NAD - Friedman JEL-50 through 2x12 with Avatar Fane M65 Speakers - It barks, it kerrangs, it really rocks!

[tbonesullivan]

Does it bark? Yes, yes it does indeed, and it is full of KERRRAAAANNNGG. Classic Marshall tones from the 70s and 80s, done right. I had been thinking about a Friedman, particularly the JEL-20, for a long time, before this one was announced. As I have a good stock of SED EL34s, and wanted a bit more "thump", i decided to go for the larger wattage example. There were a bunch of pretty much brand new returns, so I saved a bit and picked one up.

Cabinet is an Avatar contemporary closed back with two Avatar M65 speakers by FANE. I did not expect to bright switches to have such a huge impact on the sound, especially at lower gain levels. Gonna get to know it a bit better, and then swap in some old production glass into V1 and V2. Also gotta change the strings on the guitar to 9.5 or 10 gauge, as 9s feel like noodles to me.

As it is, channel 1 is pure plexi style, and it's got the three way bright switch, which is almost like a gain control at lower gain levels. With it to the right I think it's the same as an OG Plexi, which is quite bright, though I don't have confirmation on that. In that setting it's hard to even get a clean sound, but with the bright switch in the left, or the center where it's the least bright, it's got a great clean sound. As you up the drive you get more dirt, and I think even near the highest gain levels you still get a good amount of extra bite with the bright switch to the right. With the gain fully dimed you're definitely a bit past AC/DC level gain, but if you want the real "plexi" sound you do need to get the master up above 5. However per Pete Thorn, Dave Friedman designed the amp so it isn't as woofy at lower master volume levels, so it still sounds good.

Channel 2 is the JCM 800 style channel, and serves that up just right. The bright switch is also quite useful at lower gain settings, but once you get above 7 or so you can barely tell it's on. I'm not sure if it even makes a difference when you pull out the boost on the lead gain, but I think I can hear a change. The gain is usable throughout the entire range, and pulled and pushed are kinda like two different voicings, so there's a lot of ability to customize the sound using the pull gain and the bright switches.

The presence and thump in the back are great as well, though they are more something I would set depending on the room I'm in, or the cabinet I'm using.

And speaking of that, this is the first time I REALLY got to put some volume through the Avatar cabinet with the M65 speakers as well, and I can say they are definitely some really nice speakers. I'm fairly certain that Avatar pretty much asked Fane to make some Creamback style speakers, but they definitely have their own voice. Nice and crunchy with a lot of definition. I'm going to make that my standard cab for a while, and hopefully break them in a bit more.

 

[Dutchman]

Friedman is really churning out some great sounding amps. I've only tried a couple and they sounded great!

[tbonesullivan]

23 minutes ago, Dutchman said:

Friedman is really churning out some great sounding amps. I've only tried a couple and they sounded great!

Definitely! Constructed like tanks and very well thought out. Like how the "Plex" amplifier solves so many issues with the OG Plexi with the internal jumpered channels, post Phase Inverter master volume, and the built in variac which also rebiases the power tubes.

[RobB]

That looks like a killer rig. Are you using the fx loop, and can stompers be used in it?

[tbonesullivan]

8 hours ago, RobB said:

That looks like a killer rig. Are you using the fx loop, and can stompers be used in it?

It's got the same series effects loop that is on the other Friedman amplifiers: "Ultra-transparent series effects loop handles your time-based effects pedals and rack units." I believe it is line level, but it's supposed go be VERY good. The information for the amp also definitely makes a big point of how well it takes pedals. I do have an effects unit and was going to see how well it worked with it once I really learn how to dial it in.

[LucSulla]

That's so rad. I had just bought a Plex when those were coming out, and I really shouldn't buy a 50 watt version of something I already have a 20 watt version of. 

I also need to buy two more of those Fanes. I love those speakers. I was playing a Quickrod through a Marshall 4x12 with two Greenbacks and two of those Fanes just the other night for the first time in a minute. They sound so damn rock 'n' roll. 

I have a sudden need to wake the neighbors. 

[BoogieMKIIA]

I was told the Avatar/Fane M65 is a great speaker. Didn't buy any because I have too many others sitting in boxes 

What do some of you do for a living, coping lots of cool gear? I may have to come out of retirement to catch up! Seriously, I enjoy seeing and hearing about all the cool stuff.

[scottcald]

Friedman just announced he's doing a Jose Arredondo model with basically all the mods Dave's aware of that Jose did.  It's in conjunction with the family so fully sanctioned.      Get your money ready.  

[LucSulla]

15 hours ago, BoogieMKIIA said:

What do some of you do for a living, coping lots of cool gear? I may have to come out of retirement to catch up! Seriously, I enjoy seeing and hearing about all the cool stuff.

I don't have kids but do have a tendency to over leverage. That's how I do it, lol.

[tbonesullivan]

On 1/8/2025 at 1:47 AM, LucSulla said:

That's so rad. I had just bought a Plex when those were coming out, and I really shouldn't buy a 50 watt version of something I already have a 20 watt version of. 

I also need to buy two more of those Fanes. I love those speakers. I was playing a Quickrod through a Marshall 4x12 with two Greenbacks and two of those Fanes just the other night for the first time in a minute. They sound so damn rock 'n' roll. 

I have a sudden need to wake the neighbors. 

Honestly, I had been pretty much on the ledge waiting for an "Open Box" JEL-20 to show up when the JEL-50 was announced. The only real reason I went with the 50 was so that I could use some SED Winged C EL34 tubes that I have.  I've got a matched quad from earlier and two matched sets from when Mesa was selling them. They are great tubes, so this will be where they end up. Definitely better than throwing them in a Mesa Stiletto or Royal Atlantic. I mean I love those amps but they don't have quite the mojo that the JEL does.

When I bought my Avatar 2x12, I remember the M65 Fanes being listed as on closeout along with the higher wattage version they made, but now they seem to have decided to keep offering them. People really seem to like them as an alternative to the Celestion M65 Creambacks.

 

23 hours ago, BoogieMKIIA said:

I was told the Avatar/Fane M65 is a great speaker. Didn't buy any because I have too many others sitting in boxes 

What do some of you do for a living, coping lots of cool gear? I may have to come out of retirement to catch up! Seriously, I enjoy seeing and hearing about all the cool stuff.

I just have no life, never take vacations, don't really drink or go out much. I have been buying and selling gear for around 20 years now so I've been selling off a bunch of old stuff to get some funds. I'm also always on the hunt for open box deals or great used stuff. Like when I got the JEL-50, I got $400 off because it was open box. Not a spot / scratch on it.

22 hours ago, scottcald said:

Friedman just announced he's doing a Jose Arredondo model with basically all the mods Dave's aware of that Jose did.  It's in conjunction with the family so fully sanctioned.      Get your money ready.  

OHHHH BOY. Also get ready to get in line. I wonder how many people who just got Friedman amps for Christmas are boxing them up to return after that announcement. I personally don't think I'll ever want another "Marshall" style amp than what I already have, especially now that I've got a JEL-50.

[bry4321]

The matching broom and Charvel is just showing off 😁

[tbonesullivan]

4 hours ago, bry4321 said:

The matching broom and Charvel is just showing off 😁

The charvel is great... sometimes. I am developing a love hate relationship with some parts of it. The neck is pretty small and fairly narrow, which is fine, but with the .009s on it getting any kind of palm muting is eluding me. the middle pickup being so close to the bridge pickup also is kinda annoying. I have also considered eventually getting the White / Lavender one, and then selling the "loser".

[RobB]

13 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said:

The charvel is great... sometimes. I am developing a love hate relationship with some parts of it. The neck is pretty small and fairly narrow, which is fine, but with the .009s on it getting any kind of palm muting is eluding me. the middle pickup being so close to the bridge pickup also is kinda annoying. I have also considered eventually getting the White / Lavender one, and then selling the "loser".

That’s interesting. I have a Fernandes JEL, and the middle pickup is not set as far forward as the blue model. Additionally, my neck has a slim, V-shape. Not a carve you normally find on shredders. Sort of a mash-up between a Dean and an EJ Strat. 

[tbonesullivan]

9 minutes ago, RobB said:

That’s interesting. I have a Fernandes JEL, and the middle pickup is not set as far forward as the blue model. Additionally, my neck has a slim, V-shape. Not a carve you normally find on shredders. Sort of a mash-up between a Dean and an EJ Strat. 

It seems almost like every new model has different pickup spacing. The ESP Jake E Lee models I have seen have the bridge pickup at least 1/4" closer to the neck, and the middle and neck pickups are also both closer to the neck. I watched the Premier Guitar rig rundown from before the JEL-100 was released, and he was talking about how his charvel had a "swimming pool" route because he changed pickup locations a bunch.

[RobB]

6 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said:

I watched the Premier Guitar rig rundown from before the JEL-100 was released, and he was talking about how his charvel had a "swimming pool" route because he changed pickup locations a bunch.

Mine has two Duncan SDS-1 and a Metal Fatigue. The single-coils are very hot,so I keep the middle pu down pretty low. The neck is higher to balance with the bridge hb. This crushes through my Soldano and Splawn heads. 

Edited January 9 by RobB