Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

[BluesGuyJ2]

I saw my local GC has a Pink Taco used for $999. I grabbed my Les Paul Elegant and spent about an hour with it. It was plugged into a 412 and sounded amazing. It was extremely loud for 20 watts and could surely handle any of the gigging situations I typically find myself in. I then got setup with the Runt 20. The PT seemed to have a bit more brilliance, gain on tap, clarity and bite. The Runt sounded/felt smoother, a bit darker in the tone stack, and perhaps more modern sounding than modded old school, like the PT? The cleans on the Runt were pretty impressive, and it seems like a very versatile amp. With the PT, I was setting the preamp gain to maybe 1/4 or 1/3 and with the volume/tone controls on my LP, was getting some good bluesy clean tones. It could get into some rocky R&B type tones, and I'm interested to see how it would clean up with my Tele or Strat. Interestingly, the Runt 20 felt a lot loss powerful/loud than the PT, which was also going thorugh a 412. I'm really tempted to go snag the PT for $999, but need another amp like a hole in my head. How does the PT take pedals? f

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

Friedmans are fantastic and I would jump on that PT for $999. Try to work GC down too =D. All Friedman's take pedals extremely well. The Runt is probably really cool too, but has a different vibe than the PT. I believe the Runt is Friedman's first non hand wired amp, hence the cost is a little lower, albiet not cheap, than some of the others including the PT.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

The Pink Taco is flipping awesome!!! LOL, when I got the chance to try it out I was at a local music store and my buddy asked me "do you want to play through a Pink Taco???" "Of course I want to play through something called a Pink Taco!!!" I hadn't heard of it before that moment, so I had no idea who made it until I saw it! Once I realized what it was I knew I was in for a treat & it wasn't just a gimmicky name. I was completely blown away by its tone! It instantly became one of my bucket list amps & I usually don't take to amplifiers that quickly...

 

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

I know its a great deal, but I am blind and trying to get around with a head and cab for live gigs is tough. Right now, I got a combo in one hand, guitar on my back, pedal bag over one shoulder and my cane in my other hand; one trip from a cab or friends car. Head and cab is two trips, and gets complicated. With that said, I know they now make a PT in a 110 and I could always have my local amp tech (Allston AMps, who has built me two DUmble style amps) put this into a 112 combo of some sort and make it look good.

 

[FIREpunkMEDIC]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

Hey! I am between the Runt, Pink Taco, or an Orange Rockerverb MKIII 50w 2x12. Playing an aggressive style like a Teenage Bottlerocket, or Lillingtons. Basically kinda ramones based punk with some power pop elements to it. Any thoughts?

 

[mantis]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

I never see these amps anywhere. Like most other very nice amps, it's extremely hard at least around the Phila, Pa area to try out a nice amp.
Thank god for Russo's Music who carries Mesa Boogie or I would have never plugged into one.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

Brad King had his store about 20 miles from my house so I was fortunate enough to be able to play through the BE-100, the SS-100 and an actual '68 Plexi. All three amps were pure magic.
Shortly after that things went downhill for Brad.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

The PT20 is a real winner. Sweet classic Marshall character, only at a slightly more reasonable volume. (Still a loud little thing though.) I run mine with a single Vintage 30 in an oversized cab designed to sound like a 4x12. The combination is just fantastic.

The only area where the Pink Taco comes up a bit short is for strong punchy cleans playing loud- no 20W amp is gonna do that. Also, it doesn't do supertight low end chunk when it's cranked. Yes, it has plenty of gain and a master volume control. But at its heart this is an old school amp. It was built for hot rodded vintage-Marshall tone. And that it does very, very well.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

The PT20 is a real winner. Sweet classic Marshall character, only at a slightly more reasonable volume. (Still a loud little thing though.) I run mine with a single Vintage 30 in an oversized cab designed to sound like a 4x12. The combination is just fantastic.

The only area where the Pink Taco comes up a bit short is for strong punchy cleans playing loud- no 20W amp is gonna do that. Also, it doesn't do supertight low end chunk when it's cranked. Yes, it has plenty of gain and a master volume control. But at its heart this is an old school amp. It was built for hot rodded vintage-Marshall tone. And that it does very, very well.

I forget... Does the PT have a resonance control? I'm thinking no. Adding one would give you that chunk.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

I forget... Does the PT have a resonance control? I'm thinking no. Adding one would give you that chunk.

No resonance control. I haven't found myself wishing for more low end. It's a perfect classic-Marshall tone and I have other amps I can turn to for cleans or tight chunk. Though it's no Recto, the Taco doesn't lack fullness- just has a looser feel than modern style amps.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Played through Friedmans for the first time: Pink Taco and Runt 20

Any Friedman I have tried has been wonderful with any pedals I've used them with. Just amazing amps.