Gain Changer...EXPANDED

[Deleted]

David Barber is the man. 'Nuff said...

[BritInvasion]

Nice!!

[Faze]

Nice is that the new version of the gain changer? I always wanted to try that pedal.

[walt]

any early comparison impressions?

[Deleted]

I'm taking it out tonight. I'll check in with you guys in the AM.

Early impressions = Awesome!!!

[Deleted]

I have to say, I was so excited to get this pedal in the mail. I am a YYYUUUGGGGGEEE Gain Changer fan and this pedal just about addresses all of my issues (relative) with the GC. The mids are completely controllable now, and get fatter as you crank up the dial. Each gain stage has its own presence trim pot, which helps if you need to bend over and flip that toggle mid set. The UNLTD side of the GC would need an increased level of treble to cut, so no longer do you have to tweak the tone knob as well.

If you folks are using your GC's in the UNLTD setting (high gain), you might not notice a big difference. To my ears, the GCX and GC are identical in that setting. If you're using your GC's in the LTD SR (low gain) setting, you may notice a difference. The GCX in low gain is exactly the same as an LTD SR, whereas the GC is its best interpretation of that sound. It's a flat EQ sound, and just more of your amp (or way more, depending on drive settings). The GC is boxier and compressed, the GCX is more open and dynamic. Compression with the GCX seems to happen farther up on the gain dial.

One of the things I really like about the PoT/KoT and the Mythical Overdrive is that they respond like cooking tube amps, you can control the amount of cleans and dirt you get just through your picking dynamics. The smaller GC struggles with this, especially as you turn the gain and volume up. The GCX seems to respond more to your playing style, regardless of where the gain and volume knobs are at.

The GCX is super versatile. It will do clean-ish boost with the volume up, mids rolled off and tone at noon, Bluesbreaker-ish in the low gain setting with the bass trim pot turned down and mids rolled off. It will also go TS-ish if you put it in UNLTD mode, keep the bass trim pot down and crank the mids and gain/volume. Heck, I hate to even say this, but I can cop some Klon type sounds if you turn the mids past noon, tone past noon, and bring the presence and bass trim pots a little past the stock setting. It doesn't have that warmth and fuzziness of a Klon, but it can get really close. Think the Gain Changer Flat+Fat setting, but with more upper mids and thickness. Great for fattening up single coils. Seriously.

I've suggested to David that he does away with the toggle, and makes this pedal a dual overdrive like the 1/2 Gainer - LTD SR on one side and the UNLTD on the other. I'm sure he just loves taking suggestions. That's about the only thing that could make this pedal better. If that type of Gain Changer ever comes out, that might be the only OD you ever need for gigs.

[rckline]

thanks irreversal for answering all the questions I had. You are very well-spoken.

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2017 11:01:13 GMT -7 rckline said:

thanks irreversal for answering all the questions I had. You are very well-spoken.

Happy to help!

[zed]

The GC is one of my favorite drive pedals!
I use it for low gain and the CDD on the band board.

Great write up and thanks for the GAS!

[daveyk]

Nice! I'm definitely going to check one out! I originally sold my GC because it sounded just a little too boxy compared to my other main overdrive, but it sounds like all my issues with the original hands been resolved! Barber stuff is sooo good!

[walt]

I use it for low gain too-usually the Therapy is at noon or better,and I use the GC to push it a bit harder.I used to go back and forth with the gain channels on the GC,but the z-drive and an awesome Muff style fuzz gives 4 kinds of set it and forget it boost/gain/OD/distortion,so I'm all good.
Still looks like a well considered improvement on an already great pedal though.

[walt]

Speaking of Barber electronics-I e mailed Dave today (Sunday,dayoff etc)about a tonepress,cause I am looking to get a compressor on the board again,and he responded around dinner time.Gotta love that kind of service,like Doc Z's,7 days a week on top of things.Although it sucks that they can't take some time away from the buisness.

I feel both sides of the coin on this,but that's why I am buying a tonepress new,not used-because someone that into their buisness deserves my money directly.

[walt]

Postscript-Dave e mailed me a tracking number at 8 30 pm sunday night.The man is on top of his game.

[purpletele]

Mar 19, 2017 17:33:55 GMT -7 walt said:

Postscript-Dave e mailed me a tracking number at 8 30 pm sunday night.The man is on top of his game.

That service means a lot in a tight market. Small business owners never get time off.

Getting creative with the Avatar Walt!

[walt]

The avatar-last year we were out at dinner and the wife took my picture just as I said 'don't take my picture'

I wish Barber made more products so I could give him more of my money.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2017 17:06:11 GMT -7 walt said:

Speaking of Barber electronics-I e mailed Dave today (Sunday,dayoff etc)about a tonepress,cause I am looking to get a compressor on the board again,and he responded around dinner time.Gotta love that kind of service,like Doc Z's,7 days a week on top of things.Although it sucks that they can't take some time away from the buisness.

I feel both sides of the coin on this,but that's why I am buying a tonepress new,not used-because someone that into their buisness deserves my money directly.

I concur with you on this 100%.

My first three Z's - a Maz 38, Z28 and Monza were purchased used. My last three - a Maz 18, Therapy and DB4 have been purchased new. Sure, there are some good deals to be had on the use market, but I prefer to support guys like Dave B and Doc directly. I've learned so much from both of these dudes, I couldn't even begin to repay them, so I'll just keep buying stuff!