Friedman’s VX-30 pairs EL84 power with blendable British-style voices

Friedman’s VX-30 range brings a 30-watt head and 2×12 combo to its Vintage Series, alongside a matching VX-212 cabinet. The manufacturer describes a design inspired by a 1963 copper-panel amplifier with a Top Boost circuit.

The practical feature is channel blending. Normal and Brilliant operate in phase, letting players combine their levels. Brilliant has Volume, Treble and Bass controls; Normal adds a three-position voice selector. A global Cut control and master volume complete the main tone-shaping options.

Both amplifier formats use four EL84 power tubes and a 5AR4 rectifier. The combo includes two Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. The separate open-back VX-212 also carries two Blues and has a nominal 16-ohm impedance.

For guitarists comparing formats, the choice is straightforward: the combo packages amplifier and speakers together, while the head leaves cabinet selection separate. These are manufacturer specifications, not conclusions from a hands-on test.

Friedman lists the head at $2,799.99, combo at $3,599.99 and cabinet at $1,499.99, in black or ivory. Availability can vary by seller; check the chosen seller before ordering.

Want to explore another EL84-powered Friedman design? Read our Pink Taco V2 guide.