Need pedal advice - New guy here..

[chptunes]

Greetings Barber Folks,

I need advice.. essentially, I think I need a pedal or two. The Barber stuff looks high-quality and practical.. without the hype and bloated pricing. I'm not an avid user of effects.. my experience is limited to only a few examples [which have been sold].

There are two "issues" that I want to address. Firstly, my output level from soft to hard pick attack is a little out-of-control.. and my string-to-string balance could be better. Secondly, my tone sounds 'cold' when I use Power Chords.. but Major Chords sound awesome.. it's just Power Chords and Bar Chords that sound 'dull' and 'cold'.

I'm wondering if a Tone Press would solve one or both of these "issues"? ..or, maybe an LTD type.

Thanks for any advice that you can lend... [see my list of gear below.. I run the amp 'cleanish' to 'gritty', near power amp clipping]

-Corey

[Ronni]

What type of music?

[chptunes]

I'm a rythmn player [not much lead].. Classic rock mostly.. Some bluesy rock too..

-Corey

[Ronni]

Well depends on your wallet..
Classic rock.. I could live with just a Dual Discrete.. With a Direct Drive Super Sport and a LTD SR for all my tones.

If you can't afford to go that route then I'd start with the Super Sport.. That thing can cover lots of classic rock.. Like the link in my sig and you'll hear the SS on gtr and DD on the other gtr. Great unit..
Then later you can add a LTD or LTD SR... (I like the SR) that can handle the lighter stuff..

[chptunes]

..cool.. So, these drive pedals should solve both of my "issues"... ..Guess my assumption about needing a Tone Press was wrong...

I'll see if I can swing a Dual Discrete in the next couple of weeks.. May start with the SS, first.. We'll see...

Thanks Ronni...

-Corey

[Ronni]

No I find a Tone PRess important.. But I figured you should start with overdrive units.

When playing clean it's hard to do without a Tone Press..

[gonzo-x]

totally agree with the above assessments..


i have both a tone press and a DDSS.

i can use the DDSS as a rhythm tool-- going into a dead clean channel, as a wonderfully clear crunchy rhythm tone maker...
or i can dirty up the clean, drive the ddss all the way, and have a clear but full bodied lead tone, with an almost marshall crunch...
or, i can use the ddss to barely drive the lead channel of my dual channel tube amp, just as a 'boost'....
or i can clean up the lead channel, and boost hard with the ddss...

i've used it to apply a wide spread of 'gain' and attack on everything from glassy clean to already saturated distortion on the amp, and it works very well for all of them.


as an aside...

the tone press has the ability to be a clean boost, without the compression...
albeit, not a HUGE boost, but i've found that whenever i'm recording cleaner ROCK rhythms, and i have the crunch factor on the amp just about right, but it isn't quite reactive enough, i go for the tone press in BOOST mode, and that totally dials it in.

not only that, but when i set my lead channel on my amp to almost perfect 'lead only' tone, but then back it back a bit to be able to play rhythms that have SOME clarity to them, that when i hit the tone press on boost in front of it, the lead tone comes right back, but with more clarity.

it's almost like instantly going from passive pickups to ACTIVE, but without the sterility that a lot of active pickups give (i had an EMG SA assembly in my custom strat for a long time, so i'm well versed in actives versus passives)

but like i've said in the past, if you've got tight funds (who doesn't right now) i don't think you could go wrong with ANY of the Barber pedals, you've just got to figure out how far you want to go with DRIVE.
i happen to use the DDSS for everything from light boost to full out marshall grind, and it works for that entire spread.
but i've not used the LTD...



ultimately, you will want both a compressor, and a good drive unit.
having a drive unit that is two in one (dual discrete) would be my choice if i was a gigging guitarist covering tunes.....

[chptunes]

..hhmmm.. lots to think about, gonzo-x...

I know that I should follow all this great advice [Ronni and gonzo-x].. so, I'll definately go with a drive pedal first [maybe a TP later]. I'll go with the SS.. but, the 1/2 Gainer looks like a "lot of Bang" @ $169.. with the ability to cover LTD v2 and LTD SR tones.. with foot-switchable settings.

Should I be considering the 1/2 Gainer, too.. or just buying a SS without much hesitation?.. ..I do like my tone.. just need to warm up those Power Chords and control my level a bit.

[just discovered a dealer that's a few towns away.. they have limited stock (LTD SR only).. perhaps they could order a SS (or Direct Drive) and Gainer for demo.. I need to call them]

..more thoughts/advice?..

[mjcyates]

Well ultimately you want both but based on this

..I do like my tone.. just need to warm up those Power Chords and control my level a bit.

I might go with the 1/2 Gainer.

[Ronni]

..hhmmm.. lots to think about, gonzo-x...

I know that I should follow all this great advice [Ronni and gonzo-x].. so, I'll definately go with a drive pedal first [maybe a TP later]. I'll go with the SS.. but, the 1/2 Gainer looks like a "lot of Bang" @ $169.. with the ability to cover LTD v2 and LTD SR tones.. with foot-switchable settings.

Should I be considering the 1/2 Gainer, too.. or just buying a SS without much hesitation?.. ..I do like my tone.. just need to warm up those Power Chords and control my level a bit.

[just discovered a dealer that's a few towns away.. they have limited stock (LTD SR only).. perhaps they could order a SS (or Direct Drive) and Gainer for demo.. I need to call them]

..more thoughts/advice?..

I'd still say start wit the Super Sport... Later if you want you could add a 1/2G instead of a single LTD or SR...