Barrettone
"Shine on you crazy diamond"
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The Barrettone overdrive rack effect module compares to the Selma Buzz Tone used by Syd Barrett in the early years of Pink Floyd. The name suggests a fuzz tone, but it is more of an oddly-voiced overdrive. It seems a bit fuzzy, probably because it has a lot of bottom end. If you have a bright rig you could add fat overdrive that's a bit different from Tube Screamer and other popular overdrive tones. Can be curiously addictive - a little-known sleeper, almost impossible to find as an original pedal.
Description
The Barrettone is a remake of the Selma Buzz Tone. In the early days of Pink Floyd, Selma produced effects and amps that were available in London. Syd Barrett used them to create his guitar tones. The Buzz Tone is a fuzzy, buzzy overdrive with lots of bass, which worked well with Syd's treble-heavy rig. Originals are difficult to find and not that well known, particularly as Syd's tones were soon overshadowed by David Gilmour's incredible tone. It's a good overdrive, tending toward fuzziness, a little bit different from most overdrives.
Configurations
- Barrettone - compares to Selma Buzz Tone
Buffers
None
Options
- Voltage Switch - The effect normally runs at -3V. This option allows you to switch between -3V and -6V for a slightly fuller sound with a bit more headroom. This option has been discontinued. Also see Voltage Control option.
- Voltage Control - Allows you to reduce the voltage level to simulate a weak battery. This option and the Voltage Switch option are priced assuming only one of the two will be requested. If both are requested (perhaps an overkill), the price will be lower than the two individual prices added together.
- Tone Control - This adds a simple Tone control which adds some smoothing. It affects the bass level and gain and interacts with the Depth and Volume controls.
- Smooth Mod - This is similar to the Tone Control option, adding some smoothness, but without a control for it.
- Custom Transistors - The original effect used 2N2613 Ge PNP transistors, which were often pretty low-quality transistors. These are very expensive and difficult to find today. We use AC125 by default. Or if you want to change it up, we can probably put in some 2N5087 PNP silicon transistors (just haven't got around to trying this yet, but would really like to...).
- Carbon Comp Resistors - Change the default metal film resistors to carbon comp.
- Custom Components - We use metal film resistors and a selection of capacitors that provide good tone and low noise. We also add a pull down resistor to prevent the tone-sucking of the original circuit.
Front Panel
- Depth
- Volume
- (optional) Voltage switch
- (optional) Voltage control
- (optional) Tone control
Rear Panel
- Audio In
- Audio Out
- On/Off Footswitch
- On/Off Override
- DC Power
- DC Power LED
Module Width
- 1.5" standard
- 2" with options
- 2" left wing module and 1.5" right wing modules are available for 2-4 control configurations
Power Consumption (aprox)
50 -55mA
Base Configurations
| Part # | Description | List Price |
| MOD-BARRET | Barrettone module | $199 |
Options
| Part # | Description | List Price |
| MOPT-BARRET-SWVOLT | Voltage Switch (discontinued) | $39 |
| MOPT-BARRET-VOLTS | Voltage Control | $39 |
| MOPT-BARRET-TONE | Tone Control | $19 |
| MOPT-BARRET-SMOOTH | Smooth Mod | $0 |
| MOPT-BARRET-TRANS | Custom Transistors | $0 - TBD |
| MOPT-BARRET-CCOMP | Carbon Comp Resistors | $5 |
| MOPT-BARRET-CC | Custom Components | $0 - TBD |
Parts
| Part # | Description | List Price |
| MPT-BARRET-CA | Replacement pot, switch, jack, LED cable assembly | $19 |
| MPT-BARRET-KNB | Replacement control knob | $2 |
| MPT-BARRET-PB | Replacement power board | $29 |
| MPT-BARRET-SB | Replacement switching board | $29 |