Friedman BE-100 DeluxeFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 34 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment76%
PROS 76%
CONS 24%

Rank based on 34 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want one amp to cover plexi, hard rock, modern and high-gain tones instead of a wall of amps
  • You enjoy deep tweaking with many switches and options to dial in your own sound
  • You value a musical, articulate high-gain tone with a highly transparent effects loop

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget, since it's frequently described as expensive (around $3,900-$4,000)
  • You want simple, few-option channels rather than a 'tweaker amp' with many switches
  • You need a strong, standout clean channel, which some say is lacking

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
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
Friedman Little Sister
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
Friedman Little Sister
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
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
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
Marantz PM7000N
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
Marantz PM7000N
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
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
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
Mesa Boogie Badlander
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
Mesa Boogie Badlander
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
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
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
You are here
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
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
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners praise its remarkable versatility across genres and tones. Multiple owners say the BE-100 Deluxe let them sell off entire collections of other amps because it covered everything those amps did, from Marshall plexi and JCM800 grit to modern high-gain chug. Commenters describe it handling classic rock, AC/DC, metal and everything between clean-ish jangle and full saturation, calling it an 'end game' amp that replaced Laneys, Bassmans, Boogies and more.

The plexi channel and Master Volume design stand out as favorites. Several commenters single out the plexi channel, paired with the effects loop, as exceptionally clear and transparent, with one calling it the quietest loop they've encountered. Others highlight the Master Volume's dynamic feel without tone suck, and note that maxing channel 1 unlocks a true 'Plexi Mode' with all EQ disengaged, giving vintage Marshall character on tap.

Some players find it overwhelming, pricey, or short of specific rivals. A handful of reviewers say the amp has 'too much on tap' and struggled to dial in the BE channel compared to simpler amps like the JJ-100. Others note it can't quite match a JCM800's upper-end bark, lacks a strong true clean sound, and is expensive at roughly $3,900-$4,000, with one suggesting Synergy modules as a cheaper alternative for similar tones.

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