I love my Barbershop. was told recently by a guy that I shouldn't think, I should just buy a Lightspeed. I said, "well I've already got a Fairfield Barbershop, so I've got low gain OD somewhat covered." his response: "yep. love the Barbershop. you still need the Lightspeed." hahaha
Fantastic demo! Thanks for this one. I’ve got the Barbershop and love it, but fun to see how it stacks up to some other “transparent” drives. The Timmy and Lightspeed both sounded great, but still prefer the Barbershop.
Have had them all. Hudson Dual Broadcast and a KTR.. for me. Timmy was the best of these because of its EQ and it allows your guitar and amp to do its thing but with a bit “more”. Gave it to a buddy of mine.
Great shootout. I had all of them and thought they were all great. Sold the Timmy and Lightspeed and have the Barbershop on my board right now. That sag is just super nice. Sets it apart from most drives. Also is great for stacking other fuzz and drives. Currently running a fuzz war into the barbershop and it sounds so wrong in the best possible way. What a fantastic time to be a guitar player, there are so incredibly many awesome pedals out there.
Nice review! I have the Fairfield. It’s like heating a sub sandwich. Just gives you the right amount of melt and gristle. Your sandwich probably tastes good beforehand. But the Fairfield pushes it into flavortown.
They all sound good but the Fairfield Circuitry has a nice edge about it with the sag control. Fairfield Circuitry pedals always seem to give the player something a little bit different from their pedals and encourage experimentation and new ideas for songs and music styles. Great playing and demo as usual Ryan.
@Paul Mina Storm barbershop has to be the most set and forget pedal there is. They even have the always on version. Sag is just more chewy and awesomeness. Not even a tone control on my original barbershop. Similar theme with the account compressor. Oh my their other pedals are very creative though.
@Paul Mina Storm This has to be the most asinine comment about a pedal I've ever heard. You could have just written, "I am boring; give me a Tubescreamer instead."
I’ve watched this demo several times, keep coming back to it. So well done and compared. It’s like trying to choose between three gold medal winners, they’re all delightful! I initially picked up the Lightspeed from a previous demo and this most recent watching has me placing an order for a Barbershop! 🤘😌🎸
Really enjoyed the demo. Learned about all 3 pedals, and liked them all. Also, this was a great thread, I really enjoyed everyone’s input on this, and your replies.
I really love the barbershop! I can’t quite explain it, but I love drives that have that loose around the edges sag. Also check out the thro-bak overdrive boost if you like that vibe. Can also go into fuzz face/ bender territory.
I am so glad that you barbershop in this demo. I’ve been considering that pedal for a while. also considering the lightspeed. I see that the lightspeed sort of kills the low end. I have the Timmy, it’s pretty good but I’m sure there’s better.
I keep taking my Timmy off my board, and then putting it back on. As a push for when I can't get the Marshall into the "zone" because it's too loud the Timmy is a world-class helper - though it probably took me a couple of years to learn how to use it properly..
Have owned all 3 - Barbershop is truly a unique OD and love it. How you use the SAG control makes all the difference. Can get total Neil Young tweed breakup if you want. Also very chewy if you want.
I preferred the Greer Lightspeed. Better individual string definition & less fizzy or Timmy for having a greater range-of-tones. I purchased a Barber Gain Changer S.R. and I'm on Cloud-9, with it's versatility. I use 3 gain-stages: Gain Changer > OCD > Thorpy Muff (all set to low gain). Nice Demo. Enjoyed it.
I've only got the Barbershop out of those, they all sound sahweeet - The Babershop I use as my always on make gooder/thickener which it works great for. Blends so well with other drives.
All great pedals. I could make a case for any of them! I've got a bunch of Timmys and I've had one on my board continually since 2005! I've always tended to use it as more of a pushy EQ rather than an overdrive if that makes any sense. I use it to kind of just control & frame my amp tones. With an amp on the edge of break-up that works so well. There is so much range in the pre clipping bass and the post clipping treble EQ. Not being afraid to really sweep those controls is the key to success with the pedal IMO. Especially with gainy tones so you can eliminate shrillness and flab.
agreed. i use it mostly as a boost for a slightly dirty amp. being that the EQ is so vastly different from the others, i kinda just had to make a setting and go with it because, like you alluded to, it's a deceptively deep overdrive.
Great video as always, man. Each is slightly unique, but all sound really good. My personal taste is toward the Fairfield Barbershop-it just seems to be a bit more organic or something. On the mid-gain setting I thought I heard a bit of Keith Richards tone. I’m ordering the Fairfield, but I wouldn’t mind having them all!
Like many, I'm in the same boat, trying to figure which coast to land on for a "light" overdrive. The review was truly great at showing the character of each one, so well don DITD! After watching this, I really can grasp why each one has it's fans. Only one thing I wish could have happened. I wish the tone toggle on the Fairfield would have been flipped up to show the increase in treble Sadly, I wish I could have the Lightspeed -with a tad more middle or the Barbershop -with a tad more treble on top.
Interesting ! I had both Lightspeed and Barbershop, I think the barbershop is the least conventional overdrive of the lot in that it's more akin to strictly a preamp, very dry and hifi sounding. If the amp behind is not cooking a little, then it won't help as much for extra sustain/compression. So it's a sound enhancer but can be very unforgiving to play on its own as you said. A very special one nonetheless, hard to compare to anything else. On the Lightspeed, top end is less gritty, more bass and somewhat aggressive high mids, but it's the one I've tried that feels the most like a full amp and speaker's edge of breakup, a life saver when you get to play clean backline amps that you're not allowed to push.
I got an Archer and even is very praised I’m unable to get a good tone, always is too load and sharp, I was looking for options and the Lightspeed bring me to the Barbershop, do you recommend the Lightspeed over the Barbershop?
@@heyheymymind1939 I'd say besides being both low gain offering, they're actually pretty different from each other so it's hard to recommend one over the other. depends on the goal I guess. Get both? Currently I use an always on Barbershop first in the chain mostly as a preamp to beef up low output pickups (which have my preference). So it's pretty transparent, adding level and a discrete high end sparkle but barely any noticeable overdrive. When pushed, you'll get some growl that I'd interpret as sounding a little tweedy with a touch of Vox, but still quite low gain, clear and dry, really unlike anything, if perhaps those "preamp" named pedals. The Lightspeed sounds a bit more like a traditional overdrive, still with a distinct personality, it feels spongier and slightly easier to play through it, slightly higher gain range but not the roaring kind of solo voice, a little bass heavy, lower mid scooped and a slight high mid bump, slightly more rounded high end. I highly recommend it as well, for the unparalleled feel especially, although these days, I settled on a Keeley Super Phat Mod, that has a bit of a flatter EQ to my ears.
@@MyriadOfHoops thanks for the input, I realized a local store has a Barbershop on stock, so I will test it before buy it, I al ways liked the blues driver but I found it a little metallic I read good comments on the super phat mode I will put it under my radar, very appreciated
@@heyheymymind1939 The Keeley is still basically a Blues Driver though! On that front, the Lightspeed is not as high gain but also doesn't have that BD2 metallic fizziness to the clipping if you dislike that, so it's still worth trying. The Barbershop does have a bit of sawtooth bite on higher settings but I wouldn't call that metallic, sounds natural. Yet again, totally different feel this one to me, than the somewhat smoother other two.
I have the lightspeed but now interested in checking out the barbershop thanks to this shootout. I’ve really enjoyed this channel in 2020, informative and entertaining. thank you for all of your effort, and for sharing your knowledge with the community!
Great shootout! Thx for the straightforward, unashamed approach with the whole “transparent” OD thing. Seems like so often we hear abt how overused and passé the term is that it strikes me that complaining abt it (to the point of being dismissive) has become even more tiresome and passé than the term or concept itself. It is what it is, and great transparent pedals such as these three are here to stay (and for good reason). I have the Lightspeed and love it... stacks super-well too. Hard to ignore the fact that the Timmy is very much the pioneer here, and it sounded so sweet and even and just plain good across ALL the gain settings. But dang if that Barbershop didn’t have the most “character” while still maintaining its transparency, at least all the way up through the medium gain setting. “Earthy” is a great way to describe it... and other comments abt how it “spits” and has an “edge” seem accurate as well. The sag control gives it some added versatility. Think I need to get me one!
They all sound great but that Barbershop really makes you realize how these other "transparent" ODs are well.... not as transparent (at least on lower gain settings). Not a knock on the others; they impart a certain voice/color, though subtle, and its rockin! Though I love how open (less compressed) and neutral, yet so musical, the Barbershop is, and is my preference in low gain. Can turn fuzzy which I see people may not like if expecting a traditional OD but I dig that (since I already have other ODs). Timmy has more growl and meat for higher gain settings and sounds really great with more gain! That said.... Don't understand the Lightspeed hype, sorry! Good sound but hype worthy though? Would love a comparison between Barbershop, DOD Looking Glass, and Shoe Savior Machine!
The lightspeed is very special. Agreed it is not captured here very well at all, but the lightspeed has to be played to be appreciated. It sounds amazing, but the feel it imparts is astounding.
Hi, just last night I tried the Lightspeed and the Timmy v3 stacked and separate. I found the Lightspeed to enhance "woodiness" and crystal clear. The Timmy has its own thing going - a full bodied overdrive and I can see why you are underwhelmed by it. It is still a great pedal. Stacked they complement each other beautifully.
Have the Timmy and Barbershop but a Snouse Blackbox instead of the Lightspeed. I feel light speed is the least versatile of these but they all sound great
Great shootout. Love your channel. My amp, right now, is a Small combo based on the Marshall PA20 Circuit (a Cornell Plexi 7). I’m looking for a transparent OD to put after a Wampler Tumnus and stack with it. Between the Lightspeed and the Barbershop what would be your choice? (I play a tele and an SG). Thanks!
personally, i like the lightspeed more than anything else in the world with my jcm800. doesn’t crowd the mids, adds a nice touch of compression without being overbearing. it seems to just let the marshall be a marshall. hope that helps!
I was surprised on the difference between the Lightspeed and Timmy, given that they are the same circuit except for the bass (fat) control on the TImmy.
Why is the Lightspeed so popular if the Timmy replicates + has an added gain stage? Just curious, no vested interest/opinion (I haven't played either).
well, they may sound similar here on the video, but the two pedals definitely "feel" different and subtly sound different. there are lots of people who swear by one over the other. i find that foundation overdrives are very very very personal things and even the smallest detail can make or break something for a player.
@@DemosInTheDark 100% agree with this. And tastes evolve. I had a Lightspeed on my board for some time but it hasn’t been there for a while (still own it), and for the last two years I’ve usually started with one of the Vemurams as my foundation tone (which one generally depends on which guitar and amp I’m building the board with). Current new kid on the block (to me!) is a Shin’s Clean Drive - absolutely fab transparent drive and stacked into a Revivaldrive Compact to give the RD a push, it sounds epic. Great video as always. You should have more subs.
They all sound different. I thought that the Timmy sounded musical at all levels of gain. The Fairfield was the most hi-fi. The Lightspeed sounded better at medium levels of gain than low or high gain. I would give it to the Timmy, with the Fairfield a close second.
Hey Ryan! Hope all is well friend! What's your favorite current pedal in this type type of style for the Monarch Reverb? I'm not feeling the Snouse Blackbox V2 atm and am looking for something different to try. The Barbershop sounded really great in this demo and has me pretty well swayed, but I know you've tried loads since. Thanks!
I have a Timmy and I love it. I was considering getting a Greer amps lightspeed, but I think the one on the right whatever it’s called, sounds best. It’s got a little more chunkiness to it and I could definitely hear the difference when you switched from the lightspeed to the Timmy. I don’t know what you have the Timmy controls set to, but it definitely sounded the thinnest of the three.
Speaking of the term "transparent overdrive": isn't a true transparent overdrive literally just a gain boost pedal? That overdrives the amp without (theoretically) altering the eq of the signal at all. Anything else would have to qualify as a "regular" overdrive
Nice demo. More similarities than differences. Timmy has a bit more mid than the others, overdrive of the Lightspeed stays crisp and HiFi sounding all the way up. Drive of the Fairfield has the most “Ragged Glory” to steal a phrase from Neal Young, especially with the sag. But all sound great and would fill a similar slot on a pedalboards.
It's crazy because I made the same choice! These are my actual OD pedals! I stack the Barbershop and the Timmy. The Barbershop is always on with the sag pretty high and the drive at 10 o'clock. It thickens the tone so well. Amazing light OD pedal. The Timmy is more for the volume boost, a bit of EQ and barely an extra push of drive with the amp set on the edge of breakup. I wouldn't recommend this in a clean amp, you would lose too much dynamics. I don't use the Lightspeed so much these days. I find it too fizzy in the top end.
@@DemosInTheDark Crazy right? So I have to ask you what your favorite delay pedals are, as I am on a hunt for a new toy. I have the Belle Epoch Deluxe but I want to go full on ambiant sounds / shoe gazing / War on Drugs type tones... What's your jam?
so... i’m not an ambient authority by any means. i also rely heavily on the belle epoch deluxe (brother?). awhile back, i did ask a few of my friends who do ambient demos for their number one. it was overwhelmingly empress echosystem. i grabbed one from empress and gotta say, i don’t think there’s anything it doesn’t do well.
@@DemosInTheDark Belle Epoch Deluxe also, eh? Ahaha... Tone bros! I will check the Empress Echosystem. I think it's time for me to look at my shoes a little closer :) Thanx so much for your insight. Keep up the great work.
I stack a Barbershop with a JHS morning glory and achieve delicious tones. My always on is the MG and when I kick in my Barbershop it just gives my tone extra grit and crunchyness. It really beefs up your tone with some character in a very pleasing manner and I find it SO SO useful. I believe I could swap the Morning Glory for a Lightspeed and achieve the same effect.
The EM drive is awesome and super transparent for a little grit, but it doesn't have nearly as much gain as these three. I use it as a boost/buffer that adds back a little something and pushes another drive down the chain, or with a different, pick-sensative boost in front of it to expand my dynamic range and the gain around 70% to add a little bit of grit and fun.
@@DemosInTheDark haha I’m not a TGP troll, trust me! And oh dang, looks like he did raise prices, I know Dave had some issues with enclosures/suppliers during Covid, etc. Used to go new for $139.95, now it’s $169.95, still extremely competitive! You should grab one, especially if you’ve never tried it!
TIMMY won here! Barbershop actually sounds like a fuzz it can either work or be annoying (I'd rather just add fuzz from a superate pedal) it's not that transparent. Lightspeed is by far the worst its EQ'd and that just won't work well for certain amps. The Timmy is just great - as a boost, an EQ and the drive on the V3 sounds GREAT! Timmy is better then Klon for me.
I hate my Tim v3, sterile, lack of eq options, useless boost. The Lightspeed is nice, but I prefer the Southland, personally. The Barbershop is very nice, great textured low gain sounds that cut through and a pretty unique sag knob. Cheers.
Actually the barbershop is quite versatile it *can* sound like a fuzz but it can also sound like a light gain bluesbreaker style pedal as well it's got a big range. Timmy is also versatile although more for light to medium gain. Light speed is by far the least versatile of the three it's really only meant for light gain and boost and nothing else
this is why we typically say "transparent" with air quotes. yeah, it's a marketing term. for the most part, these aren't adding or removing mids and generally retaining the sound of your guitar and amp. but as you noted, they're more translucent than transparent.
The Barbershop is the ONLY Drive I've really become excited about,- well, - that and the Hudson Broadcast, if you want to call it that.There are a couple I haven't crossed paths with, and one thing I've learned, - you don't know what you don't know.Once, I thought some pedals I now wouldn't give a second thought were great, so the more you learn and discover, the more opinions and tastes will change.Drive and Fuzz are especially like that; until you hear what is possible, many things sound just fine.Then you can't unhear it. I could pick out the BS without looking.Everything Fairfield makes can change the way you play,- the Unpleasant Suprise is my #1 Fuzz right now as well; like a Harmonic Percolator, with the useless parts removed.
Timmy it is for me! Barbershop was great to - not sure why people like the Lightspeed 🤔 it sounded awful to me - it's to compressed (can not be undone) with added perma EQ (would need para eq pedal to fix)- ew 🤮 no thanks.
@@uncletoby1 Timmy's EQ is cut only, meaning he's cutting bass and treble in this clip, equaling to a mid "boost". All the way left is full bass and treble.
Hmm maybe timmy > fairfield > lightspeed Or maybe fairfield > timmy > lightspeed Anyhow I liked them all but I found the lightspeed lacking something maybe
That fairfield was chewy....its sounds really good Ligtspeed i tought it was the king until i saw this fairfield demo Timmy never like it to much open sounding and noisy But everything its depends on the amp and guitar i guess
I love my Barbershop. was told recently by a guy that I shouldn't think, I should just buy a Lightspeed. I said, "well I've already got a Fairfield Barbershop, so I've got low gain OD somewhat covered." his response: "yep. love the Barbershop. you still need the Lightspeed." hahaha
Barbershop is awesome! So chewy yet clear.
What a great shootout - Fairfield Circuitry takes the win for me - Sag control and the earthy tone are what I'm after. Good work fella!
thank god someone resonated with “earthy” 😂
Fantastic demo! Thanks for this one. I’ve got the Barbershop and love it, but fun to see how it stacks up to some other “transparent” drives. The Timmy and Lightspeed both sounded great, but still prefer the Barbershop.
Thank you Ryan! I've always wondered about the Fairfield. Sizzles and spits a bit more than the others. All three are super cool.
Have had them all. Hudson Dual Broadcast and a KTR.. for me. Timmy was the best of these because of its EQ and it allows your guitar and amp to do its thing but with a bit “more”. Gave it to a buddy of mine.
Great shootout. I had all of them and thought they were all great. Sold the Timmy and Lightspeed and have the Barbershop on my board right now. That sag is just super nice. Sets it apart from most drives. Also is great for stacking other fuzz and drives. Currently running a fuzz war into the barbershop and it sounds so wrong in the best possible way. What a fantastic time to be a guitar player, there are so incredibly many awesome pedals out there.
man, the fuzz war is a national treasure. ❤️
Nice review! I have the Fairfield. It’s like heating a sub sandwich. Just gives you the right amount of melt and gristle. Your sandwich probably tastes good beforehand. But the Fairfield pushes it into flavortown.
delicious description!
They all sound good but the Fairfield Circuitry has a nice edge about it with the sag control. Fairfield Circuitry pedals always seem to give the player something a little bit different from their pedals and encourage experimentation and new ideas for songs and music styles. Great playing and demo as usual Ryan.
@Paul Mina Storm barbershop has to be the most set and forget pedal there is. They even have the always on version. Sag is just more chewy and awesomeness.
Not even a tone control on my original barbershop. Similar theme with the account compressor.
Oh my their other pedals are very creative though.
Definitely agree. They have better options. Sag control is not something you see on normal pedals.
@Paul Mina Storm Okay. The Barbershop has musicality in spades, and as stated above, it doesn't require experimentation.
@Paul Mina Storm This has to be the most asinine comment about a pedal I've ever heard. You could have just written, "I am boring; give me a Tubescreamer instead."
I’ve watched this demo several times, keep coming back to it. So well done and compared. It’s like trying to choose between three gold medal winners, they’re all delightful! I initially picked up the Lightspeed from a previous demo and this most recent watching has me placing an order for a Barbershop! 🤘😌🎸
Glad it was helpful!
Liked the sound of that Timmy for sure.
Really enjoyed the demo. Learned about all 3 pedals, and liked them all. Also, this was a great thread, I really enjoyed everyone’s input on this, and your replies.
Whoa! I love how the Fairfield explodes!
I have a Timmy and was wondering if I needed a Lightspeed as well. Turns out not for the moment. Thanks!!!
no you don't
I really love the barbershop! I can’t quite explain it, but I love drives that have that loose around the edges sag. Also check out the thro-bak overdrive boost if you like that vibe. Can also go into fuzz face/ bender territory.
I have that. It’s one of my holy grails.
I love the grainy grittiness of the Barbershop.
I am so glad that you barbershop in this demo. I’ve been considering that pedal for a while. also considering the lightspeed. I see that the lightspeed sort of kills the low end. I have the Timmy, it’s pretty good but I’m sure there’s better.
I keep taking my Timmy off my board, and then putting it back on. As a push for when I can't get the Marshall into the "zone" because it's too loud the Timmy is a world-class helper - though it probably took me a couple of years to learn how to use it properly..
Have owned all 3 - Barbershop is truly a unique OD and love it. How you use the SAG control makes all the difference. Can get total Neil Young tweed breakup if you want. Also very chewy if you want.
I preferred the Greer Lightspeed. Better individual string definition & less fizzy or Timmy for having a greater range-of-tones. I purchased a Barber Gain Changer S.R. and I'm on Cloud-9, with it's versatility. I use 3 gain-stages: Gain Changer > OCD > Thorpy Muff (all set to low gain). Nice Demo. Enjoyed it.
oh yeah, that sounds like a great way to stage yer dirt!!!
I've only got the Barbershop out of those, they all sound sahweeet - The Babershop I use as my always on make gooder/thickener which it works great for. Blends so well with other drives.
I’ve got the Barbershop as well, and have always described it as my always-on more gooder pedal.
@@jonathancarlisle7898 where do you place it in your chain?
@@JaredSchumaier it’s second in chain, right behind my tuner.
All great pedals. I could make a case for any of them!
I've got a bunch of Timmys and I've had one on my board continually since 2005! I've always tended to use it as more of a pushy EQ rather than an overdrive if that makes any sense. I use it to kind of just control & frame my amp tones. With an amp on the edge of break-up that works so well.
There is so much range in the pre clipping bass and the post clipping treble EQ. Not being afraid to really sweep those controls is the key to success with the pedal IMO. Especially with gainy tones so you can eliminate shrillness and flab.
agreed. i use it mostly as a boost for a slightly dirty amp. being that the EQ is so vastly different from the others, i kinda just had to make a setting and go with it because, like you alluded to, it's a deceptively deep overdrive.
FINALLY someone Rocks It in a pedal review. Thanks!
The Greer just does it for me. Love it.
It stacks so well with the Southland
Lightspeed has been on my board for a while. Love it. Sold my Timmy a while ago. Great demo.
Great video as always, man. Each is slightly unique, but all sound really good. My personal taste is toward the Fairfield Barbershop-it just seems to be a bit more organic or something. On the mid-gain setting I thought I heard a bit of Keith Richards tone. I’m ordering the Fairfield, but I wouldn’t mind having them all!
I just bought a Lightspeed sounds amazing.
I'm glad the board approved your quarterly shootouts. 😉 I'm guessing these are not as fun to do, but are helpful!
Like many, I'm in the same boat, trying to figure which coast to land on for a "light" overdrive. The review was truly great at showing the character of each one, so well don DITD! After watching this, I really can grasp why each one has it's fans. Only one thing I wish could have happened. I wish the tone toggle on the Fairfield would have been flipped up to show the increase in treble Sadly, I wish I could have the Lightspeed -with a tad more middle or the Barbershop -with a tad more treble on top.
Interesting ! I had both Lightspeed and Barbershop, I think the barbershop is the least conventional overdrive of the lot in that it's more akin to strictly a preamp, very dry and hifi sounding. If the amp behind is not cooking a little, then it won't help as much for extra sustain/compression. So it's a sound enhancer but can be very unforgiving to play on its own as you said. A very special one nonetheless, hard to compare to anything else.
On the Lightspeed, top end is less gritty, more bass and somewhat aggressive high mids, but it's the one I've tried that feels the most like a full amp and speaker's edge of breakup, a life saver when you get to play clean backline amps that you're not allowed to push.
I got an Archer and even is very praised I’m unable to get a good tone, always is too load and sharp, I was looking for options and the Lightspeed bring me to the Barbershop, do you recommend the Lightspeed over the Barbershop?
@@heyheymymind1939 I'd say besides being both low gain offering, they're actually pretty different from each other so it's hard to recommend one over the other. depends on the goal I guess. Get both? Currently I use an always on Barbershop first in the chain mostly as a preamp to beef up low output pickups (which have my preference). So it's pretty transparent, adding level and a discrete high end sparkle but barely any noticeable overdrive. When pushed, you'll get some growl that I'd interpret as sounding a little tweedy with a touch of Vox, but still quite low gain, clear and dry, really unlike anything, if perhaps those "preamp" named pedals. The Lightspeed sounds a bit more like a traditional overdrive, still with a distinct personality, it feels spongier and slightly easier to play through it, slightly higher gain range but not the roaring kind of solo voice, a little bass heavy, lower mid scooped and a slight high mid bump, slightly more rounded high end. I highly recommend it as well, for the unparalleled feel especially, although these days, I settled on a Keeley Super Phat Mod, that has a bit of a flatter EQ to my ears.
@@MyriadOfHoops thanks for the input, I realized a local store has a Barbershop on stock, so I will test it before buy it, I al ways liked the blues driver but I found it a little metallic I read good comments on the super phat mode I will put it under my radar, very appreciated
@@heyheymymind1939 The Keeley is still basically a Blues Driver though! On that front, the Lightspeed is not as high gain but also doesn't have that BD2 metallic fizziness to the clipping if you dislike that, so it's still worth trying. The Barbershop does have a bit of sawtooth bite on higher settings but I wouldn't call that metallic, sounds natural. Yet again, totally different feel this one to me, than the somewhat smoother other two.
The one the right sounds like a blown speaker cranked up .sounds like the rails where taxed on the chip . Timmy sounds the most fun to me
I have the lightspeed but now interested in checking out the barbershop thanks to this shootout. I’ve really enjoyed this channel in 2020, informative and entertaining. thank you for all of your effort, and for sharing your knowledge with the community!
hey thanks so much! i really appreciate that! 🙏🙏🙏
My Lightspeed was shipped yesterday, I cannot wait to try it myself next week.
it’s a goodie!
So good. Great showcase, all great pedals.👏
I love my lightspeed and my broadcast both great TO … great video
Wow so glad I found this. Great stuff! Been contemplating a light speed. Now I want that and the Barber Shop! 🤣
gotta catch em all! haha
What did we learn? That the Barbershop has a lot to offer with the Sag knob if you like to mix it up a bit. I need to get my hands on one, thx !
Fairfield reminds me of a tweed deluxe I used to own. I’m more of a Marshall guy though - I have a lightspeed clone shipped to my place -
As soon as I got the Lightspeed on my board I never thought about Overdrive options ever again.
i know a lot of lightspeed diehards!
I fully get it now. It’s a lifer. Lol
Great shootout! Thx for the straightforward, unashamed approach with the whole “transparent” OD thing. Seems like so often we hear abt how overused and passé the term is that it strikes me that complaining abt it (to the point of being dismissive) has become even more tiresome and passé than the term or concept itself. It is what it is, and great transparent pedals such as these three are here to stay (and for good reason). I have the Lightspeed and love it... stacks super-well too. Hard to ignore the fact that the Timmy is very much the pioneer here, and it sounded so sweet and even and just plain good across ALL the gain settings. But dang if that Barbershop didn’t have the most “character” while still maintaining its transparency, at least all the way up through the medium gain setting. “Earthy” is a great way to describe it... and other comments abt how it “spits” and has an “edge” seem accurate as well. The sag control gives it some added versatility. Think I need to get me one!
wow! this is summed up so well. i couldn't agree more! thanks so much for chiming in!
I was just trying to find good comparisons between the babershop and the timmy. Another perfectly timed video!
reading yer mind! 🧙♀️
@@DemosInTheDark Have you had any experience with Wamplers Euphoria? This video narrowed my options down to the timmy and that.
@@john808welk personal opinion: timmy all day long.
@@DemosInTheDark That's what I was afraid of. Now the hunt begins to find one that's not double the retail price!
@@john808welk follow paul’s shop on reverb. he puts up blems now and again!
Awesome idea for a shootout. Thanks man!
was super curious, myself!
This is only my opinion but I liked the best:
Barber on low gain
Lightspeed on medium gain
Timmy on the max gain
sounds fair to me!!!
They all sound great but that Barbershop really makes you realize how these other "transparent" ODs are well.... not as transparent (at least on lower gain settings). Not a knock on the others; they impart a certain voice/color, though subtle, and its rockin! Though I love how open (less compressed) and neutral, yet so musical, the Barbershop is, and is my preference in low gain. Can turn fuzzy which I see people may not like if expecting a traditional OD but I dig that (since I already have other ODs). Timmy has more growl and meat for higher gain settings and sounds really great with more gain! That said.... Don't understand the Lightspeed hype, sorry! Good sound but hype worthy though?
Would love a comparison between Barbershop, DOD Looking Glass, and Shoe Savior Machine!
The lightspeed is very special. Agreed it is not captured here very well at all, but the lightspeed has to be played to be appreciated. It sounds amazing, but the feel it imparts is astounding.
Hi, just last night I tried the Lightspeed and the Timmy v3 stacked and separate. I found the Lightspeed to enhance "woodiness" and crystal clear. The Timmy has its own thing going - a full bodied overdrive and I can see why you are underwhelmed by it. It is still a great pedal. Stacked they complement each other beautifully.
Have the Timmy and Barbershop but a Snouse Blackbox instead of the Lightspeed. I feel light speed is the least versatile of these but they all sound great
Timmy V3 is stellar
What about the toggle on the Barbershop...?
Great shootout. Love your channel. My amp, right now, is a Small combo based on the Marshall PA20 Circuit (a Cornell Plexi 7). I’m looking for a transparent OD to put after a Wampler Tumnus and stack with it. Between the Lightspeed and the Barbershop what would be your choice? (I play a tele and an SG). Thanks!
personally, i like the lightspeed more than anything else in the world with my jcm800. doesn’t crowd the mids, adds a nice touch of compression without being overbearing. it seems to just let the marshall be a marshall. hope that helps!
@@DemosInTheDark Thanks! You helped a lot.
Will never sell my Timmy, or the new Tim. They're superversatile. Love them. Sold the Lightspeed pretty fast. Barbershop sounds tasty.
yeah that new tim is something. i haven't even turned it off in weeks!
Delicious tones!
They are!
I’m not shocked, but as wonderful as they all sound, Lightspeed is King. Love YOUUUUU!!!
I was surprised on the difference between the Lightspeed and Timmy, given that they are the same circuit except for the bass (fat) control on the TImmy.
I demand a Ring Mod shootout! 15 minutes of random bleeps and bloops! XD
why stop at 15? 😂
@@DemosInTheDark Good point! I'm all in for the '60 Minute Ring Mod Extravaganza'!
Why is the Lightspeed so popular if the Timmy replicates + has an added gain stage? Just curious, no vested interest/opinion (I haven't played either).
well, they may sound similar here on the video, but the two pedals definitely "feel" different and subtly sound different. there are lots of people who swear by one over the other. i find that foundation overdrives are very very very personal things and even the smallest detail can make or break something for a player.
@@DemosInTheDark 100% agree with this. And tastes evolve. I had a Lightspeed on my board for some time but it hasn’t been there for a while (still own it), and for the last two years I’ve usually started with one of the Vemurams as my foundation tone (which one generally depends on which guitar and amp I’m building the board with). Current new kid on the block (to me!) is a Shin’s Clean Drive - absolutely fab transparent drive and stacked into a Revivaldrive Compact to give the RD a push, it sounds epic.
Great video as always. You should have more subs.
Cos better marketing and it looks better on Instagram
They all sound different. I thought that the Timmy sounded musical at all levels of gain. The Fairfield was the most hi-fi. The Lightspeed sounded better at medium levels of gain than low or high gain. I would give it to the Timmy, with the Fairfield a close second.
hadn’t thought about it in terms of high or low fidelity. thanks for the perspective!
Sweet x 3!
Also - where can I sign up for a personal sag control? Could come in handy around 3:30 pm.
oh i have one of those, it’s not called SAG though, it’s called NAP. 😉
@@DemosInTheDark HA! Yeah I get in trouble when I flip the NAP switch.
Have all 3 . I think in person the Timmy is by far the less inspiring . Light speed and fairfield are both awesome
Exactly
Hey Ryan! Hope all is well friend!
What's your favorite current pedal in this type type of style for the Monarch Reverb? I'm not feeling the Snouse Blackbox V2 atm and am looking for something different to try.
The Barbershop sounded really great in this demo and has me pretty well swayed, but I know you've tried loads since. Thanks!
any of these would be great! my go to has always been the tim/timmy circuit. just, ya know, works with my hands.
@@DemosInTheDark thanks Ryan!
I have a Timmy and I love it. I was considering getting a Greer amps lightspeed, but I think the one on the right whatever it’s called, sounds best. It’s got a little more chunkiness to it and I could definitely hear the difference when you switched from the lightspeed to the Timmy. I don’t know what you have the Timmy controls set to, but it definitely sounded the thinnest of the three.
barbershop seems to be a popular one of the three!
@@DemosInTheDark it just has a bit more beef. And sounded best with the gain cranked.
Speaking of the term "transparent overdrive": isn't a true transparent overdrive literally just a gain boost pedal? That overdrives the amp without (theoretically) altering the eq of the signal at all. Anything else would have to qualify as a "regular" overdrive
The lightspeed is the most transparent and keeps the natural Tele tone...
The lightspeed is the greatest first stage od out there....
Barbershop still my favorite dirt pedal.
it's pretty freaking great!
Great demo, preferred the barbershop and then the Greer... (not a fan of "The Timmy" appears to add the slight suggestion of sterility...)
Nice demo. More similarities than differences. Timmy has a bit more mid than the others, overdrive of the Lightspeed stays crisp and HiFi sounding all the way up. Drive of the Fairfield has the most “Ragged Glory” to steal a phrase from Neal Young, especially with the sag. But all sound great and would fill a similar slot on a pedalboards.
really tough to go wrong with any of them!
What version of the Barberahop is this, please? Thank you
whatever the newest version is. i picked it up in the last 8 or 9 months.
Ok thx
These companies just send you pedals to keep if you demo them?
Barber Shop vs. Gain Changer?!
oh gain changer is gonna get it’s day in court! love that pedal!
It's crazy because I made the same choice! These are my actual OD pedals! I stack the Barbershop and the Timmy. The Barbershop is always on with the sag pretty high and the drive at 10 o'clock. It thickens the tone so well. Amazing light OD pedal. The Timmy is more for the volume boost, a bit of EQ and barely an extra push of drive with the amp set on the edge of breakup. I wouldn't recommend this in a clean amp, you would lose too much dynamics. I don't use the Lightspeed so much these days. I find it too fizzy in the top end.
likeminded!
@@DemosInTheDark Crazy right? So I have to ask you what your favorite delay pedals are, as I am on a hunt for a new toy. I have the Belle Epoch Deluxe but I want to go full on ambiant sounds / shoe gazing / War on Drugs type tones... What's your jam?
so... i’m not an ambient authority by any means. i also rely heavily on the belle epoch deluxe (brother?). awhile back, i did ask a few of my friends who do ambient demos for their number one. it was overwhelmingly empress echosystem. i grabbed one from empress and gotta say, i don’t think there’s anything it doesn’t do well.
@@DemosInTheDark Belle Epoch Deluxe also, eh? Ahaha... Tone bros! I will check the Empress Echosystem. I think it's time for me to look at my shoes a little closer :) Thanx so much for your insight. Keep up the great work.
I stack a Barbershop with a JHS morning glory and achieve delicious tones. My always on is the MG and when I kick in my Barbershop it just gives my tone extra grit and crunchyness.
It really beefs up your tone with some character in a very pleasing manner and I find it SO SO useful.
I believe I could swap the Morning Glory for a Lightspeed and achieve the same effect.
Is the emerson em drive comparable with these?
definitely. doesn’t seem to be one people are rabid about, so i didn’t include it. would be fun for something in the future though!
The EM drive is awesome and super transparent for a little grit, but it doesn't have nearly as much gain as these three. I use it as a boost/buffer that adds back a little something and pushes another drive down the chain, or with a different, pick-sensative boost in front of it to expand my dynamic range and the gain around 70% to add a little bit of grit and fun.
I feel like the EM Drive disappeared from conversations 10 years ago, but it's a great first stage.
Am I crazy? Is the amp already overdriven or on the edge of break up?
i run my amps “warm”. you’re not crazy.
Barber Gain Changer
Barber Gain Changer
Barber Gain Changer
you must be on TGP haha! yeah, i know folks love that one. i actually don’t own one and now they’re getting expensive 😭
@@DemosInTheDark haha I’m not a TGP troll, trust me! And oh dang, looks like he did raise prices, I know Dave had some issues with enclosures/suppliers during Covid, etc. Used to go new for $139.95, now it’s $169.95, still extremely competitive! You should grab one, especially if you’ve never tried it!
Timmy is more internet lure
I’m not sure we should call the Barbershop 💈 a transparent drive.
It’s chopping up the mop top and styling it up with some thick grease.
Yeah I guess I'll be buying a barbershop soon
yeah that happens. 😉
TIMMY won here! Barbershop actually sounds like a fuzz it can either work or be annoying (I'd rather just add fuzz from a superate pedal) it's not that transparent. Lightspeed is by far the worst its EQ'd and that just won't work well for certain amps. The Timmy is just great - as a boost, an EQ and the drive on the V3 sounds GREAT! Timmy is better then Klon for me.
I hate my Tim v3, sterile, lack of eq options, useless boost. The Lightspeed is nice, but I prefer the Southland, personally. The Barbershop is very nice, great textured low gain sounds that cut through and a pretty unique sag knob. Cheers.
Actually the barbershop is quite versatile it *can* sound like a fuzz but it can also sound like a light gain bluesbreaker style pedal as well it's got a big range. Timmy is also versatile although more for light to medium gain. Light speed is by far the least versatile of the three it's really only meant for light gain and boost and nothing else
Please leave timecodes
If they’re all transparent, shouldn’t they be the same?
this is why we typically say "transparent" with air quotes. yeah, it's a marketing term. for the most part, these aren't adding or removing mids and generally retaining the sound of your guitar and amp. but as you noted, they're more translucent than transparent.
Sorry! I should have made my intended sarcasm more clear! This is a great video and all 3 sound great!
The Barbershop is the ONLY Drive I've really become excited about,- well, - that and the Hudson Broadcast, if you want to call it that.There are a couple I haven't crossed paths with, and one thing I've learned, - you don't know what you don't know.Once, I thought some pedals I now wouldn't give a second thought were great, so the more you learn and discover, the more opinions and tastes will change.Drive and Fuzz are especially like that; until you hear what is possible, many things sound just fine.Then you can't unhear it.
I could pick out the BS without looking.Everything Fairfield makes can change the way you play,- the Unpleasant Suprise is my #1 Fuzz right now as well; like a Harmonic Percolator, with the useless parts removed.
barbershop is no joke, man!
Never heard the barbershop before now and it actually reminds me of my broadcast (fav pedal all time).
@@kconway75ify The Broadcast will go down as a classic , like the Klon, or the 808.Currently lacking, but will get another.
Timmy it is for me!
Barbershop was great to - not sure why people like the Lightspeed 🤔 it sounded awful to me - it's to compressed (can not be undone) with added perma EQ (would need para eq pedal to fix)- ew 🤮 no thanks.
Timmy looks interesting
Thanks, I didn't know The Barbershop, I think I prefer it over Lightspeed and Timmy.
Is it me or does the Timmy has a slight mid boost?
More like a slight bass boost in this clip, as the Bass cut isn’t fully dimed which is where I like it as a default.
Timmy's EQ is cut only, meaning he's cutting bass and treble in this clip, equaling to a mid "boost". All the way left is full bass and treble.
@@uncletoby1 Timmy's EQ is cut only, meaning he's cutting bass and treble in this clip, equaling to a mid "boost". All the way left is full bass and treble.
You need light
Hmm maybe timmy > fairfield > lightspeed
Or maybe fairfield > timmy > lightspeed
Anyhow I liked them all but I found the lightspeed lacking something maybe
That fairfield was chewy....its sounds really good
Ligtspeed i tought it was the king until i saw this fairfield demo
Timmy never like it to much open sounding and noisy
But everything its depends on the amp and guitar i guess
honestly, all three make their way on and off my board in rotation. i can't make up my mind. i envy anyone who can!
Barber shop won right??
you tell me! hahaha
Timmy won but Barbershop didn't louse the lightspeed lost.
Timmy sounds beautiful until you roll off the guitar volume. Than sounds like crap. Lightspeed all the way!
I have a timmy and I just can't stand it... Bwahahaha
that's hilarious. that's my go to! haha
Your amp is too dirty to show what they are doing.