Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (10)
$3,999.99
Guitar Center
4.0 (5)
$3,999.99
Amazon
$3,999.99
Reverb
4.0 (21)
$1,899.00 11 available Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (3)
$3,999.99
zZounds
$3,999.99
Thomann
5.0 (4)
$4,599.00 $4,555.00 $44.00 · All time low

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

What tonal characteristics can I expect from the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head?

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.

Does the Friedman BE-100 amp head handle pedals well?

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.

Is the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head suitable for gigging?

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.

What kind of power tubes does the Friedman BE-100 use?

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.

Can the Friedman BE-100 be used for both clean and high-gain tones?

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.

Mark Day Guitar

Mark Day Guitar

Friedman BE-100 with Phil X

Video thumbnail for Friedman BE-100 with Phil X by Mark Day Guitar

Friedman BE-100 with Phil X

Mark Day Guitar

Mark Day Guitar

Video thumbnail for Friedman BE100 Tube Amp Demo by Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Friedman BE100 Tube Amp Demo by Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for GAK DEMO : Friedman BE-100 Brown Eye 100W Head & 4X12 Cab by GAK

GAK DEMO : Friedman BE-100 Brown Eye 100W Head & 4X12 Cab

GAK

GAK

Reviews

PROS

  • Outperforms classic Marshall amps in versatility and tone

  • Two great sounding channels with a boost option for varied music styles

  • Removes the need for several pedals, enhancing board simplicity

  • Articulate sound quality, no "mush", even at high gain levels

  • Cleans up nicely with guitar volume, offering dynamic playability

  • Transparent effects loop doesn't color the sound

  • Preferred by experienced musicians for live and studio use

  • Can mimic tones from classic rock to modern metal effectively

CONS

  • Some units may have reliability issues

  • Tone might be too dark or "blanketed" for some preferences

  • 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

  • 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.

    Source
  • 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

  • The voicing switches are particularly beneficial for those recording multiple layers or using a single guitar for diverse musical parts.

    Source
  • Owners note that the Friedman amps don't experience the volume jump issue found in Mesa's higher gain channels, providing a more consistent output.

    Source

Comparisons

  • 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

  • The Brown Eye excels in delivering tones from classic rock to metal, suitable for players seeking a Van Halen or beyond sound.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • While the Friedman is more expensive, its straightforward usability and British sound make it appealing for those preferring a less complicated setup.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Friedman Brown Eye BE100 Amplifier – MusicPlayers.com

musicplayers.com

Friedman's Brown Eye BE100 is a high-gain beast, delivering monster tones for rock and metal that leave players grinning. Its boutique, hand-wired build ensures top-notch quality, capturing the modded Marshall sound revered by legends like Eddie Van Halen. While the tone is glorious, some usability issues exist, such as inconvenient toggle placement and the effects loop's volume control quirkiness. Despite these niggles, the amp's dynamic range and tone versatility make it a standout choice for serious musicians. At $3,699, it's a pricey investment, but one that delivers a uniquely compelling soundscape.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 23 Ratings

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4 star
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mark_chatfield

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.......

michaelguy

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
See how Dave Grohl uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Dave Grohl

Guitarist, Drummer

Nirvana

...
Verified via YouTube

He used this amp when he performed at the Kennedy Center for a tribute performance to Led Zeppelin.

See how Daron Malakian uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Daron Malakian

Singer, Guitarist

System of a Down

...
Verified via Photo

in screenshot you can see Daron using Friedman BE100

See how Chris Shiflett uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Chris Shiflett

Guitarist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Misha Mansoor uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Misha Mansoor

Guitarist, Drummer

Periphery

...
Verified via YouTube

0:53 in this video by periphery you can see the brown eye in misha mansoors apartment.

See how Bill Kelliher uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Bill Kelliher

Singer, Guitarist

Mastodon

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Richie Sambora uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Richie Sambora

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via Rig-talk

Richie Sambora uses the Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, as shown in the Rig-talk forum image.

See how Steve Stevens uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Steve Stevens

Guitarist

Michael Jackson (band)

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

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.

See how Toru Yamashita uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Toru Yamashita

Guitarist

One Ok Rock

...
Verified via Free The Tone

In this article you can see toru use the AMP at ONE OK ROCK 2017“Ambitions”JAPAN TOUR

See how Will Swan uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Will Swan

Guitarist

Dance Gavin Dance

...
Verified via guitarworld

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.

See how Lzzy Hale uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Lzzy Hale

Singer, Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video, Lzzy Hale is seen playing through a Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head, paired with a matching cabinet.

See how Nick Johnston uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Nick Johnston

Guitarist, Composer

Mastodon

...
Verified via YouTube

In the description of the video he states his amp is the "Friedman BE100".

See how Phil X uses Friedman Brown Eye 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Phil X

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

"I'm plugged into the Friedman Brown Eye, which is a kick-ass high-powered amp we're talking a 100 watts" - Phil X at :10s of this #product-demo.

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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