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Friedman Dirty Shirley 40 - 40-watt Tube Head

1-channel, 40-watt Guitar Tube Amplifier Head with Custom Transformers, 3-band EQ, and Effects Loop
13 Write review Item ID: DirtyShirley
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Dirty Shirley 40 - 40-watt Tube Head with 65-watt 1x12 Cabinter

$3,399.98 $3,228.99

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One of the Most Responsive Amps Out There

Get fat and driving classic rock tones with the Friedman Dirty Shirley all-tube guitar amplifier head. Based on the sought-after JTM 45 amp, the Dirty Shirley gives you a wide range of tones from smooth and clean to Friedman's famous high-gain tones. The response and sensitivity of this amp is amazing; roll back your guitar's volume control for clean tones and turn it up for crunch and sustain. Powered by a pair of 5881 power tubes, Friedman Amplification's Dirty Shirley tube amp head is a must have when you need that classic rock sound.

Related Videos: Dirty Shirley 40 - 40-watt Tube Head

Friedman Amplification Dirty Shirley Guitar Amplifier Head at a Glance:
  • An all-tube rock 'n' roll machine
  • Handbuilt for exceptional tone
  • Dave Friedman: amp guru to the pros
An all-tube rock 'n' roll machine

With 40 watts of all-tube power, the Friedman Dirty Shirley guitar amp head gives you killer classic rock tones. Ranging from shimmering cleans to slightly overdriven tones to pushed lead tones a la Zep and ZZ Top, this rock 'n' roll powerhouse has the tones you're looking for. A 3-position switch lowers your overall gain structure - the highest setting delivers the Dirty Shirley's original sound while the lower two yield phenomenal vintage-tinged tones. A duo of 5881 power tubes - a favorite among Sweetwater guitarists - delivers a punchy and touch responsive sound that guitar players long for. When you're rocking out and need to clean up your tone just roll back your guitar's volume and keep playing. If you're looking for classic rock tones in a compact package, then you need the Friedman Dirty Shirley amp head!

Handbuilt for exceptional tone

All Friedman Amplification products are handwired to exacting specs to give you amazing tones every time you play. Premium components and attention to detail ensure that your Dirty Shirley amp head will deliver the sound you want and need onstage or in the studio. It doesn't matter what type of music you're into; a premium, handbuilt Friedman amp has the tonal palette you need to create the sound you're after.

Dave Friedman: amp guru to the pros

For over 25 years, Dave Friedman has been tweaking, building, and repairing amps for some of the biggest names in music. His legendary reputation among touring musicians has gained him a loyal clientele including the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell, and more. Dave has created his own production amp line utilizing his sought-after skills and talents. Now you can get the same legendary amp tones as the pros with a Friedman Amplifications amplifier from Sweetwater.

Friedman Amplification Dirty Shirley Guitar Amplifier Head Features:
  • 40-watt, 1-channel all-tube amplifier with British voicing
  • An ideal amp for rock
  • Powered by dual 5881 power tubes
  • Dial in your sound with the 3-band EQ
  • 3-position gain structure switch for toggling between modern and vintage tones
  • Handwired amplifier built using premium components including custom transformers and capacitors
  • Dual speaker outputs let you use up to 2 speaker cabs
  • Ultra-transparent effects loop for your favorite pedals
Get an amp that's small, compact, and ready to rock - the Friedman Amplification Dirty Shirley guitar amp head!

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Guitar Amp Buying Guide

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Total Power: 40W
  • Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x 5881
  • EQ: 3-band
  • Inputs: 2 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4"
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: Birch Plywood with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 9.5"
  • Width: 24"
  • Depth: 8.5"
  • Weight: 31 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: DIRTY SHIRLEY HEAD

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Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5

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One fantastic head.

I researched heads for months before finally pulling the trigger on this one and I'm glad I did. I was looking for something with a nice vintage sounding bite to it without getting overly muddy especially if I'm playing a humbucker style guitar through it.
If you're on the fence about this one I'd definitely recommend it
by Tommy from Long Island, New York on

100% A+ Useable Amp

All the tones are there and usable with the great master volume. No sweet spot here, every setting sounds perfect. Thanks Dave for a true masterpiece we can use on many stages.
by Doc Rock from Cleveland on
Music background: Professional

The sound of Rock & Roll

If you long for the amp tones, harmonic richness, and build quality of yesteryear, look no further. Dave Friedman has built the perfect classic rock amp, while adding some amazing mods to suit the modern player's needs. If you love single channel JMP/JTM/JCM goodness, this amp is for you. This amp can easily handle anything from Zeppelin to 90's Grunge/Metal.

Although it seems to be a dying art, riding a guitar's volume knob is the way to achieve tonal excellence with this amp. Roll off the volume pot to get a chimey clean that is super touch responsive, but breaks up nicely when you add dynamic oomph. Then, when you're ready to take a solo, turn your guitar knob up all the way and bring your favorite boost pedal along for the ride. It's really all you need.

This amp loves P90's and PAF humbuckers. With the low and high inputs, along with a gain cut/stage switch, this amp can get very grungy/sludgy as well. All the along the way, however, it never loses its tonal and harmonic richness. Just fire this amp up with Dave's suggested manual presets and hit an open E chord. You'll be sold. A fully buffered effects loop makes adding modern time-based effects a breeze. At 40 watts, it can handle almost any application for the modern gigging player, while still functioning as a great bedroom amp. It's my second Friedman amp, and I love it.
by Nicholas Stroud from Chapel Hill, NC on
Music background: Semi-professional recording and live musician

The best

I've got the twin sister and this. I prefer the simplicity and the global sound of DS40. Fat clean, fat crunch, fat ligh dist sound! It takes pedals very well for adding channel! Perfect!
by Sweetwater Customer on

There isn't enough words available to describe how amazing this amp is

Let me start by saying I've been playing guitar for 20 years and though I love the sound of Marshalls from the 70s and even a really good jcm800, Marshall Now does not offer quality hand-wired and super Welbilt products, the best products they offer now are cut corner reissues of their old hits and though they still sound fairly good they have all the problems that the originals did which were a really crappy master volume if the amp even had one and a subpar effects Loop, Friedman comes to the scene and answers all my Marshall prayers with a dirtyshirley 40 watt head. It is the single most amazing amp I've ever played or heard, for being one channel it is extremely versatile I can go from beautiful Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante cleans to Gnarly Angus Young and Jimmy Page crunch all the way to Jerry Cantrell and Adam Jones saturation just by manipulating my guitars volume knob and I assure you you will not be left wanting with the tones it produces nor the feel of the gentle sag and bounce beneath your fingers that beckon you to bend and hammer on notes to produce more fat juicy thick lead lines. It has this chewy gnarly mid-range bark while maintaining an organic and very natural Overdrive reminiscent of the old Plexis, in fact if you keep the gain at Bay and dime the master you will be in Plexi tone heaven it just Nails those classic Marshall album sounds and the master volume is absolutely exceptional as well as the effects Loop though I can't imagine ever wanting anything more than what the amp produces other than maybe a boost delay and wah, this thing also takes pedals like no other so whether you want top notch, superb amp gain And a super Dynamic and touch responsive amp, or an exceptionally well made pedal platform this amp as you covered in spades
by Chance from Ohio on
Music background: Semi professional
See also: Amp Heads, Friedman, Friedman Guitar Amp Heads
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