For 25 years, Dave Friedman has been creating amplifiers that helped him (eh-hem) acquire amp-guru standing. His limited-run Jake E. Lee signature JEL-100 met with sufficient demand that he’s now providing a 20-watt model.

A two-channel/EL-84 head, the JEL-20 is roofed in fire-red tolex with contrasting white piping that instantly catches the attention, particularly when paired with the matching 1×12 closed-back cab (housing a Celestion Creamback).

The amp’s two channels share front-panel controls for Treble, Mid, and Bass, together with a small slider swap to interact Saturation. Unbiased for every channel are Grasp quantity/output, Acquire controls, and a Brilliant swap for channel one. Channel switching is achieved by way of footswitch or a small slider above the Acquire 2 knob, which additionally has a pull perform. The rear panel hosts an results loop, direct out, footswitch jack, and Presence knob.

Channel one presents a cleaner fundamental tone derived from Lee’s affinity for traditional plexi amps. With its Grasp and Acquire set at midday, a Les Paul and Telecaster yielded open, percussive tones. Although rated at solely 20 watts, the amp is loud. Bump the controls previous 2 o’clock and it emits heat, creamy tones; crank the Grasp for full-on classic-rock sounds that clear up properly with guitar’s Quantity rolled off, particularly with the Brilliant swap engaged.

Based mostly on the ’80s Grasp-Quantity amps Lee used with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands (and now with Crimson Dragon Cartel), channel two (referred to as “JEL” within the guide) picks up the place channel one leaves off, livening the sound with extra acquire and maintain for a decent, muscular tone that feels nice below the fingers.

For fast entry to Lee’s signature high-gain tones, transfer the Saturation swap, have interaction the pull on Acquire 2, and luxuriate in a liquid maintain the place decide harmonics soar off the fretboard, bolstered by saturation and maintain that stays clear and articulate. Bluesy licks sing with a vocal high quality you’ve gotta hear to consider. Presence set at 2 o’clock labored effectively, giving each channels a just-right edge and brilliance.

The JEL-20 boasts spectacular lower-gain and pushed plexi tones, however gamers of a sure ilk will likely be downright captivated with its Lee-approved high-gain sounds and tone-shaping functionality.

This text initially appeared in VG’s November 2023 problem. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.