Friedman PT-20From real comments

Verdict distilled from 38 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment56%
PROS 56%
CONS 44%

Rank based on 38 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want huge, dynamic Marshall-plexi-style tone in a compact head or combo
  • You need a versatile amp that can go from cleans to brutal high gain with the voicing switch
  • You value a quality effects loop and don't mind investing in a boutique-built amp

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget, since US-made pricing is called out as steep, especially outside the US
  • You need reliably lush clean tones straight out of the box without pedals or mods
  • You want a simple circuit you could build yourself for less

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
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
You are here
26Premium
Friedman PT-20
Huge, dynamic toneVersatile gain range with voicing switchPortable alternative to bigger rigsClean tone inconsistencyHigh price tagBass/EQ complaints in some demos
Friedman PT-20
Huge, dynamic tone
Versatile gain range with voicing switch
Portable alternative to bigger rigs
Clean tone inconsistency
High price tag
Bass/EQ complaints in some demos

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tone and dynamics floor first-time listeners and players alike. Commenters repeatedly describe being 'floored' by the PT-20's responsiveness to picking dynamics and guitar volume knob, comparing it favorably to vintage Marshall plexis and even Kemper/Axe modelers. Several say no other amp they've owned, including JCM800s, compares. The 10-inch speaker surprised people with how big it sounds, and the effects loop is called one of the best they've used, with no perceptible tone suck.

Clean tones are a genuine point of contention among reviewers. Many early demos focus almost entirely on gain, leading some commenters to assume the amp can't clean up well, while others praise reviews that finally show usable cleans, especially after the 3-way voicing switch was added. A few owners needed a boost/OD pedal, EQ pedal, or even a technician's adjustment to get satisfying clean tones out of their unit.

Premium build quality comes with a premium, often polarizing price tag. Buyers consistently mention the amp is hand-wired and USA-built with quality construction, but the price draws frequent complaints, particularly in Canada where units reportedly sold for over $2200. Some note the circuit is simple enough that DIY builders question the cost, while others say the tone justifies paying up despite feeling it's 'out of my league' financially.

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