Friedman | Plex Vintage Series 50-watt Guitar Amp

Dave Friedman Realizes the Dream of Recreating His Personal Favorite “Plexi”-Style Amp Head with the Friedman Plex!

Dave Friedman’s personal 1968 JMP Super Lead “Plexi” not only kicked off the master amp builder's lifelong quest for tone—it inspired the entire Friedman Amplification product line! Now, the Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50-watt head represents the realization of the master amp builder’s dream to capture the magic of his own beloved “Plexi” amplifier!

As the first model in a new series of unique amps based on the classic amplifiers that influenced and shaped Friedman’s tonal signature—perhaps, unsurprisingly—the amp maker, in his own words, called the Vintage Series PLEX “my favorite.”

Untitled-2.jpg__PID:c7889114-c459-47dc-8413-ddc0acff5619

Fender Highways Series Event Featuring Julia Rizik

Join us at Chicago Music Exchange on Thursday, November 30, for a special Fender event introducing the new Highway Series guitars and featuring Fender artist Julia Rizik in CME’s Lincoln Avenue showroom!

In addition to a demonstration of the new series, guests will receive Fender-branded swag. Guests will also be invited to record themselves playing a Highway Series guitar to enter an exclusive raffle!

LEARN MORE ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS AT CME!

The Vintage Collection Begins with the Friedman Plex 50-Watt Amp Head!



Taking care to define and utilize the best modern construction techniques, Friedman has spared no expense to source the exact essential parts—including the perfect tubes to reproduce this amp’s character—to make the Friedman Plex a “verbatim sonic twin” of the builder’s all-time favorite amplifier.

Equipped with distinct Lead and Normal channels, each equipped with respective Volume controls, this 50-watt, 2-channel, EL34-driven amp head meticulously captures the essential “Plexi” tone and feel of Dave's revered 1968 JMP Super Lead, replicating the non-master volume performance of its predecessor—i.e., the harder you push these channels, the more the amp responds with increased saturation, harmonic richness, and sustained brilliance.

FRIEDMAN-PLEX-LS-30.jpg__PID:793795a4-6f3c-45ce-9a28-7fa68fd10455

Internal Channel Jumpering

Offering a seamless and convenient sound-shaping method that pays homage to the amp’s history, the Friedman PLEX features internal channel jumpering, which lets users easily blend the Lead and Normal channels to their ideal setting with the turn of a control knob, replicating the external blending technique used with vintage Plexi amplifiers.

Post-Phase Master Volume Control

Available in two configurations, the Dr. Z X-RAY amp head and 1x12 combo amp both come equipped with a tube-driven FX loop, letting users push signature voicing through the effects signal path of their choice without losing high-end, dynamics, or tone. The X-RAY 1x12 combo is outfitted with a striking quantum silver front valance and loaded with a WGS Retro 30—a 75-watt speaker that has become an overwhelming favorite in the Z test room, which was specifically chosen for this amp at the Doctor’s request.

Enhanced Tonal Flexibility

Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls comprise the Friedman Plex’s vintage-style tone stack with Hi and Low instrument inputs to sculpt a wide range of sounds and gain levels. The 3-position Bright switch adds even more flexibility for fine-tuning the amp’s top end to different guitars, pedals, and pickups.

Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head
Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head
Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head
Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head
Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head
Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head

Friedman Plex 1 Channel 50 Watt Tube Amp Head

$ 57,913.00

The PLEX is a “verbatim sonic-twin” of Dave’s all-time favorite amplifier – that special ‘68 JMP. Sparing no expense in time and effort, Dave took great care in defining and utilizing the best modern construction techniques, sourcing the exact parts and finding the perfect tubes to reproduce this amp’s character. The Friedman PLEX is, in Dave’s own words “my favorite”.

THE VINTAGE COLLECTION
The PLEX is the first model in the Friedman Vintage Collection – a series of unique amp designs based on the classic amplifiers that influenced and shaped Dave’s Friedman tonal signature. The Vintage Collection captures the sonic nostalgia and authenticity of yesteryear, while infusing decades of Dave’s knowledge into each design.

INTERNAL CHANNEL JUMPERING
The Friedman PLEX features internal channel jumpering, replicating the external blending technique used with vintage Plexi amplifiers. This feature lets you easily blend the Lead and Normal channels to perfection with the turn of a control knob. It’s a seamless and convenient sound-shaping method that pays homage to the amp’s history.

FRIEDMAN POST-PHASE MASTER VOLUME CONTROL
A modern twist on the PLEX’s vintage heritage is Dave Friedman’s master volume control. As the Normal and Lead channels’ gain increases, so does their volume. Dave’s innovative approach lets you bring the amp back to manageable levels, without sacrificing the tone or dynamic feel, he worked so hard to replicate. This unique post-phase master volume design ensured that, whether you’re unleashing the PLEX’s full power, or dialing it down for quieter settings, the amp’s inherent character and tonal richness remains intact.

AUTHENTIC PLEXI TONE
The PLEX is a 50-watt, 2-channel, EL34-driven design that meticulously captures the genuine Plexi tone and feel of Dave’s revered 1968 JMP Super Lead. Distinct Lead and Normal channels, each equipped with their own Volume controls, replicate the non-master volume performance of its predecessor perfectly. The harder you push these channels, the more the amp responds with increased saturation, harmonic richness and sustained brilliance.

TONAL FLEXIBILITY
Completing the PLEX’s sonic palette is a vintage-style tone stack comprising of Presence, Bass, Middle and Treble controls. This tone stack and the inclusion of Hi and Low instrument inputs allows you to sculpt a wide range of sounds and gain levels. The 3-position Bright switch further enhances the PLEX’s flexibility, fine-tuning the amp’s top end to different guitars, pedals, and pickups.

True to the Friedman standard, the PLEX boasts a bullet-proof design, unwavering build integrity, and top-tier components, guaranteeing that it will be a lifelong companion on your musical journey

FEATURES

  • 50-Watt All-Tube Head
  • Inspired by Dave Friedman’s favorite ‘68 JMP Super Lead Plexi
  • Channel 1 Volume (Lead spec channel)
  • Channel 2 Volume (Normal spec channel)
  • Internal Channel Jumpering
  • Post-Phase Master Volume Control
  • 3-Way Bright Switch Per Channel
  • Bass, Middle, Treble, And Global Presence
  • 2 X EL34 Power Tubes
  • 3 X 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
  • 4, 8, And 16-Ohm Impedance Jacks
  • Custom, USA-Made Transformers
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Dimensions: 8.75” (D) X 24” (W) X 10” (H)
  • Weight: 33.5 Lbs.
  • Assembled in the USA
View Details
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head
Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head

Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50w Guitar Amp Head

$ 57,913.00

Dave Friedman’s personal 1968 JMP Super Lead “Plexi” kicked off his lifelong quest for tone and inspired the entire Friedman Amplification product line. Friedman has earned the reputation of a master amp builder and capturing the magic of this unique amplifier has been his unrelenting passion-project for years.  The Friedman PLEX head is the realization of that dream.

The PLEX is a “verbatim sonic-twin” of Dave’s all-time favorite amplifier - that special ‘68 JMP. Sparing no expense in time and effort, Dave took great care in defining and utilizing the best modern construction techniques, sourcing the exact parts and finding the perfect tubes to reproduce this amp’s character.  The Friedman PLEX is, in Dave’s own words “my favorite.”

The Vintage Collection
The PLEX is the first model in the Friedman Vintage Collection – a series of unique amp designs based on the classic amplifiers that influenced and shaped Dave’s Friedman tonal signature.  The Vintage Collection captures the sonic nostalgia and authenticity of yesteryear, while infusing decades of Dave’s knowledge into each design.

Authentic Plexi Tone
The PLEX is a 50-watt, 2-channel, EL34-driven design that meticulously captures the genuine Plexi tone and feel of Dave's revered 1968 JMP Super Lead.  Distinct Lead and Normal channels, each equipped with their own Volume controls, replicate the non-master volume performance of its predecessor perfectly.  The harder you push these channels, the more the amp responds with increased saturation, harmonic richness and sustained brilliance.

Internal Channel Jumpering
The Friedman PLEX features internal channel jumpering, replicating the external blending technique used with vintage Plexi amplifiers. This feature lets you easily blend the Lead and Normal channels to perfection with the turn of a control knob. It’s a seamless and convenient sound-shaping method that pays homage to the amp’s history.

Friedman Post-Phase Master Volume Control
A modern twist on the PLEX's vintage heritage is Dave Friedman's master volume control. As the Normal and Lead channels' gain increases, so does their volume. Dave’s innovative approach lets you bring the amp back to manageable levels, without sacrificing the tone or dynamic feel, he worked so hard to replicate.  This unique post-phase master volume design ensured that, whether you're unleashing the PLEX's full power, or dialing it down for quieter settings, the amp's inherent character and tonal richness remains intact.

Tonal Flexibility
Completing the PLEX’s sonic palette is a vintage-style tone stack comprising of Presence, Bass, Middle and Treble controls. This tone stack and the inclusion of Hi and Low instrument inputs allows you to sculpt a wide range of sounds and gain levels. The 3-position Bright switch further enhances the PLEX’s flexibility, fine-tuning the amp’s top end to different guitars, pedals, and pickups.

True to the Friedman standard, the PLEX boasts a bullet-proof design, unwavering build integrity, and top-tier components, guaranteeing that it will be a lifelong companion on your musical journey.

Friedman Amplification PLEX 50-watt Head Specifications

  • 50-Watt All-Tube Head
  • Inspired by Dave Friedman’s favorite ‘68 JMP Super Lead Plexi
  • Channel 1 Volume (Lead spec channel)
  • Channel 2 Volume (Normal spec channel)
  • Internal Channel Jumpering
  • Post-Phase Master Volume Control
  • 3-Way Bright Switch Per Channel
  • Bass, Middle, Treble, And Global Presence
  • 2 X EL34 Power Tubes
  • 3 X 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
  • 4, 8, And 16-Ohm Impedance Jacks
  • Custom, USA-Made Transformers
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Dimensions: 8.75” (D) X 24” (W) X 10” (H)
  • Weight: 33.5 Lbs.
  • Assembled in the USA
View Details
FRIEDMAN-PLEX-LS-37.jpg__PID:be08a879-3795-446f-bce5-ceda287fa68f
FRIEDMAN-PLEX-LS-35.jpg__PID:09be08a8-7937-45a4-af3c-e5ceda287fa6
FRIEDMAN-PLEX-LS-13.jpg__PID:bc09be08-a879-4795-a46f-3ce5ceda287f

To hear the realization of Dave Friedman’s “Plexi”-style dreams, call CME, chat us online, or stop into our showroom today to plug your favorite guitar into the Friedman Plex Vintage Series 50-watt amplifier!

SHOP FRIEDMAN AMPLIFICATION

SHOP FRIEDMAN AMPLIFICATION

Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Signature 50w 2 Channel Valve Amp Head
Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Signature 50w 2 Channel Valve Amp Head
Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Signature 50w 2 Channel Valve Amp Head
Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Signature 50w 2 Channel Valve Amp Head

Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Signature 50w 2 Channel Valve Amp Head

$ 62,049.00
Friedman JEL-212 Jake E Lee Signature 2x12 Guitar Amp Cabinet w/ Celestion G12M Creamback Speakers
Friedman JEL-212 Jake E Lee Signature 2x12 Guitar Amp Cabinet w/ Celestion G12M Creamback Speakers
Friedman JEL-212 Jake E Lee Signature 2x12 Guitar Amp Cabinet w/ Celestion G12M Creamback Speakers
Friedman JEL-212 Jake E Lee Signature 2x12 Guitar Amp Cabinet w/ Celestion G12M Creamback Speakers

Friedman JEL-212 Jake E Lee Signature 2x12 Guitar Amp Cabinet w/ Celestion G12M Creamback Speakers

$ 20,683.00
Friedman IR-X Dual Channel Tube Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-X Dual Channel Tube Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-X Dual Channel Tube Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-X Dual Channel Tube Preamp Pedal

Friedman IR-X Dual Channel Tube Preamp Pedal

$ 8,398.00
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal

Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal

$ 8,832.00
Friedman IR-J All-Tube Jake E Lee Signature Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-J All-Tube Jake E Lee Signature Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-J All-Tube Jake E Lee Signature Preamp Pedal

Friedman IR-J All-Tube Jake E Lee Signature Preamp Pedal

$ 12,410.00
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2
Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2

Friedman PT-20 Pink Taco 20W EL84 Head V2

$ 27,633.00
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal
Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal

Friedman IR-D 2-Channel All-Tube High Voltage Preamp Pedal

$ 10,342.00
Friedman Classic Wah-Pedal w/(2) Rockboard Flat Patch Cables Bundle Effects and Pedals / Wahs and Filters
Friedman Classic Wah-Pedal w/(2) Rockboard Flat Patch Cables Bundle Effects and Pedals / Wahs and Filters

Friedman Classic Wah-Pedal w/(2) Rockboard Flat Patch Cables Bundle

$ 2,989.00

Related Posts

Introducing | Hiwatt & WEM Amplifiers

Unleash the sound of rock history with Hiwatt and WEM amplifiers at Chicago Music Exchange! From the bold clarity of Hiwatt, a cornerstone of classic British rock favored by legends like The Who and Pink Floyd, to the vintage warmth of WEM, which powered unforgettable performances of the '60s and '70s, these amps deliver iconic tones with unmatched quality. Shop Hiwatt and WEM amplifiers in-store, online, or on the CME App, and bring the golden age of rock to your sound!

Read more

Teenage Engineering | OP-XY

The OP–XY is an advanced, all-in-one synthesizer and composer designed to empower creativity in a streamlined, portable form. With a powerful 64-step sequencer and 24-voice polyphony, this innovative groove-box offers precise, direct sequencing abilities, allowing users to build complex tracks layer by layer. Its high connectivity includes MIDI, CV, sync, and gate support, USB-C, and Bluetooth MIDI, making it adaptable for any studio setup.

Read more