Friedman PT20 VS Runt 20 Comparison

Friedman Runt 20 Head
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Friedman PT 20 Head
imp.i114863.net/BvQRx
Here are some other products from a dealer I trust and buy from online
imp.i114863.net/c/2224555/791...
Become a Patreon and support more videos like this
www.patreon.com/home
Send photos of you in your shirt here
[e-mail]
Facebook
/ knowyourgear
Instagram
/ phillip_mcknight
Know Your Gear T shirts
teespring.com/stores/know-you...
D Addario Fret Polish Kit
imp.i114863.net/LMYvY
String Swing sideways guitar hangers behind me
amzn.to/2QyrpuD
Dava Picks
amzn.to/2Ik60AL
I use D Addario American Series Cables
imp.i114863.net/rmNKQ
The D Addario Kit I Love!
amzn.to/2StZ34k
Single wall hanger metal
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

[@sleggarri]

Useful comparison. You've asked and answered valid questions that have helped me further evaluate these two amps, especially with regard to the leads. Thank you.

[@rikh78]

Best comparison i've seen of these two amps and very useful. Great job :)

[@horsetoothedjac]

Phil Ive been watching your stuff and you are really great at what you do! Ive been buying guitars pedals amps the last 3 months. Runt 20, Fender BB15,17 Silverburst Strat, 17Les Paul std. Youve helped immensely as a resource! Thanks a million!

[@shawnreese6538]

Both good! Thanks for the Demo Phil! Happy Holidays to you and all PHX!

[@riffdude]

These amps are AMAZING. Can't get enough of that sound ^^

[@ryannelson1401]

Another really good & informative demo Philip! I've been contemplating a Friedman amp purchase & i think you swayed me towards the PT. I generally like amps with less features & more simplicity. Btw, I have a Thornbucker in one of my guitars & LOVE it...

[@russmills5103]

Great video. I own the PT20 and the Runt 50. One thing to note is that the PT20 does get a lot crisper then what you hear in this video. He had the eq set at noon on both amps to compare, but you can get a much crisper sound out of the pt-20 if you just turn the treble up to 2:00. Both amps are great, but I also slightly prefer the pt-20 as well. But it is real close. Even compared to the Runt 50, the PT20 is thicker, and almost just as loud. They keep up with each other in a full band setting that's for sure. And the gain toggle on the new PT-20's really gives it some versatility. With the gain toggle on the lowest setting, the PT20 really does the classic rock thing nicely and cleans up real well with the volume knob

[@gmjones2001]

Great vid Phillip! Picking up a PT20 tomorrow! So STOKED!

[@hawg427]

Great demo Phillip. I guess those subtle things about the PT is because of the hand-wired circuitry.

[@EOD714]

Great comparison, with great advice at the end.

[@guitardave]

Very interesting video Phillip - I have a Runt 20, and after watching this I’ll be turning my Presence control all the way off and turning the mids up! I’m sure the Runt can be made to sound more like the PT with a bit of eq tweaking, ie more mids and bass and bit less treble. Having said that, I do love the Runt as is - very versatile and feature rich amp.

[@guitardave]

Brian M yes, quite possibly that would work.

[@netenemy]

Great vid, Phil! Thanks!

[@jetblack7044]

Hey Phil great video as always , I would really love to see your playing for a little bit longer. I think it helps the brain to sit on sound .

[@DelReiRock]

Great Phillip. Nice job. It would really be great to see a comparison including the Mini Dirty Shirley.

[@fabianthio4011]

Awesome review! I just bought my pink taco. Totally worth the penny!

[@youngzombie6342]

Both amazing. Nice review. Thank you very much.

[@LateNightYinzer]

I recently bought a PT and found a hacky but great way to get cleans. The preamp just loves to clip, so you gotta roll your volume way, way back to get clean, but then it's too quiet. What you need to do then is put a clean boost in the loop, to boost your small clean signal back up to a comparable volume. I use the (massive) onboard boost on the Empress ParaEQ and it really makes this amp even that much more versatile. It practically adds a clean channel once you master using it and it sounds phenomenal.

[@emdblues]

That's an awesome hack! Thanks I don't have the amp but there's a used one in mint condition, but there's also Runt 50 for similar money. I don't know what to do. I need some cleans for 3 or 4 songs on my setlist.

[@tomulator]

So...Phil...is it possible to EQ the Runt to sound similar to the PT? Just curious if there is any "overlap" in the tones you can get. Also, did you have the "boost" engaged on the Runt when you cranked the gain? Finally, what "bright" setting were you using on the Runt when demoing the cleans. Thanks for doing this one! Next...you should compare the Runt 50 to the BE-100...

[@adamfstewart81]

Any chance you'll be doing a review of the Friedman BE-50? Did a great job with the PT & Runt - would love to watch your comparison of the BE-50 vs. other 50 watt Friedman heads (Runt & Smallbox?)

[@JesseLeeKing]

Great video uncle Phil

[@shawnshipstad739]

Great job-Thank you.!!

[@Spidouz]

Thank you Phil! Now if you still have the Klonz, I'd love to hear it in a Marshall-ish setup in comparison to the Friedman amps... just for fun and to see how close (or not) it could be... just a thought :)

[@ChrisSkinner1]

Hey Phil, great video! Will you be doing a review of the Duo Sonic on the wall? I love those guitars! Just got a HS version.

[@JM-eq3sx]

I agree the Runt sounded "thin" on lead tone. What kind of "always on" pedal (a boost, compressor, low-gain OD set low...?) might fatten it up to match the PT?

[@dalepal]

Good comparison of the two Friedman amps. I like sound of the PT20 better but would be happy with the Runt 20 too.

[@josephcrisologo635]

Runt for me. Great demo!

[@PJ-ee5mc]

Another great video, Phillip! I just bought the Runt 20 watt head and you helped to close the deal. Can you tell me which would provide a more realistic direct-out to my Logic Pro DAW: The Friedman Runt's direct-out, or a Two Notes Torpedo Captor (not the X version)? I would value your opinion on this as i'm sure other would as well. Keep up the great work!

[@theyearoftherat]

Definitely prefer the clarity of the Runt. Taco is a bit too heavy in lower mids (for me).

[@thinkingape7655]

Great review!

[@AkiraSpectrum]

great video, both sound great but I agree that PT20 is a beauty.

[@danieltravis5082]

+Philip McKnight Question - I play classic heavy metal (think priest, maiden, accept, diamond head) and have been saving for a Top Hat Emplexador for a very long time now. I have a Hughes and Kettner Triamp that's an absolute monster, but has nowhere close to the mids and clarity I need for what I want to do. The PT20 sounds great to me for that sort of Maiden/Priest tone leadwise, but does it have that rich, usable overdrive that Brian Gerhard's Top Hat plexi has for metal rhythm? I.E., triplets, fast, articulate staccato rhythm, etc? If you know any NWOBHM (Diamond Head, Mercyful Fate) or early Thrash (Metallica and Megadeths first couple records) riffs, could you play them on the PT20 for me? Or know where I could find someone who has a PT20 and plays those sorts of things so I could hear? That lead sound is rich, warm, classic, raw,.... and just ORGANIC sounding on the PT20, and I'm having second thoughts about what I'm GASing for at the moment. Thanks so much +Philip McKnight, and as always, thanks for the GREAT content. (P.S., if you're curious about the sort of music I would be playing with this sound, here's a link to a demo track: kiwi6.com/artists/StorMCrowned/forever-ass-metal-4-lyfe )

[@1992YR]

I have owned both amps and the PT - 20 is the better amp. The gain channel on the Runt is nowhere as good at the PT - 20. The new model of the PT - 20 has a 3 way switch to get even more tones! Play each one in person and the choice is easy!

[@danielecontegiacomo1127]

Where did You See The 3 Way switch on PT20?

[@hawg427]

@@danielecontegiacomo1127 Sorry, my mistake. It was the Friedman JJ 20 watt that has the switches on the front of it.

[@satchrules101]

What can we do for a clean sound on the pt 20?

[@brucejoyce9089]

PT sounds incredible!

[@devlinavocado6274]

A hand-wired Runt deluxe would be great.

[@jprosentreter]

Another KILLER video! So, I am between these two or the Dirty Shirley Mini. Looking for pretty much a jcm800-ish tone in a smaller more manageable wattage. Playing rock and roll infused punk in the vein of Dropkick Murhpys or Social Distortion. Any input? Also, would it have enough volume in a band through a Marshall 1960AV with v30s? Cheers!

[@coleuzzell652]

Maybe I'm partial to the more mid heavy sound but the pt20 has something the runt doesn't. Thoughts?

[@benforsey]

Thing is, you can quite easily the Runt to get that creamy midrange for lead playing with a Klon type overdrive pedal. And the thiner clarity of the Runt will be really useful for certain sounds. So I'd say the Runt is more versatile. The PT sounds absolutely banging though. Both in the same rig would be sick!

[@w1third]

I’ve been watching that pedal show, can you do a video on how to run a Wet/Dry rig....

[@CaptainCrunch75]

I have Wildwood PT20 and it is amazing, picked up a Runt 20 for gigging due to its more features, also...change the V1 on the Runt to a JJ, it comes with all ARS, while the PT20 came stock with a JJ in the V1. Tubes make a difference.

[@caseylockwood5512]

Which of the two do you prefer?

[@benforsey]

PT20's midrange is beautiful, but I'd say the Runt with a Klon style overdrive would be able to achieve that tone and would be more versatile

[@andrewslads]

The PT sounds to me like there is more compression hence why it sounds ‘ cocked ‘ and it easier to play . The runt sounds more ‘live’ and pierces better on those bends . Taco would get lost in a mix live with a loud band comparatively

[@jprosentreter]

HEY Phil!! If you had to choose ONE of the Friedman 20w which would you go with? Clean-ish is good enough, dont really play clean.

[@johnevans1453]

own the runt just use it at home to enjoy and record with. For my usage it covers all bases pretty well, Its new to me. The XLR out gives me options to turn up the amp volume and lower the interface volume when recording @home. Fun FUn Fun! The PT sounds great. And easier to play goes a long way.

[@scrollkeeper6636]

Wonder if you swap only one run of tubes how they'll feel in A/B test

[@adamscholle3092]

"Wah sound" on the PT-20 is the tone of it. The pick attack determines how that tube saturation sound comes out in the tone which is why it's so much better. More mids to cut through a mix and just a more full sound.

[@1961jscofield]

Crazy thing, they are both different but I can't say which is better.

[@thomasestling3400]

the really pushed sound on the pt20 around 3 minutes almost sounds like there's an octave pedal in the mix

[@rezakhan8290]

Thank you. Runt 20 for me

[@epiphoneboy2000]

Hi Phil, i was recently looking at the mooer mini pedals on guitar center and saw that a lot of them are around $98. I could have sworn 2 months ok they were around $68-$75. Do you know any reason for the price jump?

[@JesseLeeKing]

I'm debating on a pink taco , the runt, the jcm 800 20 w studio and the evh. I'd love to have the pink taco in that pink color I seen on Andertons LoL.

[@GretschenMunch]

The obvious question not addressed is can you shape the tone controls to EQ the Runt to sound like the PT and vice versa? I'm primarily the rhythm guitarist in my bands.....the Runt excels in that role. That's why I bought one.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I like the mini Dirty Shirley the best of Friedman lunchbox amps

[@FilippaArendt]

I have played 30 great guitars on the Mini Shirley. It’s AWESOME! :D

[@PhillipMcKnight]

FilippaQ I love that amp also. Plan to buy the pedal

[@therangersinger]

Phillip McKnight the pedal is amazing, with both single coils and buckers.

[@girolamo5637]

Hi, How does feel of the PT-20 Compare to the Mini Dirty Shirley??

[@scrollkeeper6636]

PT-20 seems amazing in comparison, that's the PTP amp right?

[@markgilson7404]

I bet both amps run together would sound amazing...

[@jameslanclos568]

I wanted to buy the Runt 20 but there's no effects loop, so now have to reset my priorities. I have a Quad Cortex as well as analog pedals and I must have the effects loop.

[@Thomasfrommygirl]

Question… I don’t need sparkling fenderesque cleans, but I’d like my amp to have a clean dry slightly broken up tone. Can the PT deliver? I’d love to be able to roll off the volume a bit for the cleanest tones and engage a boost for the filth. Although I know I can achieve just about any tone I want with the runt, I just reeeeaaally want to justify the Pink Taco.

[@funfreq9282]

This is basically a comparison between a classic and modern rock tone. I like the PT-20 tone but I like the features of the runt.

[@smalltownjunkies]

Great Demo. thanks. i think i need both of them. haha.

[@bertramladner5268]

Successful review thanks

[@tigerhunter8878]

Hey I don’t know whether to chose the Friedman pt-20 or the Marshall sv20h. Any suggestions?

[@ohstirfry]

Awesome even more reasons to get a pt20

[@Horrorfreak106]

Idk, people saying the pt is better, bit I love the clarity the runt gives me and I like how it's a bit more brittle. Gives it a raw old school feeling that I really like about it.

[@gparadis01]

Have both. Due to the single channel nature of the PT, I found I clean it up (lower the gain) and use the guitar vol to create an even cleaner tone for a “clean” channel but lost a monster gain sound so added a Friedman BE-OD pedal for a much more useful amp and love it. Then the Runt joined the collection. Wonderful cleans ! But missing something on the high gain leads. Added a Friedman Dirty Shirley pedal which has a mid control and warmth and that puts it over the top! That way both work as great solutions.

[@glp046]

Which so you prefer for playing live? If the PT had a presence control and a clean channel, id get it hands down.

[@dannywallenslager9959]

@@glp046 check out the Wildwood 20. Pt-20 with clean channel and presence as well as other features more similar to the pt-20 v2.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Great video. Helpful.

[@uralemekci]

Which pickup you have in the neck? It sounds sweet and clear.

[@jth23271]

Hey Phillip, have you ever reviewed any Egnater amps?

[@o_o231]

Dude...... Clean 😂

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Phillip, If somebody was going to buy the PT-20, and they were looking to buy a 2×12 speaker cabinet to play through, what speakers would you recommend to buy in the cabinet, to really show off the sound quality of the PT-20? I currently have a 2×12 speaker cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30's. I love the way that they sound, and many people say that the PT-20 goes well with vintage 30's. Buying another 2×12 speaker cabinet isn't a problem, if you think there are other speakers in 2×12 cabinets that would make the PT-20 sound better. I just wanted your opinion on WHAT 2 SPEAKERS IN A 2×12 SPEAKER CABINET , TO YOU, IN YOUR OPINION, GO THE BEST WITH THE PT-20. THANKS BROTHER.

[@Makhach]

Very good!

[@mrjimmcdaniels]

Man that PT sounds like it has a tongue. Those aren't notes, they're syllables.

[@Kookytoons]

I like what you did there

[@marcoshahahaha]

Hi Phill, i got the runt for clean tones, its possible to get close to PT drive tones with some EQ pedal? Thanks

[@thelowmein9143]

Id love an update on this video comparing all 4 of the friedman heads at 20 watts... Lil sis, PT20, Runt, and the JJ. In my case im looking for versatility and tone at bedroom volumes.

[@thehandseesall]

Also, hand wired amps look cool under the hood, but high quality circuit board amps are consistent from amp to amp aren't they, isn't that the key to mesa boogie's consistency?

[@adamarsenault1785]

PT wins hands down. Guess handwired does make a big difference. It’s just so much thicker and harmonic.

[@bhosterman]

I know I'm late to the party... I've had both. PT first and then the Runt. I just ordered a PT again. I thought the clean channel on the Runt would overcome it's slightly less stellar dirty channel but ultimately that wore off. The PT just sounds better. To overcome the lack of a clean channel with my set up I came up with a simple solution. I have a T.C. Electronic G system and on my 'clean' patch I use a compressor with the output dialed way back to simulate rolling back the Vol on my guitar. Add in a little treble to taste (inside the G System) and presto! Am almost clean sound. A little grit but I like a little break up anyways. So with a one channel amp I can use a compressor to simulate different volume outputs hitting the front of the amp and have anything from edge of break up to soaring leads. Or you can always do it the old fashion way and actually use the volume knob... I just like having presets that I can switch to instantly. Plus the G System has spill over FX and that helps cover the switching.

[@nanangpambudi4594]

i have both, what do u used to switch them a/b i liked to used it in my wet dry set up, can u suggest me, which amp switcher suit me?

[@bmwf1joel]

These 2 amps vs the Mini Jubilee??? Runt 20is $899 Pt20 is $1000 at GC right now!

[@toddflowers8052]

Where have you been Phil ?

[@davethepius]

It's kind of like the difference between a Plexi and a JTM45, which I believe is what Friedman was trying to accomplish. Both would sound spectacular through a 4x12. Single channel amps are usually a one trick pony, and the PT does that trick well very well.

[@CreamFreshCream]

This!

[@Josbornevonosborne]

I would kill for either of those amps

[@jammergreg]

I have the Runt head w/ 2 1x12 cabs. I use a Joe Bonamassa overdrive called a Doubleland. I get that PT sound by turning the 500 K pot on the overdrive up. That gives me that fat Almost cocked wah sound. The Runt is very versatile. I play many styles so the Runt is my amp. The PT kills with that one tone, but I get close with my overdrive's 500 K pot turned up, Plus the other side of my double overdrive is set up for a Strat. Plus the clean channel the effects loop and all the features of the runt make it a great all-around amp. Less $$$$ too! Maybe a PT or DS for a stereo rig...I have two cabs.lol

[@bgmnzz]

The guy on the Wildwood channel doesn't play his Friedman through Celestions. Now I hear why everybody raves about Friedmans. Thanks.

[@Thirteen31Music]

Im really interested in the runt 20 in all the videos iv seen the overdrive sounds so so stunning - super crunchy but at the same time really clear. However Im more of a metal player and from what iv seen im not sure these have enough gain for that type of sound - for reference say classic Maiden/Metallica tones. As someone who has the runt do you think they can do it or would I be better off considering a mini rectifier?

[@dimemax]

DexterLlew I own the runt 50 and for classic metal yes. I can get a good Mastodon sound too (think megalodon) that I could not get with my Marshall 2555sl without putting a clean boost in front (maxon vop9) to tighten the sound.

[@dewwhatchadew1]

I like the sound of the runt better my self. they kinda sound like two different wattages even though there both 20 watts. the PT sounds like it has more punch.

[@jacobbockover1628]

All my life i was around my dad and his amps mostly i remember his marshall major with kt88s just a huge sounding amp but a lot of low mids. Im always looking for a low volume amp that has a similar tone and reaction to the guitar volume. Id love to try the pt20. I know it wont shake my pants like the major but it also wont piss off the whole block

[@lance134679]

If the amp was for gigging, I'd get the Runt. For at home or recording, I'd get the PT. They both sound great, but the PT has a unique sound that's great for recording mid to high gain sounds.

[@jprosentreter]

Looking for a more manageable option to my jcm800 and 4x12. So, one of these with a 2x12 is my thought. Which of these keeps more true to a jcm800(ish) tone? Oh, added caveat...I can get the Runt for 850 brand new...

[@MikeDockstader]

Hi J.P. Where are you getting the Runt for $850 new?

[@jprosentreter]

@@MikeDockstader there was one left at a local big-box it was on clearance for 859. However, I ended up getting the Marshall Mini-Jubilee so the runt went back. Great amp, just can't compete with el34s

[@alengregorin8366]

if the PT hasn't got presence, it should be dialed all the way down, preamp EQ section is in fact subtracting, while presence and depth add freq db

[@alengregorin8366]

all that difference was due to than presence being turned up

[@jeha1852]

I love my runt 20 but I'm considering selling it and buying me a pt20

[@jamesbattersby9454]

Were you running the boost on the runt?

[@martinboucher6225]

For me ,it's the PT , by far!

[@tonyhayek1086]

PT20 Sounds like it has a pillow over it, don’t get me wrong Friedman are my absolute favorite amps

[@satchrules101]

i agree 100% bro good call.

[@roybuis7646]

The Runt sounds more like an actual Marshall.

[@JesseLeeKing]

Nah I'm looking for that killer moded marshall tone lol

[@letmeooze]

Maybe it's just this video, but I thought the Runt was far superior sounding to the PT in all settings. I realize the PT has more gain and sustain, but you could just hit the runt with a boost, overdrive, distortion or even fuzz and that issue can be delt with. The PT seems to just do one thing really well and that's sorta it.

[@notoriousfunk7959]

Wrong, i have one and i prefer it over my smallbox, the secret since is a small plexi is to play with the guitar volume and with the master and gain control. This guy use too much gain while you get the best crancking the master volume. Master at 10, gain at 2 or 3 and you won't believe how beautiful it sound, put in front an OD with a very little gain and you will get a never ending sustain. About clean it's the same, you clean the sound with the guitar volume but if you start with the gain at 10 like he did is hard, try with the gain at 2, master at 4 or 5, turn a little the guitar volume and you will get a decent clean.

[@sneifert1968]

I can only conclude that Friedman amps are fucking awesome!

[@nahs1988]

I had both. The runt didn’t last long with me. The Pink Taco imho is a much better amp.

[@Feckerhead]

PT20 for the win, warmer and fuller sounding. The runt is by no means a bad amp but for live play it wouldn't hold up nearly as well in a live setting.

[@Feckerhead]

jonas brave True, this is also a youtube video so the true sound is not heard.