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Friedman Little Sister 20W 1 x 12-inch Tube Combo Amp

20-watt, 1-channel All-tube Guitar Combo Amplifier with Custom Transformers, 3-band EQ, FX Loop, Bright Switch, and S-switch
$1,799.00

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Friedman Little Sister 20W 1 x 12-inch Tube Combo Amp
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A Half-sized Addition to the Friedman Family

The Little Sister is an adventurous new addition to Friedman’s British-style family, packing all the classic rock power and punch of its larger siblings into an effortlessly giggable 20-watt 1 x 12-inch combo! Two EL84 power tubes capture the magic chime, jangle, and overdrive bite of the ’60s and ’70s most beloved British tube amps, and while it may be designed primarily for screaming classic rock tones, Sweetwater guitarists find that the Little Sister has much more to say than just that! A 3-band EQ, S-switch (gain structure), and B-switch (Bright/Tight) make this pint-sized combo a tonal chameleon, effortlessly tackling everything from swampy country to rich blues tones. Finally, the Little Sister is an exceptional diminutive pedal platform, complete with an Ultra-transparent series FX loop to handle your time-based effects, modulation, and rack units without even a hint of noise or tone loss.

Switch up your sound

If it’s tonal range you’re after, the Little Sister has it in spades, sporting a myriad of sound-shaping options to carve out your new signature sound. The 3-band Bass/Middle/Treble EQ certainly offers a sweeping range of different tones, but it’s only the beginning of this amp’s adjustability. Looking to crank up the articulation? Flip on the B-switch (Bright/Tight) for a pleasing boost to your high frequencies that also tightens up your lows. Beyond that, the S-switch is perfect for quickly changing the intensity of your gain structure, from a light bark to singing saturation!

Ultra-transparent FX loop

Designing a compromise-free FX loop is no easy task — unwanted noise, tone suck, and signal drop are all significant hurdles that any loop must face. That being said, leave it to Friedman’s amplifier innovation to remedy these all-too-common issues with a bold take on the FX loop: the Ultra-transparent Series FX Loop. As the name suggests, this design allows you to line up your favorite time-based effects, modulation pedals, and even rack units into your Little Sister’s FX loop with the utmost tonal integrity!

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 Little Sister amplifer combo 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 the Friedman Little Sister.

Friedman Little Sister 20-watt 1-channel Tube Amplifier Combo Features:

  • The power and Grit of Friedman’s Twin Sister in a highly portable combo
  • 20W 1 x 12-inch cathode-biased design easily handles gigging while still being tame enough for home use
  • Celestion 16-ohm 12-inch G12M-65 Creamback speaker
  • EL84-powered tube design pushes out classic British crunch and chimey, sparkling cleans
  • Master volume and gain controls make it easy to dial in dirt at lower volumes
  • 3-band EQ to sculpt your sound
  • S-switch allows you to optimize the amp’s gain structure for your instrument
  • B-switch kicks up the high end, making everything a bit brighter and tighter
  • Ultra-transparent Series FX loop to handle all of your time-based effects, modulation pedals, and rack units.
  • Custom-made transformers and capacitors to ensure the highest quality tone
  • 4, 8, and 16 ohm jacks for wide-ranging external cab compatibility

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: Single
  • Total Power: 20W
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12" G12M Creamback
  • Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
  • EQ: 3-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (8/16 ohms)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Bias Type: Cathode Biased
  • Construction Material: Baltic Birch with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 22"
  • Width: 24.5"
  • Depth: 9.5"
  • Weight: 52 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LITTLE SISTER COMBO (MINI DS V2)

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

This amp does everything

Seriously, this amp can do everything. If you want to play 60's British blues, it does it very easily. The tone found with a JTM45 or Bassman is here. If you play Stoner rock and tune down to C, it'll do "Supernaut" with no problems. The built-in boost switch made my treble booster obsolete. If you play Surf, the boost switch comes in handy, and your 6G15 will help you sound great. Yes, this amp can surf!

I have the head version, so can I can say with the right speaker & cabinet, you'll be in good shape. I have the 10" version of Creamback, and Cream and Sabbath tones are found very easily. Best of all, the amp is quiet (no humming or hissing) and you can obtain great tones at bedroom volume.

I have no negatives for this amp. For special use cases, like Surf, obviously you'll need a reverb unit or pedal. If you want to play Doom, obviously you'll need a pedal to help achieve that. But I will say that what the amp can do on its own is very satisfying. I'm very happy with this purchase and you will be too.
Rated 5/5

Flawless

I've owned three tube Carvins, a Mesa Boogie and a Fender. All are fantastic amplifiers, but the Friedman Little Sister has the best "out-of-the-box" tone I've ever heard in person. I love how this combo is a single channel and very bare-bones with no reverb, yet it's incredibly quiet and versatile. I play classic rock and stoner rock but this little gem could really play anything when paired with the right effects or just the right settings. I really can't express how superb the tone is in text, nor can I quantify the joy I get hearing myself play through such a well built unit. As far as guitar amplifiers go, I'm set for life. The search is finally over!
Music background: Guitarist since 1987
Rated 5/5

Classic sounding amp that sounds huge in a small package

If a Marshall JTM45 is your thing, or even a higher gain version of the British amp, this is the amp for you. The 3 gain structures are very useful and unique. The "cleanest" setting is great and musical but still can get a nice crunch with an OD pedal. The high gain setting is pretty darn high gain for a JTM45 style amp. With a TS pedal or something to tighten the low end, you can easily do hard rock with this amp. Maybe not Djent, but way heavier than I expected.

The amp is also in a very compact enclosure, but it's sounds so much bigger. The open box with the slightly large box for a 1x12 really makes it sounds like a 2x12. I can't think of a gig I couldn't do with this. And if I ever play an arena, I'll throw a mic in front of it and be set.

This amp does it all, you can't go wrong!
Music background: Hobbyist, weekend warrior.
Rated 5/5

Little Sister

The Little Sister Amp is awesome, it has the tone I was looking for and is beautifully crafted. Andrew at Sweetwater was excellent in helping me with this purchase.
Music background: Beginning
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