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Friedman Runt-50 - 50-watt Tube Head

50-watt 2-channel All-tube Guitar Amplifier Head with Boost, Bright Switch, and Cab-simulated XLR Output
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Rock the Big Stages

Take what's special about the Friedman Runt-20, add a fourth 12AX7 in the preamp section, power it with two mighty EL-34 output tubes, and you've got a guitar amp with the grunt to rock the big stages. Employing custom transformers and a purist signal path, the Runt-50 head serves up the tight bottom end and midrange punch you tend to hear in much higher-wattage amps. Channel one of this versatile beast takes you from shimmery cleans to vintage American grit, while the second channel harkens the Brit-voiced chunk of Friedman's BE-100, deploying everything from classic rock overdrive to tonal Armageddon that'll strip the paint off club walls. Through the Runt-50, your chords are harmonically rich and detailed; your lead lines soar and resonate. And it all cleans up beautifully with a pinky twist of your guitar's volume knob. Friedman's digital cab emulation and series effects loop further enhance the remarkable utility of this amp.

Friedman Runt-50 50-watt Tube Amp Head at a Glance:
  • Handles any style with poise and panache
  • Analog cab-simulated XLR output
  • A session guitarist's best friend
Handles any style with poise and panache

The Friedman Runt-50 head features two channels that, together, deploy a massive tonal palette. Channel one serves up the chimey cleans and grit reminiscent of certain classic American guitar amps. When you're ready to live dangerously, light up the overdrive channel for a British-inspired tonal range reminiscent of Friedman's handbuilt BE-100. Here you're in command of everything from vintage grind to ornery snarl to blistering high-gain blitzkrieg. From jazz and blues to rock, fusion, and metal, the Friedman Runt-50 handles it all - and it does so with poise and panache.

Analog cab-simulated XLR output

The cabinet-emulated XLR output featured on the back of the Runt-50 Combo is positively ground breaking. Dave Friedman poured over this all-analog design to ensure that its tone stands up to the best digital cab-sims and impulse responses on the market. Onstage, send the cab-emulated out to the PA, confident that your guitar will sound great in the front of house mix. In the studio, take it direct as an alternative to, or mixed with, the miked signal. Recording at home? Get that big amp sound without disturbing anyone. Friedman's cabinet-emulated output gives you a world of options.

A session guitarist's best friend

Every aspect of the Runt-50 all-tube electric guitar amplifier head lends itself to being a powerful tool for session and performing guitarists. Not only is it capable of a huge array of tones, but its 50-watt rating is powerful enough for any stage. The amp's Baltic birch cabinetry is very durable, easily standing up to the rigors of the road. And both channels are specifically voiced to work wonderfully with all your favorite pedals. You will definitely find these amps in the backline of many Sweetwater guitarists.

Friedman Runt-50 50-watt Tube Amp Head Features:
  • 50-watt all-tube amp head
  • Clean channel is clear and punchy with minimal controls
  • Dirty channel goes from classic rock to metal
  • Incredibly touch sensitive and cleans up great
  • Cabinet-emulated XLR output that sounds as good as the best digital emulations
  • Features Friedman's famed transparent series effects loop
Friedman's Runt-50: a powerful tone demon for stage and studio!

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Total Power: 50W
  • Preamp Tubes: 4 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
  • EQ: 3-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (speaker out), 1 x XLR (direct out)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channel)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 1-button footswitch
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: Baltic Birch with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 9.25"
  • Width: 22.5"
  • Depth: 9.5"
  • Weight: 31 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: RUNT-50 HEAD

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Best sounding Friedman amp I’ve heard and I’ve owned many.

I've owned two Wildwood Smallbox 50 heads, two regular Smallbox 50 heads, a BE100 head, two Pink Taco heads and a Jake E. Lee 20 watt head. The Runt 50 is the best out of all of them, for my ears and my playing style. The dirty channel goes from Plexi to Metal with the added boost switch. The blackface clean channel really makes this amp versatile and takes pedals as good as anything out there. I can't wait for the version 2 of this amp to come out. That said, I will never part with my original Runt 50 head. It's really a special amp.
Music background: Been playing in bands since the 80’s.
Rated 5/5

Runt Rules!

This amp is my favorite out of all my marshalls. Its right there but slightly above my 1987 plexi .
If you want a great amp with clean and dirty channels you will be happy with the Runt 50.
I played the 20 watt Jj at a big box store and got some advice from friends on a forum to ho 50 watt Runt.
With its master volume i can play small, medium and large clubs. The effect loop is awesome and noiseless.
I play rock, alternative, blues and funk. It covers all very well.
Get the Runt!!
Rated 5/5

amazing amp, even better support

the Runt is my second tube 50W head. its clean channel is amazing. so good it makes me want to play clean tones! :D not sure how to describe it other than it is both warm and harmonic while being bright and sparkly at the same time. the bright switch lets you tweak the voicing 3-ways so its like 3 clean amps in one. the lead channel is very versatile. about the only thing this amp doesnt do is chug. but that's what i got my 5150 for. but for a crunch / lead channel, it is amazing. both the clean channel and lead channel take boost, overdrive, fuzz really well. light overdrive helps tighten both channels up but this isnt a bad thing, if anything it makes the use of OD or boost a more creative texture. with my 5150 i never felt they needed boost, but if i tried to use boost or OD it just made everything way too hot. on the Runt its really subdued how OD effects the gain. great all around head for everything other than maybe chugging metal rhythm guitar.

special shout out to Kevin Scott and the folks in support and Troy (weekend Sales engineer). any time i have an issue, tho no one ever wants to have an issue, i cant imagine a more pain free resolution. Sweetwater has never left me hanging with a pricey investment. happy to be a part of the Sweetwater and now the Friedman family.
Music background: Rock, Punk
Rated 4.5/5

Waited 4 yrs to write a review.

First, the Sweetwater team are really a good bunch of people to work with.

I purchased this amp in November of 2016 and still use it regularly. I like to play UFO, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Maiden, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Deep Purple...etc. You get the idea of tone I chase. I have various wattage Spawns and decided to add a Runt 50 to amp herd. I found that the Runt 50 into a 2x12 cabinet closed back cabinet with a Celestion vintage 30 and a creamback 65 can cover everything I play clean, crunchy and records very well too. One day, I like to try a 4x12 with that speaker combination. I believe this amp is designed to sound at its best with those 2 speakers.

What I really like.

- Records very well. Mix wise, amp is voiced for guitar. In short, very little EQ'ing.
- Clean tones are awesome. Switchable EQ/Voicings on front panel.
- Hot rodded Plexi tones are a little modern leaning in a very good way.
- 2 switchable different gain options on front panel.
- Transparent effects loop. One of the best I have used.
- Built in direct box is exceptional and works great. The mic placement option is nice.
- Build quality is top shelf from components to cabinet
- Versatile amp. Turn down the gain and turn the volume up.
- Takes pedals well.
- Reliable

Why 3.5 of 4 stars?

- Footswitchable for the 2 different gains on the dirty channel. At this price point, it should have been included.
- Footswitchable Solo Boost.
- When using the direct box out not having to use a speaker load for silent recording.

If you like slightly leaning hot rodded plexi tone and great sounding clean tones, this amp will easily deliver reliably for a many years.

Obviously, a keeper!!
Rated 5/5

Two true amps in one Masterpiece design

Dave, what a great amp, the clean channel is Americana style with full control and the overdrive British channel brought a tear to eye thinking of four numbers 2 2 0 3 but with a better master volume thanks for a great amp design!
Music background: Professional
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