Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

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therizzla
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Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by therizzla » Fri May 09, 2025 1:41 pm

I've been looking into a pedal for some more "British" flavored gain tones through my Twin Reverb and I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up a Barber Direct Drive of some version but I'm not sure which yet. I researched several "MIAB" pedals including the SL Drive and DLS but I really like what I've heard from/about Barber. I'm not a Marshall guy and I don't expect it to be a prefect JCM800 clone or anything, I just want to added that flavor, if that makes sense, and maybe get some palm muting action out of my Twin. Not looking for metal tones, more 70's rock through 90's alternative.

These are the two I'm most interested in so far:

The V4, compacter with lots of options
The SS, more gain

Let me know what ya'll think of any version, please! Do they stack well with other pedals?
reverb.

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marqueemoon
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Re: Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by marqueemoon » Fri May 09, 2025 2:46 pm

I used to have a big box one. I think it’s good for mid gain stuff. As you push the gain lower it’s midrange city which I didn’t care for.

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beauzooka
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Re: Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by beauzooka » Fri May 09, 2025 4:09 pm

I'd just get the DD V4 - it has some great midrange/gain toggles to cover all of the bases. I have a current Gain Changer, which is functionally similar but not Marshally, and it's very flexible and useful.

From the Barber DD copy:
"We packed the most desirable sounds of the Direct Drive, Direct Drive Low Gain (LG) and Super Sport into one clean and compact pedal."

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Re: Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by stevejamsecono » Mon May 12, 2025 6:43 pm

Funny this got posted today, I've got a V2 and a Gain Charger both showing up this week so I'll definitely shared my thoughts.

I had a V2 years ago and loved it with my small solid state practice amp, but hated it with my AC15. I've got it now as a backline buster, so we'll see how it does on that.
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therizzla
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Re: Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by therizzla » Tue May 13, 2025 6:33 am

stevejamsecono wrote:
Mon May 12, 2025 6:43 pm
Funny this got posted today, I've got a V2 and a Gain Charger both showing up this week so I'll definitely shared my thoughts.

I had a V2 years ago and loved it with my small solid state practice amp, but hated it with my AC15. I've got it now as a backline buster, so we'll see how it does on that.
Good to know with solid state amp as I also use Peaveys and Quilters and not a lot gain of pedals do really well on both tube and SS in my experience. Which SS amp did you use it with?

I have very little Vox experience but from my understanding they don't jive well with many pedals, at least not like Fender.
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stevejamsecono
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Re: Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

Post by stevejamsecono » Tue May 13, 2025 7:50 am

therizzla wrote:
Tue May 13, 2025 6:33 am
stevejamsecono wrote:
Mon May 12, 2025 6:43 pm
Funny this got posted today, I've got a V2 and a Gain Charger both showing up this week so I'll definitely shared my thoughts.

I had a V2 years ago and loved it with my small solid state practice amp, but hated it with my AC15. I've got it now as a backline buster, so we'll see how it does on that.
Good to know with solid state amp as I also use Peaveys and Quilters and not a lot gain of pedals do really well on both tube and SS in my experience. Which SS amp did you use it with?

I have very little Vox experience but from my understanding they don't jive well with many pedals, at least not like Fender.
It was the lowliest of Yamaha practice amps, a YC10 I think? Honestly sounded not unlike a Vox amp when cranked, but for whatever reason it loved that little Direct Drive.
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam

Resident Yamaha Fanboy

COYS

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