SexDrive's overdrive vs Barber LTD Silver

[ben_allison]

I've been asking a lot of SexDrive questions...

Ok, so my understanding is that the OD in the SexDrive is somewhat incidental: that the clean boost and compression are really where it's at. Then again, I don't know (which is why I'm asking).

Looking for low-gain tones obviously: adding harmonic richness without really having too much in the way of audible distortion.

Is the OD in the SexDrive really critical to its success, or is my Barber LTD Silver just as capable (or more capable)?

FWIW, my experience with the LTD has been all smiles. Great tone. Amazing pedal.

[playthecray]

The LTD is a more versatile pedal especially if you consider it's price point.

[ben_allison]

Yeah. I'm interested in a compressors just to shape note attack a little bit... I'm torn between the SexDrive and the Diamond... but I'm planning on building an Orange Squeezer so that plus the LTD might be totally sufficient.

[prsnstrat]

I have both and use the Sexdrive more. LTD has slightly more gain. Sexdrive is more of a bost, and can be brighter and bassier...ie more scooped. I don't use the compression on it, I like my maxon comp to do that for me.

[Seektone]

I haven't played the LTD, but I have a Sex Drive which I've been using in a bunch of different ways depending on the day. It is amazing how it just leaves your tone alone. I have a Tim as well and the Sex Drive is more transparent.

With the soft compression on, you can get a really sweet breakup that is just barely audible and the sound is fantastic. You can get more overdrive if you want it, but I'm not thrilled about that tone.

The Diamond has a beautiful, very hi-fi clarity to it. The Diamond before the sex Drive or before (even better imho) the Proanalog Power Driver is fantastic.

[ben_allison]

What impressed me most about the LTD was how it just MELTS into your tone, and disappears; the Silver is supposed to be the most transparent of all the LTD's.

Thanks again for the input!

[cber1517]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

What impressed me most about the LTD was how it just MELTS into your tone, and disappears; the Silver is supposed to be the most transparent of all the LTD's.

Thanks again for the input!

Hey Ben,

Great description of the LTD - it DOES melt into your existing tone! You can see my set up in my sig. It works very nicely with a compressor to add gritty warmth to single coils or humbuckers. I used to have a Sex Drive which is a great pedal but to my ears it was too transparent I guess. This was before I got a compressor so I was hoping the Sex Drive was going to do the same thing, which it really doesn't. The compression settings add some harmonics and clipping at higher gain settings but it doesn't "feel" like a compressor, if that makes sense. My Catalinbread boost at the end of my effects adds a perfect balance of low end and high end to my single. Never heard anything else like it but it is voiced perfectly to my ears.

I am also wanting to pick up an additional compressor in the Orange Squeezer family for clean, Knopfler tones.