- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
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Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop Question....?
- Thread starter dregsfan
- Start date
Yeah, I just noticed the 'do not adjust' marking on the Fairfield Circuity Instagram page. That said, if I'm buying new, should I try and get a pedal with the trimpots or are there really no advantages?
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
that's hard to say. i think that the new ones with the trimpots would be dialed in at the factory for optimum sound. i see that he's using SMD jfets in them which are more consistent that the TO-92 Jfets that have been discontinued, but i also saw that there's mounting holes on the PCB for the old type.
Sorry, I didn't checked this thread since a long time.
Here's the pic of the front.
I have to say I really dig this pedal, I prefer it over my Fifth Gear that was on my pedal board previously in place of my Barbershop.
Oh no. I just ordered a new one. My old one didn't have trim pots or any SMD's.
Anyone know if there's a difference in sound/response of the circuit, in particular with passive single coils?
There has been a change in Jfeds?
Do the new ones sound any different?
Why do you recon this was done?
Maybe for ease of production(maybe the matching of Jfed, they say they do)?
Are the new ones cheaper?
...easier to get etc etc?
The one difference between the two I have is that one has a green and the other a white-ish PCB...and was there more to the different coloured pcbs than just the colour(any further changes, I may not be able to spot)?
I always use the older of the two( with green PCB)
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He states on the Fairfield Circuitry website FAQ, that around serial # OD2600 the PCB was altered adding trim pots to help the calibration process. He also states that you shouldn't adjust the trimpots. I definitely wouldn't touch the two marked Bias!
I'll assume this is also when the through-hole transistors were substituted with the surface mount miniature type. Anyway, trimpots mean he doesn't have to waste days matching components, especially if SMC's are the only ones he can source, that would be a nightmare.
Also means that each pedal will sound more alike, and exactly how he imagines they should.
I just got a new Barbershop in today, and it sounds exactly like I remember my older one did.
Another thing I love about the Barbershop is how much more useful it makes the tone pot on my Bass. I don't get this mileage out of other overdrive pedals.
It works fine at 18v. More clear less distorted.
From the manual:
The Model B Barbershop was designed to operate
using your typical centre negative, regulated 9-9.6
VDC power supply. The pedal is protected against
reversed polarity. The pedal will function with
voltages up to 18 VDC but the character of pedal
will drastically change. The higher the voltage, the
less drive you will have.
With this in mind, you may not be able to get adequate drive using a higher voltage power supply if your instrument has a low output level. Maybe a good solution though if your instrument has a very high output level (like some active basses do).
