Friedman Plex Head

Friedman Plex Head: Technical Review of the 50 Watt Dual Channel Tube Amp

Overview and General Design

Released in June 2024, the Friedman Plex Head arrives as a premium amplifier head crafted for players seeking classic British tones in a contemporary format. With a list price of $2799, it enters the upper end of the market, promising authentic vintage non-master volume sound and modern circuit refinements inside a robust construction that spans 610 mm wide, 222 mm deep, and 254 mm high. The head weighs in at 15.2 kilograms, indicating a solid build suited for professional and studio environments.

Power and Tube Section

Rated at 50 watts, the Plex Head achieves its output through two EL34 power amplifier tubes, commonly associated with British rock tones. The preamp section features three 12AX7 tubes, delivering ample gain potential and complex harmonic characteristics. This combination is consistent with the amplifiers that shaped rock and blues music from the late '60s onward. The tube complement and wattage indicate enough headroom for sizeable venues, while still being manageable for rehearsal spaces or studio settings.

Dual Channel Control and Sound Shaping

A central technical highlight is the dual-channel layout, consisting of a lead channel and a normal channel, each with individual volume controls. These channels are engineered to emulate the response of classic, non-master volume British amplifiers. As you increase the channel volumes, the circuit pushes the power tubes harder, producing increased saturation, richer overtones, and dynamic interplay.

The channels are connected internally using channel bridging technology, this mimics the process of externally crossfading inputs on old amplifier models from the UK, yet eliminates the need for patch cables. This allows for more tonal variety, as players can blend both channels in a controlled manner, accessing a range of textures from crisp, biting cleans to driven, harmonically rich distortion.

Master Volume and Dynamic Control

Friedman integrates a post-phase master volume circuit, this design choice is significant. Unlike traditional master volumes that can reduce preamp saturation or impact the interaction between preamp and power amp, the post-phase configuration maintains the amp's full tonal response and dynamics, even when lowering the overall volume. It's a solution for players who want authentic power tube breakup at lower listening levels, useful in studio or club applications where high SPLs are not always practical.

Tone Controls and Switches

The control panel is logically laid out, offering Volume for each channel, followed by a traditional three-band equalization (Treble, Middle, Bass), a Presence control for upper frequencies, and the master volume control. The presence of two separate Bright switches lets players fine-tune the high frequency content of each channel, optimizing response for different guitars or playing styles.

Connectivity and Output Flexibility

On the rear panel, the amp provides extensive speaker output options to accommodate a variety of cabinets. You get outputs for 4 ohm, 8 ohm, and 16 ohm loads, both as single and dual connections, all on standard quarter-inch jacks. Two separate high and low input jacks are available on the front panel, catering for both vintage and modern instrument output levels, and increasing compatibility with various signal paths or pedals.

• Speaker outputs: 1 x 4 ohm, 2 x 8 ohm / 1 x 8 ohm, 2 x 16 ohm / 1 x 16 ohm
• Input jacks: 2 x high, 2 x low

Portability and Intended Use

At 15.2 kg (just over 33 lbs), the Plex Head is not lightweight but remains manageable compared to older vintage heads, especially considering its robust construction. The dimensions are standard for a full-size amp head, making transportation in professional setups straightforward. The absence of built-in reverb or a footswitch underlines the amp's purist intent, focusing instead on direct-to-the-point tone control and user-driven dynamics. Players will need to rely on external pedals for reverb or channel switching functions.

Technical Summary

The Friedman Plex Head stands out for its faithful approach to classic British amplifier design, now enhanced by modern channel bridging and post-phase master volume solutions. The tube configuration, power output, and practical controls cover the needs of musicians looking for authentic drive and saturation without sacrificing dynamic range or clarity at lower levels.

While it requires external solutions for some functions such as reverb and channel switching, the core offering is focused and technically compelling. Connectivity for different cabinets is generous, and the flexible input section gives further adaptability for an array of guitars. With its robust chassis and platform-agnostic output selection, the Plex Head invites use on loud stages and in controlled studio environments alike.

At its price point, the Friedman Plex Head targets serious players who value tonal detail, vintage response, and modern usability, while accepting the need for external accessories to personalize or extend the rig. It is a deliberate, technically detailed offering in the modern tube amplifier landscape.