Friedman Jake E. Lee Signature 20 2-Channel 20-Watt Head EL84 Tubes Series Red Tolex

Following the massively successful release of the limited-edition JEL-100 signature head, Jake E. Lee and Dave Friedman teamed up again to combine their legendary ears and talents to create the new Jake E. Lee 20 Head, a signature amplifier that offers Lee’s ultimate tones in a compact 20-watt package.

The JEL-20 is a two channel, EL-84 powered all-tube fire breather. In Lee’s 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.”

The Jake E. Lee 20 Head features an internal load and cab-simulated XLR output. Comparing this analog circuit to some of the most intricate computer-based IRs, Dave Friedman achieved a direct output you can proudly send to front of house or use in the studio. The JEL-20 also allows you to play “silently,” meaning you can safely play the amp without having a speaker cabinet connected. The XLR output includes a ground-lift, level, and center/edge of speaker cone simulation switches.

The JEL-20 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.

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 his burning guitar work and innovative songwriting, Lee contributed to two of Ozzy Osbourne’s most revered albums, 1983’s Bark at the Moon and 1986’s Ultimate Sin.

With Ozzy, his post-Ozzy band, Badlands, and most recently, with his own group Red Dragon Cartel, Lee’s playing embraced the athleticism of the ‘80s while remaining firmly rooted in the hard rock fundamentals of the ‘70s. Lee’s tonal choices provide the evolutionary glue between the sonics of those two great eras.