Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100From real comments

Name: Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100
Rating: 3.3 (13 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%

PROS 50%

CONS 50%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a modded-Marshall style amp with a wide-ranging, growling gain character
You value reliability and low noise over vintage-amp quirks
You play classic rock to hard rock and can use a boost/distortion pedal for tighter high-gain tones

What users love

Growling high-gain character0 mentions

Strongly positive

Reliability and low noise0 mentions

Strongly positive

Excellent modded-Marshall tone0 mentions

Strongly positive

Versatile gain range0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need tight, focused high-gain metal tone straight into the amp without extra pedals
You're confused by or want to avoid tracking down which year/revision (2014 vs 2015 vs 2016) suits you
You're uncertain about the exact voicing/gain-structure switch differences and want a simpler control set

What users complain about

Unclear circuit and mode details0 mentions

Mildly negative

Confusing version differences0 mentions

Generally negative

Fizzy, loose gain for metal0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Tube-like tone and feel

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2Premium

Friedman Little Sister

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4Mid

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6Premium

Mesa Boogie Badlander

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Early sound-mode switching bug

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8Premium

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe

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You are here

31Premium

Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100

Growling high-gain characterExcellent modded-Marshall toneReliability and low noiseUnclear circuit and mode detailsConfusing version differencesFizzy, loose gain for metal

Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100

Growling high-gain character

Excellent modded-Marshall tone

Reliability and low noise

Unclear circuit and mode details

Confusing version differences

Fizzy, loose gain for metal

Pedal friendly
1. Roland JC-22arrow_upward9
2. Orange OR15arrow_upward8
3. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward5
Versatile tone
1. Orange OR15arrow_upward10
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward8
Lightweight
1. Roland Blues Cube Artistarrow_upward8
2. TC Electronic BH250arrow_upward3
3. Orange OR15arrow_upward2
Great cleans
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward6
2. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward5
Build quality
1. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward6
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_downward2
2. Friedman BE-100 Deluxearrow_downward3
3. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_downward5

Overall Impression

The BE-100 delivers a growling, modded-Marshall tone that wins over longtime vintage amp owners. One user who owned eight vintage Marshalls says the BE-100 finally combines fantastic tones, almost no noise, and reliability that their old amps lacked. Another calls it possibly the best modded Marshall tone ever, impressed enough after hearing a demo to buy a BE-100 profile pack for their Kemper. Fans defending the amp's gain level point to the preamp knob as the solution for those calling it too hot.

Not everyone finds the gain tight enough for serious metal out of the box. A 2016 model owner describes the tone as a bit fizzy and not tight enough for serious metal, suggesting it suits hard rock or classic rock better unless paired with a distortion pedal in front, similar to how plexi-style amps are typically used given their headroom. This creates some tension with other users who praise its high-gain growl and roar as a core strength of the amp.

Version differences across 2014-2016 models spark ongoing debate among owners. A 2014 BE-100 owner asks whether the 2016 update is a big enough difference to justify upgrading, wanting more open and raw sound. Another compares their 2015 unit's tone as quite different from a demoed version, while others ask about a new voicing switch for lower gain and a 4th toggle representing a new gain structure switch, indicating meaningful circuit revisions over the years.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqGrowling high-gain character

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple users praise the amp's distinctive growl and roar, especially at higher gain settings. One defends the amp against complaints of too much gain by pointing to the preamp knob's flexibility.

@satinwhip

The BE100 is possibly the best modded Marshall tone ever. I heard someone demoing one in GC one day and it really caught my attention. I bought a BE100 profile pack for my Kemper and could not be happier with the tones.

smart_display

January 19, 2020

@1982_Charvel

FRIEDMAN's amps are still my favorite. Many are saying \"too much gain\" and this and that but at the end of the day his amps just have that growl and roar i like.\nTo those that complain these have \"too much gain\" ever hear of the pre amp knob???

smart_display

November 6, 2017

check_circleReliability and low noise

1 mentions

Strongly positive

A former owner of eight vintage Marshalls found the BE-100 far more reliable and quieter at idle than any of those amps, despite one being spectacular sounding.

@paulfosgreen217

I can’t say how happy I am with my BE100.\nAfter owning 8 vintage Marshalls, I finally have found an amplifier that has everything: fantastic tones, almost no noise, and reliability.\nNone of the Marshalls were reliable, all of them had. Arming degrees of noise at idle, and only some of them sounded very good at all, (although one was really spectacular sounding).\nYou cant go wrong with these.\nBuy the best and only cry once, don’t do what I did, waste of time and even more money than just getting the Friedman in the first place.

smart_display

January 19, 2019

speedExcellent modded-Marshall tone

1 mentions

Strongly positive

Commenters consider the BE-100 one of the best modded Marshall-style tones available, good enough that its sound was captured into a Kemper profile pack.

@satinwhip

smart_display

January 19, 2020

tuneVersatile gain range

1 mentions

Widely praised

The preamp gain control lets players dial in tones from classic rock to heavier styles, addressing concerns from those who find the base gain too aggressive.

@1982_Charvel

smart_display

November 6, 2017

infoUnclear circuit and mode details

4 mentions

Mildly negative

Some potential buyers are unsure exactly what circuit lineage the amp follows (Plexi-based, FET stages) or how modes like BE vs HBE and the gain-structure toggle switch actually differ.

@Auji_Squirrel

Is the BE 100 supposed to be a Plexi or hotrodded Plexi of sorts or does it have its own thing going?

smart_display

July 9, 2018

@dirtbikeprophet7195

FriedEggMan - so are we hearing FET's splashed in and about the various gain stages. All tube pre ?

smart_display

March 13, 2018

@Dardenesque

So the 4th toggle on the far right is the new gain structure switch? Thx

smart_display

August 28, 2016

@foxyfoxtrot4233

Thanks for the video! Is this the version with the new voicing switch for lower gain?

smart_display

May 12, 2016

help_outlineConfusing version differences

3 mentions

Generally negative

Owners express uncertainty about whether newer revisions (2016 vs 2014/2015) are meaningfully better, with one wanting more open and raw sound and another noting a demoed unit sounded quite different from their own year's model.

@joeywilder9708

This really does sound different than the be 100 deluxe I think

smart_display

May 12, 2021

@94Shredder

Would you say the 2016 update makes a huge difference. I currently have a 2014 be100 but I’m wondering whether it or not it would be worth it to upgrade to a 2016 spec be. Love how the amp sounds however I wouldn’t mind having it sound a little more open and raw.

smart_display

March 20, 2019

@2204as

Cool video, sounds awesome. Actually quiet different from my 2015 version. Could also be the speakers of course. Which effect do you use at 1:40 to get that LoFi sound? Sounds cool. Also 4:12 is a cool effect. What's that? Man you are getting great sounds in this video. The amp is a keeper!

smart_display

May 12, 2016

warningFizzy, loose gain for metal

1 mentions

Generally negative

A 2016 model owner reports the tone as a bit fizzy and not tight enough for serious metal, recommending it more for hard rock or classic rock unless a distortion pedal is used in front.

@rockstaradventures1

what effects are you using and what pickups are you running thru it? Whats your thoughts on running a distortion pedal in front and using the clean channel? I have a new 2016 model and I do find it a bit fizzy and not tight enough for some serious Metal. More for Hard rock or classic rock, unless you use a distortion pedal in front, like most plexi's loads of headroom.

smart_display

November 25, 2016

Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Pedal friendly

Versatile tone

Lightweight

Great cleans

Build quality

Expensive

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Friedman Amplification Friedman BE-100From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression