Need alternative to the Boss CS3

Blaster · January 9th, 2004, 03:59 AM

I have been using the CS3 for years and I feel it's time to move on to a comp that doesn't kill my tone. Any suggestions? I heard good things about the Tone Press and the MXR Dyna Comp?

90% water · January 9th, 2004, 04:54 PM

The Keeley is expensive though ($200).
I used a Boss CS-3 for 10+ years and alternated with it with an MXR Dynacomp reissue. I play strats and teles and use a couple Vibroluxes, VibroKing and a Bogner Shiva EL-34. I mostly play clean and use a Fulltone FDII for just a touch of overdrive. I play live a lot.
I liked both pedals just fine and I suppose the MXR was easier to use (I could adjust the big knobs with my feet-cool!). Soundwise, I have no complaints but both pedals could get a little noisy (compressors can boost noise anyways). I've heard a lot of complaints about the Boss CS-3 but I haven't had those kind of problems with it. Could be an internet thing...
I recently treat myself to a Keeley compressor and like it a lot. It's quiet and has a slightly better tone overall than either the Boss or MXR. Simple to use too (just like the MXR). Seems very roadworthy.
90% water

Blaster · January 9th, 2004, 09:38 PM

Maybe I have been reading too much. My CS3 is not that bad, but I do feel it flattens my sound.

I thought about looking into the Barber Tone Press, but not sure about the price tag. I don't need a boost just a little compression. Also, thought about the MXR too

DblStop · January 9th, 2004, 11:22 PM

This is a great little compressor and it's built like a tank.I don't use a whole lot of compression when I play it's very minimal and this compressor is very very transparent.A lot of compressors out there take a lot of the top end off the guitar and in the end result you end end up with your tone bein' very MUDDY.The other thing also about some compressors is that some can be very NOISY,this lil guy is very very quiet,I've had this compressor for about 2 years now and if it failed tomorrow i'd go purchase another.If you wanna read the reviews on the Maxon go to Harmony Central and check them out,then go on out to your local shop and try one out I don't think you'll be dissappointed.Happy Chcken Pickin' all,DblStop

Ringo · January 10th, 2004, 07:49 PM

some others that I've owned and liked better than the Boss CS3 are
Boss CS2
Ibanez CP9 and the 8 series Ibanez
Peavey compressor
Yamaha COII
Barber Tonepress, very good but somewhat subtle IMO, these pop up used a LOT so I'm guessing others feel the same way?

The sleeper for me is the Guyatone mini compressor - very cool IMO - you can blend in some straight signal with the compressed signal. Of all the compressors I've owned over the years I like this one the best.

I've owned a few of the original Ross compressors and while I liked them better than the MXR Dynacomp that they are supposedly modeled after, they weren't the "ultimate" for me, so I sold them when prices were stupidly high and made some $.
No experience with the Ross clones, they are big $ and since I didn't think that much of the Ross why bother?

The Gainster · January 11th, 2004, 12:59 AM

The Keeley is an amazing comp. Very musical. Worth every penny!!! :)

John E · January 11th, 2004, 09:28 AM

Analog Man Comprossor and Bi-comp are the best ones I've used, Maxon CP-101 was pretty good to... and I have a CS-3. I am OK with the CS-3 for the amount of times (and for the purpose) I use it. I only step on it with my single coil axes for a lead boost with added sustain when needed... seems to work well for that. Haven't tried the Keeley, Honestly I just haven't felt the need to spend the 200+ dollars on a Keeley or the Analog Man, for the amount I use it.

Blaster · January 12th, 2004, 07:16 PM

Barber tone press but not too sure

January 9th, 2004, 03:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Blaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Down in Western Colorado Age: 51 Posts: 423	Need alternative to the Boss CS3 I have been using the CS3 for years and I feel it's time to move on to a comp that doesn't kill my tone. Any suggestions? I heard good things about the Tone Press and the MXR Dyna Comp?

January 9th, 2004, 04:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
90% water NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6	Just got the Keeley Compressor for Christmas The Keeley is expensive though ($200). I used a Boss CS-3 for 10+ years and alternated with it with an MXR Dynacomp reissue. I play strats and teles and use a couple Vibroluxes, VibroKing and a Bogner Shiva EL-34. I mostly play clean and use a Fulltone FDII for just a touch of overdrive. I play live a lot. I liked both pedals just fine and I suppose the MXR was easier to use (I could adjust the big knobs with my feet-cool!). Soundwise, I have no complaints but both pedals could get a little noisy (compressors can boost noise anyways). I've heard a lot of complaints about the Boss CS-3 but I haven't had those kind of problems with it. Could be an internet thing... I recently treat myself to a Keeley compressor and like it a lot. It's quiet and has a slightly better tone overall than either the Boss or MXR. Simple to use too (just like the MXR). Seems very roadworthy. 90% water

January 9th, 2004, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Down in Western Colorado Age: 51 Posts: 423	Yeah maybe the CS3 un-vibe is a Net thing Maybe I have been reading too much. My CS3 is not that bad, but I do feel it flattens my sound. I thought about looking into the Barber Tone Press, but not sure about the price tag. I don't need a boost just a little compression. Also, thought about the MXR too

January 9th, 2004, 11:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
DblStop Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 205	Maxon CP 101 This is a great little compressor and it's built like a tank.I don't use a whole lot of compression when I play it's very minimal and this compressor is very very transparent.A lot of compressors out there take a lot of the top end off the guitar and in the end result you end end up with your tone bein' very MUDDY.The other thing also about some compressors is that some can be very NOISY,this lil guy is very very quiet,I've had this compressor for about 2 years now and if it failed tomorrow i'd go purchase another.If you wanna read the reviews on the Maxon go to Harmony Central and check them out,then go on out to your local shop and try one out I don't think you'll be dissappointed.Happy Chcken Pickin' all,DblStop

January 10th, 2004, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ringo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,913	other compressors some others that I've owned and liked better than the Boss CS3 are Boss CS2 Ibanez CP9 and the 8 series Ibanez Peavey compressor Yamaha COII Barber Tonepress, very good but somewhat subtle IMO, these pop up used a LOT so I'm guessing others feel the same way? The sleeper for me is the Guyatone mini compressor - very cool IMO - you can blend in some straight signal with the compressed signal. Of all the compressors I've owned over the years I like this one the best. I've owned a few of the original Ross compressors and while I liked them better than the MXR Dynacomp that they are supposedly modeled after, they weren't the "ultimate" for me, so I sold them when prices were stupidly high and made some $. No experience with the Ross clones, they are big $ and since I didn't think that much of the Ross why bother?

January 11th, 2004, 12:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
The Gainster Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Charleston SC Posts: 194	The Keeley is an amazing comp. Very musical. Worth every penny!!! :)

January 11th, 2004, 09:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
John E Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,396	Comprossor... Analog Man Comprossor and Bi-comp are the best ones I've used, Maxon CP-101 was pretty good to... and I have a CS-3. I am OK with the CS-3 for the amount of times (and for the purpose) I use it. I only step on it with my single coil axes for a lead boost with added sustain when needed... seems to work well for that. Haven't tried the Keeley, Honestly I just haven't felt the need to spend the 200+ dollars on a Keeley or the Analog Man, for the amount I use it.

January 12th, 2004, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Blaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Down in Western Colorado Age: 51 Posts: 423	I may try the... Barber tone press but not too sure