Friedman Small Box 100From real comments

Verdict distilled from 9 mentions across 5 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 62%
CONS 38%

Rank based on 9 mentions across 5 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want tone owners describe as amazing or incredible and worth staying loyal to
  • You're building a collection of Friedman amps and want the Small Box character
  • You value raw power in a valve amp over budget pricing

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget, since commenters compare the price to a used car
  • You dislike Friedman's offset cabinet design and want a standard head cab
  • You need an affordable, blue-collar-friendly amp option

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
31Premium
Friedman Small Box 100
Exceptional ToneStrong Owner LoyaltyPowerful OutputHigh PriceOffset Cabinet Design
Friedman Small Box 100
Exceptional Tone
Strong Owner Loyalty
Powerful Output
High Price
Offset Cabinet Design

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The tone draws consistent praise from commenters who tried it. Multiple commenters independently call the sound amazing or absolutely incredible, and one even frames their dislike of Friedman as being about how good the amp sounds relative to its price rather than any tonal complaint. Another commenter simply notes the amp is super powerful, reinforcing that the tonal character and output are the standout qualities people focus on when discussing this amp.

Owners show strong loyalty and a tendency to collect multiple Friedman models. One long-time Small Box combo owner says he will likely never sell it, showing lasting satisfaction. Another commenter already owns a Small Box and a Dirty Shirley 40 but still plans to buy a JJ-100, describing how playing one Friedman makes you want them all. This pattern suggests the Small Box 100 creates genuine attachment rather than buyer's remorse among its owners.

Price and cabinet design are the amp's main points of friction. Two commenters flag the cost as a barrier, with one joking the amps cost as much as used cars and asking for more affordable options for blue-collar players, while another says they love the sound but the price keeps it out of reach. Separately, one fan loves the amps overall but specifically dislikes the offset cabinet, asking Friedman to offer these amps in regular head cabs instead.

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