Friedman JEL-50 Jake E. Lee Signature 50-Watt Head

Jake E. Lee ranks high on the shortlist of influential gunslinger guitarists that emerged as the heroes of a new generation in the early 80s. Best known for the burning guitar work and innovative songwriting, Lee contributed to two of Ozzy Osbourne’s most revered albums, 1983s Bark at the Moon and 1986s Ultimate Sin.

With Ozzy, his post-Ozzy band, Badlands and most recently, with his own group, Red Dragon Cartel, Lees playing embraced the athleticism of the 80s while remaining firmly rooted in the hard rock fundamentals of the 70s. Jakes tonal choices provide the evolutionary glue between the sonics of those two great eras. Jake E Lee and Dave Friedman combined their legendary ears and talents to create the new Friedman JEL-50, a signature amplifier that offers Lees ultimate tones in a boutique hand-wired package.

In Lees own words, this amp puts the two specific tones I use to create my sound in one head: The sweetness and warmth of a classic Plexi and the more aggressive slant of the master volume amps of the 80s — all tweaked to my taste. Dave has an innate understanding of where Im coming from as a player and were alike in the way we hear tones. Dave doesnt hear things as a technician, he hears things like a musician, and that made him really easy to work with. I grew up in the 70s and those muscular, articulate rock tones were the tones I always sought, but I made a name for myself in the 80s when you needed a little more aggression and a little more scream. Ive always tried to retain a little of that 70s heart and I still do, and thats what this amp does — though its got plenty more on tap if you need it!

The JEL-50 was specifically designed to take pedals well especially boosts, ODs, phasers, flangers, tremolos, and wahs. The ultra-transparent buffered, series effects loop takes time-based effects pedals and rack units equally well. This is the exact same FX loop Friedman uses on all its amplifiers including the legendary BE-100. The head cabinet features beautiful red tolex, white piping and solid Baltic Birch construction.

SPECIFICATIONS:

50-Watt all-tube head
Two channels
Handwired in the USA
Custom USA made transformers
2 x EL34 power tubes
3 x 12AX7 preamp tubes
JEL channel – Gain, Master, 3-way Bright switch
JEL Channel Hi/Lo (Push pull gain switch)
Plexi channel – Gain, Volume, 3 way Bright Switch
EQ- Bass, Middle, Treble shared with Ch1 and CH2
Ultra-transparent series effects loop
Thump knob – ( Rear ) Varies lowered response of the amps power section
Presence – ( Rear) Varies high end content of the amps power section
Single button foot switch for channel selections
4, 8 and 16 ohm Impedance jacks
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions:8.75? (D) x 24? (W) x 10? (H)
Weight:33.5lbs

FRIEDMAN HISTORY:

Dave Friedman has been building, modding and repairing guitar rigs and amplifiers for many of the worlds biggest stars such as Eddie Van Halen, Jerry Cantrell, and Steve Stevens for the past 25 years. Friedmans innovative designs and meticulous construction have made him legendary in the world of professional touring musicians while earning him a loyal clientele from all over the world. One of Friedmans mainstays has been modifying amps to each players specific tonal palette, and to consult with other established amplifier companies to improve their own designs.