graphic_eqImpressive Tonal Rangeexpand_more0 mentions
A viewer said the demo video was one of the best they had seen for showing what the amp can do, suggesting the Dirty Shirley 40 has broad tonal capability when played well.
Widely praised
Friedman Amplification Friedman Dirty Shirley 40From real comments
Verdict distilled from 4 mentions across 4 aspects in comments under product review videos.
What users love
What users complain about
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Based on user comments
Best choice
1Mid
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Built-in reactive attenuator
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31
Friedman Amplification Friedman Dirty Shirley 40
Impressive Tonal RangeInconsistent Distortion CharacterLacks Feel in Some PerformancesTone Capture Can Be TrickyFriedman Amplification Friedman Dirty Shirley 40
Impressive Tonal Range
Inconsistent Distortion Character
Lacks Feel in Some Performances
Tone Capture Can Be Tricky
Who wins on what
Ranked by what users actually praise
Pedal friendly
Versatile tone
Lightweight
Great cleans
Build quality
Expensive
Overall Impression
Viewers who commented on the Dirty Shirley 40 show mixed impressions. One called a demo video one of the best shown for demonstrating the amp's capability, and a fan said they were saving up to buy one. But another found certain clips grainy and fizzy, calling the amp hit or miss, while someone else described a demoed performance as robotic and average with no feeling. Several questions went unanswered on video, such as how the High and Low inputs differ in gain versus volume, and whether Low input can handle hard rock at max gain. Some potential buyers are weighing it against the Mini Jubilee or the smaller 20-watt version. One person questioned whether an SM57 alone can capture the amp's tone as well as the ribbon mic used in a featured review.
Outdated / Not-accurate data?
@Wildoneexp
