The Barber fww BUSS HG is a high gain overdrive and distortion pedal from Barber Electronics, built on the circuits of the B-Custom Super Sport and the Barber Burn Unit. It is part of the "five watt world" edition of the FWW BUSS, a limited edition that uses those circuits to celebrate two historic tones1. Barber describes its territory as deeper into modded Marshalls with a touch of cranked Vox and higher gain Dumble tones, pointing to "Talk to Your Daughter" era Robben Ford2. It sits alongside the standard Barber Electronics FWW BUSS in the maker's range.
The controls
The BUSS HG carries three knobs and two toggles, and the toggles are where most of its character lives.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of sustain and gain3 |
| Tone | Adjustable high-end roll-off; Barber suggests 2 to 3 o'clock for Super Sport mode and 12:30 to 1 o'clock for Burn Unit mode as starting points3 |
| Volume | Sets the output of the pedal; most players find unity between 9 o'clock and 1 o'clock, depending on pickup output and guitar volume setting3 |
| Left toggle | Left is Super Sport mode, a classic British sound that can get aggressive when combined with the high harmonics setting; right is Burn Unit mode32 |
| Right toggle | Two position "high harmonics and ultra dynamics" switch3 |
The left toggle: Super Sport and Burn Unit
The left setting is Super Sport mode, which Barber describes as a classic British and high-powered tweed sound that can get aggressive when combined with the high harmonics setting31. Switched to the right, Burn Unit mode is a louder and punchier setting that Barber says gives Dumble-like thickness to your bridge pickup, whether humbucker or single coil, and can push a neck pickup toward warm, flute-like textures1.
Barber's manual notes that it is normal for the left toggle to pop when switched2. The pop is expected behavior, not a fault.
The right toggle: high harmonics and ultra dynamics
The right toggle is a two position "high harmonics and ultra dynamics" switch. With the switch to the left you are in high harmonics mode, which Barber says brings extra harmonics and a sponginess reminiscent of vintage amps. With the switch to the right you are in ultra dynamics mode, which Barber describes as a little bit louder, more open, and full of articulation, with string definition retained at higher gain levels, particularly with single coil guitars3.
Power and practical notes
The BUSS HG runs on a 9 to 18 volt DC adaptor. Barber's manual is explicit about polarity: it must be negative tip (center), and damage will result if you use a positive tip or an AC output adaptor2.
Never power the BUSS HG from a positive tip adaptor or an AC output. Barber states that damage will result2.
Buying direct and availability
Barber sells the BUSS HG direct rather than through dealers. According to the maker's product page, when you are ready to buy, David Barber sends a secure PayPal invoice, and no PayPal account is usually required: you can normally pay with a credit or debit card3. For questions, the manual lists david@barberelectronics.com, and the company's address as Barber Electronics, 5 Summit Rd, York, PA 174032.
The standard FWW BUSS is available in white1, and the manual for the FWW BUSS is published in English on the maker's site4.
Videos
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John Nathan Cordy
Questions
Is it normal for the Barber BUSS HG toggle to pop when switched?
Yes. Barber's own documentation says it is normal for the left toggle to pop when switched. The left toggle selects between Super Sport mode, with a classic British sound, and Burn Unit mode, which is louder and punchier. The pop is expected behavior, not a fault.
Where is unity volume on the Barber fww BUSS HG?
Barber says most players find unity volume between 9 o'clock and 1 o'clock on the volume control, depending on the pickup output of the guitar and the guitar's volume setting. The volume control sets the output of the pedal, so start there and adjust to taste.
How do you buy a Barber BUSS HG direct from David Barber?
Barber Electronics sells the BUSS HG direct. When you are ready to buy, David Barber sends a secure PayPal invoice, and you can normally pay with a credit or debit card without a PayPal account. Questions can be emailed to david@barberelectronics.com.
What is the difference between high harmonics and ultra dynamics on the BUSS HG?
The right toggle is a two position high harmonics and ultra dynamics switch. To the left is high harmonics mode, with extra harmonics and a sponginess reminiscent of vintage amps. To the right is ultra dynamics mode, which is a little louder, more open, and keeps string definition at higher gain levels, particularly with single coil guitars.
Sources (4)
- FWW BUSS, Barber Electronics
- FWW_BUSS HG BLUE.docx, Barber Electronics
- FWW BUSS HG, Barber Electronics
- FWW BUSS by Barber Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
