This amp is a very cool, one channel amp and is capable of producing all the plexi based Marshall tones up to the point where the Mesa Dual Rectifier and Soldono SLO took design in a different direction. I believe that this amp is first and foremost a studio amp but is for the amp enthusiast would like to fully understand and hear the different modifications of Jose Arredondo. Unlike other models and companies that definitely utilize Jose mods as a basis, this amp sets out to let you explore each one separately and as combined.

It sounds amazing as you would expect with a lot of signature Friedman character and definition but the amp is different. I believe the M.V.C. on this amp are period correct, which means that while you can get any volume you need for home, studio or live, it doesn't have the extended long taper that say, the BE 100 series MV has. In the manual it is mentioned these are 'transitional'. As mentioned, it does sound so good and tight but an additional standout is that you can taylor the diode clipping mods to not have that 'obvious' diode clipping tone artifacts. For me this is where the two styles of presence are way valuable. I hear a lot of current amp tone when I'm using the Modern Presence but having the diode clipping with the vintage style presence just sounds so much more natural. It is those types of subtleties and tweakable combinations that also makes this a standout.

One last thing that is AWESOME about his amp... All tone switches are on the front! Thank you! It is so frustrating to me to have these types of controls on the back ( yes, Im lazy). I would really like to check out the SS100 MK II but so far I think this is the best sounding friedman amp for hard rock, metal that i've heard.

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