Barber Burn Unit

Purchased used at Makin Music in Chicago.
The unit lists at around $190, I worked out a trade for a vintage effects pedal.
I was looking for a subtle distortion to replace an old tube screamer that would retain the tone of my guitar and amplifier, plus the reviews I have read suggest that it will come very close to replicating a Dumble amplifier.


The Burn Unit has four knobs - volume, tone, dynamics, and burn. The dynamics and burn controls are interactive, providing a wide range of tonal possibilities. It also has an internal trim pot to adjust the bass. The simple manual has suggested settings for tweed, blackface, Marshall plexi, Dumble, etc. I found the tone to be very smooth and compressed, rich in harmonics, a very unique tone.


The unit does not give me the transparent tone I was looking for - The difference between the clean sound of the amplifier and the sound with the effect on is very obvious, but in a good way.


The box is very solid, well built with an external power jack and extremely smooth on-off button. The boutique effects are expensive, but this one is worth the cost for me.


The Burn Unit provides a number distinct sounds that are very useful. It may not be for everyone but I like what it does. Mine came without it's manual, I contacted the builder Dave Barber by email and he replied immediately with an online instruction sheet - very prompt and friendly service.



This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com