Friedman BE-Mini Head review

How does a head this small – and affordable – sound so huge?

Friedman BE Mini
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

Dave Friedman's tone magic for a fraction of the price? The BE Mini makes those boutique Marshall-inspired tones accessible for the many, with its solid-state build revealing its sweet spots without the ear-piercing volume.

Pros

  • +

    Gnarly hot-rodded Marshall tones at low volumes.

  • +

    Compact and affordable.

  • +

    Effects loop.

Cons

  • -

    No clean channel.

  • -

    A little hissy for silent recording.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Dave Friedman’s guitar amp design career stretches back over 25 years, during which he’s been a jealously guarded secret for many of the world’s top players, including legends like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Stevens, alongside contemporary wizards like George Pajon Jr. and the astonishing Doug Rappoport to name a few. 

There was a time when Friedman’s legendary amp tuning and building skills were only available to guitarists who had achieved a certain degree of notoriety; happily, his supercharged vintage Marshall-inspired signature tones are available to us all today, with a generously large and varied catalogue including heads and combos and pedals, not to mention a new range of guitars co-designed with the legendary Grover Jackson in the pipeline.

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Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy was Guitarist magazine's amp guru for over 20 years. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. He passed away suddenly in April 2024, leaving a legacy of amplifier wisdom behind him.