Guitarists chasing the holy grail of British rock tone have a major new release to add to their wish lists. Friedman Amplification has officially revealed the Friedman Brit-50 50-watt Amplifier Head, an absolute powerhouse of a tube amp available exclusively through Sweetwater.
Priced at $2,899.99, this highly anticipated two-channel head houses decades of definitive British tones inside a beautifully streamlined chassis. From classic Plexi-style crunch to modern, hot-rodded high gain, the Brit-50 is fueled by EL34 power tubes and designed by the legendary Dave Friedman himself.
Here is everything you need to know about the latest high-octane release in the boutique amp world.
Available exclusively at Sweetwater
Two Channels of Pure British Muscle
At the heart of the Friedman Brit-50 are two meticulously voiced, purpose-built channels that span the entire history of British rock music.
Channel 1: The Classic Era
Bolstered by an innovative Plexi/800 switch, Channel 1 is a love letter to vintage rock. It seamlessly covers everything from touch-responsive, vintage-flavored crunch to aggressive, Sunset Strip-worthy bite. Expect authoritative mids, incredibly tight lows, and the ear-grabbing harmonic complexity that Friedman amps are famous for.
Channel 2: Modern High-Gain Perfection
For players craving something significantly heavier, Channel 2 introduces a refined, modern high-gain voice crafted by Dave Friedman. It delivers a smooth, tight, and natural compression that provides searing sustain without ever sacrificing crucial note separation.
Classic Tone-Shaping and Premium Hardware
Boutique amp aficionados will immediately appreciate the Brit-50’s straightforward, old-school tone stack. The front panel features a classic 3-band EQ (Bass, Middle, and Treble) for foundational tone shaping.
To give players ultimate control over their gain staging, Friedman has included per-channel Volume and Gain knobs, along with a Master Volume knob that lets you achieve heavily saturated preamp tones even at lower output levels. Additionally, Channel 1 features a 3-way Bright switch to help your guitar cut through the densest of mixes.
Under the hood, the Brit-50 spares no expense. It features a 12AX7-driven preamp section (three tubes in total), two EL34 power tubes, and custom, US-made transformers. Rounding out the feature set is a premium-quality effects loop for seamless pedalboard integration and 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm impedance jacks to accommodate any speaker cabinet configuration.
The Verdict: Is the Friedman Brit-50 Worth It?
Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars
At $2,899.99, the Friedman Brit-50 is undeniably a premium investment, but it delivers on every penny. By essentially packing a Plexi, a JCM800, and a hot-rodded modern Friedman high-gain amplifier into one streamlined 50-watt head, Dave Friedman has created a versatile monster.
The Master Volume knob makes it remarkably usable for both stage and studio, while the premium US-made transformers and elite tube selection guarantee top-tier reliability and harmonic richness. If you are a player with a penchant for raw, punchy, articulate, and unapologetically loud British rock tones, the Brit-50 is an absolute triumph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What tubes are used in the Friedman Brit-50?
The Friedman Brit-50 features an all-tube signal path, utilizing two (2) EL34 power tubes for classic British power-amp distortion, and three (3) 12AX7 preamp tubes.
Where can I buy the Friedman Brit-50?
The Friedman Brit-50 is a Sweetwater Exclusive, meaning it can only be purchased directly through Sweetwater Sound.
Does the Brit-50 have an Effects Loop?
Yes! The amplifier includes a premium-quality, highly transparent FX loop on the rear panel, making it incredibly easy to integrate your favorite delay, reverb, and modulation pedals without sucking your tone.
Can I play this amp at bedroom or studio volumes?
Yes. While 50 watts of EL34 tube power is exceptionally loud, the Brit-50 features an excellent global Master Volume control. This allows players to dial up the per-channel gain for heavy saturation while keeping the overall output level manageable for lower-volume environments.
What kind of speaker cabinets can I use with this amp head?
The Brit-50 is incredibly versatile when it comes to cabinet pairing. It features 4-ohm, 8-ohm, and 16-ohm impedance jacks on the back panel, ensuring it will safely accommodate almost any standard guitar speaker cabinet on the market.
More Information
#Friedman #Brit-50 #Sweetwater
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