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Friedman BE-100 Deluxe 100-watt Tube Head

100-watt, 3-channel Tube Amplifier Head, with Effects Loop
$3,999.99

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Friedman BE-100 Deluxe 100-watt Tube Head
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Friedman's Finest

Featuring a revamped plexi-style clean channel based on the acclaimed Smallbox amplifier, the Friedman BE-100 Deluxe tube amplifier head covers a truly expansive sonic range. A 3-way Gain Structure switch, plus switches for Sat (saturation), Voice (3-way), and Fat on the two dirty channels allow you to dial in your ideal flavor of overdrive and distortion. And a Bright switch on the Clean channel allows you to enhance the snap and detail of your tone. In addition, master controls for Thump, Response, and Presence offer fine-tune control over the amp’s playing feel in a way that few amplifiers provide. Complete with Dave’s critically acclaimed, totally transparent, Series FX Loop (with a Return Level control), the Friedman BE-100 Deluxe is an incredibly tonally versatile 100-watt tube amplifier that is perfect for a plethora of styles including all forms of rock and metal.

Like a heavily modded BE-100

In addition to its glorious plexi-style Clean channel, the BE-100 Deluxe boasts two dirty channels — one with the much-desired BE gain structure and the other with the added drive that is HBE. While the BE and HBE channels share the same 3-band EQ section, they each have independent controls for Gain and Master. As a result, the range of overdriven tonal possibilities the BE-100 Deluxe has to offer is truly formidable. A 3-way Voice switch and 3-way Gain Structure switch further add to the amp’s already vast array of sonic offerings. And if that weren't enough, a Fat switch is present to beef up the low end (perfect for single-coil pickups), while the Sat switch on the rear panel adds even more gain, compression, and saturation.

Fine-tune the feel to your preference

Guitarists at Sweetwater know that how an amp responds to your playing style is just as important as how it sounds. And whether you're after a fast, immediate feel; a soft and spongy response; extra low-end girth; or anything in between, the Friedman BE-100 Deluxe is ready to accommodate. Thanks to its Master controls for Thump (low-end resonance/depth), Response (variable negative-feedback: low settings are dark and smooth; higher ones are bright and punchy), and Presence (adjust the upper mids and highs in the power amp), you can create your own ideal combination of playing feel and sonic impact.

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe Tube Amplifier Head Features:

  • 3-channel 100-watt tube amplifier head for electric guitar
  • Clean channel based on Smallbox amplifier
  • Dirty channel based on BE and HBE drive channels, with independent gain and master volume controls
  • Fat switches beef up single-coil pickups
  • Bright switch adds sparkle and clarity
  • 3-way voicing switch tailors top-end response to your taste
  • 3-way gain structure switch controls the overall gain amount
  • Thump knob controls low-frequency resonance
  • Response knob varies negative feedback to adjust playing feel
  • Presence knob shapes high-frequency response
  • Built-in effects loop
  • Includes 2-button footswitch

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 3
  • Total Power: 100W
  • Preamp Tubes: 5 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 4 x EL34
  • EQ: 2 x 3-band EQ, Thump Control, Voicing Switch
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (4/8/16 ohm)
  • Effects Loop: Series FX Loop
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channels)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 2-button footswitch
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: Baltic Birch with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 12.25"
  • Width: 29.25"
  • Depth: 8.75"
  • Weight: 43 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: BE-100 DELUXE HEAD

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

A Work of Art

Let's be clear, this amp in the proper hands, is magic beyond words. The punch and response of this beauty makes your fingers sing. Make no mistake, the plexi channel is every bit of articulate perfection you could ever want. The BE channel is musical and tighter than you'd expect. The throaty growl of Dave's vision is like nothing I've ever encountered. The HBE is wonderful for leads and searing riffs, and honestly I am forever changed having experienced this amp. It's inspiring, articulate, powerful, and mesmerizing. Dave has a true gift and it shines with this incredible amp.
Music background: Dedicated for life
Rated 5/5

The Best Tone I've ever had in 30 years of playing Hard Rock and Metal

Um, holy motha **** ****. This amp is my favorite amp of all time. Yes, it has a distinct sound and does that for days but man it's fat, searing, brown as ****, super smooth yet has great bottom, it's just rips.
Rated 5/5

Friedman BE100 Deluxe - Best Sounding Amp I Have Ever Owned. Period.

I've been playing classic rock and heavy blues for 40+ years, using primarily Les Pauls and Strats. I've got the thousand amp stare. I have been looking for an amp that can do everything from vintage rock to the most recent heavy stuff. The Friedman BE100 Deluxe does it. I went all out and bought the matching BE412 cabinet and they look incredible. Yes, they are very large and heavy. I know what I'm getting into. Buy a hand cart or put casters on it. With the new SYS VOL volume knob, this thing can do anything from an arena roar to a bedroom whisper...and it still sounds great. I run the 'Plexi' channel clean, use the BE channel for standard rhythm crunch and the HBE for leads. I only have the BE/HBE gains set at about 11 0'clock and it's more than enough. I haven't even begun to mess with the various switches (voicing, bright, gain staging, clean/gain FAT and SAT switches, etc. It sounded great straight out of the box and I've got everything set at noon for now. I am on the medium gain setting and it works great for me.

Why I bought this amp...I watched every YouTube demo I could find to get a feel for it. Most of the demos involved guys plugging in a fat Strat or some detuned humbucker beast and then maxing out the gain and proceeding to chug away. Sure, there's a time and place for that. I came across a couple demos where the guys demo'd the amp on mid to lower gain settings and played cleaner (Thank You, Shawn Tubbs! - Great Demo). That really clinched it for me. I have bought too many amps that sounded great cranked but the cleans were not good. This amp does it well. I occasionally crank up the fat Strat and go all shreddy and this amp does that well but I'm nore of a mid-gain guy. Last night, I plugged in my R8, played with the guitar's knobs and it was all there: Page, Bonamassa, Kossoff, Gibbons, Moore and with plenty of gain to spare.

Another point: I've had some great tube amps that sound incredible with a Les Paul but not so much with a Strat (and vice versa). This amp sounds great with EVERYTHING! It is very, very easy to dial in great tones with this amp.

Yes, I'm gushing.

Also...I don't leave reviews very often (lazy, I know) but I really need to give a big shout out to Even Mehre for all of his help over the years. He has always been there for me and gotten me some great gear. He made the effort to get this rig shipped overnight and it showed up in less than 24 hours (Indiana - Omaha). You rock, Evan. Thanks for all of your great service!

I gotta' go play now...

Side note. I am not using ANY pedals in front of the amp. I imagine I'll put the wah pedal back when I really need it. I use a Source Audio Collider for some very subtle reverb and delay in the effects loop, but that's it. The effects loop is pristine clean!
Music background: I.T geek by day, guitarist by night.
Rated 5/5

Totally unrealistic tone.

The thing is amazing. It sounds absolutely amazing in every way and built like a tank. It is incredibly versatile. I can't say enough good things about this amp. I was never a fan boy. I bought it out of desperation because everything else sucked. I now own several Friedman products, I'm addicted to the way this guy does things. I thank David Friedman and I thank Sweetwater. I just wish I had more time to play this thing. If you don't like this amp as Eddie once said then I would take up the tuba !
Rated 5/5

Spectacular!

I bought this about a week ago...Thing is unreal. I own Marshall 1959HW, Metropoulos 12000, Marshall DSL100h, Marshall JPM, JCM 2000...The Friedman performs extremely well compared to all these. The Plexi-channel is outstanding.... All channels are usable and professional sounding so far; take pedals very, very well: Plexitone, Interstellar Octonaut, MXR Carbon Copy, Phase 90, wah ...all sound clean, rich with no unwanted noise or fizz. I used Strats and Les Pauls so far--all sound excellent. Overall the amp has a slightly different voicing/flavor than Marshall platforms but also more flexible-a total winner. Lots of 60's, 70's punch, quality tone. Also Sweetwater made this a great experience- Matt was extremely helpful, responsive, item shipped quickly and perfectly as far as I can tell- very much appreciate the excellent service. I will be back.
Music background: Long Time Classic Rock Guitarist
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