Channel the Spirit of British-fueled Rock
Housing decades of definitive British tones in a streamlined 50-watt, 2-channel amp head, the Friedman Brit-50 packs a high-octane, EL34-fueled punch. Whether you’re chasing Plexi-style crunch or 800-style grind, the Brit-50’s Channel 1 delivers the goods with authoritative mids, tight lows, and ear-grabbing harmonic complexity. Craving modern high gain? Channel 2 is where it’s at, showcasing Friedman’s modern hot-rodded gain, reimagined and refined for maximum impact. You’ll appreciate the Brit-50’s straightforward tone-shaping controls, comprising a 3-band EQ, global Presence and Master volume knobs, per-channel Volume and Gain knobs, and a 3-way Bright switch. You also get a premium-quality effects loop for seamless pedalboard integration and support for a wide variety of speaker cabs. Flaunting a 12AX7-driven preamp section and custom, US-made transformers, the Brit-50 was built for players with a penchant for British rock tones — raw, punchy, articulate, and unapologetically loud.
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Two purpose-built channels
Inspired by the lineage of Plexi- and 800-style amplifiers, the Brit-50 channels decades of British rock guitar tones and propels them into the future. Channel 1, bolstered by a Plexi/800 switch, covers all the classics from vintage-flavored crunch to Sunset Strip-worthy bite. This channel is both dynamic and touch-responsive, teeming with punch, clarity, and authoritative muscle. Channel 2 introduces a refined high-gain voice meticulously crafted by Dave Friedman. This powerful, articulate sound is smooth and tight, reinforced with natural compression for searing sustain, all without sacrificing note separation.
Classic tone-shaping controls
Old-school British amp aficionados will appreciate the Friedman Brit-50’s straightforward tone stack. Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs provide you with your foundational tone shaping, bolstered by a global Presence knob on the rear panel. Each channel features its own dedicated Volume and Gain knobs for precise gain staging, and you get a Master volume knob, enabling you to achieve saturated preamp tones at lower output levels. Beyond that, the Brit-50 includes a 3-way Bright switch on Channel 1 that accentuates higher frequencies for added mix-penetrating might.
Friedman Amplification: world-class tone, personally guaranteed
A bona fide modern amp guru, Dave Friedman is the brilliant architect behind the signature tones of rock icons such as Edward Van Halen, Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell, and myriad others. Born and raised in Detroit and later immersed in Los Angeles’s elite studio scene, Dave has spent more than 25 years building, modding, and repairing amplifiers for the world’s top players, earning a reputation for meticulously detailed craftsmanship and player‑tailored tonal refinement. His deep circuit knowledge and relentless pursuit of superior tone led to the creation of Friedman Amplification, bringing his once‑exclusive, custom‑level designs to players all around the world, including many of us here at Sweetwater. Today, every Friedman amplifier is handbuilt in the USA using hand-selected components, rigorously tested, and personally inspected and signed by Dave himself, ensuring that each amp meets the exacting standards that made the Friedman name synonymous with world-class tone.
Friedman Brit-50 Features:
- A streamlined tube head inspired by the lineage of Plexi- and 800-style amps, available only at Sweetwater
- Unleashes decades of British-voiced rock tones with authoritative mids, tight lows, and ear-grabbing harmonic complexity
- Channel 1 delivers Plexi-style crunch and 800-style grind with equal aplomb
- Channel 2 introduces a refined high-gain voice meticulously crafted by Dave Friedman
- 3-band EQ — Bass, Middle, and Treble — provides classic British-style tone shaping
- Global Presence knob adjusts upper mids and treble frequencies
- Per-channel Volume and Gain knobs provide precise gain staging
- Master volume knob achieves saturated preamp tones at lower output levels
- 3-way Bright switch accentuates the higher frequencies on Channel 1
- Premium-quality FX loop for seamless pedalboard integration
- Includes 2 x EL34 power tubes and 4 x 12AX7 preamp tubes; custom, US-made transformers
- 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm impedance jacks accommodate the gamut of speaker cabs
