multiple fenders) it does a great clean, can be eq’d to get a “tweed on fire” tone, brownish sounds, jcm800 sounds and more gain than that. i put an eq in the loop, and bang, im getting tight modern metal. WHY AM I HERE?? I like the runt to much im looking for an excuse to get another friedman. Anyone that hates on these amps is just mad at the price. You do get a superior product tonally, and yes, you pay a premium for that. :)

[@adamarsenault1785]

When you buy this amp, plug into it and hear it in person you know why it is expensive. You definitely get what you pay for....

[@kevinbrodess2684]

Great review great amp love it

[@the92project]

Sold, buying it in 2018

[@jmounce50]

Great review! Rock On 🤘

[@Tracks777]

I enjoyed your video :) Keep it up!

[@bobbob-mq9nu]

Friedman, Taco, it's like you're in my head.

[@dragchainreaction]

omg the tone

[@MarkJohnsonJams]

I'd consider this if it wasn't a 1x10. I'm probably going with the Runt 50 instead

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

There's also a mini head version as well.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Ua and the fact u can add a couple zeros on that and still not hit the price tag on this amp. These Friedman amps r just amps. Not worth what they try to sell them for

[@jasperchance3382]

would be nice and usefull to hear some clean tones, as well

[@JM-eq3sx]

How does the PT20 differ from the Runt 20 combo?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, JM. The two amps are cut from the same cloth and both do the modded-Marshall sound really well, but there are some key differences: • The PT20 is handwired whereas the Runt is built on a PCB. • The PT20 is a single channel amp whereas the Runt has two channels. • The Runt also adds in a cab emulated out for direct recording or going to a PA system. That portion acts as a load box so you can disconnect the speaker for a silent stage if you want. Those are the main differences. They're both terrific amps so it just comes down to the tone and features you're after. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1320, [e-mail]

[@blakewhit1394]

does this amp clean out at all

[@MrUltraworld]

This guy doesn't work for Marshall anymore?

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Not a fan of the pink taco but I love the Dirty Shirley. Pink taco lacks bottom end.

[@JacobH93]

That is a lot of cash for a combo with a 10" speaker. I get it is high quality/hand made but I'm surprised it isn't a 1 12 instead. Also... interesting name.

[@MisterTee]

Jacob Hartman Don't be surprised if a 1X 12 version follows shortly. Having said that the Celestion 10 inch Greenback sounds really close to a 12 inch Greenback.

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

I bet a 10" Celestion Gold would sound great in there too.

[@OperationEndGame]

Wow. Nick Bowcott is now a Friedman pitchman.

[@0311campbelljk]

Come on guys. 9 minutes of talking for a 3 minute demo with the gain just cranked all the way up?

[@Sir_Dickbag]

Yeah pretty much worthless. This guy has no clue how to play with the gain on anything but ten. Because he sucks.

[@troywm1016]

@@Sir_Dickbag Me too

[@pepebvelez]

what is the difference between the PT mini combo and the PT20 mini head and cabined?

[@Dominoesfall757]

12” Creamback in the PT cabinet and a 10” greenback in the combo.

[@njbluesgtr]

Didn't he work for Marshall at one time?

[@WaghRules]

That guy is hilarious!

[@JIMJAMSC]

Always get a head/cab rather than a combo. The only issues I ever had were always with combos usually from vibrations rattling tubes and other internals. Easier to transport 2 separate lighter and imo easier to perform maintain and service. Use the head with other cabs/speaker combinations.

[@muzjikstb]

Have been thinking this same thing for some time. Have never gone the head/cab route...seems like it might be the right path...

[@montag4516]

Combos are fun and a bit more portable but they are hell on the tubes. Whatever tube combo amp I have I go through and add some type of rubber or foam gasket, or washers between the chassis and the cabinet, wherever possible. A tube of blackbrubber gasket from the auto parts store works and you can make your own tube damper rings with it as well. Anything to help soak up those cabinet vibrations and preserve the life of those tubes, particularly the power tubes.

[@MattSpinks]

I just clicked on 6 different spots on the timeline trying to hear the amp and heard talking every time, lol. Next video.

[@gunsandguitars6678]

I would buy through Sweetwater if they offered the same accommodations as American music supply taking payments from debit cards these are hard times specially for musicians you would make more money if you make it easier for us just my thought great promotion ☆

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Im pretty sure that sweetwater does do the same thing as ams and zzounds. Sometimes they have specials running and can get a real good deal

[@ma9ical1]

Does it take pedals well?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Richard, it depends on how you introduce them. Keep the pedals in a different room until the Friedman starts getting used to their scent. Thanks for watching!

[@ma9ical1]

SweetwaterSound LMAO

[@wabisabi6802]

1:20 $1,800?

[@robertj1303]

Too expensive, prefer Dr Z full stop!

[@davidrg1550]

I really don’t like this guys commentary during the demo. Great playing though!

[@DogDaze66]

sick amp

[@HBSuccess]

3 minutes of information and 9 minutes of hyperbole and Friedman brown-nosing. Good sounding amp as anyone would expect for these dollars.

[@mikcrone]

Marshall!!

[@jamesabel6355]

Woah, does Nick work for Friedman now?

[@ianalderman9290]

James Abel He demo'ed the Wampler Dracarys pedal, I think he's a Sweetwater man now.

[@jamesabel6355]

Ahh I see, I was going to say that's a controversial switch otherwise haha. Can't say I'd blame him though! I had the pleasure of meeting Nick a few years ago, really nice guy!

[@ianalderman9290]

James Abel Awesome dude! He does seem to come across as a really nice person for sure!

[@jamesabel6355]

Ian Alderman He was a very genuine guy!

[@dixinears8004]

Sounds awesome but $1800 is too much.

[@robertwest9643]

WakeeWakee yeah seriously, how many could they possibly sell for that much money...for a mini combo amp 😋

[@gunsandguitars6678]

WakeeWakee holy s*** that's a lot of money for a little amp but I can see taking this thing too many jam nights? hahaha

[@ohstirfry]

It’s tube hand built .and not built by out of country workers

[@tuinridderhenkWalters]

topper

[@Jshortca1]

Sounds good but not 1800 bucks good.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Sounds like my Marshall jvm 1

[@DogDaze66]

sweet and juicy mini pig

[@Tonskiislegit]

I really wish Friedman would make amps for about 500-800.

[@alankcpa]

Have you checked out Jet City amps? They are about 20 watts and in your price range. Some were designed by Soldona and other by Andy Marshall of THD.

[@Tonskiislegit]

I have actually, played a jca 50 wasn't a fan. Love soldano SLOs but once again way to much. I'm playing around with an idea of getting a Bugera 1990 (yes I know about their issues) and a Friedman be-od and using that? (I'm changing the tubes of the bugera as well)

[@alankcpa]

I have a 1980s Carvin X60 with one 12" speaker. It's only recently given me problems. It's been better than most cars. Build quality is high to have lasted this long, playing in bands, being dropped, and what not. Back in the 1980s they tried to make the ultimate amp and have it try to do everything. Similar to what Mesa Boogie did with the Mark Five. The Carvin is basically two channels with a bright boost and gain channel with high gain boost circuit. The bright boost sounds like a classic Fender amp. Very chimey. The gain boost sounds like a Marshall JCM or a Boogie. The other channels are somewhere in between. I'm thinking of giving the 50 watt V3 a look. I think the combo is $799. It's made in America. Guitar Center sells them used for about $500. I know the big turn off is not being able to try one unless you live in SoCal. They have a ten day try out and return policy. I've had good experience with one amp I own. I also own one of their Strat knockoffs the Bolt. Again the build quality I think is higher than Fender. Good luck.

[@steveburchfield5576]

PERFECT FOR SPINAL TAP!!!666

[@justfine77777]

🤦🏻‍♂️. Not another left handed guitar player. Stop it people!

[@1chowe]

Weird demo.

[@julestielens6988]

please someone who can play! friedman is the beste btw

[@bobamato1]

You make the video then

[@Guitaural.]

Love that they're building in the US - too bad they're gearing the names toward 13 year old boys...society's crass enough without manufacturers contributing to it.

[@babetteleblanc7620]

Agree. Pink Taco...wth!

[@HunterJs2]

GuitAural You'll get over it.

[@Guitaural.]

Thanks Doc.

[@jdh3121]

named after the Mexican restaurant in LA

[@markbaum9615]

Poor snowflake offended by the pink taco... off to your safe space

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

I wish you didn't make this guy read so much, you're killing his personality

[@MikeBrown-bg6wg]

Talks too much

[@cravenmorehead7610]

I like this guy , I wish he could play guitar though.,,,

[@JM-bg2ts]

this guy talks too much