Owned them both. Still have the Shiva (KT88 version). Nothing bad to say about the Friedman but, for my needs, the Shiva is better in a live setting in a 10 piece band-horns, multiple singers etc. 90 watts vs. 50 watts isn't apples for apples I realize but the Shiva is just bigger in all respects and therefore able to hold its own in the heat of battle. The clean sound of the Friedman is wonderful but breaks up too soon if you're battling the horn section. Plus, the Shiva is more versatile with footswitch able boosts for clean and dirty channels. Then, with the push of a button on the front panel, you can "re-voice" the dirty channels for a more modern gain tone. I never really know if an amp is for me until I'm in a live setting. I've fallen in love with so many amps in the store or in my studio that haven't made the cut after giving them a battle test.
I have both of these amps. Running them together on an ABY, they compliment really well. Bogner has that low mid magic, and the WWSB is more "in your face" and immediate with upper mid sizzle. Together, they create an amazing wall of sound.
Agree with Nikos! The Friedman sounds absolutely perfect for a band mix as well as sounding just great by itself. I actually do like the grainy character of the 20th Ann. Shiva, however Friedman wins hands down for me!!
@@blakemansfield2356 That is true. Bogner has this "thing" that really is unique, to Bogner. And it has a very interesting thing it does to your tone. It's an angry mid range thing.
They both have their “thing” going on for sure! I’d go Smallbox for the win here. How bout Smallbox VS Ecstacy 3534...? Loved the 3534 demos so much, I bought one!!
Blake Mansfield Arrives this Friday! Hard to keep my mind on work with such an event on the near horizon!! Hoping to do a little demo video... maybe a dorky unboxing reveal! 😆😆😜
Thoughts of the Smallbox vs Bogner 3534? Have a Smallbox and was thinking the 3534 would complement . Or do the overlap a bit? Had a 20th Shiva, wish still had it. The cleans on that Shiva still haunt me...
BriziBoyz They definitely overlap but the 3534 can get more aggressive with it’s 3rd channel. The Wildwood Smallbox though can get you right there. I’d say the Friedman is closer to the traditional Marshall sound but tweaked to perfection. 3534 has a little more of its own unique flavor. Really hard to say man- both are fantastic. I say give it a shot. Easy resale if you don’t dig it!
Damn I am literally in the market for the same. Considering the smallbox WW, SLO 30, or the XTC 3534. With COVID, there’s no chance in test driving any unfortunately.... so have to go off of the RU-vids and recommendations. Can the WW smallbox really get that much nastier, more metal? Is it less “wooly” than the XTC? Maybe in between the SLO and the XTC?
The Bogner seems to have this purring to every note while the Friedman is more glassy and clean even though I suppose the gain levels are about same here. The Bogner also has a more sticky sound to every pick attack while the Friedman sounds rounder and softer at the touch of the pick.
So what would you say is your favourite amp/amps (of all time) for this bluesy style of playing like you do in this video? I dont mean between these two amps in particular but of any amps :) I bet it can be hard to answer as you seem to have played A LOT of great amps.. I own a Friedman JJ Jr and its the first really good amp I own. I like it a lot. I play almost only on the BE channel though with medium high gain and often with the guitar volume rolled back for bluesy tones.. I think I like the Marshally style amps best in general for bluesy style playing.
I had a 20th Shiva for a minute......and just couldn’t bond with it. I later saw people running EL-34’s in them and it seemed to remedy everything. I was surprised by the Small Box in this clip.....Warm, punchy, & clear. The SB I played sounded pretty dark and lacked the character I hear in this clip. It was however the combo version SB so that’s probably why? If you haven’t played/heard the Shiva 20th with EL-34’s.....You are in for a treat. It’s a different amp with those tubes. V30’s I assume in that Bogner cab? Was it cranking hard? Great clip thanks for sharing........
I've heard that 34s in the 20th Shiva is really cool. Never got a chance to try that. This Friedman is the Wildwood version that has 3rd channel, which is basically just a saturation switch with its own master volume.
I had a Smallbox and still have an old vertical input 2203. Plugged both into my Marshall 4x12 with Vintage 30s, there was no comparison. The 2203 with an OCD overdrive sounded huge and had way more thump and much better overall sound than the Friedman. The Friedman was nice but comparing it next to a real 2203 was eye opening.
@@JeffersonvHamilton And did you put the OCD in front of the Smallbox as well? Because that would be more fair! A 2203 without a boost is nothing….People seem to forget that almost any amp benefits from a boost. just lower the gain just like a 2203 and put a boost in front.
