Friedman JEL-20From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment74%
PROS 74%
CONS 26%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a versatile plexi-to-high-gain two-channel amp for gigging
  • You love a warm, chimey clean channel without needing pedals
  • You need a low-wattage amp that is still loud enough to gig with

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect maximum saturation or high gain straight out of the box
  • You are on a tight budget, since it runs $1,700-$2,400
  • You are sensitive to boomy low end or top-end fizz

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

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
25Premium
Friedman JEL-20
Versatile Two-Channel Plexi-to-High-Gain RangeExcellent Clean ChannelArticulate, Saturated GainLess Saturated or Looser Than ExpectedHarsh Top-End FizzHigh Price
Friedman JEL-20
Versatile Two-Channel Plexi-to-High-Gain Range
Excellent Clean Channel
Articulate, Saturated Gain
Less Saturated or Looser Than Expected
Harsh Top-End Fizz
High Price

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners consistently praise the JEL-20's articulate, saturated gain. Multiple players describe the JEL-20's overdrive as saturated yet clear, with every note in a chord staying distinct even at high gain. Fans single out the harmonics and high-end clarity, saying it sounds 'big and chunky' with punch and clarity, and captures classic tones from Bark at the Moon to 80s Iron Maiden. Several commenters call it one of the best amps they've owned, citing its frequency response as stellar across lows, mids and highs without becoming muddy or harsh.

The two-channel plexi-to-high-gain design and clean channel win over gigging players. The plexi channel plus a saturated second channel let owners dial in everything from vintage Marshall crunch through JCM800 to modern high-gain metal, with several calling it the widest tonal palette they have owned. The clean channel gets singled out repeatedly as warm, thick and chimey, good enough to skip pedals entirely. Gigging musicians say it has replaced larger rigs, staying loud enough for shows while remaining compact and light, and appreciate having two usable channels in a 20-watt head.

A vocal minority found the amp looser, boomier, or pricier than expected. Not everyone hears a gain monster: several reviewers found the JEL-20 looser and less saturated than expected, likening it more to a Marshall SC-20 than true high gain. One owner complained the low end is boomy and uncontrolled at low settings and wished for a standby switch, while others reported fizzy, outrageous top end they couldn't dial out. At $1,700 to $2,400, a couple of commenters also felt the price was steep for a 20-watt amp.

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