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Friedman Little Sister 20-watt 1-channel Tube Head

20-watt, 1-channel All-tube Guitar Amplifier Head with Custom Transformers, 3-band EQ, FX Loop, Bright Switch, and S-switch
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Item ID: LittleSisH
Friedman Little Sister 20-watt 1-channel Tube Head
Price:$1,499 and 99 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $42/month with 36 month financing*

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Friedman Little Sister 20-watt 1-channel Tube Head
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A Half-sized Addition to the Friedman Family

The Little Sister amplifier head 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 head! 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 head 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 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 the Friedman Little Sister.

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

  • The power and Grit of Friedman’s Twin Sister in a highly portable head
  • 20W cathode-biased design easily handles gigging while still being tame enough for home use
  • 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 cab compatibility

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: Single
  • Output Power: 20W Class A
  • Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
  • EQ: 3-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (16 ohm), 2 x 1/4" (4/8 ohm)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Bias Type: Cathode Biased
  • Features: S-Switch (Gain Structure), B-Switch (Bright/Tight)
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 8.25"
  • Width: 18"
  • Depth: 8.5"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LITTLE SISTER HEAD (MINI DS V2)

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Reviews

Best amp I’ve ever owned
I've been playing since 1975. Peavy, Fender, Marshall, Mesa Boogie.. I've had them all. This one is definitely different. It's a bit like a JTM45, but with its own character. It's like a hot-rodded version of it. I have a blues breaker combo and it's close to that, but it can do much more. It's an MV amp, so there's that. It also has switches that take it it nearly into JCM saturation levels. If you get one, go head and cab. It's amazing. I have larger cabs that sound similar. I'm not sure how Dave does that. At practice volumes it's perfect, and the few times I've cranked it outside I'm sure I scared the forest critters. It's that 60s-70s sound. Great effects loop. I have it set up in 4CM and it's very quiet.
Music background: Pro and casual since the 70s
Truly Fantastic
I've recently invested a good amount of.. time.. in exploring different options for my rig. Mesa Mark V 25 head wasn't getting the articulate crunch tones I was after. I tried all the UA modeler pedals running in to the Mark V effects return. None of them were inspiring to play, though they sound nice. I bought the Friedman IR-D and it is amazing. So amazing... that I had to try the real thing. And now I'm listing a Mark V head, several UA pedals.
This is the keeper. It makes me want to keep playing. And that's the ultimate testament.
Incredible Amp
Incredible amp!!! Just plug in and Rock out!!! 20w is all you need.
The amp I needed!
This amp is so versatile for me. I play blues and rock and can get edge of breakup all the way to a good heavy crunch. It has 3 gain settings and I find I like it best on the lowest setting using OD pedals. The effects loop sounds really good. I run my delay pedal and EQ through that and everything else to the front of the amp. I'm really happy with my purchase. My deluxe reverb with probably collect dust for a while. Also I should add that I run this through my Torpedo Captor X and it sounded really dark at first but I was able to use the enhancer to make it brighter.
Music background: Guitar player since the early 80’s
Friedman LIL Sister

Received this amp head and had to play ASAP after much research and reviews etc. Currently have a Sligo JTM 45 that is incredible [KT66] an Avatar 18watt Marshall clone, Mesa Fillmore 50 and a hand built Trinity 18watt with the THOR mode. Have to say, Dave Friedman knows his amps and this head shines. For a single channel, it is extremely versatile. Currently have two 2X12 cabinets one with Celestion Alnico Golds and 2 Vintage 30's. If you need a 20watt amp that does the Brown Sound, cleans up beautifully, and has an extra gain stage, then this Lil Sister is for you. Simple and built like a tank. Thanks to my Sales Engineer, Michael Berry, for all his help!

Music background: Experienced