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nigelcummings · September 8th, 2008, 10:46 AM

Keeley Compressor vs. Carl Martin Compressor.

Anyone have some demos, samples, input on which compressor is better.

I'm talking less noise, smooth compression, less signal degradation, etc.

guit30 · September 8th, 2008, 11:01 PM

I would say that the Carl Martin comp is much more versatile and has better tonal properties than recent Keeleys that I have heard
Jim

Del Pickup · September 9th, 2008, 03:31 AM

Don't buy either until you've tried the Barber Tone Press.

There are a load of demo vids on proguitarshop.com. Have a look there and see if that helps you decide.

vjf1968 · September 9th, 2008, 10:20 AM

+1 on the Tone Press. Although I never tried the Keeley the Tone Press adds the "blend" knob which increases its flexibility over the Keeley IMHO. And the Barber is a lot cheaper and well built.

Barber Tone Press- $149.95
Keeley 4 Knob Compressor-$259.99
Keeley 2 Knob Compressor-$229.99
Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter-$245.00

Doc · September 10th, 2008, 11:49 PM

I really like my Keeley 4 knob.

zoppotrump · September 11th, 2008, 07:41 AM

+1 for the keeley, it´s easy to use, very low noise and it sounds very good.

zoppotrump
:O)

Wardpike · September 11th, 2008, 08:58 AM

+1 on zoppotrump's comments! I've never used the Carl M, but I've never used a better comp than the Keeley... ever.

RobQ · September 12th, 2008, 11:34 AM

I use a t-rex compnova. I had always avoided compression in my live rig because I hated the way all compressor stompboxes would colour my tone - I am very picky about such thigns and use very few pedals for this reason.

Not this one.

EXTREMELY transparent. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

guit30 · September 13th, 2008, 02:44 AM

It would depend which Keeley Pedal I played, I played one that blew me away and 3 others that I didn't like, they had different PCB boards
Jim

tiktok · September 13th, 2008, 02:49 AM

I'm on the other side here--I've never played the Keeley nor the Barber, but the CM is the best I've played.

okies · September 13th, 2008, 01:53 PM

They all do something a little different to/for your tone, I have a Diamond, Keeley and CMATMODS Signa, all a little different, good, but different. The tone knob on the Diamond and CMAT are a big plus for me, on the other hand, nothing sustains like a Keeley.

garytelecastor · September 13th, 2008, 02:13 PM

I have used the Carl Martin for 10 years. I also worked for 3 years with a guitar player the use the Keeley. He had nothing but trouble with the thing. I actually took it home to fix it one time and ended up sending it back to keeley electronics for service.
I have never had an ounce of trouble with the CM. I did just recently by a Tone Press. I use the CM for compression and the Barber for a clean boost. Works great.

The highest endorsement I can give for the CM is that the Hellecasters all use them.

September 8th, 2008, 10:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
nigelcummings TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton Posts: 54	Keeley Compressor vs. Carl Martin Compressor Keeley Compressor vs. Carl Martin Compressor. Anyone have some demos, samples, input on which compressor is better. I'm talking less noise, smooth compression, less signal degradation, etc. __________________ 2002 Fender Telecaster American Std. Series / Sunburst / Maple fretbrd.

September 8th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	Carl Martin I would say that the Carl Martin comp is much more versatile and has better tonal properties than recent Keeleys that I have heard Jim __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

September 9th, 2008, 03:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,555 6 Photos	Don't buy either until you've tried the Barber Tone Press. There are a load of demo vids on proguitarshop.com. Have a look there and see if that helps you decide. __________________ Someone told me that my tone is in my underpants. I'm not sure if that's good or bad......

September 9th, 2008, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
vjf1968 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia Age: 41 Posts: 1,683 7 Photos	+1 on the Tone Press. Although I never tried the Keeley the Tone Press adds the "blend" knob which increases its flexibility over the Keeley IMHO. And the Barber is a lot cheaper and well built. Barber Tone Press- $149.95 Keeley 4 Knob Compressor-$259.99 Keeley 2 Knob Compressor-$229.99 Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter-$245.00 __________________ "the cult aesthetic of liking only what's obscure is just as sick of being mindlessly led around by the nose" -Mark Mothersbaugh http://www.theabsinthedrinkers.com/index.html

September 10th, 2008, 11:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 1,060	I really like my Keeley 4 knob. __________________ Guitars: Teles, LP, others. Amps: Bassman LTD, Richter 5E3, 5E3 Head, Traynor Bass Master II, Epi Jr Head, Gretsch, 60's Univox and others. Current Board-Guitar>Tuner>Java Boost> Huckleberry>Fuzz Head>Top Fuel>SFX-03> Keeley Comp>Clone Chorus>FL3> Amp

September 11th, 2008, 07:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
zoppotrump Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nuernberg, germany Posts: 588 34 Photos	+1 for the keeley, it´s easy to use, very low noise and it sounds very good. zoppotrump :O) __________________ zoppotrump :O) _______________________ may the twang be with you !

September 11th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
Wardpike Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 44 Posts: 2,591	+1 on zoppotrump's comments! I've never used the Carl M, but I've never used a better comp than the Keeley... ever. __________________ Proverbs 3:6 Matthew 5:44

September 12th, 2008, 11:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
RobQ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 33	I use a t-rex compnova. I had always avoided compression in my live rig because I hated the way all compressor stompboxes would colour my tone - I am very picky about such thigns and use very few pedals for this reason. Not this one. EXTREMELY transparent. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

September 13th, 2008, 02:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	It would depend which Keeley Pedal I played, I played one that blew me away and 3 others that I didn't like, they had different PCB boards Jim __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

September 13th, 2008, 02:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
tiktok Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,095	I'm on the other side here--I've never played the Keeley nor the Barber, but the CM is the best I've played. __________________ "I like a tune. I like a tune and a singer and a solo, and now more of the tune."--Ian McLagan http://www.myspace.com/travishartnett Pearce Amps Info Page

September 13th, 2008, 01:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
okies TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 70	They all do something a little different to/for your tone, I have a Diamond, Keeley and CMATMODS Signa, all a little different, good, but different. The tone knob on the Diamond and CMAT are a big plus for me, on the other hand, nothing sustains like a Keeley.

September 13th, 2008, 02:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
garytelecastor Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,104 18 Photos	I have used the Carl Martin for 10 years. I also worked for 3 years with a guitar player the use the Keeley. He had nothing but trouble with the thing. I actually took it home to fix it one time and ended up sending it back to keeley electronics for service. I have never had an ounce of trouble with the CM. I did just recently by a Tone Press. I use the CM for compression and the Barber for a clean boost. Works great. The highest endorsement I can give for the CM is that the Hellecasters all use them. __________________ éí 'aaníígÓÓ 'áhoot'é What in the world do I know???? Redd Volkaert is a Jedi Knight at one with the Force!!!

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