Friedman JJ100 vs Mesa Boogie Roadster
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Time Stamps:
0:40 - Blind A/B
2:20 - Both Amps isolated separately.
Amp Settings:
Roadster
100 watt setting
Diodes Selected
Channel 3 (Modern)
*All settings referenced to clock position*
Output: 10 o'clock
Channel Master: 11 o'clock
Presence: 10 o'clock
Bass: 9 o'clock
Mids: 11 o'clock
Treble: 2 o'clock
Gain: 1 o'clock
JJ100 (JBE setting engaged)
Master Volume: 10 o'clock
Presence: 11 o'clock
Bass: 2 o'clock
Mids: 1 o'clock
Treble: 1 o'clock
Gain: 3 o'clock
Socials
___
Facebook: / jon.tate.94
Instagram: jon.tate03
Studio Facebook: / spearheadsound
Proud Roadster 2x12 combo owner since 2008. Def a love/hate thing with the beast. Love the versatility of the amp...main reason i will likely not part with it. 4 channels is a game changer for those of us whom play multiple different styles of music. Hate the chan 3 pop that occurs if you dont cycle through the footswitch in stand by mode.Hate the super heavy bass/mud tones at low volumes..you really have to boost the presence,treb, and roll back the bass at low volumes on chan 3+4. What i've done to remedy this is use a MXR 10 EQ in the loop and a Prescion Drive in front. Really allows you to get some great boosted sounds at bedroom volume. When i do get to crank the amp its all smiles. Absolutely love the tone, crunch,and feel of the amp breathing fire when the mrs. goes to work and the volume goes up. It takes some serious time and patience to dial this amp in, and i find new settings to experiment with all the time. I really wanna bite the bullet and progress to a kemper or axe effects but i'm partial to this amp after 13 years of ownership.
You summed up the Roadster perfectly. It is a tweezers amp, and as Ive mentioned before- Mesa does give you the rope to dial in a bad sound - where other amps kind of square you off. The Roadster was a difficult one for me to part with - but my needs drew down and the newer Multi-Watt covered all those bases without the mud.
You adding an EQ in the signal chain is something I hold have done years ago - but you are well ahead of my learning curve.
Nonetheless keep on riffing - and thanks for watching!
Yay I got the bind Test right :) I owned a Roadster and liked it but I fought with it for years. Just couldn’t get it tight without a boost and ended up playing more with the EQ than the guitar. I have a JJ now and it’s basically set and forget. It always sounds great and there’s no effort in getting it to sound great. The Roadster‘s clean sound is superior though. Great video!
Well hello fellow JJ owner! Yea the Roadster even with it being IMP more versatile than a regular Recto - still has Recto tendencies and one of those is needing to be boosted if you want that super tight high gain thing. I admire the cleans on both- I feel the roadster cleans can really go any damn direction you want them- while the JJ's cleans are super pristine, and truth be told- I am not kicking either out of the bed anytime soon- hahaha. Thanks for watching, and for the comment!!
I've owned a DR for 15 yrs . Love , hate love . A hot plate helps alot .
I love the Mesa. I have the roaster running with a Marshall 1960 cab. If one is patient, you can dial in so many different sounds with this amp. I take the the Mesa over the Friedman simply because there are alot of different clean options. And blindly hearing clean, people rarely think it's a rec if dialed in correctly lol. I've had it for years I'll never sell it. Thanks for this vid. 🤟🔥🤟
Well thank you! I will contend that the Roadster is a vastly more versatile amp for sure - again as you mentioned if you take your time, and dial with your ears its an open canvas.
While I do like the JJ100 - and probably bc I am a Jerry Cantrell fan - I will say the the Clean channel is absolutely pristine clean - and without a OD or something up front - you cannot really get much else other than a clean clean channel 1.
Once again thanks for watching and the comment -happy riffing!
That intro blooper, lol! On the intro A/B section I thought the Mesa had better note definition on the bottom end.
Hahaha - I could have an entire series on just bloopers alone, and me cursing at the camera, and all manner of things. haha
Solid observation - again mind you - that is with both amps sitting at noon- the JJ does tighten up - as long as you dont go crazy with the bass controls- which could be said for any amp- but solid observation! Thanks for watching!
Great video, man! I really enjoyed watching an listening great sounds that you recorded! To me...when there is a change from Mesa/Boogie Roadster to Friedman JJ sound clip in the recorded track...immediately one thing occurred to me.. Friedman sounded (comparing to Mesa) like someone put an EQ pedal in front of an amp (sometimes people use this as a substitute for booster pedal in front of the amp to cut and boost some frequencies before signal hits the front end of the amp), and it has an effect that makes the sound in Friedman amp tightened, more direct sounding comparing to Mesa's Roadster while Mesa/Boogie Roadster has full body sound that doesn't seem like "produced" or "polished", but retains that rawness to it!
Keep doing what you do, I will definitely watch when some new amp video of yours comes out!
Thank you Ognjen! Thats a pretty good ear and description of what you noticed. Other than the examples where I stated if a pedal was being used or not used- that was it - no back hand trickery going on there. The JJ to me sonically has everything you want and need and nothing more. The low end is present but not too bloomy. But yea man - I dont think I could have described it better myself.
Appreciate you watching and if or when I get another amp you can bet that I will do another video! Take care!
@@Jon_Tate All right! Yeah, you can do all sorts of amazing clips here on youtube in terms of presenting people great gear and amazing sounds that you have! Hearing sound of quality gear, like yours, is always inspiring...specially to those who don't have such hi-grade gear...just to give them inspiration and something to strive for in terms of achieving as best sounds as possible with their respective gear. Your tones help me find my tone! \m/
You videos and videos alike are those that keep that spark alive and push guitar players like myself to find ways to make my own hi gain sound more like yours, for instance....to tweak it a bit here and there in order to make it better, that basically it! It all comes down to this! Great work and I'm looking forward to your future videos and sound clips!
Btw...nice Silverburst! I am also a proud fan of Adam Jones and Tool!
Cheers!
@@marinkovic87 Awesome man- that is very humbling - glad to provide little sparks of inspiration here or there. Good gear helps for sure- and I am very fortunate to have the small collection I have. Even if you dont have super crazy high end gear - getting to know your gear, its limitations can go a long way. I did a video last year were I used a boss wireless amp and it turned out pretty cool- it certainly didn't sound like a Dual Rec or JJ hahaha - but still kinda goes to show what can be pulled off- simply by asking the right questions. We certainly have similar taste and inspirations- I adore Tool - and Adam Jones is up there in my books.
Love these vids. I really liked the JJ most on the first listen. Did hear the glassy that you described in another riff that I thought the boogie sounded better in
Thanks Derek! Well I can rest easy that not everybody is listening to this on a cell phone haha - because otherwise what you noticed would be hard to point out. As I have told a few others- I wouldn't kick either amp out of the bed- that's for sure- haha. Thanks for watching man!
Great video! I too have a roadster and several amp, always wanted to compare the roadster to a multi-watt or rev f though, have compared it to my old road king ii and didn’t think there was a difference in sound!
Thanks for the kind words. I as well want to compare the Roadster to a newer Multi-watt - maybe one day?? I would not be surprised by the Roadster and Road King sounding similar. Roadsters are beast of amps - but you already know that! Thanks for watching!
Great video once again my man!
Thanks Skylar!
Loved the dark evilness and lower mids of the roadster but although people say friedman aren't raw and are more polished and refined i found the opposite here the friedman seemed more raw and bitey and roadster too smoothed out and polished.
The roadster just seems to have more balls. 6L6’s seem to be the best choice for throat punching high gain.
Its certainly that classic well known sound of the Dual Rec flavor - thanks for watching!
@Underground Frenchy Spot on - Ive learned over the years what sounds kick ass in your jam room WILL NOT translate Live or in a mix. When your jamming by yourself - its easy to crank the bass because you are trying to fill the void of not having a bass player or having a kick and snare living in those low fundamentals. Mids- goodness I dont even know where to start with that - lol I see supremely scooped mids' and I cannot help but to face palm.....
I will admit that I didn't spend the time to perfectly tweak and dial either amp in, for better or worse. The Roadster has plenty of tonal coverage, but IMO still needs a boost to be as tight as I like it to be. I hear what you are saying about the Friedman, it was a gut punch to the savings account- but it has been a bucket list amp for years, and after enough penny pinching, I was finally able to pull the trigger on it and have been beyond happy with it. Thanks for the comment, and well thought out observation!
kt88 has all the pros of 6l6 with better midrange. thats what makes a rectifier the most ballsiest aggresive amp.
Great vid man!
Thank you sir! And Thanks for watching!!!
I love that boosted mesa
Same here- thanks for watching!
I got the blind test right but I like the low end of the mesa but maybe the jj cuts more in a live mix.
Nice! Well thanks for watching. Yes, in isolation the Roadsters low end is more loose and not as well defined - you can certainly say that it has "more" but honestly in a mix or live setting that is just getting in the way and muddies the waters a bit. The JJ's low end is very defined and almost pinpointed- the low end is where you want and need it- and nothing more to get in the way- specially in the realm of a mix, production, or live setting. Thanks for watching!!
Love the Roadster. I have a 2002 Dual Rec fully modified by BFG Amplifica ion to be the best sounding and feeling DR I have played. It no longer needs a boost either. Will thr Friedman or any Friedman do that hug Recto tone and punch that hits you hard? I love that when playing Slipknot style music. Thanks again bro.
I can only imagine how that BFG modded amp sounds!!! I cannot speak for any and all Friedmans - to continue what I mentioned in a previous reply- it does have the gain on tap- and the JBE for the JJ100 in particular makes this an extremely pissed off beast. But most folks want to hear AnC style stuff with this amp- so I oblige.
The low end is very tight on the JJ yet percussive - you do feel it much like the dual req's. Wish you could try one out before you make such a purchase thoug- simply because that is a lot of coin for a amp. Id possibly check one out from Sweetwater or a place that has a solid return policy- that way you are not stuck with a 3K dollar amp- that doesn't fit the bill- I do feel that it would cover the ground you desire.
@@Jon_Tate Thanka brother. What's JBE? I think I missed that. Sorry.
I will try to find a JJ, but it's tough for me to spend that on an amp.
Essentially, I just sold some gear and down to two amps - BFG modified Dual Rec and 20th Anniversary Bogner Shiva. I play very similar stuff to you. I'll keep searching and thank you. :)
I would bet that with the upper mid focus and tighter sound, the Friedman would be more engineer friendly... you’d need to EQ out a lot of what gives the Mesa its sound if it had to compete with a bass player and a drummer.
Exactly!!! Its not that big of a deal once you learn where that space is for those other instruments. Thanks for the comment and watching!
I just got a Roadster combo 2x12 and I like it, what setting you use in the 808? I have been trying to understand this beast carefully!! Thanks for the video!!
Sweet! I love my Roadster BTW. And a combo version I have heard is just incredible. The 808 settings are Drive all the way to the left - Level all the way to the right, and tone up the middle- or where ever you find it pleasing. I am not adding any gain via the OD808.
Settings for this was in 100 watt mode, silicone diode (though I tend to prefer the recto-tracking). Presence about 10 o clock, bass around 9 o'clock, Mids' 11 o'clock, treble 2 o'clock, and gain around 10 o'clock. If you are just jamming by yourself - you can crank the bass and gain a bit more, but if you are going to mic it up- you'll want to back those two off.
I have 2 different approaches - settings for when Im just jamming around - and settings for recording. If you dont really record- you probably won't need to bother with the latter. Thanks for watching man- and check out the "How much gain you need" video - which goes into more detail on the settings for the Roadster. You have a great amp- and there are so many options at your disposal - the tone you are looking for is in that amp I promise! Thanks for watching!
Cool video
Thank you - I appreciate having you around to watch my mediocre videos haha
Thanks for this video. Sealed the Roadster for me.
You are welcome! Thanks for watching Bill!
Bill Alexander that is purely subjective. I will say that the JJ covers tones and characteristics that I have a hard time achieving with my other Mesa’s. For me - that is worth it, coupled with the small runs they do of these amps and that I myself am a big Cantrell fan, this amp went on the must have bucket list. Additionally ever since I got the JJ, about 6-7 months ago, it has seemed to squash any further tone searches or yernings for another amp. I accept zero responsibility from a violently angry spouse, should you choose to buy one 😂🤣
i got it right. i like the warmth of the roadster best
Good catch! Thanks for watching!
I liked the Mesa better, which is kind of strange because I'm a Friedman guy.
Right on - and I very well could have spent a little more time dialing in the JJ? To er is to be human I suppose. No doubt both these amps sound killer! Thanks for watching and the comment!
Funny im a mesa guy have the roadster 2x12 combo and like the friedman better in this clip
I'm shocked to say that the JJ sounds better: i.e. heavier in the lows, more open in the mids and very little fizz. It's the introduction of the fizz in the tone which immediately exposed the MESA. I dislike that the JJ is a signature head though; nothing against Cantrell. After continuing to listen to the rest of the comparison......the fizz of the JJ is noticeable when played on it's own; that's interesting.
Right on and understood- thats always the gamble with signature heads. If thats an issue I'd possibly look into the BE-Deluxe - very similar heritage - the only thing the BE Deluxe is missing is the JBE mod, which could probably be added after the fact. But at that point you are probably into the same price point as a Herbert or VH4- which you pointed out the pro's and cons of those in a previous comment.
And yea you nailed it about the mid range on the JJ - the fizz is still there but its a bit softer- and moved up the frequency spectrum - the JJ naturally sets really well in a mix thats for sure. I have to do little next to nothing when I track the JJ. I print it- then Im like " Yup, thats the sound I want" - then I move on a butcher the rest of the mix hahaha
Got it right!
Awesome! Hope you enjoyed the vid; Thanks for watching!
Spearhead Studios the dual rec has its own sound for sure!
Absolutely - and I assure you my Roadster isn't going anywhere anytime soon!
i liked the jj better but for some reason neither one of them sounded great? the last video you made with just the jj sounded fucking killer? weird.still thumbs up buddy.
Hey Big Mike - well for the JJ one I did do some slight EQ - to clean things up a bit - right or wrong I choose not to EQ either fo these amps - it is amazing what filtering out some low end rumbles can do overall to a guitar sounds. Nonetheless thanks for watching man!!!!
@@Jon_Tate dude thanks for responding and i appreciate that info.it kind of makes me think does the jj sound killer or does it sound iffy? especially after watching your first video of the jj. it makes things hard for us average joe's to decide if the amp is worth buying because you cant just stop at your local music store and play one.not your fault none the least.you are appreciated but this time around neither of them sounded great and not even really all that good.if someone was to ask if i would buy either one of these amps my answer would be NO due to the sound quality of the amps.they just sounded like average mediocre amps.nothing special and surely not worth the price if i were looking to buy either one.
Freidman is very better!!