Revenge Of The Mini Heads Part 1 |
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Oct 18 2021, 09:14 PM
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Mini Amp Heads are not new. They have been with us for a long time. However, recently, it seems they have entered a bit of a golden age. Many builders who had not previously released mini units have started to do so and the variety is impressive. Some builders who may have been perhaps to cork sniffy to enter the world of solid state power sections have recently come around and decided to jump in as well. Let’s take a look at what’s being going on in the world of the Mini!
FRIEDMAN BE MINI https://friedmanamplification.com/heads/be-mini-head Friedman have a rabid fan base and for good reason. They make amps that are sort of modernized Marshalls. True tube behemoths that have massive tone. They are expensive amps and fans adore them. I was not expecting them to jump in to the mini market as they are an upscale builder and a bit “cork sniffy” in terms of being a Tube Amp sort of company. Times change though and thus we get the BE Mini Head. It features a 30 Watt solid state power section and the “BE” preamp circuit. So it’s designed to tick the same sonic boxes as it’s big brother. It’s meant to sound very British, very tube, and very lively. It boasts an FX loop so that fx can be integrated as they are on the full size unit instead of just before the input stage. It has gain, 3 band EQ, present and cut/tight switches. So a range of sonic possibilities are ready and waiting. It also features a 24 universal power supply so it can travel. It’s meant to sound like the much loved BE-100 tube amp. At under 4 pounds, it’s light and travel ready. Like many such amps, it is a one channel affair. Many people have said that it sounds like the BE OD drive pedal with a solid state power section which is probably what it is. It can be yours for about $300. FRIEDMAN DIRTY SHIRLEY https://friedmanamplification.com/heads/min...ty-shirley-head Friedman also make a mini version of their popular “Dirty Shiley” amp head. This one is 20 watts of all tube, EL84 power. So it’s not the solid state power section with a tube preamp approach. It’s a full on tube amp in a smaller form factor. It’s a downsized Dirty Shirley. For tone control it has a 3 way gain structure switch which can take it from blues to aggressive tones. Like the BE mini it also features an effects loop. Unlike the BE Mini, this is a full on tube head and is prices accordingly. Expect to pay about $1,500 to get in to one of these. Like the BE Mini, it’s a one channel affair. So like many of these, it’s a one trick pony to some extent, but it’s a great trick. These are just a couple of the current crop of Mini Amps heads that are flooding in to the market. Orange has been making Mini/micro heads for a long time now and are being joined by some of the best amp builders in the business. The great thing about these is that it gives people a chance to own a version of an amp that would otherwise be out of reach in financial terms. In Part 2 we will look at how other high end builders are joining in the frey. *Check out this vintage rock lesson! https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Vintage-Rock-2/ This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 18 2021, 09:15 PM |
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