Friedman SS100From real comments

Verdict distilled from 29 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 29 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a thick, saturated Marshall-style crunch with clear note definition
  • You value a clean channel that's actually praised, not an afterthought
  • You're comparing against Friedman BE-100/Atomica and want more bite and percussiveness

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect high-gain tones straight from the amp without adding a boost/EQ pedal
  • You're on a budget, as commenters call it expensive
  • You want built-in footswitchable boost rather than relying on external pedals

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 SS100
Thick, articulate crunch toneStrong player and fan enthusiasmFavorable comparisons to other high-end ampsDemoed tone relies on external boost/EQ pedalHigh priceMissing setup/signal chain details in demos
Friedman SS100
Thick, articulate crunch tone
Strong player and fan enthusiasm
Favorable comparisons to other high-end amps
Demoed tone relies on external boost/EQ pedal
High price
Missing setup/signal chain details in demos

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The crunch and saturation tone draws the most praise. Commenters repeatedly single out the thick, crunchy overdrive as the amp's signature strength, describing it as crisp yet full, 'chewy,' and capable of tearing clean shreds while staying articulate. Several say every note remains clear even under heavy gain. Multiple listeners call this the best sound they've heard from Friedman, ranking it above the BE-100 and comparing it favorably to the Atomica and Suhr SE100.

The clean channel is an unexpected highlight. One highly-liked comment expresses surprise that nobody talks about Friedman's clean tone, calling it great. Others note the amp is dead quiet even when cranked and has more bite and percussiveness than the BE model. This combination of clarity and quietness stands out as a distinct strength separate from the amp's high-gain reputation.

Some question how much of the tone comes from the amp itself versus pedals. Several commenters point out that demo clips rely on a boost or graphic EQ pedal (Koko Boost, GE7) to reach the heard gain level, with one arguing the stock amp needs more built-in gain and eq shaping. Another flatly states listeners don't know the amp's true sound because a pedal is in front of it, and one wishes for footswitchable boost built in.

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