Barber Direct Drive experiences? differences?

[therizzla]

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?

[marqueemoon]

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.

[beauzooka]

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."

[stevejamsecono]

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.

[therizzla]

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.

[stevejamsecono]

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.

[NICQ]

I got the DD v4 couple of months ago and really like it - like all Barber pedals it has a great overall voicing and reacts nicely to touch sensitivity.
The switches add versatility for mids (scooped/normal/prominent) and gain (low/med/hi) to match it to your amp and your sound preference.

Haven't had the older versions so I can't comment on the differences...

[therizzla]

I got the DD v4 couple of months ago and really like it - like all Barber pedals it has a great overall voicing and reacts nicely to touch sensitivity.
The switches add versatility for mids (scooped/normal/prominent) and gain (low/med/hi) to match it to your amp and your sound preference.

Haven't had the older versions so I can't comment on the differences...

What kind of amp(s) are you playing it through?

[NICQ]

I got the DD v4 couple of months ago and really like it - like all Barber pedals it has a great overall voicing and reacts nicely to touch sensitivity.
The switches add versatility for mids (scooped/normal/prominent) and gain (low/med/hi) to match it to your amp and your sound preference.

Haven't had the older versions so I can't comment on the differences...

What kind of amp(s) are you playing it through?

Mostly a Vox AC10 at moderate apartment levels - like it with that amp
I have the mids on low and gain on middle position I think