I’ve had this amp for 1 year and 3 months, and it’s still as amazing and inspiring to play through as the day I got it. I don’t even run any effects, just the amp to a 2x12 cab with a V30 and a G12H30, and it sounds massive. Best amp I’ve ever owned by far.
There is just no way one person has so many great riffs 😁A lot of these ideas remind me of my own playing, but the difference is that you get it all arranged and recorded, which I always struggle to do. Great riffs though, the extra heavy tones section gave me goosebumps. Fantastic sounding amp 👌
I can confirm that this amp is easily loud enough for band play with an appropriate cabinet. It is an absolute monster. I will say it is hard on the el84 tubes.
That amp shines more with your high level riffs man, what a sound and what a killer riffs!!! The silent recording feature is a huuuuuuuge GAS pump for the bedroom players
Been wanting a JJ since Friedman put out the first video of Jerry playing one at an AIC soundcheck. Quite possibly one of the hugest sounding guitar tones I've heard.
Good find! I got mine as a mint used bundle with the gorgeous matching Friedman 2x12 cab for €2127 delivered from a shop in the Netherlands to me in Italy. Not bad prices for Europe.
First of all - GREAT video that really demos the amp's full potential! I also have to say that I really really love the riffs. The riffs fits the style that I think of when I want to watch a demo video of a Jerry Cantrell amp. Amazing job!!
This is the amp I settled on after hours of research and TH-cam videos. I instantly felt like a better guitar player lol. The note definition wow! I bought a few pedals blues driver and a couple of klon clones that sounds awesome through the clean channel. I still prefer the amps native tones but it's very versatile and takes pedals well. Dave friedman did a great job with this amp.
Hey can I ask do you play with a loud drummer? This amp sounds fantastic but the 20watts makes me worry about head room. How do you find pedals into the clean channel at loud volume. Thanks
Nice! I've been waiting for you to demo this amp! I got a killer deal one one of these used and it has become my most played amp. I'm surprised you didn't boost it! My go-to sounds are the JBE mode with the gain at noon for a "less" high gain open rhythm sound, and the same settings boosted with an EQD Plumes for metal tones. Seriously love this amp!
It has plenty of gain but it sounds very clear and focused. Maybe to get it to sound very saturated it could benefit from a boost, but maybe you should get another amp. I think it sounds pretty darn chunky though as you can hear in the demo. It won't sound like a 5150 though. That's a different kind of sound.
@@SonicDriveStudio I think it has more than enough gain for a lot of metal, but as mentioned previously, my go to is boosting it with the gain halfway (I boost all my amps).
Thanks for this video! Really helped me out! I bought one this afternoon and absolutely love it. I play metal but wanted something with good clarity that would show the pick attack with complicated riffs. I was between Engl/Mark 5/h&k grandmeister/friedman JJ. This amp defintely does not have the features of some but the tone is amazing. And easier to build a consistent tone with offboard effects. I liked you video on the grandmeister as well but this seemed far superior in a side by side comparison IMO. The mark 5 was my first choice but could not play one first hand.. I cannot imagine it sounding much better than this however
Subscribed. Engaging presentation of content and tone. Really good arrangements and playing showcasing the amp in both a mix and solo. Keep up the great work. 👍
Just got this a few months ago…I love it so much I’m running with the matching cab with a CreamBack sounds amazing I use the lead channel and run an OD-1x through it With a little bit of verb from my RV6 It’s the best tone I’ve had
Sir, You did a great job of demoing tasteful usable tones with...actual music! I just keep coming back to the word "tasteful", I like where your head is at. Breath of fresh air man Great tones as well, the combination of dirty snarl and clarity is impressive
I recently played one of these at Guitar Center just to test a Telecaster. Before I knew it, I was trying different varieties of guitars to see how they sounded through the amp! The JJ Junior sounded stellar with every guitar I plugged in. Telecasters with single coils, Les Pauls, and a Schecter C-1 Platinum with EMGs. I honestly could not get a bad sound out of this amp, except for maybe the Schecter C-1 through the clean channel, but that had more to do with the active pick ups. Really considering parting with my Mesa Express 5:25+ 1x12 Combo to get one of these Friedmans.
TH-cam and their bullshit algorithm better get to work. This guy should have WAY more subscribers and viewers. Seriously great playing and production quality and has become pretty much one of (if not straight up) my top and first picks (get the pun there? picks? anyways....) for amp videos. Keep up the great work you massively underrated, or at the very least horrendously under-noticed content creator!
@@SonicDriveStudio well for now I will try and recreate with my pod go and an ownhammer IR? When is the session on the drum programming, I used to find your SSD and slate digital tutorials were brilliant!
@@SonicDriveStudio Thank you for your reply and I really enjoy your channel and Friedman amps sound awesome and I really like demos amps do,Thank you again.
it’s not the highest gain amp but i think it’s enough for me and you can get some almost alexi like tones with the right settings without a gain boost in your guitar or a drive pedal like he sometimes used
I can't think of another amp that I prefer to this. I think I could play all the styles I like on this, I guess ironically, the heaviest tones it has I'd probably play the least though. What an amp, I should probably start saving
Big fan of your music and reviews. Why was the Master Volume set very low for the high gain sounds ? You mentioned power tube distortion as a good feature of EL84 powered amps. Why not let us hear that ?
I dialed it in how it sounds good for me. It's pretty darn loud at that setting. I didn't say that I always like it when the EL84s compress but I said that it's easier to dial that in when you want/need it.
I really like the sounds from this amp. I saw a video from some old guy with a mushy weird accent who said he sent it back as it wasn't built right or something. I really couldn't understand what he was saying so I nixed the video before it hardly got started. Is there a problem with this amp we should know about?
Waited 4 1/2 minutes for the playing to start, then it was drowned out by the drum sound. Are you demoing the drum sound or the amp? And why use pedals? Let's just hear the amp first? Enjoying the second cut but the drums are too loud again. Nice chords, dude, I like your playing. Wish it was more upfront. The rock riff is great. Is the sound you are getting because of the amp or you can get your tone on other amps? That's what I would want to know.
Would love some tips on how you post-process. Your final tone is absolutely amazing. Kind of what I would love to achieve playing at home. I added a mimiq & post GEQ, which got me closer. But it still doesn't sound this good.
@@SonicDriveStudio I think it's time to share (again) some insights on how you mix/process the demos of your last videos... including drums but mostly guitar tones. For instance you can get the demos included on this same video. No need to be a long video, but precise and detailed, if possible. It will be kind fo you and all your followers will appreciate for sure. If I'm not wrong, your last video mix insight is from almost 2 years ago and frankly you improved your mixing abilities since then. Your last demos on your last videos sounds awe-inspiring. Thanks so much !
Is it easy to get a good volume balance between both of the channels ? Can you have the clean channel set to crunch and the heavier channel for distortion and have a good volume balance between the two channels ? I feel like if you dont have two master volumes it's hard to control the volume of the clean channel compared to the distortion channel ?
Hoping to see a Rivera Clubster Royale Recording model on here!!! Extremely affordable for the quality and features. All hand made in USA, etc. I was looking at the JJ but went with the Rivera instead.
My brother... This sounds great! & I hear differences.. But I will say, Id much rather hear you micing a cab, as that gives a better reality of whats going on. The IR's etc, just make things basicaly sound the same.
Haha, it's just a 'fetish' of mine. I love those pedals and I wanted to collect them all. I have every single model they ever made and a bunch of duplicates.
@@SonicDriveStudio High Five brother! I stashed mine in the closet the day I brought it home. Scared of fingerprints all over it. Hahahha. A true closet queen.
LOVE this amp! What do you guys think? Let me know!
The amp has powerful, dense, collected sound!
This one i like a lot.
Sounds youdge!! And goes to 11
Sounds great! I have its big brother and it's the best piece of gear I ever bought.
Great review and demo, I wish you could review the Friedman Be Mini amp, it's not a valve amp but it's affordable.
I’ve had this amp for 1 year and 3 months, and it’s still as amazing and inspiring to play through as the day I got it. I don’t even run any effects, just the amp to a 2x12 cab with a V30 and a G12H30, and it sounds massive. Best amp I’ve ever owned by far.
Which cabinet, Bogner?
@@garettoverstreet Avatar
There is just no way one person has so many great riffs 😁A lot of these ideas remind me of my own playing, but the difference is that you get it all arranged and recorded, which I always struggle to do. Great riffs though, the extra heavy tones section gave me goosebumps. Fantastic sounding amp 👌
I think this is quite possibly one ofthe top two demos on your channel so far and that’s saying a lot! Excellent work and what an amp!
Thanks very much! :)
Your demos are the best on TH-cam, hands down 🙌🏽
I can confirm that this amp is easily loud enough for band play with an appropriate cabinet. It is an absolute monster. I will say it is hard on the el84 tubes.
That amp shines more with your high level riffs man, what a sound and what a killer riffs!!! The silent recording feature is a huuuuuuuge GAS pump for the bedroom players
The JJ takes everything I like about the Bogner Shiva and makes it more awesomer. It also takes the stuff I don't like and gets rid of it.
Been wanting a JJ since Friedman put out the first video of Jerry playing one at an AIC soundcheck. Quite possibly one of the hugest sounding guitar tones I've heard.
Came for the review... Stayed for the riffs! Your playing speaks to me dude.
Thank you!
This Amp have some Killer Tone-range and is so huge man👌🏻 Friedman is the name of Quality👌🏻
Classic Crunch tone sounds so smooth damn
I freaking love this amp. Was able to score a used, mint one off a guy for $1,200 usd. Boosted with an OD808 and it crushes! Highly recommended.
I got my PT-20 used as well for $1100, using Boss SD-1 in front, tone search over! Friedman really knows what he is doing!
Good find! I got mine as a mint used bundle with the gorgeous matching Friedman 2x12 cab for €2127 delivered from a shop in the Netherlands to me in Italy. Not bad prices for Europe.
Wow! WOW! Pumped that amp collection is growing! You deserve it.
Amp sounds great!
Dude i love your creativity! I'm always amazed by your playing!!
First of all - GREAT video that really demos the amp's full potential! I also have to say that I really really love the riffs. The riffs fits the style that I think of when I want to watch a demo video of a Jerry Cantrell amp. Amazing job!!
I have had this amp since the day it came out and it still amazes me especially when I run it through my Marshall 4 x 12 with greenbacks
How is it in a band situation?
I personally cannot say so because I am not in a band but I have seen videos of people using it in bands and they have nothing but high praise for it
@@garyz0611 cool thanks
This is the amp I settled on after hours of research and TH-cam videos. I instantly felt like a better guitar player lol. The note definition wow! I bought a few pedals blues driver and a couple of klon clones that sounds awesome through the clean channel. I still prefer the amps native tones but it's very versatile and takes pedals well. Dave friedman did a great job with this amp.
Hey can I ask do you play with a loud drummer? This amp sounds fantastic but the 20watts makes me worry about head room. How do you find pedals into the clean channel at loud volume. Thanks
Nice! I've been waiting for you to demo this amp! I got a killer deal one one of these used and it has become my most played amp. I'm surprised you didn't boost it! My go-to sounds are the JBE mode with the gain at noon for a "less" high gain open rhythm sound, and the same settings boosted with an EQD Plumes for metal tones. Seriously love this amp!
I usually don't boost but I'm sure that sounds awesome! ;)
@@SonicDriveStudio In your opinion, do you feel the amp has enough gain for modern metal without a boost?
It has plenty of gain but it sounds very clear and focused. Maybe to get it to sound very saturated it could benefit from a boost, but maybe you should get another amp. I think it sounds pretty darn chunky though as you can hear in the demo. It won't sound like a 5150 though. That's a different kind of sound.
@@SonicDriveStudio I think it has more than enough gain for a lot of metal, but as mentioned previously, my go to is boosting it with the gain halfway (I boost all my amps).
Great demo man! I love those things. Need to get one soon.
Thanks for this video! Really helped me out! I bought one this afternoon and absolutely love it. I play metal but wanted something with good clarity that would show the pick attack with complicated riffs. I was between Engl/Mark 5/h&k grandmeister/friedman JJ. This amp defintely does not have the features of some but the tone is amazing. And easier to build a consistent tone with offboard effects. I liked you video on the grandmeister as well but this seemed far superior in a side by side comparison IMO. The mark 5 was my first choice but could not play one first hand.. I cannot imagine it sounding much better than this however
Had it about a year now. It's amazing.
Wow, congrats to your new amp! The sound in that last song is soooo amazing!
Very cool video and...very nice songs and I agree with you...the amp sounds amazing! Thank you!
Hey man love your demos. I just have to say your playing is tight! Great timing.
Thanks!
Nicely made video. It looks and sounds great. You address every aspect in great detail and it’s organized perfectly. A+
This might be the best video on TH-cam for this amp.
Digging mine... No problems so far. Does Sabbath well too.
great demo, this amp sounds sick. would totally buy this amp if I had a band/played live.
This is the review I've been waiting for! Thanks for your amazing work!
I hope it doesn't disappoint
@@SonicDriveStudio You did deliver as always :)
This was great, dude. Great job reviewing
You never disappoint. Great tones, killer riffs. Bravo sir.
Thanks! :)
Love this review of the amp! Always looking for heavier uses of this amp instead of 24/7 dad rock and you delivered!
I use a Kemper profile of these beast and it’s absolutely awesome! I Love Friedman amp. They sounds to loud 😍 great demo man 😎
Thumbs 🆙 Great Demo.
You re a good demo-er. Like you really know how to do it. You and Zach Wish. Both special channels.
You are such a great player and riffmaker👍 Cheers.
Subscribed. Engaging presentation of content and tone. Really good arrangements and playing showcasing the amp in both a mix and solo. Keep up the great work. 👍
p.s. Great production values and editing. The time and professionalism makes your channel unique and it is appreciated. 🙂
Thank you!
Excellent demo! Thank you!
Just ordered mine this morning. I'm so fucking excited that I fear I could possibly spontaneously combust before it arrives.
Just got this a few months ago…I love it so much I’m running with the matching cab with a CreamBack sounds amazing
I use the lead channel and run an OD-1x through it
With a little bit of verb from my RV6
It’s the best tone I’ve had
Sir,
You did a great job of demoing tasteful usable tones with...actual music! I just keep coming back to the word "tasteful", I like where your head is at. Breath of fresh air man
Great tones as well, the combination of dirty snarl and clarity is impressive
Thanks very much! I do appreciate it!
Great demo as usual!
I recently played one of these at Guitar Center just to test a Telecaster. Before I knew it, I was trying different varieties of guitars to see how they sounded through the amp! The JJ Junior sounded stellar with every guitar I plugged in. Telecasters with single coils, Les Pauls, and a Schecter C-1 Platinum with EMGs. I honestly could not get a bad sound out of this amp, except for maybe the Schecter C-1 through the clean channel, but that had more to do with the active pick ups. Really considering parting with my Mesa Express 5:25+ 1x12 Combo to get one of these Friedmans.
Friedman's kick ass! Great vid Jon!
This was a really solid review of the amp. Are you going to do a follow up?
Sounds killer! This amp is definitely on my wish list.
Congrats! So many good amps you own.
I really like this amp, thanks again buddy!!
yesss a friedman! ive always wanted to hear one of their amps with your recording wizardry
Nice amp and great review. Is the effect loop switchable in/out via foot switch?
Amazing!! What speakers are you using? Thanks!
Your riffs make these demos!
Great recorded tones. What method did you use to run out to your IRs? Captor? Something else?
Awesome demo!
What cabinet did you employ?
TH-cam and their bullshit algorithm better get to work. This guy should have WAY more subscribers and viewers. Seriously great playing and production quality and has become pretty much one of (if not straight up) my top and first picks (get the pun there? picks? anyways....) for amp videos. Keep up the great work you massively underrated, or at the very least horrendously under-noticed content creator!
This amp is worth every cent. Sounds as good as the demos.
I have it and it is A BEAST!
For high gain tone (not features), between this amp or a Hughes and Kettner Grandmeister 40, which one would you prefer? Thanks!
Damn that's one of the best I've heard, was there any post processing?
No post processing!
@@SonicDriveStudio well for now I will try and recreate with my pod go and an ownhammer IR? When is the session on the drum programming, I used to find your SSD and slate digital tutorials were brilliant!
Hi what with the Tape on Strings on your les paul? Iam Just curious? By the way the amp sound killer.
To mute unwanted resonances coming from the strings past the nut
@@SonicDriveStudio Thank you for your reply and I really enjoy your channel and Friedman amps sound awesome and I really like demos amps do,Thank you again.
Great video, I own and love it. Are you adding any post processing?
No post processing
@@SonicDriveStudio you have a magic touch, My recordings don’t sound as good as yours haha
@@19earthquake83 I bet the fractal x-load is to blame here
Who could possibly don't like the JJ junior? 😉👍🏼
You'd have to be nuts not to like this amp! NUTS!
Hi, would you prefer this or Marshall Silver Jubilee Mini for 80s rock an metal tones?
This one
it’s not the highest gain amp but i think it’s enough for me and you can get some almost alexi like tones with the right settings without a gain boost in your guitar or a drive pedal like he sometimes used
I can't think of another amp that I prefer to this. I think I could play all the styles I like on this, I guess ironically, the heaviest tones it has I'd probably play the least though. What an amp, I should probably start saving
Big fan of your music and reviews. Why was the Master Volume set very low for the high gain sounds ? You mentioned power tube
distortion as a good feature of EL84 powered amps. Why not let us hear that ?
I dialed it in how it sounds good for me. It's pretty darn loud at that setting. I didn't say that I always like it when the EL84s compress but I said that it's easier to dial that in when you want/need it.
Hey John, I'd love to hear a comparison with the new mini-BE amp!
Any chance for your review of a Soldano SLO anytime soon?
Of any kind, could be the new SLO-30 or SLO-100.
Would love to but I have no plans nor budget to buy one
@@SonicDriveStudio Do you only review amps that you bought for your studio or do you also review loaners from your fans? 🤗
What's the song call that you play for the 'Even Heavier Gain"?
Yay, I had it right!! (after a hint that it was showing in the background of an earlier video, yeah yeah :P)
I really like the sounds from this amp. I saw a video from some old guy with a mushy weird accent who said he sent it back as it wasn't built right or something. I really couldn't understand what he was saying so I nixed the video before it hardly got started. Is there a problem with this amp we should know about?
Mine works fine
@@SonicDriveStudio Thank man, appreciate the reply...sure sounds killer.
How does it compare to Laney IRT Studio? Thanks
Waited 4 1/2 minutes for the playing to start, then it was drowned out by the drum sound. Are you demoing the drum sound or the amp? And why use pedals? Let's just hear the amp first?
Enjoying the second cut but the drums are too loud again. Nice chords, dude, I like your playing. Wish it was more upfront.
The rock riff is great. Is the sound you are getting because of the amp or you can get your tone on other amps? That's what I would want to know.
Is there still space in the amp shelf? ;)
It sounded awesome, as usual!
Actually it's really full now. Maybe I could fit one or two lunchbox amps but that's it haha
Would love some tips on how you post-process. Your final tone is absolutely amazing. Kind of what I would love to achieve playing at home. I added a mimiq & post GEQ, which got me closer. But it still doesn't sound this good.
I don't do a lot of post processing to be honest... I always aim to get it right at the source
@@SonicDriveStudio I think it's time to share (again) some insights on how you mix/process the demos of your last videos... including drums but mostly guitar tones. For instance you can get the demos included on this same video. No need to be a long video, but precise and detailed, if possible. It will be kind fo you and all your followers will appreciate for sure. If I'm not wrong, your last video mix insight is from almost 2 years ago and frankly you improved your mixing abilities since then. Your last demos on your last videos sounds awe-inspiring. Thanks so much !
On the balanced out, does that emulate a cab too?
Ok, so how are you using the Ownhammer IR's if the JJ Jr.'s balanced output has built in cab sim already?
Loadbox!
Is it easy to get a good volume balance between both of the channels ? Can you have the clean channel set to crunch and the heavier channel for distortion and have a good volume balance between the two channels ? I feel like if you dont have two master volumes it's hard to control the volume of the clean channel compared to the distortion channel ?
You can get a good balance but if you raise the clean volume too high it might break up a bit
Wow cubed. I will own this amp.
Hoping to see a Rivera Clubster Royale Recording model on here!!! Extremely affordable for the quality and features. All hand made in USA, etc. I was looking at the JJ but went with the Rivera instead.
Do you have a top three on your amp collection?
My brother... This sounds great! & I hear differences.. But I will say, Id much rather hear you micing a cab, as that gives a better reality of whats going on. The IR's etc, just make things basicaly sound the same.
I got mine last week. It’s so sick.
The JBE saturation reminds me of Orange. Cool amp for sure.
Also, killer riffs as always 👍
I may have missed the reason if you've shared before, but why do you have so many digitech whammy pedals?
Haha, it's just a 'fetish' of mine. I love those pedals and I wanted to collect them all. I have every single model they ever made and a bunch of duplicates.
@@SonicDriveStudio I assume you have the chrome Anniversary Whammy IV ? I too suffer from the same fetish!
I do!
@@SonicDriveStudio High Five brother! I stashed mine in the closet the day I brought it home. Scared of fingerprints all over it. Hahahha. A true closet queen.
is this thing sufficient for playing (metal) live or not loud enough?
Hmm I don't know tbh. Depends on a lot of factors
This amp sound amazing!
Im buying one !
Excellent review, as always. You do an excellent job. Your channel is absolutely top notch. This amp is incredible. Thank you!!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
That is a killer effin amp man! I want one!!
very nice
great sound
thanks man , wish you would use the amps emulated out when it has one
They almost always sound pretty bad
@@SonicDriveStudio thanks man , please let us know if you find good one
Man, that SC58 sounds absolutely amazing, so many overtones and clarity from those pickups.
Mastodon style clean tones for the win.
I’m still weighing up this one and the runt. Totally undecided.
A amp without StdBy switch? Cool!!!
Could you compare it to Helix ?
I'll probably do that at some point
@@SonicDriveStudio Make the patches available if you do, this amp is a beast!
Strange, it looks like the speaker emulation can't be used as a loadbox? Hmm...
How would you compare to your engl ironball?
The Ironball is much more metal and tight. The JJ JR has a hotrodded British sound, so it's more of a rock amp whereas the ENGL is more metal imho.
Great amp!!
For sure!