The Best Marshall Tones Ever - And Its Not A Marshall

In today's video. Paul Drew and James Ivey from The Studio Rats are looking at what we consider to be the best Marshall style amp ever the Friedman Phil X.
Link To Tonex Captures
www.thestudior...
Link to Quad Cortex Captures
www.thestudior...
Here is what Friedman say about the Friedman Phil X Signature Amplifier
Session and touring guitarist Phil X is the go-to guy for heavyweights like Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Bon Jovi, Avril Lavigne, and Tommy Lee. Phil is particular about his tone to say the least and would settle for nothing less than perfection when collaborating with a builder for his new signature amp. Enter Dave Friedman; sound architect to some of rock’s most recognizable superstar names and their iconic tones.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@guitardave]

Great sounding amp, and great playing as always. Would love to hear you demo the Soldano SLO-30 - fantastic amp!

[@RobvandenBoogaard]

Great point of the price of the amp in relation to it being a single channel amp, though I suspect adding gain stages by making it multichannel changes the character of the amp. Glad you guys purchased it for us to enjoy the patches 🙌🏻

[@IamMusicNerd]

Every Friedman I’ve tried surpasses the Marshall it’s based on. His stuff is incredible. When I saw Phil X and Foo Fighters switched to Friedman, and Slash switched to Magnatone, that tells you all you need to know about the new Marshall. It’s not the same since Jim died. I have a Dirty Shirley, a BE, and a Buxon Betty, and they are all amazing.

[@slashtrio]

Man, the Friedman stuff is really good. I only have a kemper (aside from an ancient deluxe reverb, my only tube amp), and my favorite profile on there is dirty Shirley profile from Michael Britt. I sometime add a tube screamer to as well, but it gets such classic tones, anywhere from JTM45 to jubilee. I love it. I can only imagine what the real deal sounds like. Was contemplating getting the little sister amp head with 1x12 cab, but I play at home and can’t crank things, hence the digital. I also have had the BEOD deluxe pedal for a couple of years. It’s great too.

[@gmscot]

Slash is still with Marshall.

[@daviddonithan6180]

To each their own I guess. Everyone copies the Marshall because they are the benchmark. To say they’re better than Marshall is only an opinion. I personally sold my Wildwood Smallbox 50 for a Marshall 1987X and am much happier with my tone. To me nothing beats an old Plexi. Paired with my Fryette PS100 it’s hard to beat. I am intrigued with the new Friedman classic models coming out soon though.

[@theprisonier]

So it’s not any more a marshall if the sound is different, more at your taste that’s ok but it’s not a marshall. If you don’t like the marshall, something I can understand, and you want your idea for a marshall buy a Friedman and Co, they do their things around Marshall but if you want a marshall buy a marshall. And I tested Friedman, Tone king, Metropoulos and others marshallesque amps , but no one sound better than my old 1970 marshall or my jtm… they have great sound but they are far from my marshall.

[@William.Driscoll]

I think the argument above is​ that the current batches of Marshall amps do not sound the way that--as you've put it--old stock sounds, and that new-condition equipment from x, y & z sound more correct--and in some ways better. @@theprisonier

[@tonictonetomrockstar1931]

Every Friedman amp is amazing.

[@BtR76]

Nice, I love a Friedman and this vid is a great showcase for a lesser spotted model. Friedman make the Marshall’s that people cry out for but Marshall don’t seem to want to make anymore. I love my JJ Jr and I’m also spoiling for the JEL 20

[@nabilcharbel4136]

Fantastic demo, I have the BE and Dirty Shirely pedals, so I have a little taste from Friedman pedals, I wish I can get one of the small heads someday, great amp and awesome playing as usual, cheers Rats.

[@Adventuresingearland]

The personality of the guitar with the volume pot pulled back sounds great. What a surprise Mr F gave such a dynamic player the amp he deserves.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I haven't bought an amp in a REALLY long time I absolutely adore my JVM 210 but this one really has me thinkin

[@LPMojoGL]

I shot my Friedman Phil X out with my 1984 JCM 800 2204. Pretty close. A tad more gain on tap, effects loop, and a more polite/refined attack and eq on the X. It's a joy to play.

[@ProfVonW]

Thanks for that info, since the 2204 is a holy grail amp for me. I’ve been thinking about a JEL-20, but I may have to invest in this Phil X amp instead.

[@Frankentoane]

@LPMojoGL With polite/refined do you mean a bit less bright?

[@LPMojoGL]

@ProfVonW I much prefer larger watt amps. They sound better at low volume, bigger and more open, with headroom when you need it. That said, I've heard nothing but great things about the JEL20. Would love to play one.

[@LPMojoGL]

@Frankentoane There's that. The bass and treble can be too much on the JCM. The X, and all the Friedman amps I've played, dont get as tubby, flubby or ear piercing spiky. Also, the X is not as raw and open as the JCM. There's always some compression, making it super easy and fun to play, but not as big, wild or punchy.

[@sheercerebralpower]

Well, I have had this wonderful 100w Marshall JMP from 1976…. A beautiful piece of gear which has been living in my studio since 25 years…..

[@weschilton]

I have the same amp!

[@martydibergi5228]

dumped my jcm 800 for a Matchless. No going back, went from tone less to toneful.

[@analogblues9606]

@@martydibergi5228I’ve considered that. What year Matchless and model?

[@martydibergi5228]

@@analogblues9606 I own an early hc head with 2/12 cab and a sc-30 combo that is 25 years old. John Jorgenson recommended them to me back in the Hellecaster days. They are bullet proof and true point to point wiring. They are bright, chimey and cut through the mix.

[@leemac1659]

Has anyone noticed that Paul sounds pretty much the same in the medium gain realm regardless of what amp he's playing through? I guess there is something to that "tone is in the fingers" saying after all!

[@cmartinrel]

Please do Kemper profiles! :)

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Sounds great. Friedman makes some great sounding amps.

[@Funkybassuk]

335 into 100W Marshall makes me think of Clappers at the Albert Hall in the Cream Farewell Concert. I was not expecting it to sound so rock 🤘

[@martydibergi5228]

Mr. Jerry Donahue told me the thrill of selling Clapton, the red, 335 guitar back in the day at Semers music.

[@PBRGuitar]

Most Friedman amps are so dialed in they almost sound like a modeler. The Phil X is the first Friedman I have played that has some of that unruliness that most vintage Marshalls have. Great stuff!

[@DistantSunStudios]

What a great surprise for Sunday morning fella’s! Stunning 355 Paul 🎸

[@heavymetal6910]

Would love to hear 1984 Ratt Warren DiMartini tones through that amp to see if it can do them. Warren's out of the cellar tones were just mind blowing.

[@mattcrumbley6923]

I think Warren was actually using Laney amps but not sure

[@louderthangod]

I absolutely love playing through cranked, single channel amps and riding the volume knob for textures and cleans.

[@Gorbyrev]

Wait until you try the new Plex. Lovely review guys and tasty playing on that ES 345.

[@rhodriwilliams8111]

Big fan of the tones you get! I wish you did some stuff for the helix, I think its a big Market your missing on. If you sold presets with snapshots that had clean all the way to lead it would be cash cow!

[@GeauxSaints121]

The Smallbox 50 is an amazing amp too!

[@rolandguilford8301]

Sounds amazing! Count me in for the Tonex captures 👍

[@TheStudioRats]

They are on our website now.

[@philipmarsh3522]

Your captures are really well done. I don’t need 100 different amps, and the Matchless handles a LOT of my needs, but I think I’m going to buy the Friedman ones too. Kind of feels as if I have a pro studio in my little not very pro studio now ha!

[@checkitout611]

Yes ... Kemper please and thank you! Sounds rich and fantastic this amp does!

[@TheStudioRats]

Will do!

[@checkitout611]

@@TheStudioRats Thank you in advance!

[@shorerocks]

It is interesting - I bought the Kemper profiles from Top Jimi, but they do not match (at all, I might add), the unbelievable creaminess (is this even a word?) I hear in this video.

[@TheDanielGuy23]

Sounds glorious. What cab/IR were you running through? Also, what was that riff at 6:31? It sounds so familiar but I just can't place it...

[@TheStudioRats]

Just noodling, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ive ripped someone off.

[@highgear1]

great demo and sounds... and great playing ( love the lick at 12:19)

[@shorerocks]

Yes, do some Kemper profiles, too, please.

[@AchillesWrath1]

These Friedman amps sound incredible. I've been listening to the Plexi Vintage and BE Deluxe, now this one and they all sound amazing. Time to trade in some equipment or save up because i'm gassing for one of these bad boys. Expensive but the best sounding amps i've ever heard

[@JoseG-2023]

Great play through!

[@johnriley8314]

Great sounding FRIEDMAN 100 wt AMP, and VALUABLE INFO for guitar players to CONTROL your VOLUME ( and get TONE N SOUND abound !!! ) Killer review guys !!!!

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

"Why have you bought this" "Because it's awesome" If only my wife would agree.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

And the Friedman IRX can do this all and more. I would suggest revisiting it and take time to add different IR’s. I remember you didn’t think much of it. Yes, you are making amp profiles for the imitators. It’s time to make amp profiles for the Kemper, the original profiler.

[@aquilarossa5191]

Just like Marshall built on the the basis of the Fender Bassman, most Friedman amps are based on classic Marshall circuits with a selection of Dave Friedman's mods that he mostly learn from the work of Jose Arrando and Bruce Egnater etc. He knows how to tune them really well. His amps also have a good rep with techs for being very well built (PCB done the right way instead of bending the knee to the bean counters). He's not alone though, there's quite a few builders out there making similar great Marshall based amps. It makes me wonder why Marshall do not do similar, rather than just pumping out JVM and DSL amps etc (their Studio range is doing well though, but the Friedman stuff is a cut above). Marshall seem kind of stuck in their ways. A 20 watt amp that had hot rodded Marshall tone and great dynamics like this would sell lots. Marshall is from where I grew up though (Milton Keynes). They are also iconic, so I will always have a soft spot for them, especially the classic amps like the original JMP range (Friedman just released an amp that is trying to sound and play exactly like his Marshall JMP 1987, so he really rates them too). P.S. Another amp brand that began by modding is Mesa Boogie. Randall Smith was known for his mods to Fender amps, so his own amps tended to have the lineage in the early years (plenty of techs do not like modern Mesa amps due to how they are built and there's videos up explaining why). BTW. Marshall's JMP 1959HW is a killer amp. It's not very useful unless you are playing the Royal Albert Hall or the like. Insanely loud. The 1987x sound great too. Angus tone for days. I have not tried the Appetite For Destruction or YJM amps, so can't say how they are. I suspect their JVM410JS is great (a limited run that were changed quite a lot to suit Joe Satriani's tastes)

[@YMESYDT]

Been waiting for a good demo of this amp!!

[@jayclark725]

I just bought a used Evil Robot (Pre-Friedman Phil X signature) Great tone and more gig / practice and home friendly. Not a Marshall but based on a Magnatone which would require pedals to get the Marshal tone. I know this comment isn't really about a Marshal type amp but I am so happy with my "other" Phil X amp.

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice one

[@PXR5-PXR5]

GAIN !! 😂 I really want that amp. Thanx for the demonstration guys

[@fraenkiboii]

If you guys capture multiple amps and you coincidentally come across the Diezel VH2 or VH4, I’ve got some ideas or requests. I’d definitely buy a capture of the VH4 with the settings of Adam Jones for the QC. 🔥

[@MrGruenrock]

A bit late for the party, but a great video about my no1 amp! I play this amp about 3 years every weak and love it!! All the profil-wishes make me smile, just because i believe you have to feel this direct 100 watt amp monster. Dont think its possible in digital way Rock on guys Greets from germany

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

im hankering after his new Plex when it comes out in a few months , saw it on namm ! holy moly !!

[@steadfastanddomino]

Kemper profiles? Yes, please.

[@Spidouz]

I never tested the Friedman, but based on the video, I can get the same kind of dynamic with the pickup volume and selector on my Dr Z EMS…

[@GearSafari]

Ayup, another beauty of tone. Nice 🎸🔥

[@QuincyJamesMusic]

I think Phil's Friedman was more based upon a mashup of two "JMP" and "Super Lead" variants, the variac switch is supposed to be what enables a change from a what is a vintage JP style tone/feel to the more modern EVH style tone/feel.

[@weschilton]

I honestly could not hear a difference with that voltage switch... and I'm listening on ATC monitors.

[@TheActressAndBishop]

Absolutely always want dual master volumes on an amp .. before anything else at all .. even an FX loop .. everything else you can "fix" with pedals and whatnot but if you want the sound of the amp and a solo level ..

[@dylanjastle]

Make a capture pack for the open source Neural Amp Modeler :) I would probably buy it. The NAM profiles are more accurate than kemper, NDSP, and Tonex according to null tests.

[@migueldelatorre9475]

Have you AB this Phil X vs the new PLEX?

[@paulbradshawguitar]

sounds killer 🙌 maybe i missed it but what speaker and or load box/IR combo were you running this through? thanks

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Someone said the Phil X was kind of a dark sounding amp… I can’t hear that in the videos I saw yet. What is your opinion on that statement?

[@TheStudioRats]

I my opinion, It’s defo not a dark amp.

[@christopher.k.guitar]

@@TheStudioRats Thank you so much- I started to believe my ears fool me 🤗 I am more than intrigued by this amp - seams like the best of both worlds between a JMP and a Plexi Super Lead

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Btw the recorded tone is stellar here - Do you remember how you recorded it? If you used the OX Box I‘d love to replicate the recording chain… 🤗

[@stephenpertesis7710]

Can you add sound examples/vids for your ToneX packs? I've now seen a few different QC vs. ToneX capture vids and I'm no longer certain that what I'm hearing in the amp vids is what I would get with a ToneX pack. Thanks!

[@shorerocks]

I am just rewatching. This is soo creamy. I mean, I play + record guitar for 40 years, but this one. Gee. What is the cab / speaker / mic you are using? Or is there a video where I can see what you use? Just... wonderful.

[@TheStudioRats]

Watch the video I did on the KHE amp switcher, it talks through what I use for vids. Best p

[@shorerocks]

@@TheStudioRats I knew there was one, but could not remember which. Will do that, thx!

[@BreauxBobby]

I just watched your video about the Marshall Silver Jubilee and you referred to this amp in that video. I think the Marshall Jube sounds way better.

[@TheStudioRats]

You’ve just saved a bunch of cash

[@BreauxBobby]

@@TheStudioRats I've had a 100 watt Jube and I now have a studio combo jube and like it better because I can actually play it in my apartment. That amp is so diverse. I love the jubilees.

[@PeterNicolia]

Please do Kemper.... ;o)

[@arthurcaesar2200]

I have the Friedman Little Sister, it is 20 watts of amazingness.

[@ianmorton5539]

Hiy guys, I looked at them many years ago when I ran S.M.A.R.T Distribution (Modulus basses, Rick Turner Guitars especially his famous Model 1-C-LB) but have you ever come across the Guytron guitar amplifier with its cascading power supply…? .

[@GreenDistantStar]

Reminds me of a Trainwreck.

[@radio5051]

@studiorats what pickups are in that 335? I “had” a 335, it did not sound like that, or have those harmonics. It had burstbucker pickups in it.

[@weschilton]

Probably custombuckers in that guitar.

[@silvel2edge]

What’s the best Friedman for at home use and also with pedals? Do they have a good master volume or attenuator option?

[@christopher-miles]

the attack is just a bit rounded. real close to old rectos in that respect. noice.

[@Dunk0The0Punk]

Would have love to hear it with a Strat

[@steveymoon]

Hey Paul. Steve Hayward here. Please let me know when you move this amplifier on, will you?

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Steve. Make me an offer.

[@Docksidestudio1]

Saw and played thru this monster yesterday… totally lovely amp but I was shocked how big it is… you need a lorry to get it from gig to gig!

[@TheStudioRats]

Yeah she’s a unit

[@VERBANDTREM]

Great sounding amp! I thought you got rid of the 335?

[@TheStudioRats]

Vid coming explaining about the 335

[@audioware1]

Lovely amp, it is more like a Small Box with minor mods and 3 gain options, than a full blown BE.

[@Utubewrk123]

Friedman’s are the best amps imo. I worked my way up from the punk taco then traded up to the smallbox then got the Wildwood Guitars spec’d out extra gain ch smallbox. That’s where I stopped.

[@weschilton]

Hey I thought you returned that 335? Did you regret that and get it back?

[@TheStudioRats]

Vid coming

[@JamesHartnell]

Very musical amp even at higher gains.

[@RedRose4711]

Monstrous!!

[@boblanzillo2144]

Ive brought up the gain stages to dave he said its not possible, i wanted a pedal for the gain stages on my ptv2

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Why isn't James in more of these Studio Rats vids, I think it's better as a team atmos?

[@timguntz3119]

Please release a tonex profile of this amp.

[@TheStudioRats]

On our website

[@mollirodhaet7224]

We are new to QC and made a terrible mistake. Yesterday we got the ODR and PhilX QC packs not realizing they have cab sims. Is there a version without cabs? Kind of a bummer. I use 16 G12/75s. :) Help! Please!

[@TheStudioRats]

I’d hardly call it a terrible mistake, but Im afraid all the speakers are baked in. The reason we do this is because they are our captures the way we like it. Anyone can plug an amp in and get a capture out of it. In the future if I do some unbaked I’ll send them over.

[@mollirodhaet7224]

@@TheStudioRats Thanks for the insanely fast response. I am bummed! Love you.

[@Dan-po1ge]

I've heard it said my Boogie mk3 green stripe is the ultimate marshall 🎉

[@jackvai2681]

yeah...friedman's are awesome.

[@MoreMeRecording]

Lovely, and here I thought it was a "new product" lol

[@davidmiller4078]

But does it go up to 11 ?

[@francisj9232]

I have Both friedman Phil X and metropoulos metroplex and i can say the best marshall tones is the metroplex for sure

[@Wasteoftime10]

Does the Metroplex have higher or lower gain on tap than the Phil X?

[@peterschaefer1665]

What speaker?

[@brandoncf100]

How is it that somehow every time James turns a knob while Paul is playing he manages to completely block what’s going on with his hands?

[@SuperHarlyquin]

I'm sorry I meant the cab*

[@TheStudioRats]

ahh, I used a two notes torpedo studio

[@SuperHarlyquin]

@@TheStudioRats Thank you!

[@briansaunders7721]

What reverb are you using?

[@TheStudioRats]

Uad lexicon 224

[@wayfaerer320]

Aesthetically, a 1959HW or 1987X looks so good with any Gibson, but sonically, ease of use, and capabilities wise, Friedman all day long. No contest.

[@vicesquadpunk]

Awesome amps, being a full time musician of course I can’t afford one 😂 saying that, I have the Synergy Friedman modules that are both stunning and affordable ✊🙂

[@KozmykJ]

Needs a Three-Way Gain Pedal, just like the Fender BassBreaker 15 hasn't ... 🙄 When one has Nothing but faults it's hard to tell the difference 😜

[@preciseaudioblog]

Does it come with reverb?

[@TheStudioRats]

It does not

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Wait…335? Since when, sir?!

[@TheStudioRats]

Vid coming

[@jeremyversusjazz]

convert! for shame sir!

[@kingjb99]

Best three channel amp then guys? I need clean dirty and lead.

[@TheStudioRats]

Revv generator, I tried one at NAMM and it was fantastic

[@JonathanBriseboisLamarche]

Are the Quad Cortex Capture Direct? or they feature a cab/IR paired with it?

[@TheStudioRats]

Paired with the cab

[@robertritchie2860]

The best Marshall is a Metroplex. Go and get one.

[@libertywormfarm3819]

Friedman is a pusher of the poke

[@Adventuresingearland]

You’ll have operation Yewtree after him with statements like that!

[@libertywormfarm3819]

Not alleging he is a kid didler, just that he wanted to imprison those that did not want to partake in an experimental jab.

[@paulschlachter4313]

At least the start of the demo sounds very Trainwreck Express'ish.

[@IndyRockStar]

Do you think the Friedman Phil X is the better than the BE 100 Deluxe?

[@martijn_yt]

This sounds exactly like a distorted tube amp

[@icemanlee666]

this amp sounds fantastic, i’ve got a kemper stage for sale or trade ;) if you’re interested, midlands based

[@Mamo878]

Btw, it's USD 3300 Probably worth it since you'll never need to buy another amp ever again!

[@dwftube]

08:34 NO! Never fiddle with another guitar players controls without express permission. 🤣

[@hootowl6354]

The control labels are stupid. Trying to be different sometimes looks like trying too hard. And no, I'm not smart enough to memorize what control is what.😁 And why is the power switch and standby switch down when the amp is on? Should be just the opposite. The gain switch will need labels too. I'll be taking a Daimo labeler to this one. It's 29.25" wide, so it will look odd on top of my narrower cab. WTF? Why? Whatever they were smoking when they drew this up, I want some. Make them as small as possible, please. All of them. Sounds great though. A smaller 'X' in 50-watts would be cool too. And for crying out loud, make more JEL's! That's the one I really want. Rant over. 😂

[@SomeDudeDan]

Old Silver Jubilees had the same awesome dynamics.

[@SuperHarlyquin]

What amp were you playing through?

[@TheStudioRats]

The whole video is about the amp that I’m playing through.

[@aliassaid6398]

Sounds similar to my marshall 2555x

[@7n1s7er]

My modded 83 2203 sounds better imo