Legendary Gain, Modern Craft: Save £400 on the Friedman Jose Arredondo Tribute!
Dave Friedman announces the Friedman José Mod Amp at NAMM 2025, a tribute to legendary amp modder José Arredondo.
NAMM 2025 saw Dave Friedman unveil a tribute to legendary amp modder José Arredondo: the Friedman José Mod Amp. This "end-all-be-all" 100-watt, single-channel amp is being created with the Arredondo family's blessing, ensuring it honors José's legacy.
Legendary Gain, Modern Craft: Save £400 on the Friedman Jose Arredondo Tribute!
If you're chasing the "Holy Grail" of modified Plexi tones, this is the pinnacle. Dave Friedman has reached into the archives of amplification lore to honor the late, great José Arredondo—the man behind the legendary high-gain mods used by the world’s most iconic players.
By partnering directly with the Arredondo family, Friedman has distilled José’s most coveted modifications into a single, hand-built 100W powerhouse. This isn't just an amp; it’s a piece of history refined for the modern stage.
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Why This Matters
José Arredondo was an elusive genius whose technical wizardry defined the sound of hard rock. Finding an original "Jose-modded" vintage head is nearly impossible and incredibly expensive. Friedman’s Tribute offers that same aggressive, harmonically rich saturation with modern reliability and a limited-edition pedigree.
- Limited Quantities: Once these are gone, they are gone.
- The "Jose" Sound: Authentic tribute to the master of the gain stage.
- Pro-Grade Build: Rugged, hand-wired excellence for the serious tone chaser.
Friedman José Mod Amp
José Arredondo's modded Marshalls were favored by guitar icons like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and James Hetfield.
While his influence on Eddie Van Halen's tone is debated, Arredondo is undeniably a key figure among the first generation of "amp wizards." He even built a mysterious, one-off signature amp for Van Halen that has since vanished.
Modded Marshall Plexi
Arredondo's modding secrets were never documented, making him both famous and elusive. However, Dave Friedman, a fellow amp expert who knew Arredondo and his work intimately, is bringing those lost secrets to life. Friedman has worked on hundreds of Arredondo-modified amps, giving him unique insight into their inner workings.
Dave Friedman
The Friedman José Mod Amp will feature many of Arredondo's most popular mods, selectable via switches. Friedman aims to capture the essence of Arredondo's high-gain pioneering, spanning the late 70s and 80s rock era.
He's emphasizing quality over quantity, suggesting production will be limited and highly hands-on. While pricing is estimated at around £4000, this is considerably less than the £15,000-£25,000 typically commanded by original Arredondo-modified Marshalls.
Signup
If you want to join the list to be in with a chance of owning one of these amps, then Friedman has a dedicated page for this (link at the bottom of this page).
Tone-Talk
Friedman discussed the project on the Tone-Talk podcast with Arredondo's daughter, Marisol. He explained that this amp will encompass all the gain styles Arredondo explored, representing his favorite interpretations of the mods he's encountered.
This tribute amp, bearing José Arredondo's signature, is Friedman's way of giving back to the family and preserving the legacy of a true amp legend.
Where To Buy
Available at Andertons Available at Guitar Center Available at Sweetwater Available at Thomann
More Information
#Friedman Jose Arredondo
- +Honors legendary amp modder José Arredondo with family blessing
- +Hand-wired construction by Dave Friedman's team
- +Selectable switches for Arredondo's most popular mods
- +Significantly cheaper than original Arredondo-modified amps (£15k–£25k)
- +Limited production ensures exclusivity
- +100W of high-gain, harmonically rich saturation
- −Limited quantities—once gone, unavailable
- −Premium pricing (£3,399)
- −Single-channel design limits versatility for some players
Who was José Arredondo and why is this amp significant?
José Arredondo was a legendary amp modder whose hand-modified Marshalls defined the sound of hard rock, favored by Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and James Hetfield. His modifications were never documented, making originals extremely rare and expensive (£15,000–£25,000). This tribute preserves his legacy in a new, hand-built amp.
What makes the Friedman José Mod Amp different from other Friedman heads?
This amp incorporates Arredondo's most popular mods as selectable switches, representing his favorite gain interpretations from the late '70s and '80s. It's a collaboration with the Arredondo family and reflects Friedman's intimate knowledge of José's work after servicing hundreds of his modified amps.
Is the Friedman José Mod Amp limited production?
Yes. Friedman is emphasizing quality over quantity with highly hands-on, limited production. Once stock is gone at retailers like Andertons, it won't be restocked, making this a limited-edition piece.
