The Friedman Smallbox Custom Shop 50W 3-channel guitar amp head takes the Smallbox legacy to all new heights, adding a powerful third channel and expanded tone-shaping capabilities. Built with boutique-level precision and loaded with Custom Shop upgrades, this fresh take on Friedman's famed all-tube head delivers exceptional range—from sparkling cleans to classic British crunch to heavy-hitting modern distortion. A third, footswitchable boost channel adds more sonic firepower and tonal flexibility than ever before. Fitted with a pair of EL34 power tubes, custom USA-made transformers and hand-wired circuits, this head is designed for discerning players who want refined tones, vintage warmth and cutting-edge performance—all in a rugged, stage-ready package.
Three Channels, One Unstoppable Voice
At the heart of the Smallbox Custom Shop is its three-channel design, which gives players a wide palette of tones to work with. The Clean/Plexi channel captures the glassy headroom and midrange chime of a vintage British amp, while the Gain channel layers on Friedman's signature grit and harmonic complexity. The new Boost channel is a completely fresh design—no mod clone here—bringing saturated richness and compressed punch that's ideal for searing leads and articulate rhythm work. Each channel has its own master volume, so you can dial in levels independently and switch between textures effortlessly during a set or session.
Shared EQ With Deep Tone-Sculpting Tools
While all three channels share a powerful three-band EQ, the Smallbox Custom Shop also gives you expanded tone-shaping controls. A three-way bright switch on the Clean/Plexi channel lets you fine-tune its top end—from dark and mellow to snappy and present. Around back, Friedman's Presence and Thump knobs provide additional control over your high-end sheen and low-end punch, perfect for dialing in your response based on cabinet, room or genre. Whether you're pushing bluesy breakup or chasing high-gain heat, the EQ and voicing flexibility ensure your tone stays rich, responsive and fully in control at all times.
Studio-Grade FX Loop and Pro-Ready Design
Friedman's ultratransparent series FX loop is a standout feature for pedal lovers and studio players. Designed to preserve your tone at any gain level, this loop keeps your time-based effects—such as delay, reverb or modulation—clear and defined, even in the dirtiest settings. Combined with top-quality tubes (two EL34s and three 12AX7s), rugged hand-wired construction and custom transformers, the Smallbox Custom Shop is engineered for reliability as well as exceptional tone. It's equally at home on a high-profile tour or in a boutique recording studio, where clarity, response and tonal versatility are critical to your workflow.
Custom Shop Looks and Built-in Friedman Mojo
Just as refined in appearance as it is in tone, the Smallbox Custom Shop channels the bold styling of Friedman's BE-100 Deluxe while showcasing a host of premium Custom Shop appointments. Its compact but commanding chassis features a clean control layout, sturdy metalwork and boutique cosmetics that look as good in the studio as they do under stage lights. The included two-button footswitch makes navigating channels seamless, whether you're running a tight pedalboard setup or switching on the fly. At just 33.5 lb., it's remarkably portable for a full-fledged tube head—but don't mistake its size for subtlety.
An All-Tube Modern Classic With Unlimited Range
The Friedman Smallbox Custom Shop 50W 3-channel guitar amp head isn't just a reinvention—it's a complete tonal statement. Whether you're a tone chaser building a studio rig or a gigging pro who needs wide-ranging dynamics and dead-on reliability, this all-tube amp head delivers. The addition of the new boost channel, expanded EQ features and that signature Friedman build quality makes it more than a vintage tribute—it's a forward-looking tool built for today's guitarist. Pair it with your favorite cab, stack it with effects or run it clean and direct—the Smallbox Custom Shop always sounds huge, alive and unmistakably Friedman.