Had my Dirty Shirley's as my main amp for years now. What I do is to set the mids higher to cut through. Also, instead of flickin the gain structure, it cleans up so well with the vol knob.
I have an OX too and I can attest that it's totally changed everything for me in terms of tone. It no longer matters where I'm playing or what time it is. Turn the amp up to where you like it and use the attenuation (or even headphones) to suit the situation. I bet your /13 amps will sound even better this way. They were made to be loud tone monsters - no master volume on most of them! Pushing the power section of a tube amp adds something you can't entirely re-create with pedals or pre-amp. It's just different, and you play different, when that element is missing in my opinion. That punch and tube compression does so much.
I generally use my OX at home, and use the master on the DS40 to control stage volume. Last night I brought the OX so I could really crank it. A world of difference. I'll never go back!
That is a perfect "all around" rock tone. All you need is that and a quick way (of choice) to add some boost in volume and/or gain,.if or when needed. Absolutely awesome sound !
Doug Rappoport has some awesome Friedman demos. The Dirty Shirley Mini sounds epic! Thanks for sharing the Tom Bukovac the other month. Doug is another under the radar guy more folks should know about :)
Great tone!! Killer combo. The Shirley is one of Friedman’s best amps imo. The little gain structure switch is super important, it gives you 3 different amps. Certainly try the Low input too. Low input plus lowest structure is pretty cool. I have master around 8 as well most of the time.
Dang, every time I think I found the perfect amp Papastache comes along and shows me another one I'm jealous of! LOL . Now I gotta buy a Dirty Shirley! Damn you Brett! You're going to keep me perpetually flat broke!
I have the BE-100 amp in my Line 6 Helix and I was shocked by how good it sounded with the gain on the dirty channel turned way down and how similar the amp sounded to your DS.
new to Friedman(smallpox 50) but Dave definitely nails the best Marshalls with his amps (props to metropoulos also) and this video nails the best of the best tones,brett-you great at showing how to get the best out of a rig(and have a good time doing it) thanks for another in a series of informative videos!
I find that verb and delay aren’t even needed with my Friedmans and mostly just get in the way. Might be interested in a Ox box but might be overkill for me. I don’t feel like I’m lacking any sustain or girth so it will be interesting to check out.
Definitely don't need an OX to get killer tone with the Friedman's. They have a great master volume. However the backend power tube distortion is just so good and there is no way I'd stand in a room for long periods of time with a Friedman on 10. I get the best of both worlds with both.
I have this amp and I also like to crank the master and add about 3 of gain. The only “issue” I see is that, in my amp at least, when I go beyond 6 on the master the amp adds a strange “sizzle” at the end of the notes when you let them ring long, longer than I see you playing here. Im not sure why that happens or if it’s a natural thing. At 6 on the MV this doesn’t happen but beyond that it definitely becomes part of the sound and I’m not sure I love that. I hope I would hear it in your video but I don’t think I can, the notes don’t ring long enough. You are the only video that’s really pushing the MV to the max. Thank you for that.
@@BrettPapa I hear it with guitar straight into amp and this is a new amp. Power tubes couldn’t be the issue im assuming, but whatever it is im hearing definitely comes from the power section.
Brett, Please help me with something.....I've been playing guitar for 7 years now, and I'm addicted it. A little over a year ago, I treated myself and bought a Friedman BE-50 Deluxe Amphead, with a Friedman 4x12 speaker cabinet, with their typical speaker set up of Greenbacks on Top and Vintage 30's on the bottom, and I'm in Heaven. My question to you is, since I already have a Master Volume on amphead, why would I need to buy an OXBOX? When I engage my Master Volume, I can already get a fully cranked amphead sound, at low volumes, or high volumes, so what good would an Oxbox do me?
An OX lets you turn up the Master volume of the amp so you can get power tube distortion which I think is a huge part of the sound people really want. I loved my Shirley but after I heard it again through the OX with the master cranked it was a whole new level of amazing and plus you don't have to kill your ears to get there.
@@BrettPapa Thanks Bro..The whole thing that still confuses me, is that I understand that the OX allows you to attenuate the amp, but I thought that was the reason why master volume was put on there, so you can get full cranked amp tones, at lower volumes, using the Master Volume????
I was on the fence about buying this. But ended up buying a used one yesterday from Parkway Music in Clifton Park NY thanks to this review. I use a Orange Rockerverb MKIII but had 4 Orange amps. I wanted that Marshally sound but not a Marshall. Tried the Dirty Shirley and fell in love with it. Thanks!
Have owned and gigged with the dirty Shirley mini for the past couple of months and absolutely can confirm it’s the best amp I have ever owned if you want that Marshall thing
I have always loved the dirty shirley , Bret , I know you used the onboard effects of the OX but can you do this demo again using the loop and have the ox dry ?
How effective is the master volume on this? Typically I play a Princeton reverb. Possible to get good tones at similar volume levels or lower when I need to?
Great tones man, been checking these out for my little studio. I just started using the two notes because I have all these 100 watt heads and it is great to be able to crank stuff without killing my self.
@@BrettPapa Do you thing Friedman could build one of his amps with a parallel effects loop option? I have that on my live rig amps and it sounds way better to me than a series loop.
Dang Brett, those tones are glorious! I never could reach those tones with my old JTM45. I must admit, I've always been a head straight to 4x12 guy (Marshall w/greenbacks). Curious about the ox. What kind of speakers do you have hooked up to it to project your sound? I'm actually looking seriously at the Dirty Shirley since I was weened on the hard rock scene of the 70's and 80's. My wife and two young kids would probably be forever grateful of no fully cranked amp. Btw, my go to wood is my Gibson SG. Also, I do have a Friedman BE-OD pedal. Would that work good as an additional boost for the DS 40 head? Sorry but can't find any DS's around my area to try. Your review has absolutely put me in the DS 40 head realm as I am afraid the mini won't give me as much headroom as I like. Any input greatly appreciated and Happy Holidays!
Right now I don't use a cab at all except for the 412 simulation in the OX. From there it goes into my Apollo and then out of monitor speakers. I don't play out much so I honestly haven't needed a cab for a while. If I new the club had some good monitors I might just go to the club with my head and OX and call it a day. Xact Tone Solutions makes a pedal you can hook up to the OX to turn the effects on and off in the OX so I wouldn't even need a pedalboard 😂. Let me know if you pull the trigger on getting a Shirley!
Because they are so steep I've been thinking about modding my beloved JTM50 build to DS40 spec. I just love the string articulation and punchy, carved gain on the Shirley.
@@BrettPapa I am on the fence about the mod to my JTM50 because I'm concerned about losing some of the characteristics of a vintage non-master volume head. My starting point is always cranked volume. Do you think there would be a change in the JTM's voice with the mod?
Couldn’t agree with you more about Friedman or attenuators. I have a Friedman JJ Jr. that sounds amazing but it wasn’t till I got a Boss Waza tube amp expander until I really heard what Friedman amps are famous for. It’s the kind of tone that makes it hard to stop playing. Even my old Peavy XXX came alive like it wasn’t able to ever before. Night and day. If you have an amp that needs to be cranked, your robbing yourself if you don’t have an attenuator. I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to realize it. Another great video Papa.
"How were your ears after the big rock concert?" Fried man! haha, Sorry, could not resist. Sounds fantastic! You killed Panama!!! That was rockin'! : )
Very nice thank you! . So the sound we are hearing is direct from the ox? What speakers are you hearing? Is it a cabinet or the simulated cab from the ox over studio monitors? Thanks again.
Thanks! OX 412 amp cab. The 412 GB Punch cab. OX goes straight into the recording software (Logic) and is recorded there and that is what you are hearing.
Papa - how do you feel about the cleans on this one? I do the Texas blues thing where I like to take the clean signal and then push it with a TS9 for some grit....is it flexible to cover that as well?
No I sold my Friedman's to get the Friedman Jake E Lee head and then after I sold them I couldn't get a Jake head anymore lol! I'm going to get one somehow again.
@@BrettPapa well, don’t get me wrong, I love my Smallbox - but going back and forth between it and my Marshalls I still allways gravitate towards the Marshalls. I don’t know why, maybe because they have their quirks and a more raw untamed feeling/sound… It‘s hard to describe. The Smallbox is mix ready but therefore almost too perfect for me. I think I have to sell the Smallbox as it doesn’t get the love it deserves 🤗
The more I listen to the DS the more I'm convinced that it's one of the best modern guitar amplifiers for classic/hard rock. In regards to the DS 'without' the gain switch; which 'mode' is it more similar to when compared to the DS 'with' the gain switch?
Hey, PapaMouche, how's that sound? A soul patch (also known as a mouche, a flavour saver, a lady pleaser, a jazz dot, or a Nollsey) is a single small patch of facial hair just below the lower lip and above the chin.
Straight from the Shirley into the OX. From there its straight into a UA Apollo into my computer. I don't use cabs in the room because it becomes too hard to control the sound levels. I typically use the 412 punch cab in the OX.
Thanks! Yeah there is a fair amount of headroom on the lower gain settings. Even when heavily distorted the amp cleans up really well with just your guitars volume knob.
Any idea what the main differences are between the Runt 20 and Dirty Shirley 20? Runt more gain? I know it's two channel but I'm more referring to the gain sounds. I'm looking for a 20 watt head, I play mostly blues, classic rock, AC/DC then again I also love that Gary Moore screaming guitar and lastly I gotta play my old Sabbath, Judas Priest riffs too! (as you can see, a one trick pony won't cut it! :)
@@BrettPapa First and foremost I must commend you.....not only do you reply to comments but you do so in a very timely manner (ie QUICKLY! LOL). Coming from a sub of many years, (all the way back to finding you through Marty Schwartz after seeing Marty on Next Level Guitar.....(yes, I'm 50 and old :) ). Now...I really loved that nice, YET SO WELL DEFINED crunch you got here, that "just on the verge of breakup" (and then slightly over! LOL). As much as I love my Pantera and Slayer , I'm a classic/hard rock guy at heart. (Van Halen 1 will always and forever be the greatest and most elusive "crunch" of all time!!!) Thanks for taking the time to help and give your opinion. Your vids have been invaluable over the years!
Hey! I just mentioned a couple day’s ago about that great tone that was on the other video. So cool that you showed us what to used to get that. I’m super pumped because I have that head and just got a power soak so seems like with that I should be able to get the tone with that or at least similar! Thanks!
Just into the OX with no cab. The OX has built in cab simulation. I use their 412 Greenback Punch Cab. Guitar volume is really quiet and only comes through my recording monitors. That way its not hard to edit the lav and shotgun mics.
Honestly it still sounds amazing! Both myself and my hearing don't miss the cabs a bit. Now if I had a room where I could mic a cab and not have to deal with the volume that might be a different story. Totally content now though.
Some real nice sounds floating this way................................looks like me too has to figure out how to get an Ox and a Friedman.......................just so inspirational
Brett, Love the video! Would like to see a screenshot of the OX page on your laptop! It would make easier to try and duplicate your tone. Which is amazing! Thanks for all the great content over the years! :-)
Christopher good point! I use the 412 punch cab set to more of a broken in speaker sound with a 57 and a 160 mic, stereo condenser with the rug. I believe that is it on that one.
So you have to interface w/ a P.C to use the Ox, or is that just an option. I wanted one just to practice at Apartment volume. Does it act independent from a P.C?
You can use it without one but to be able to use the effects you need a computer. It has six preset banks to store sounds into as well. Once you program those then you really don't need a computer unless you want to edit the effects.
Dude, the Ox has a headphone send, you can kill the speaker down to nothing. Using my AKG K240 cans late at night, I have to catch myself and keep checking that I'm not waking up the neighbours because it feels so real. UA have done a stunning job with this unit. TBH, I haven't even gone that deep into the features presented by the controller, which goes VERY deep. Insane unit. Love it.
Awesome video and tone. I ordered a Twin Sister in May, it's been delayed for obvious reasons so still waiting. This video didn't make the wait any easier!
The amp is insane and has such incredible articulation but a good part of your tone is your attack. You have such a distinctive and direct attack that contributes to the final sound. Can you please do a lesson on your attack? You have a really interesting use of hybrid picking during your lead solos. I'd love to see a slowed down, note for note lead solo demonstrating your hybrid picking technique so that I have something to practice that would broaden and improve my own attack.
Amp absolutely sounds amazing!!! (as it did on the scales suck video). Pick question.....is all that beautiful tone usually coming from either the tortex .60mm (here) or sometimes the yellow .73mm? If so, this debunks the "gotta have a thick pick for thick tone" theory! LOL
Yes those are my two favorites. Almost all of my favorite players use the same thickness as well. If thin and medium picks were good enough for EVH then it works for me lol!
@@BrettPapa I thought so. I also follow RUclipsr Dave SImpson and he's a .60mm guy due to John Fruciante and so after 15 + years of 1.5mm, I figured I'd give them a try. I still struggle with the .60mm as it's great for strumming but feels like a piece of paper when soloing (LMAO). I bough the regular Tortex, the Tortex III AND the new Flow pick all in .60mm and .72mm (aka "orange" and "yellow"! LOL) Gonna take a while to get used to as it feels completely different. But I know Paul Gibert made the change and seems to do fine! hahaha Thanks again!!!
Quite a bit darker than a Marshall though no? I just picked up a synergy DS module and I do like it for the clean to light crunch tones but not crazy about the gain. A bit loose
Not gonna disagree on that! Problem is they don't all sound great great I have played a ton of them. Great thing about the Friedman's is they are very consistent.
Classic Rock is really what the Shirley is made for. Small Box would still be great for it but it's a bit more aggressive sounding. IMO go for the Twin Sister which is two Shirley's in one.
I've never heard a Tele sound so good! Damn you Brett, now I've got to scrape up enough coin to buy a Friedman. I don't need 40 watts but will I lose the "fat' tone if I go for the Mini Shirley? BTW: Love your vids, your tasteful playing and tone! Subscribed!
That sounds really good, man. Nice!! Don’t know why... but I really prefer the real speakers pushing the air.... am I really that old boring “vintage” dude? I wish I could get the Twin Sisters as well. Actually, I would love a baby twin. I’m a 20W amp guy.
@@BrettPapa Yeah, Dirty Shirley Mini is awesome, I have it. But I just wish it had two channels for live situations. That's why I have the custom baby Smallbox (20W) 💕 As far as I know, the UA OX is the best cab simulator out there. This must be really good, man.
AMAZING! Great head but that one is geared a little more towards modded Marshall heavier gain type stuff. Shirley is a great mid gain amp. A little less compressed as well.
Im totally lost when it comes to technical explanations on tone and the like, i wish i knew more orhadthe patience to learn.all i know is you always have a great sound going
Wow that sounds amazing Brett. What is the Hendrixy thing you play at about the 6:45 mark and are you tuned down half a step? I can’t wait to see you XTS pedalboard when it’s finished.
Yeah most of the stuff I have been doing lately is with the Divided by. BTR23. The RSA23 is an incredible amp and the AMW is a killer Marshall type circuit that is similar to the Friedman.
You just inspired me to not sell my DS40 and get an Ox Box. The first time I around I didn't have much luck with the DS40 & Ox sounding good but I think I wasn't cranking the power tubes enough......love your channel man! cheers from Ottawa Canada
@@BrettPapa it really is. I've sold my DS's numerous times due to GAS but I keep coming back to this amp for a reason...it's just awesome for the classic rock tones.
Yeah but I never really liked them much because they did't sound like the true amp tone. Although the Suhr reactive load was the first one I thought was great. However the OX is way more than an attenuator.
@@BrettPapa Right, I see. That makes sense. So about the Ox, do you have to use the built in cab sims when using it as a loadbox/ direct into the interface/mixer, or can one use third party cab sims if they want? Also, just off the top of your head, do you know if I had a cab hooked up, and was going line out to the DAW(with a cab sim) , but I wanted the cab to be 100% quiet(but still connected) could you do that? The reason I ask is because some loadbox / attenuators let you hook up both, but the attenuator cant go to 0 .
i've got a Runt 50 and it's the same!...it's sounds great with the master at 2...gainy...awesome...then i put the master crancked and with less Gain on the gain knob you have clarity, but sustain and weigth, a little of danger aswell...much fulfulling....
Have a small box, best 50watt Marshall I’ve never heard and I’ve had a lot. I want a Shirley too. Would cover all my favorite Marshall tones sounds so classic to hot...the sustain
The weight, sustain, and dynamics are so amazing. The sounds you had the whole time were just the sounds I have in my head. I have a Mesa Mk5. I really need to sell it and get a DS. I ran a DS pedal into my Mesa, don’t get me wrong, it sounded great but not as good as the DS head. Maybe my neighbors would approve of it, I figure that’s the sound in everyone’s head, so I’m sure they will love it. Lol. Great video and much love from Tulsa.
Brett Papa Hahahaha. That’s awesome. I was born in Columbus Ohio but we moved to Norman when I was 3. Lived there until I was 22. Moved to Tulsa area. I always say “much love from Tulsa” but technically, Owasso. Love Edmond. One of my best friends is from there. His dad built a lot of the homes at Oak Tree golf course. I broke down and told my wife I’m buying the DS. She said “finally, I can stop hearing about how much you want it”. Lol. You should have Dave send you a commission check. Your videos and Michael Mielson playing Limo Wreck is what sold me on it. Lol.
Had my Dirty Shirley's as my main amp for years now. What I do is to set the mids higher to cut through. Also, instead of flickin the gain structure, it cleans up so well with the vol knob.
Totally agree! That is how I do it as well. Great amp!
This tone is absolutely killer. I love hearing tele's all dirtied up. Great playing :)
Speaking of Tele Tone, check out Roy Buchanan's super tasty playing and Tone !! :)
Thanks!
One of the best!!!!
I have an OX too and I can attest that it's totally changed everything for me in terms of tone. It no longer matters where I'm playing or what time it is. Turn the amp up to where you like it and use the attenuation (or even headphones) to suit the situation. I bet your /13 amps will sound even better this way. They were made to be loud tone monsters - no master volume on most of them! Pushing the power section of a tube amp adds something you can't entirely re-create with pedals or pre-amp. It's just different, and you play different, when that element is missing in my opinion. That punch and tube compression does so much.
For sure! OX is a total game changer!
I generally use my OX at home, and use the master on the DS40 to control stage volume. Last night I brought the OX so I could really crank it. A world of difference. I'll never go back!
I got an audiostorm hotbox for 1/5th the price, but agree attenuators are the best
Your feel and vibrato are second to none. Always enjoy your videos
Wow thanks!
That is a perfect "all around" rock tone. All you need is that and a quick way (of choice) to add some boost in volume and/or gain,.if or when needed.
Absolutely awesome sound !
The new version has 2 independent channels!! So there you go haha.
@@BrettPapa
BOOM ! Very cool...
Doug Rappoport has some awesome Friedman demos. The Dirty Shirley Mini sounds epic! Thanks for sharing the Tom Bukovac the other month. Doug is another under the radar guy more folks should know about :)
Yeah for sure. Talked to Doug the other day and he will be on the channel soon! Tom is a freak of nature. I have never seen anything like him!!!
@@BrettPapa Looking forward to that!
I have the same amp and I love it. The setting with the cleanest and least gain is with the switch in the middle.
Its a great amp!!
Best recorded tone from a Dirty Shirley I’ve ever heard ! Should have bought one when they were cheaper.
Thanks! They really are a fantastic amp!
Great tone!! Killer combo. The Shirley is one of Friedman’s best amps imo. The little gain structure switch is super important, it gives you 3 different amps. Certainly try the Low input too. Low input plus lowest structure is pretty cool. I have master around 8 as well most of the time.
I love the Friedman amps, i had a custom Runt 20 but now i'm always using the Friedman AMP models on my Axe-Fx III. Great tones as always Brett.
Thank ya sir! Yeah the UA plugins they have sound great too!
instablaster.
Best sounding amps out there for me…. 👍🏻
Yeah they are pretty great!
Dang, every time I think I found the perfect amp Papastache comes along and shows me another one I'm jealous of! LOL . Now I gotta buy a Dirty Shirley! Damn you Brett! You're going to keep me perpetually flat broke!
Haha! I feel ya! Happens to me too!
I have the BE-100 amp in my Line 6 Helix and I was shocked by how good it sounded with the gain on the dirty channel turned way down and how similar the amp sounded to your DS.
Awesome!
Shirley, Dirty or clean, is the best! Love that amp! You sound great
playing it!
Thanks! It's a great amp!!!
new to Friedman(smallpox 50) but Dave definitely nails the best Marshalls with his amps
(props to metropoulos also) and this video nails the best of the best tones,brett-you great at showing how to get the best out of a rig(and have a good time doing it) thanks for another in a series of informative videos!
You are welcome! Thanks for checking it out!
I find that verb and delay aren’t even needed with my Friedmans and mostly just get in the way. Might be interested in a Ox box but might be overkill for me. I don’t feel like I’m lacking any sustain or girth so it will be interesting to check out.
Definitely don't need an OX to get killer tone with the Friedman's. They have a great master volume. However the backend power tube distortion is just so good and there is no way I'd stand in a room for long periods of time with a Friedman on 10. I get the best of both worlds with both.
I can't wait to hear the "Twin Sisters" once you acquire that amp.
I know! I want that thing bad now! Sounds even better!
@@BrettPapa I thought the TS is just two channels of DS. Don't they sound the same?
I have this amp and I also like to crank the master and add about 3 of gain. The only “issue” I see is that, in my amp at least, when I go beyond 6 on the master the amp adds a strange “sizzle” at the end of the notes when you let them ring long, longer than I see you playing here. Im not sure why that happens or if it’s a natural thing. At 6 on the MV this doesn’t happen but beyond that it definitely becomes part of the sound and I’m not sure I love that. I hope I would hear it in your video but I don’t think I can, the notes don’t ring long enough.
You are the only video that’s really pushing the MV to the max. Thank you for that.
Sure thing! I don't remember mine ever doing that though. Maybe a tube thing? Could be other stuff you are using in the chain too.
@@BrettPapa I hear it with guitar straight into amp and this is a new amp. Power tubes couldn’t be the issue im assuming, but whatever it is im hearing definitely comes from the power section.
Brett, Please help me with something.....I've been playing guitar for 7 years now, and I'm addicted it. A little over a year ago, I treated myself and bought a Friedman BE-50 Deluxe Amphead, with a Friedman 4x12 speaker cabinet, with their typical speaker set up of Greenbacks on Top and Vintage 30's on the bottom, and I'm in Heaven. My question to you is, since I already have a Master Volume on amphead, why would I need to buy an OXBOX? When I engage my Master Volume, I can already get a fully cranked amphead sound, at low volumes, or high volumes, so what good would an Oxbox do me?
An OX lets you turn up the Master volume of the amp so you can get power tube distortion which I think is a huge part of the sound people really want. I loved my Shirley but after I heard it again through the OX with the master cranked it was a whole new level of amazing and plus you don't have to kill your ears to get there.
@@BrettPapa Thanks Bro..The whole thing that still confuses me, is that I understand that the OX allows you to attenuate the amp, but I thought that was the reason why master volume was put on there, so you can get full cranked amp tones, at lower volumes, using the Master Volume????
I was on the fence about buying this. But ended up buying a used one yesterday from Parkway Music in Clifton Park NY thanks to this review. I use a Orange Rockerverb MKIII but had 4 Orange amps. I wanted that Marshally sound but not a Marshall. Tried the Dirty Shirley and fell in love with it. Thanks!
It's a fantastic amp!
Great video! I'm looking at getting the Dirty Shirley. Is the Fryette PS100 reactance box the same as the OxBox? ....asking for a friend(wink)
Thanks! Dirty Shirley's are amazing! They are not the same but those are great as well!
Always a pleasure!!
Thanks for watching.
Have owned and gigged with the dirty Shirley mini for the past couple of months and absolutely can confirm it’s the best amp I have ever owned if you want that Marshall thing
Such a great little amp!
I have always loved the dirty shirley , Bret , I know you used the onboard effects of the OX but can you do this demo again using the loop and have the ox dry ?
I've done a demo like that already. Just search on my channels main page for Dirty Shirley and it will come up. The loop in that amp is really good!!
How effective is the master volume on this? Typically I play a Princeton reverb. Possible to get good tones at similar volume levels or lower when I need to?
It’s great
Great tones man, been checking these out for my little studio. I just started using the two notes because I have all these 100 watt heads and it is great to be able to crank stuff without killing my self.
Makes such a big difference! Highly recommend getting something like that!
@@BrettPapa Do you thing Friedman could build one of his amps with a parallel effects loop option? I have that on my live rig amps and it sounds way better to me than a series loop.
Dang Brett, those tones are glorious! I never could reach those tones with my old JTM45. I must admit, I've always been a head straight to 4x12 guy (Marshall w/greenbacks). Curious about the ox. What kind of speakers do you have hooked up to it to project your sound? I'm actually looking seriously at the Dirty Shirley since I was weened on the hard rock scene of the 70's and 80's. My wife and two young kids would probably be forever grateful of no fully cranked amp. Btw, my go to wood is my Gibson SG. Also, I do have a Friedman BE-OD pedal. Would that work good as an additional boost for the DS 40 head? Sorry but can't find any DS's around my area to try. Your review has absolutely put me in the DS 40 head realm as I am afraid the mini won't give me as much headroom as I like. Any input greatly appreciated and Happy Holidays!
Right now I don't use a cab at all except for the 412 simulation in the OX. From there it goes into my Apollo and then out of monitor speakers. I don't play out much so I honestly haven't needed a cab for a while. If I new the club had some good monitors I might just go to the club with my head and OX and call it a day. Xact Tone Solutions makes a pedal you can hook up to the OX to turn the effects on and off in the OX so I wouldn't even need a pedalboard 😂. Let me know if you pull the trigger on getting a Shirley!
Hey Brett, Im thinking of getting this amp, Im a Hendrix guy. I already have a Fryette Power Station, will the Power Station work the same as the OX?
Yeah those are great!
Because they are so steep I've been thinking about modding my beloved JTM50 build to DS40 spec. I just love the string articulation and punchy, carved gain on the Shirley.
Yeah it is fantastic. The Shirley mini is pretty freakin great too!
@@BrettPapa I am on the fence about the mod to my JTM50 because I'm concerned about losing some of the characteristics of a vintage non-master volume head. My starting point is always cranked volume. Do you think there would be a change in the JTM's voice with the mod?
Couldn’t agree with you more about Friedman or attenuators. I have a Friedman JJ Jr. that sounds amazing but it wasn’t till I got a Boss Waza tube amp expander until I really heard what Friedman amps are famous for. It’s the kind of tone that makes it hard to stop playing. Even my old Peavy XXX came alive like it wasn’t able to ever before. Night and day. If you have an amp that needs to be cranked, your robbing yourself if you don’t have an attenuator. I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to realize it. Another great video Papa.
For sure! Thanks for watching!
"How were your ears after the big rock concert?" Fried man! haha, Sorry, could not resist. Sounds fantastic! You killed Panama!!! That was rockin'! : )
Haha thanks! Volume is super quiet because I ran it through my OX.
Very nice thank you! . So the sound we are hearing is direct from the ox? What speakers are you hearing? Is it a cabinet or the simulated cab from the ox over studio monitors? Thanks again.
Thanks! OX 412 amp cab. The 412 GB Punch cab. OX goes straight into the recording software (Logic) and is recorded there and that is what you are hearing.
Friedman is a fantastic builder. Love the Dirty Shirley! Cheers Brett!!
Its a good one! Thanks for watching!
Sounds killer!!!! Great review man, rock on and much appreciated! \m/
Sure thing! It's an awesome amp for sure!
Papa - how do you feel about the cleans on this one? I do the Texas blues thing where I like to take the clean signal and then push it with a TS9 for some grit....is it flexible to cover that as well?
For sure. It has a great clean. Small Box has a great cleaner tone as well.
One of life's mysteries. Explained!! Thx!!
Haha! Glad it helped ya out!
Did you also keep the Smallbox? Not seeing it in your latest videos anymore…
No I sold my Friedman's to get the Friedman Jake E Lee head and then after I sold them I couldn't get a Jake head anymore lol! I'm going to get one somehow again.
@@BrettPapa well, don’t get me wrong, I love my Smallbox - but going back and forth between it and my Marshalls I still allways gravitate towards the Marshalls. I don’t know why, maybe because they have their quirks and a more raw untamed feeling/sound… It‘s hard to describe. The Smallbox is mix ready but therefore almost too perfect for me. I think I have to sell the Smallbox as it doesn’t get the love it deserves 🤗
The more I listen to the DS the more I'm convinced that it's one of the best modern guitar amplifiers for classic/hard rock. In regards to the DS 'without' the gain switch; which 'mode' is it more similar to when compared to the DS 'with' the gain switch?
I think the middle switch but I could be wrong. And yes it is in my opinion one of the best hard rock amps out there for sure!!
The one without the gain switch is the highest gain setting. The switch cleans it up
Your old videos sold me on my dirty Shirley and I run it with an Ox also. Great freaking setup!
Awesome man! Its the good stuff haha!
Just cancelled the vacation to Disneyworld to get a Shirley & ox box. When the wife & kids throw a tantrum I'm telling them you told me to do it.
Blame China, don't get Brett in trouble.
Lol!!😱😂
Tell them if they want to create real family memories come sit around the Dirty Shirley for an hour
Best Comment Ever!
@@cardbored_ You're based and redpilled.
Hey, PapaMouche, how's that sound? A soul patch (also known as a mouche, a flavour saver, a lady pleaser, a jazz dot, or a Nollsey) is a single small patch of facial hair just below the lower lip and above the chin.
Haha!
Hey Brett what is your signal chain here? How do you hear yourself going into the ox? Do you have a cab off camera?
Straight from the Shirley into the OX. From there its straight into a UA Apollo into my computer. I don't use cabs in the room because it becomes too hard to control the sound levels. I typically use the 412 punch cab in the OX.
@@BrettPapa so are you just hearing the amp through your monitors?
Great Video! Thanks! there is a lot of headroom in this amp? im mostly searching for dirty sounds.
Thanks! Yeah there is a fair amount of headroom on the lower gain settings. Even when heavily distorted the amp cleans up really well with just your guitars volume knob.
@@BrettPapa have you tried the Dirty Shirley Mini?
Any idea what the main differences are between the Runt 20 and Dirty Shirley 20? Runt more gain? I know it's two channel but I'm more referring to the gain sounds. I'm looking for a 20 watt head, I play mostly blues, classic rock, AC/DC then again I also love that Gary Moore screaming guitar and lastly I gotta play my old Sabbath, Judas Priest riffs too! (as you can see, a one trick pony won't cut it! :)
Runts pcb and is more jcm800 style whereas the Shirley is handwired and is styled more after a plexi
I think the runt is based off of the BE amps and the Shirley is more of a JTM45. Shirley sounds more like the amp for you.
@@BrettPapa First and foremost I must commend you.....not only do you reply to comments but you do so in a very timely manner (ie QUICKLY! LOL). Coming from a sub of many years, (all the way back to finding you through Marty Schwartz after seeing Marty on Next Level Guitar.....(yes, I'm 50 and old :) ). Now...I really loved that nice, YET SO WELL DEFINED crunch you got here, that "just on the verge of breakup" (and then slightly over! LOL). As much as I love my Pantera and Slayer , I'm a classic/hard rock guy at heart. (Van Halen 1 will always and forever be the greatest and most elusive "crunch" of all time!!!) Thanks for taking the time to help and give your opinion. Your vids have been invaluable over the years!
@@ryleyeaton7349 Thanks man, I appreciate the info!!!
🤘🏽 awesome Brett buddy !
hook up the Strymon Flint Pedal (because no verb on this amp) - the combination is Heavenly!
Yes for sure!
Awesome! Thank you for the great demo!
Sure! Thanks for checking it out!
So with the OX you don't even need a real cabinet? You just get the sound through speakers or whatever you hook it up to? Thats pretty awesome.
Yes. Yes the OX is incredible! One of my favorite pieces of gear ever. Plus it has amazing effects built in as well!
Hey! I just mentioned a couple day’s ago about that great tone that was on the other video. So cool that you showed us what to used to get that. I’m super pumped because I have that head and just got a power soak so seems like with that I should be able to get the tone with that or at least similar! Thanks!
Sure thing! Never used on of those but I am sure it will do the trick. The Suhr reactive load works great too for plugins straight in to the computer.
Brett, are you playing through a Friedman cab there in the room? Is the Ox attenuating? I have always wondered how loud the guitar is in your videos.
Just into the OX with no cab. The OX has built in cab simulation. I use their 412 Greenback Punch Cab. Guitar volume is really quiet and only comes through my recording monitors. That way its not hard to edit the lav and shotgun mics.
@@BrettPapa So Brett it means the Ox is also a load box right?
@@PieIX correct 👍
wow man, 6:50 is the tone I’ve been looking for my entire life!
how does your tone sound coming thru monitors sound compared to a speaker cabinet... I mean there's got to be some trade off right ?
Honestly it still sounds amazing! Both myself and my hearing don't miss the cabs a bit. Now if I had a room where I could mic a cab and not have to deal with the volume that might be a different story. Totally content now though.
Strums three chords.. and you can tell it’s a killer tone.
I think thats the best way to tell honestly. If a G chord strummed sounds awesome you are in business!
Some real nice sounds floating this way................................looks like me too has to figure out how to get an Ox and a Friedman.......................just so inspirational
Brett, Love the video! Would like to see a screenshot of the OX page on your laptop! It would make easier to try and duplicate your tone. Which is amazing! Thanks for all the great content over the years! :-)
Christopher good point! I use the 412 punch cab set to more of a broken in speaker sound with a 57 and a 160 mic, stereo condenser with the rug. I believe that is it on that one.
How does the Friedman compare to one of your Divided amps?
It's different. This one is more like a upgraded JTM45. Really fantastic amp. They are all different that's why you just can't have one lol!
those are very nice amps,some day i hope i can afford one.lol thanks brett for all the videos learn a lot from them.
So you have to interface w/ a P.C to use the Ox, or is that just an option. I wanted one just to practice at Apartment volume. Does it act independent from a P.C?
You can use it without one but to be able to use the effects you need a computer. It has six preset banks to store sounds into as well. Once you program those then you really don't need a computer unless you want to edit the effects.
Dude, the Ox has a headphone send, you can kill the speaker down to nothing. Using my AKG K240 cans late at night, I have to catch myself and keep checking that I'm not waking up the neighbours because it feels so real. UA have done a stunning job with this unit. TBH, I haven't even gone that deep into the features presented by the controller, which goes VERY deep. Insane unit. Love it.
Really enjoyed all of the playing...love yer style brother pretty much my taste. .....rock on
Awesome! Thanks for checking out the vids!
Awesome video and tone. I ordered a Twin Sister in May, it's been delayed for obvious reasons so still waiting. This video didn't make the wait any easier!
Oh man! Totally jealous! That amp is so good!!!
The amp is insane and has such incredible articulation but a good part of your tone is your attack. You have such a distinctive and direct attack that contributes to the final sound. Can you please do a lesson on your attack? You have a really interesting use of hybrid picking during your lead solos. I'd love to see a slowed down, note for note lead solo demonstrating your hybrid picking technique so that I have something to practice that would broaden and improve my own attack.
Thanks! Sure I can do a lesson on that.
Amp absolutely sounds amazing!!! (as it did on the scales suck video). Pick question.....is all that beautiful tone usually coming from either the tortex .60mm (here) or sometimes the yellow .73mm? If so, this debunks the "gotta have a thick pick for thick tone" theory! LOL
Yes those are my two favorites. Almost all of my favorite players use the same thickness as well. If thin and medium picks were good enough for EVH then it works for me lol!
@@BrettPapa I thought so. I also follow RUclipsr Dave SImpson and he's a .60mm guy due to John Fruciante and so after 15 + years of 1.5mm, I figured I'd give them a try. I still struggle with the .60mm as it's great for strumming but feels like a piece of paper when soloing (LMAO). I bough the regular Tortex, the Tortex III AND the new Flow pick all in .60mm and .72mm (aka "orange" and "yellow"! LOL) Gonna take a while to get used to as it feels completely different. But I know Paul Gibert made the change and seems to do fine! hahaha Thanks again!!!
Quite a bit darker than a Marshall though no? I just picked up a synergy DS module and I do like it for the clean to light crunch tones but not crazy about the gain. A bit loose
No, I wouldn't say so. Also it depends on the settings.
It’s got a killer sound, but there is just something untamed and raw about the sound of a Marshall plexi on 10
Not gonna disagree on that! Problem is they don't all sound great great I have played a ton of them. Great thing about the Friedman's is they are very consistent.
The Friedman Dirty Shirley, a VOX AC 30 and a Fender Deluxe Reverb are the only 3 amps I use. I cover country music to classic rock/blues rock.
Those will definitely get you there.
What is Brett using for cranking the amp on a low volume ?
Universal Audio Ox Box. Over his left shoulder
Also checkout the pricetag.
I have the same credenza thing. It holds all my booze. Its pretty much full. I may or may not have a problem. The amp sounds good btw.
Lol!!!
Okay Brett, for Classic Rock Cover Band - Small Box or Dirty Shirley?
Classic Rock is really what the Shirley is made for. Small Box would still be great for it but it's a bit more aggressive sounding. IMO go for the Twin Sister which is two Shirley's in one.
Tough call! Twin sister for sure if you are going the Shirley route but the small box is a fantastic gigging amp as well!
@@BrettPapa Guess I'll keep my Small Box and wait for a deal on a Shirley to pop up. 😉🤘
The smile on yer face Papa, say's it all !!
Haha! So good!!!
Damn that sounds good
Fantastic amp!
I've never heard a Tele sound so good! Damn you Brett, now I've got to scrape up enough coin to buy a Friedman. I don't need 40 watts but will I lose the "fat' tone if I go for the Mini Shirley? BTW: Love your vids, your tasteful playing and tone! Subscribed!
Awesome! Thanks for the sub! Mini sounds killer! A little different but still worth it for sure if you can't afford the big one!
So how does it compare too your purple amp?
That’d be a good video!
Both are great! Shirley is more of a hard rock modded kind of sound to me and the other is more open sounding.
That sounds really good, man. Nice!!
Don’t know why... but I really prefer the real speakers pushing the air.... am I really that old boring “vintage” dude?
I wish I could get the Twin Sisters as well.
Actually, I would love a baby twin. I’m a 20W amp guy.
The mini Shirley is awesome! I hear ya on the speakers however in my line of work the OX is a life saver.
@@BrettPapa
Yeah, Dirty Shirley Mini is awesome, I have it. But I just wish it had two channels for live situations. That's why I have the custom baby Smallbox (20W) 💕
As far as I know, the UA OX is the best cab simulator out there. This must be really good, man.
@@DelReiRock The Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander is also an excellent product, on par with the OX Box. They are both amazing.
Have tried the BE50dlx head? How does it compare to the DS?
AMAZING! Great head but that one is geared a little more towards modded Marshall heavier gain type stuff. Shirley is a great mid gain amp. A little less compressed as well.
I was not pretty much a Friedman Fan. But here the Dirty Shirley sounds great. Nice Tele...sounds great too!
They are fantastic amps. Love them. Haven't played one that doesn't sounds great. My favorite 3 are there Shirley, Small Box, and the Jake E Lee head.
@@BrettPapa I gotta check one out! Thanks for your response...
Great playing and that amp sounds killer with the tele
Thanks Dave! Glad ya like it!
Hey, what happend to your "stache"? Cheers Dean from Bavaria/Germany
Fell off haha!
What speaker cab are you playing through?
I'm not. Just plugged straight into the OX and then into an Apollo straight into the computer.
Yeah, but which sprechen model? 🤔😝 Aha, 4x12 Greenbacks, ok, coolies, thx bro!
Another q: what interface into the Apollo? SPDIF, ADAT or line audio?
@@BrettPapa Ok thanks, I skipped the first part of the video. Sorry.
Im totally lost when it comes to technical explanations on tone and the like, i wish i knew more orhadthe patience to learn.all i know is you always have a great sound going
Thanks! I keep things really simple. Everything between 4-6 on the EQ and crank the volume when using my OX. Thats pretty much it!
Nice job Papa!
Fakin smokin tones
Thanks!
Lord that does sound good. I've got the SB 50 will diff be getting the ox!
Yeah after I got the OX and cranked my SB I couldn't believe how good it sounded.
Wow that sounds amazing Brett. What is the Hendrixy thing you play at about the 6:45 mark and are you tuned down half a step? I can’t wait to see you XTS pedalboard when it’s finished.
Thanks! No standard tuning throughout. Pedalboard is finished I'll probably post a vid next week about it. Thanks for watching!
Dirty Shirley mini would be the way to go.
They are great!
Do any of the divided by 13 amps come close?
Yeah most of the stuff I have been doing lately is with the Divided by. BTR23. The RSA23 is an incredible amp and the AMW is a killer Marshall type circuit that is similar to the Friedman.
What sort of delay settings are you using here?
Can't exactly remember. Probably the Echoplex pedal by MXR os an Echoplex plugin in post. I love the tape delay sounds.
If you want tons of different tones just get an EQ for your amp.
That helps a lot too!
Great tone Brett
Thanks!
I hope you still have the divided by 13 amps, personally I think they sound better !
Yep, love those things. They are all my children lol!
Love the DS and SB. They all Rock!
For sure!!
You just inspired me to not sell my DS40 and get an Ox Box. The first time I around I didn't have much luck with the DS40 & Ox sounding good but I think I wasn't cranking the power tubes enough......love your channel man! cheers from Ottawa Canada
That is such a great combo! Shirley is an amazing amp!!
@@BrettPapa it really is. I've sold my DS's numerous times due to GAS but I keep coming back to this amp for a reason...it's just awesome for the classic rock tones.
I love that tele!
Me too!!
Ribbon 160 is for the Beyer-Dynamic Ribbon M-160 not the Royer.
Ah, must have misspoken on that one.
All good brother. Keep making good vids. Much respect.
So you never heard of an attenuator or load box before the OX?
Yeah but I never really liked them much because they did't sound like the true amp tone. Although the Suhr reactive load was the first one I thought was great. However the OX is way more than an attenuator.
@@BrettPapa Right, I see. That makes sense. So about the Ox, do you have to use the built in cab sims when using it as a loadbox/ direct into the interface/mixer, or can one use third party cab sims if they want? Also, just off the top of your head, do you know if I had a cab hooked up, and was going line out to the DAW(with a cab sim) , but I wanted the cab to be 100% quiet(but still connected) could you do that? The reason I ask is because some loadbox / attenuators let you hook up both, but the attenuator cant go to 0 .
I have the exact setup and I love it!
Its a great setup! I am sad I have to give the Shirley back lol!
Same here, own the SB and the Shirley. Amazing amps.
Which model of lollar pickups are in the red tele?
Specials
Brett Papa
The pickups sound fat and warm, but still like a tele. Thanks for the response.
cool just wondered
i've got a Runt 50 and it's the same!...it's sounds great with the master at 2...gainy...awesome...then i put the master crancked and with less Gain on the gain knob you have clarity, but sustain and weigth, a little of danger aswell...much fulfulling....
Yes!
I think a good tele is the secret to demoing a Marshall style amp.
For sure! I agree!
Have a small box, best 50watt Marshall I’ve never heard and I’ve had a lot. I want a Shirley too. Would cover all my favorite Marshall tones sounds so classic to hot...the sustain
It is an AMAZING amp! Love them both! Don't get me started on the Jake E Lee head either OMG!!
@@BrettPapa Yeah. I would think about buying a JEL if they still made them. Why'd they stop? WTF?
The weight, sustain, and dynamics are so amazing. The sounds you had the whole time were just the sounds I have in my head. I have a Mesa Mk5. I really need to sell it and get a DS. I ran a DS pedal into my Mesa, don’t get me wrong, it sounded great but not as good as the DS head. Maybe my neighbors would approve of it, I figure that’s the sound in everyone’s head, so I’m sure they will love it. Lol. Great video and much love from Tulsa.
Lol! That is hilarious! They sound great at low volume! Thanks for checking out the vid. I'm from OK too! Edmond.
Brett Papa Hahahaha. That’s awesome. I was born in Columbus Ohio but we moved to Norman when I was 3. Lived there until I was 22. Moved to Tulsa area. I always say “much love from Tulsa” but technically, Owasso. Love Edmond. One of my best friends is from there. His dad built a lot of the homes at Oak Tree golf course. I broke down and told my wife I’m buying the DS. She said “finally, I can stop hearing about how much you want it”. Lol. You should have Dave send you a commission check. Your videos and Michael Mielson playing Limo Wreck is what sold me on it. Lol.
@@BrettPapa I live in oklahoma aswell. You know Matthew Scott?
He's from Edmond i think. Check him out on Utube. He has cool tones aswell. 👋
@@Vern859 He's awesome!
And what are these pickups !!!??? Nice tone
Thanks! I use Lollar pickups in everything. The singles are Specials and the hum bucker is an Imperial Low Wind.
@@BrettPapa on the tele too?