I just bought this one and as good as the overdrive tones are what really surprised me is the clean on the edge of break up tones when using a guitar with single coils, it nails the tone of Hendrix or Stevie Ray.
I literally bought this amp because of this video (there wasn't one I could check out anywhere near my home) and I was NOT disappointed! It sounds awesome. It is so much fun to play!
I really enjoy your reviews Mike. My DS mini arrived yesterday. I was blown away the moment I plugged a Les Paul into it....after plugging in a strat I was blown away so hard, I thought I'd starve on my way to Mars. Amazing amp!
I wish they had more amps with a parallel effects loop option. That is my favorite thing about the amps I use for all my live gigs but this sounds great for studio stuff.
Love your demos. This amp is awesome. I live on the crunch mode and use guitars volume for cleaner tones. Funnily enough, it takes Friedman pedals really well for extra mustard! It’s my first Friedman amp, I’m hooked now. Best tone I’ve ever had
this video made me decide to get this over other considerations. its a bit more than i wanted to spend but DAMN! that sounds unbelievable. i have been looking for classic Marshall tones in a low watt head for awhile now. Marshall doesn't have anything near this quality of amp for $1,500 not even close. i considered building a Tubedepot JTM45+ but i MUST! have an FX loop. now i need to save up for a nicer cab. i don't think my 1x12 will quite do this amp justice im thinking an Orange 2x12 open back would be a great fit. thanks for the best demo of this amp on RUclips.
Happens to me less often I'd like (tells you something about the quality of music being written today), but I totally experienced a feeling of Frisson when you started rocking out Bill Squire on that Gretsche and Dirty Shirley with your buddy on the bass drum. Wow what a tone!!! Killer!! Rock on man, love your channel! \m/
Hey Michael. Man, thank you for responding to my question! First of all let me just compliment your demo, you're just killing it showing off the DSM. I have the 1X12 DSM closed back cab ( the cab which matches the head) it is ported to the front on either side of the speaker (hidden by the grill cloth). I have visited Dave's shop at his invitation so he could personally check what I thought was excessive hiss. He tested it with me right there and said you will get white noise as the volume and gain are cranked. In other words all okay. Let me just admit I can't play anywhere near to your level, but I appreciate fine audio equipment and great tone. As far as the guitars in my line-up...Gibson LP Standard, Tom Anderson Cobra and a new 60s reissue Strat. I was on a Gear Page and one of the Posts had your RUclips link. I was just stunned listening to you ripping those tones out of the DSM. Now I don't know what to say knowing you're playing straight through! I'll keep experimenting with the controls on the head. Thank you again for taking the time to answer my comment I really appreciate it.
You got some nice gear there! Well, when the MDS structure switch is set in the middle, it's a pretty low gain head. For any kind of gain, I use the up position. The gain on the head is usually on 10, and I'll use that switch to change my gain structure. You'll get a little extra sauce when the volume is up at 5+, but that's way to loud for me at home. At home I use a boost to give it a little rock nudge. I like the Wampler Ecstasy, The Friedman Buxom Boost, or BEOD are GREAT with the MDS, and I'm trying out the Golden Pearl which is also phenomenal. I like that Buxom, and the BE-OD, because the tight knobs help tighten up bottom end for more aggressive riffing.
Great review / demo. Really nailed how good this amp sounds. Though it's a fantastic overdrive amp, the cleans are excellent too. Coped well in gig situations too... Plenty of volume for club / pub applications. I bought a MDS off the back of this demo. Stoked!!!
Holy shit so rich and well balanced. Sounds cliché but I never thought P90's could sound like that... Thanks for sharing and taking time to explain yout tone !
Very nice Michael. Had been thinking of getting a Pink Taco, but just saw this MDS and really like the tones. Great demo too, showing the settings, playing chords and leads. Only thing better would have been to show/talk about your guitar volume and tone settings! But really helpful and nicely done, thank you!
Absolute Great Review, i´ve tsted the Bigger 40W Shirley Amp and i was Completeley Blowin Away , Now That 20 Watt Model is Great too ,and Would Fit PERFECTLY to my Bogner Atma .. OMG I Want this Little Friedman Amp NOW !!!!
Michael! Great review! This video helped me decide on picking up the DSM Combo. I'm sooo stoked. It sounds sooo creamy, full, and warm but oooohhhh SOOOO dirty! PHAT!
Hi! I like your videos and would love to hear one reviewing the Friedman Pink Taco. I want to hear the difference with the mini Dirty Shirley. :). Thanks
Mini Dirty Shirley or Pink Taco? What do you think? The Pink Taco has an effects loop. I'm searching an Amp for small gigs. For the bigger gigs I use my CAA Standard+ 100 Head.
I haven't spent really enough time with the Taco to say for sure... but IMO the Shirley is perfectly balanced. Of course, much will depend on the kind of music you do. If you're doing a more Van Halen tone inspired thing, then the Taco for sure. But for most other applications, I think the MiniDS is a big winner.
I don't know Michael, you make everything sound good! Thank you so much for the setting run throughs, really helps in hearing the range of the amp. Great amp sound at a great price. Would use it with my Marshall cab with vintage 30s.
Hey man which Victory amp did you buy ? I was looking at the new Sheriff 44. This Freidman is insane though ..2 many choices, can't get the next amp wrong or its divorce !!!!!
Doesn't hurt to have a quality guitar like the P90 Freidman. Wasn't expecting a Billy Squier song but sounded awesome none the less. In my headphones even with the gain on 10 it was still pretty clear. I like that there aren't drastic tone changes at a half turn. That's an amp (not mini) I could buy and have forever.
Nice video and great riffing- how are you recording your amp to your DAW? Do you have a load and DI box hooked up to a powered attenuator and monitors? I am looking for a smaller amp for this purpose.
Hey Michael, I love your channel and have been a subscriber for a few years. I've been researching the Pink Taco and was disappointed that, to me, there are not any great videos on it. I was surprised you haven't done one since you are close to Dave and it seems to be geared for 80s metal. I'm curious, which is your favorite Friedman 20 watt amp? I'm assuming you have tried them all. Thanks!
Excellent video Michael!! I bought this amp because of this video and some of the others on YT. I'm running it through a Mesa 2x12 vertical cab and the tones are beautiful. The effects loop is very quiet and uncolored. I'm still debating on whether to sell this beauty and get the Friedman SB50 (which is what I intended to buy originally).
Thanks! Many of the amps are designed to have a super clean, and high gain. The PinkTaco and the Little Sister are both 1 channel amps but do better at a wider range of in between tones. The Taco is better for higher gain, the Sister is better for the lower gain side of things
Hi Michael, I have a Kemper amp at the moment and I really love it. Although I feel I 'm wanting a real amp. I really like this amp in your video, I would have to get a load box and speaker simulator , maybe the Two Notes live. I know you have a Kemper so whats your thoughts after comparing both? Thanks so much.
I had watched this video several times, but never all the way to the end, for the Gretsch part. For the love of all that is Holy. That Gretsch sounds marvelous, especially through the regular, larger Dirty Shirley open-backed cabinet. Can you tell me which model Gretsch it is? This will teach me to watch videos in their entirety...
hi Michael. very nice demo. I really liked it. I wish the gain switch was foot switchable. But I can't afford to buy this amp. so do you have any cheaper alternative? ( I have Orange or15 in my mind ).
3:57 "mids maxed out sound really good", says sounding surprised LOL... Dude, AWESOME vids. What mics you using on the V30 loaded cab? And what I/O interface if you don't mind me asking? Thanks!
This amp sounds awesome! I am looking for an amp that has 3 channels. I have been looking for a studio demo of the Soldano Decatone. I like the Mesa Boogie TC-50. Does Friedman have a 3 channel amp?
Yeah. They do sound kinda different (DS40 vs Mini DS). The DS40 has more "klang" to it. The MiniDS is a little more compressed, but the Mini is probably my favorite amp, unless I need ungodly volume and power.
Fantastic sounding man! Would you say this amp could stay clean(ish) at band volumes, then crank it for the hair? Would it make a good pedal platform, or not enough headroom?
Michael - great demo! Do you think there is enough power (20 watts) to gig with a hard driving drummer in a small to medium club? (without miking it or going direct into sound board). Thanks for you opinion.
I don’t think so. I brought it to a gig with another guitar player using an Orange 50w and I was struggling to get up into the mix. Drummer and other guitar player are loud
I just bought this one and as good as the overdrive tones are what really surprised me is the clean on the edge of break up tones when using a guitar with single coils, it nails the tone of Hendrix or Stevie Ray.
EXACTLY what I love about my BE pedal!
I literally bought this amp because of this video (there wasn't one I could check out anywhere near my home) and I was NOT disappointed! It sounds awesome. It is so much fun to play!
Awesome! Glad you like it Dan!
What speaker/cab have you plugged into with this amp?
@@ratedrsuperstarthega please tell
Me too. This and Doug Rappoport’s vid. I own 3 Friedman’s now but they’ll bury me with my DSM.
I really enjoy your reviews Mike. My DS mini arrived yesterday. I was blown away the moment I plugged a Les Paul into it....after plugging in a strat I was blown away so hard, I thought I'd starve on my way to Mars. Amazing amp!
So nice when someone is actually playing some good & decent riffs when demoing an amp. Absolutely love it!
OK! When you broke out SRV....that did it. Nice job and sounds super sweet.Thanks...
Jesus man she sounds killer - like quality vintage tones of a few different amps all in one - awesome
Wow it's like having ACDC over to jam in your bedroom.
Sounds unreal. Some reverb and a bit of delay and that's my perfect hair tone. Steve
I wish they had more amps with a parallel effects loop option. That is my favorite thing about the amps I use for all my live gigs but this sounds great for studio stuff.
Great song choice, load and reload are totally underrated records.
love the billy at the end
Love your demos. This amp is awesome. I live on the crunch mode and use guitars volume for cleaner tones. Funnily enough, it takes Friedman pedals really well for extra mustard! It’s my first Friedman amp, I’m hooked now. Best tone I’ve ever had
this video made me decide to get this over other considerations. its a bit more than i wanted to spend but DAMN! that sounds unbelievable. i have been looking for classic Marshall tones in a low watt head for awhile now. Marshall doesn't have anything near this quality of amp for $1,500 not even close. i considered building a Tubedepot JTM45+ but i MUST! have an FX loop. now i need to save up for a nicer cab. i don't think my 1x12 will quite do this amp justice im thinking an Orange 2x12 open back would be a great fit. thanks for the best demo of this amp on RUclips.
This is the best review of this amp I've seen 👍🏻 great playing!
How did you manage to capture the audio so well? I have a hell of a time recording my amps like that for demos....
Happens to me less often I'd like (tells you something about the quality of music being written today), but I totally experienced a feeling of Frisson when you started rocking out Bill Squire on that Gretsche and Dirty Shirley with your buddy on the bass drum. Wow what a tone!!! Killer!! Rock on man, love your channel! \m/
Hey Michael. Man, thank you for responding to my question! First of all let me just compliment your demo, you're just killing it showing off the DSM. I have the 1X12 DSM closed back cab ( the cab which matches the head) it is ported to the front on either side of the speaker (hidden by the grill cloth). I have visited Dave's shop at his invitation so he could personally check what I thought was excessive hiss. He tested it with me right there and said you will get white noise as the volume and gain are cranked. In other words all okay. Let me just admit I can't play anywhere near to your level, but I appreciate fine audio equipment and great tone. As far as the guitars in my line-up...Gibson LP Standard, Tom Anderson Cobra and a new 60s reissue Strat. I was on a Gear Page and one of the Posts had your RUclips link. I was just stunned listening to you ripping those tones out of the DSM. Now I don't know what to say knowing you're playing straight through! I'll keep experimenting with the controls on the head. Thank you again for taking the time to answer my comment I really appreciate it.
You got some nice gear there! Well, when the MDS structure switch is set in the middle, it's a pretty low gain head. For any kind of gain, I use the up position. The gain on the head is usually on 10, and I'll use that switch to change my gain structure. You'll get a little extra sauce when the volume is up at 5+, but that's way to loud for me at home. At home I use a boost to give it a little rock nudge. I like the Wampler Ecstasy, The Friedman Buxom Boost, or BEOD are GREAT with the MDS, and I'm trying out the Golden Pearl which is also phenomenal. I like that Buxom, and the BE-OD, because the tight knobs help tighten up bottom end for more aggressive riffing.
Why can't I like this video more than once? Well done.
Great review / demo.
Really nailed how good this amp sounds.
Though it's a fantastic overdrive amp, the cleans are excellent too.
Coped well in gig situations too... Plenty of volume for club / pub applications.
I bought a MDS off the back of this demo.
Stoked!!!
This is how a demo is DONE !, salutations sir
it sounds so freaking good! what is it like at bedroom levels?
Absolutely kickass. If you were still wondering. Its the best bedroom amp I've ever used.
Just bought one off of your superb review! Basically I really really need to upgrade my practicing now! Stupidly good amp and at low volumes to!
At 4:45 I threw my wallet at the screen!
Classy-D thank you 🙏 very much !!!
😂😂😂
Right!!!!
Great demo Sir! Sounded epic. Tone was tasty...left me wanting more.
This could be the best amp out there right now.
For its price point, it still is (in my humble opinion)
Not the clean one though
@@javiceres True the clean tones sound pretty crappy
Holy shit so rich and well balanced. Sounds cliché but I never thought P90's could sound like that... Thanks for sharing and taking time to explain yout tone !
Very nice Michael. Had been thinking of getting a Pink Taco, but just saw this MDS and really like the tones. Great demo too, showing the settings, playing chords and leads. Only thing better would have been to show/talk about your guitar volume and tone settings! But really helpful and nicely done, thank you!
+Bill Rainbolt I tried and compared the mini dirty shirley and a Pink Taco, I prefer the Pink Taco, Why? Pink Taco sounded thicker.
Sounds INCREDIBLE (especially w/ those P90s).
Too bad it's nowhere near affordable for mere mortals.. :-(
You get what you pay for.
That was a great review! Awesome sounding amp!
Thanks Hollis!
I ordered this amp last week based on this video, freak man this amps sings! - We'll see once I get it! Thanks for sharing MN!
Absolute Great Review, i´ve tsted the Bigger 40W Shirley Amp and i was Completeley Blowin Away , Now That 20 Watt Model is Great too ,and Would Fit PERFECTLY to my Bogner Atma ..
OMG I Want this Little Friedman Amp NOW !!!!
Michael! Great review! This video helped me decide on picking up the DSM Combo. I'm sooo stoked. It sounds sooo creamy, full, and warm but oooohhhh SOOOO dirty! PHAT!
Great song choice!!!! Sounds killer!!!
Hi! I like your videos and would love to hear one reviewing the Friedman Pink Taco. I want to hear the difference with the mini Dirty Shirley. :). Thanks
Mini Dirty Shirley or Pink Taco? What do you think? The Pink Taco has an effects loop. I'm searching an Amp for small gigs. For the bigger gigs I use my CAA Standard+ 100 Head.
I haven't spent really enough time with the Taco to say for sure... but IMO the Shirley is perfectly balanced. Of course, much will depend on the kind of music you do. If you're doing a more Van Halen tone inspired thing, then the Taco for sure. But for most other applications, I think the MiniDS is a big winner.
+Michael Nielsen Thanx a lot.
Thanks for the review! You did a great demonstration.
WOW!!!! That amp sounds AMAZING!!!!!! Damn it!
Def, this kicks out Marshall :)
That amp sounds huge. Great job!
Man, this thing sounds BROWN as the day is long. I bet it gets pretty heavy with a screamer pedal boosting it, too.
Wow it sounds so good! Considering buying one with a Victory copper preamp pedal for clean tones
Love your videos man. Have you been able to compare the mini dirty shirley to the PT20?
I don't know Michael, you make everything sound good! Thank you so much for the setting run throughs, really helps in hearing the range of the amp. Great amp sound at a great price. Would use it with my Marshall cab with vintage 30s.
How is it at band volumes? I love my Atma, but it falls apart over 2:00 over the master when trying to get over my drummer with a 2x12.
Just bought this directly because of you!!! YES!!!
Bubbafret thanks man! I hope you live it. I still love it 100% every time I plug in
I meant “love it”
Ok I went a little nuts and picked up that vintage T 90s to go with it...
Bubbafret 👍👍👍
Best video so far on this amp....and sweet guitar btw! This amp and it's big brother are KILLER!
Killer tone!!!
What are the drum sticks for?
Killer review! I love this amp. One of my favorites in my collection!
Great demo. That thing sounds nasty! I need one!
Now I think I hate you. LOL Oh God that sounds so good. Just bought my self a Victory, may need one of these as well. Great Video.
Hey man which Victory amp did you buy ? I was looking at the new Sheriff 44. This Freidman is insane though ..2 many choices, can't get the next amp wrong or its divorce !!!!!
@@David-lt7kl im 2 steps from buying a sheriff22.
that ending though!!
I just bought one... partly because of this video! Great job and yes it's a beast
Dave ALWAYS delivers man. I fucking LOVE my BE pedal. Great demo. That mini RIPS!
I must have one.
the best 20w vintage sound amp
Great great review! There are no other reviews of the mini yet and frankly no need for them with this one.
Good demo bruh. You rock. I need one of these.
Doesn't hurt to have a quality guitar like the P90 Freidman. Wasn't expecting a Billy Squier song but sounded awesome none the less. In my headphones even with the gain on 10 it was still pretty clear. I like that there aren't drastic tone changes at a half turn. That's an amp (not mini) I could buy and have forever.
Love this amp! cant wait to hear it with greenbacks!
Wow, awesome tones!
That amp smokes bro !! Thanks for sharing !!
Love your reviews. Just the right stuff. ❤
Sounds great...A little on the pricey side but the tone is absolutely killer.
Billy Squier!
Nice video and great riffing- how are you recording your amp to your DAW? Do you have a load and DI box hooked up to a powered attenuator and monitors? I am looking for a smaller amp for this purpose.
Thanks I'm sold
Hey Michael, I love your channel and have been a subscriber for a few years. I've been researching the Pink Taco and was disappointed that, to me, there are not any great videos on it. I was surprised you haven't done one since you are close to Dave and it seems to be geared for 80s metal. I'm curious, which is your favorite Friedman 20 watt amp? I'm assuming you have tried them all. Thanks!
Excellent video Michael!! I bought this amp because of this video and some of the others on YT. I'm running it through a Mesa 2x12 vertical cab and the tones are beautiful. The effects loop is very quiet and uncolored. I'm still debating on whether to sell this beauty and get the Friedman SB50 (which is what I intended to buy originally).
Thanks for the great video!
Out of all the Friedman Mini amps you've played, which one sounds best in medium to high gain settings?
Thanks! Many of the amps are designed to have a super clean, and high gain. The PinkTaco and the Little Sister are both 1 channel amps but do better at a wider range of in between tones. The Taco is better for higher gain, the Sister is better for the lower gain side of things
@@BigHairyGuitars Thanks Man!
Thanks Michael for great review! Did you try DS Mini with new BE-OD pedal? It is very interesting how it sounds together.
Hi Michael, I have a Kemper amp at the moment and I really love it. Although I feel I 'm wanting a real amp. I really like this amp in your video, I would have to get a load box and speaker simulator , maybe the Two Notes live. I know you have a Kemper so whats your thoughts after comparing both? Thanks so much.
I had watched this video several times, but never all the way to the end, for the Gretsch part. For the love of all that is Holy. That Gretsch sounds marvelous, especially through the regular, larger Dirty Shirley open-backed cabinet.
Can you tell me which model Gretsch it is?
This will teach me to watch videos in their entirety...
:) That's the stock Brian Setzer model.
nice, just ordered one thanks!
I need that mini beast!!!
Damn that was a 3fer, great amp great tele great demo
This or Runt 20 as lower wattage option to my jcm800? Thanks!!
Killer head, great tones.
hi Michael. very nice demo. I really liked it. I wish the gain switch was foot switchable. But I can't afford to buy this amp. so do you have any cheaper alternative?
( I have Orange or15 in my mind ).
Someone buy that dude the rest of the drum set..... ;)
hahahahaha
3:57 "mids maxed out sound really good", says sounding surprised LOL...
Dude, AWESOME vids. What mics you using on the V30 loaded cab? And what I/O interface if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks!
Chewy reference = me lmfao. Good vid
This amp sounds awesome! I am looking for an amp that has 3 channels. I have been looking for a studio demo of the Soldano Decatone. I like the Mesa Boogie TC-50. Does Friedman have a 3 channel amp?
Is that a black falcon ? what gain switch did you have it on for Billy Squire ? Awsome Job.
Lonely is the night!
Did you have a reverb in the loop when you were playing the Gretsch. If so what was it? It really worked well with the Dirty Shirley.
That Metallica riff was bad ass dude!.... Awesome!...freidman are great amps... I'm saving for a jj junior
If just using for recording through UA Ox, and Suhr RL, do you notice less heft, punch, headroom for cleans etc. than you have with the DS40?
Yeah. They do sound kinda different (DS40 vs Mini DS). The DS40 has more "klang" to it. The MiniDS is a little more compressed, but the Mini is probably my favorite amp, unless I need ungodly volume and power.
Cool, thanks for the reply. Always great playing, btw. Love your videos!
Great vid! How are you recording your tracks on this video? Also, nice desk behind you, where can i get one?
Wow. That sounds absolutely fantastic.
Fantastic sounding man! Would you say this amp could stay clean(ish) at band volumes, then crank it for the hair? Would it make a good pedal platform, or not enough headroom?
It’s a great pedal platform. If you run it into a 4x12 it can totally hang. In a 1x12, you might have to push it too hard to stay clean
Amazing demo... as always!! What are your thoughts on the DS 1-10 combo vs the head and 1-12 cab?
Thanks in advance. Love your demos!!
Love it
Michael - great demo! Do you think there is enough power (20 watts) to gig with a hard driving drummer in a small to medium club? (without miking it or going direct into sound board). Thanks for you opinion.
I don’t think so. I brought it to a gig with another guitar player using an Orange 50w and I was struggling to get up into the mix. Drummer and other guitar player are loud
Thanks .
@@BigHairyGuitars I think I will look to get the 40 watt Dirty Shirley.
Check out Rappoport's demo of this little beast. It really shows how good this amp is when properly EQ'd.
can you do a video pushing this amp with some overdrive pedals maybe playing some heavier hard rock/grunge/metal kinda stuff?
I need this. Chewy, porky, juicy and hairy? Epic.
nice work, great demo
What mics did you record this with? Great sounds!
Shirley is sweet !!!