Friedman PLEX: Iconic British Tone Meets Cutting-edge Crunch

Dave Friedman’s unrivaled tube-tone prowess made him the go-to guarantor for superlative sonics, with the likes of Eddie Van Halen and Jerry Cantrell among the Rolodex of riff masters who sought Friedman’s craftsmanship to supercharge their sounds. His namesake company serves guitarists of all creeds across a voltaic array of tube-powered performance, and the PLEX is the latest amp to tap into Friedman’s near-academic amplifier expertise. With EL34 and 12AX7 tubes powering its formidable 50-watt output, the PLEX represents Friedman’s efforts to capture the aural essence of his prized 1968 British tube head. Does the PLEX measure up to the vintage panache of Dave’s number one? Sweetwater put their exarch of overdrive, Nick Bowcott, and purveyor of panache, Don Carr, on the case to find the answer, chatting with Dave Friedman himself to unravel the story of how the PLEX came to be. Check it out!

00:00 — Play-in & Intro
03:04 — Brief PLEX Backstory
04:42 — Tube Complement
05:00 — Front Panel Features
08:10 — Rear Panel Features
08:23 — Under the Hood
08:53 — Don Demos with Strat
13:07 — Interview with Dave Friedman
24:35 — Conclusion & Play-out

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[Steve]

Bought this amp. Its worth every penny. Roll all to 10. Add attenuator. Insane. The clean is so good. The attack with the pick is spot on. I used a 2x12 greenbacks and 2x12 vintage 30’s. Sounds great

[BKDocHoliday]

I finally sprung for a Friedman JJ Jr last year and absolutely love it. I will definitely consider Friedman when shopping in the future!

[Mossy]

I love the way Dave's mind works. He carries forward the very best elements of a classic design, and then adds all the things that he's needed to adjust over the years based on the necessity of building amps for touring professionals. This thing looks so cool, it does everything a plexi does, with a whole bunch of new tricks as well.

[iZAGGER]

I'd be cranking it to 10 and jamming out every classic Van Halen riff I can think of!

[AdamGotheridge]

Nick, that Kossoff tone really couldn't be any closer. Good choice!

[hootowl]

Heh, I recently ordered a Splawn Quick Rod 50. I wish I could buy this Friedman too, but I don't expect to be disappointed. Rock on.

[donaldyoung]

That's Definitely My Next Amp That Dave An Sweetwater

[HowlinTubes]

It sounds really good.
I think a non-buffered effects loop, or at least a preamp in, is useful for running outboard preamps into the power section of vintage amps. Just a nice way to cover more sonic territory without having to fork out the cash for an entire second amp. It has never been a deal-breaker for me on vintage style amps, but it is nice to have.

[phillamoore]

This is the kind of amp I'd love to hear a Hot Mod V2 EVO on. Most of these plexi-style amps have plenty of gain for us classic rockers who grew up learning/loving the players from the 70's & 80's. We just need it not only tightened up, but with added punch, which to this day is the hardest tone quality to modify (via pedals anyway). Looks like a very cool amp...

[damonstewart]

They're amps are pricey but worth it!!! Everything they put out shines. And they got stuff for every budget. If your serious about tone and want to be heard in a band mix. Buy a Friedman, i don't care what no one says. I've been playing since 1987. Nothing beats a cranked tube amp in the room!!!. Friedman should now put out a power attenuator. Something to soak power to let you get cranked sound at lower lvl. That would be amazing

[toddjanney]

I bought my 1972 JMP 50w for $78.00 in 1987 it's kind of a long story but I got it !

[joserdiazalmodovar]

Insane Tones! Kudos to Dave on this Jewel of an Amp. I have a 1994 50 Watt 1987 Head since 1994 bought it brand new from The Old Manny's Music Stop still with me . Sadly Last Years November I ordered one 50 Watt Runt Head on Sweetwater by the way the Best Musical Instruments Store in the World right now so I received it and sadly it had some issues with the clean channel too loud and ear piercing treble also the bright switches didn't work at all anyway Sweetwater gave me an exchange since at that time there were non in stock I got a DSL -100. Half Stack which is pretty cool indeed. But the Crunch Channel of The Runt was So Creamy and Crunchy I loved it I used it just One gig because it was difficult to control the volume also it exploded like at 2 and I'm used to that because my Plexi Head also is too loud too soon if you people know what I mean well so but this Amp has all the goodies that Plexi Players need at a high end price but cheaper than other boutique amps. The channel jumping feature is brilliant. The Master Volume also awesome. It's great because guitar players like me and probably you that have a Plexi Marshall stock like mine would love to have this features that actually make it a all around tone Maker it would work for any guitar style
❤🤘

[INVERTEDBUKAKI]

I was going to buy a Marshall vintage 20 but they're never in stock. I think for a bit more I'd splurge for a 50 watt FRIEDMAN plexi

[sthengr]

I'll be waiting for the AC style amp.

[billsstudio]

I may be wrong, but I think the PPI MV design was George Metropolis’ concept? Maybe he also had something to do with FX loop Dave designs? I forget…. There was this guy I knew from the Valley that modded Marshall’s….Mike Morin….He was pretty good also. Dave nailed it. I like my Small Box, but this is even more tone-a-riffic! Killer amp man!!

[DJtringGuitar]

The best pairing in this case is a Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander

[pCeLobster]

I was expecting it to be like $4k. It's not cheap but it seems reasonable.

[sld]

Nick, throw down some Grim Reaper riffs please!

[patrickwilliams]

José Arredondo inspired master volume. Eddie Van Halen first amp tech.

[SeemoreDunkan]

I need just 1 company to make quality tubes like they used to...
Anyone?