Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $3,779
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your musical prowess with the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, an all-tube marvel that embodies the quintessence of British-style amplifiers. This hand-wired beast is capable of delivering a robust low-end, a striking punch, and can handle the most demanding pedalboards with grace. Its distinct features and superior sound quality make it an essential addition to any guitarist's gear collection.
Key Features:
- Power Section: Employs an EL34 power section and 12AX7 preamp for a potent and dynamic sound output.
- Controls: Comes with master volume/gain, a three-band EQ, presence, and a three-way bright toggle on the Clean channel for versatile sound sculpting.
- Channel Design: Features a three-channel design with SAT, FAT, C45, and Voice switches for a wide range of tonal possibilities.
- Additional Features: Equipped with a line out with level control, an onboard effects loop, and supports 4/8/16 ohm operation modes.
Product specs
| Brand | Friedman |
| Model | BE-100 Brown Eye 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black, Ivory |
| Year | 2009 - 2017 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | No Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | EL34 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What tonal characteristics can I expect from the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head?
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The Friedman Brown Eye is renowned for its high-gain, British-inspired tones, reminiscent of classic rock and 1980s metal. It delivers a powerful, punchy sound with rich harmonics and excellent note definition, making it ideal for players seeking a versatile amp with a classic rock edge.
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Does the Friedman BE-100 amp head handle pedals well?
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Yes, the Friedman BE-100 is known for its excellent pedal compatibility. Its transparent effects loop and dynamic response make it a great platform for integrating overdrive, modulation, and time-based effects into your setup.
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Is the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head suitable for gigging?
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Absolutely, the Friedman BE-100 is designed for live performance with its 100-watt power output providing plenty of headroom for large venues. Its robust construction and versatile tone controls make it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
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What kind of power tubes does the Friedman BE-100 use?
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The Friedman BE-100 uses EL34 power tubes, which contribute to its distinctive British-style tone, offering a blend of warmth and aggression suited for rock and metal genres.
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Can the Friedman BE-100 be used for both clean and high-gain tones?
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Yes, the Friedman BE-100 features two channels that allow for both sparkling clean tones and saturated high-gain sounds. Its flexible EQ and gain controls enable players to dial in a wide range of tonal options.
Videos
Mark Day Guitar
Friedman BE-100 with Phil X
Reviews
PROS
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Outperforms classic Marshall amps in versatility and tone
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Two great sounding channels with a boost option for varied music styles
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Removes the need for several pedals, enhancing board simplicity
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Articulate sound quality, no "mush", even at high gain levels
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Cleans up nicely with guitar volume, offering dynamic playability
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Transparent effects loop doesn't color the sound
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Preferred by experienced musicians for live and studio use
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Can mimic tones from classic rock to modern metal effectively
CONS
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Some units may have reliability issues
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Tone might be too dark or "blanketed" for some preferences
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Negative reviews question its quality compared to alternatives
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head.
Features and functionality
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The newer BE-100 models include switches for altering voicings and clipping structures, offering greater control over tone nuances like brightness and fullness.
Source -
A 50-watt switch is highlighted as essential for managing the amp's high volume levels, making it adaptable to different settings.
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The Friedman is noted for being more straightforward to dial in compared to Mesa amps, which often require extensive tweaking to achieve desired tones.
Source
User experience
Comparisons
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The Friedman Brown Eye is described as a 'Marshall on steroids', providing highs and mids with a British sound, contrasting with Mesa's American-style, mid-scooped tone.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Brown Eye excels in delivering tones from classic rock to metal, suitable for players seeking a Van Halen or beyond sound.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 23 Ratings
Fantastic !
Incredibly articulate....no "mush". Gain for days, if you need it. Cleans up with the guitar volume control. Transparent fx loop. All good....nothing bad.......
84
Best plexi build I have seen
The best plexi build I have seen. I prefer my blades firebolt but I take this on the road.
Artist usage
Add artist
He used this amp when he performed at the Kennedy Center for a tribute performance to Led Zeppelin.
Excerpt from source interview: CS: "Probably the newest thing that I've added to my rig is a Friedman Brown Eye.I just love that amp; I can't rave enough about it. It's just outstanding. It's bold and it gives you a little more leeway. Plus there's a lot of definition."
Original interview from December 2013 can be found here.
0:53 in this video by periphery you can see the brown eye in misha mansoors apartment.
At 7:46 of this Rig Rundown for Bill Kelliher Lethargy, Today Is The Day, and Mastadon, he shows his Friedman BE 100 Watts Head Amplifier.
Richie Sambora uses the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, as shown in the Rig-talk forum image.
Steve Stevens uses a pair of Friedman amplifier heads, including the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head (often mistakenly referred to as a B100) and a Steve Stevens SS100, as confirmed by John Bohlinger in the "Steve Stevens Rig Rundown" on Premier Guitar.
In this article you can see toru use the AMP at ONE OK ROCK 2017“Ambitions”JAPAN TOUR
In a 2020 interview, Swan says he recently switched to Friedman amp heads from Orange. In their Afterburner live show you can see a BE-100 sitting atop Will’s stack.
In the YouTube video, Lzzy Hale is seen playing through a Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, paired with a matching cabinet.
Album Usage
The Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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