Barber Electronics with David Barber - Gain Changer vs Direct Drive Pedals Demystified!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

The magic with Daves pedals is they don't sound like pedals they sound like you had some obscenely expensive mod done to your amp. Years back I told Dave about a problem I had with an amp . He said it needed a small mod. He gave me the mod verbally and slowly enough to write down. I had it done for about $60 and the results were beyond killer. The amp had balz even at lower volumes. The guy makes killer pedals and better still he has something very rare for a business man. Empathy. You can not buy empathy.

[@PJandtheBeard]

That story doesn’t surprise me at all. His knowledge of amps, guitars, and pedals is bottomless!

[@zenlandzipline]

I saw the teaser short clip yesterday. Watching this full video now. Dayum, this guy sounds so good. His pedals sound great, too.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Thanks for checking it out! True story on his pedals and sound.

[@sampokantele]

David Barber for the win! I have GC-X and Burn Unit EQ on my board. Small Fry and big box Direct Drive are always plugged in at home. Small Fry is probably my all time favourite OD. Thank you & cheers from Finland!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Going to have to ask him how the small fry differs from the current burn unit.

[@sampokantele]

@@PJandtheBeard For what it's worth, my favourite clipping diode setting (toggle in middle - which is least compressed to my ear) is not available in Burn Unit EQ. Set as same clipping arrangement they are then closer, but SF still sounds different to me. More amp like and maybe "mastered vs. mixed" kinda better, if you will. In any case, Barbers get me closer to what I like than, say, Fuchs ODS I used to have.

[@johngregsonguitar]

Wonderful video! I love my Barber pedals, David has my favourite 'ear for gain design', they just *work*, are a joy to play and sit so nicely in the mix.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Agreed!

[@canada11]

Hopefully he will release the Dirty Bomb or another high gain pedal!

[@PJandtheBeard]

I wonder if he could do a small box B-Custom version of that.

[@evocharbonneau856]

I was fortunate enough to sing with Dave. He's brilliant. Yvonne here..He is a genius.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Totally agree! I’ll make sure he sees this. I hoping he will be back on the channel soon!

[@danielgrubb9496]

Fantastic video... Huge barber fan, big box block letter Direct Drive user here. His gain circuits are truely a cut above, sound awesome with an even better price!!! A true legend!

[@PJandtheBeard]

We have two really early DD’s and a block letter here too. I actually think the V4 feels/sounds better but I can’t let go of my V1. It’s been on the board for so long and is like an old friend.

[@theravines5661]

I run the GC SR into the DD on my board into a Princeton with a Weber speaker and my tone is off the chart. David’s a genius and I wouldn’t use any other drives (and I’ve had a LOT over the years)! My first Barber was an original LTD in 2005 and I’ve been a huge fan ever since 🙌

[@PJandtheBeard]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@codygreene37]

I’ve had a Direct Drive v4 for about 6 months and wasn’t sure how to use it with my guitars and amps, until I discovered how it sounded with my strat. A great pedal for single coils as well as humbuckers, so don’t be afraid of it with a Strat.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I’ve yet to find a guitar that doesn’t go great with my direct drive!

[@matthewgurlitz3514]

I have the original versions of the Tone Pump and the Burn Unit from the late '90s. They still stand out as two of my finest pedals.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I bet! I don’t think my og direct drive will ever leave my board

[@thaddeusfields4360]

Didn’t even know these guys were still on YT. Always interested in Dave’s creations.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Still here and plugging away. Why would we stop when we get to do cool stuff like hang out with Barber?!

[@brodiehutchins8049]

Fantastic! Still identifying as a non-pedal player but the Direct Drive has been on the proverbial board since getting it and a Gain Changer because of this channel!

[@matthammer]

I had to get both, and they are well worth it!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Agreed!

[@67er_matze97]

my first ever guitar pedal was the barber small fry and I still love it and use it very much !!

[@PJandtheBeard]

That was a good choice for a first pedal!

[@aaronwinter1092]

I think I will get a Gain Changer for my Strats and Tele's based on this video.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Good choice!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

You will love it. It is truly an Amazing OD Pedal. Good Luck brother. oNe LovE from NYC

[@Dungeon_of_Regret]

Used his ltd on my board for a decade. Emailed him about a smaller version and have since used a gain changer for the last 5 years. Killed my endless quest ages ago.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I have a similar story with my direct drive!

[@JOBarata]

I tried a lot of drive pedals: JHS, Suhr, Keeley, etc. but no one sounded like a Barber. Cream, dynamic, musical, clear, ... Barber is the best one!

[@PJandtheBeard]

A barber pedal has been my go to for 20 some years!

[@TheToneLounge]

I've heard of these pedals but have never gotten a chance to try them out.

[@PJandtheBeard]

That needs to change.

[@kosmicwizard]

I bought a gc sr and a compact bu. Later I hunted down a buss, now I'm looking for a small fry. You should talk to Dave directly, I bet a low gain bu or a 5 watt buss would be an amazing first barber experience for you!

[@-suphur]

Both were right for me, I had them on my band board. Great pedals.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Indeed!

[@michaelgizzi]

Both!

[@damcama]

I did not recognize Dave from the last video you guys did. Rocking the long hair, right on Dave! Great pedals and great video 👍

[@PJandtheBeard]

Covid caused both of our hair to grow. Plus, where’s a Barber going to find a barber?

[@pat6696]

I have both and I really love these pedals thank you for making them!

[@PJandtheBeard]

I’m sure Dave appreciates that!

[@tmsglobal5848]

Dave makes great pedals!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Without a doubt!

[@markuslinnanen555]

You should coach all the makers of gear reviews! This is how it should be done: phase by phase, analytically, thoroughly etc.

[@PJandtheBeard]

That’s all Barber! He is so methodical with his pedals and really knows how to use them. Amazing to watch him at work and talk tone with him. Hoping to have him back on very soon.

[@A.PGUITARS]

would a timmy v2 pair well with the gain changer. thank you i really dig the videos.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I would think so, but I know Dave has some thoughts on this. I would shoot him an email through the barber electronics website and ask. He is super helpful with questions like this!

[@53flitcraft]

Great tone. Great picking!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Dave is not only a great pedal builder but also a great player!

[@jlagrassa]

Great video, really enjoyed seeing Dave B. demo his pedals (I have both of those pedals)

[@PJandtheBeard]

Thanks! It was so much fun to hang out with him and watch him demo them. It is always like taking a master class when he is around.

[@reginalaslo]

I have two Barber pedals in my pedalboard.Small fry and Super sport.Both are great overdrive pedals.According to me Barber is a few best pedal maker out there.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Totally agree!

[@cpk313]

The Gain Changer kicked a very long running OD off my board last year....

[@PJandtheBeard]

Not surprised. Haven’t found anything to kick my direct drive off the board for like 20 years and we have some great drives.

[@madamp88]

Sounds absolute ace! A demo by the man himself, how cool

[@PJandtheBeard]

He knows how to dial his pedals in too! Great player as well.

[@BradRocker]

DD does it for me.

[@wesmitchem825]

I love the name of the gain changer I'm having an ultimate gain pedal made I'm calling the gain banger the thing is huge with like seven different circuits in it

[@PJandtheBeard]

The name gets the point across for sure lol

[@chrisbenington7526]

Both here 😊

[@PJandtheBeard]

I mean… of course!

[@Bullittbl]

Gain Changer for me.

[@PJandtheBeard]

After watching Dave dial it in I have to explore mine more!

[@Bullittbl]

I found it's also amazing with humbuckers. I really want a direct drive too

[@altouchet]

Dave, does that Mira X have a bright cap on the volume pot?

[@PJandtheBeard]

That’s a great question! I know he messes with stuff like that.

[@PJandtheBeard]

From Barber… “I do, stock value, you can hear it when i back off on the volume, it totally works for me”

[@rjwije4874]

where are the links to buy these effect boxes?

[@PJandtheBeard]

You can buy direct at his website: www.barberelectronics.com/

[@53flitcraft]

Is this tele into Princeton??

[@PJandtheBeard]

Hard to believe but Dave was playing the pedals into a UA Dream 65’ plug straight into our interphase in stereo the whole time. His ear is unbelievable! Especially considering the monitors were across the room and turned down super low.

[@michaelogden5093]

No need to send out his pedals to a hired gun to demo. This guy's superior.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Agreed. Super ear and a great musician!