2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

Joel · January 15th, 2009, 05:17 PM

Anyone got any suggestions for a nice comp pedal mostly for clean sounds?
I have a 52 vintage reissue tele and (my new favourite) a Champion 600

vjf1968 · January 15th, 2009, 05:30 PM

I use the Barber Tone Press. I like it because of the blend knob but there are others available with this feature. Actually BYOC has a compressor that also has this feature. I don't know how it compares with a Keeley but it is cheaper than one. Even cheaper if you build it yourself.

badmelonfarmer · January 15th, 2009, 05:54 PM

I Like the MXR Dynacomp with my AV52 RI

twangcaster1 · January 15th, 2009, 05:56 PM

Keeley 4 Knob Compressor!!! It's the best compressor I've ever encountered! I love mine!

Tele Baby · January 16th, 2009, 11:11 AM

I like the MXR compressor - decent price and does the job

Jack Compress

tele1 · January 16th, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a 52ri and I love my dynacomp......

TB72 · January 16th, 2009, 01:40 PM

A Mad Professor Forest Green comp recently replaced a Keeley on my main board.

Expensive...but holy $#!t, what a tone!!!

Later...

Joel · January 16th, 2009, 01:53 PM

yepp the mad professor pedals are insane all of them and I don't just say that because i'm a swede, I've tried all of them, little bit to expensive though.
You should see..or hear the new MP amp though, they just burnt the rulebook with that amp.

Martin R · January 16th, 2009, 01:55 PM

I was shopping for a compressor and found an article about Nashville session people. Each one had a sidebar with the rigs they used. EVERYONE of them had the Dynacomp.

I bought one and love it. Super clean, very easy to set up and built like a tank.

woodman · January 16th, 2009, 02:18 PM

another vote for the Barber.

guit30 · January 16th, 2009, 03:25 PM

Hartman Compressor

Jenix · January 16th, 2009, 03:30 PM

not the cs3 even indy modded, there's no fixing it

Joel · January 16th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Thanks everybody
I will go check out the MXR tomorrow, Alot of people seems to like it.
By the way is it true bypass?

vjf1968 · January 16th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Well, that depends on which one. There is currently a "script" MXR Dynacomp re-issue and it does not have an LED nor is it true-bypass IIRC. As for the regular "block" MXR I don't know. I had one a long time ago but sold it.

"script" and "block" are references to the MXR logo font on the pedal itself. But do yourself a favor and try the Barber Tone Press. There is a trim pot located inside the pedal so you can set for the more Dynacomp compression and you get the added bonus of the blend knob.

Joel · January 16th, 2009, 04:52 PM

We unfortunaly don't have any distributors for Barber in Sweden

guit30 · January 17th, 2009, 01:30 AM

Joel,
You can't get one online? Pedals Plus, PedalGeek, Pro Guitar store ,TheMadApe.
Jim

PS- It is a nice pedal, just doesn't compress enough for me, great tone though

PSS- I tried one of the script reissue 76 dynacomps, $175, Very nice looking, But mine was super noisey, so I sent it back, I loved the tone. It was not true bypass and no LED.
They must have something good to them, Analogman sells them on his site, He will make them true bypass for you. He said the ones plugged in to A/c converters were very noisey, but as long as you used a battery they were great, I did love the tone
Jim

guit30 · January 17th, 2009, 01:38 AM

Here's a picture of a pedal I ordered that's on it's way to me. I want a good Ross comp to augment my Dan Armstrong comp, Hartman is a Dan Armstrong Clone
Jim
The EGo Compressor
http://www.wamplerpedals.com/ego_compressor

-will let you know how I like it
Jim

Joel · January 17th, 2009, 03:28 AM

I suppose I can get any pedals online, for me It's just a bit of a gamble to order something I haven't heard in real life but I will check it out.

Justinvs · January 17th, 2009, 11:26 AM

I just picked up a cheapie compressor on ebay (Arion SCO-1) and actually it doesn't sound horrible. <G> I'm still trying to figure out the settings on it, as this i the only compressor I've used. Which is the primary control on most of these pedals, the attack or the sustain?

Justin

guit30 · January 17th, 2009, 03:20 PM

The sustain is most important, that controls the amount of compression, as for attack, that is nice, I tend to set attack as fast as possible and it will give you more compression. Usually, the fastest for attack is all the way to the left. Then adjust the compression as you like. Those Arion folk made a chorus pedal that very popular.
JIm

guit30 · January 17th, 2009, 03:25 PM

Joel,
Check out Pro Guitar Shop, they have some real accurate video demos they made of alot of their pedals and theuir prices are good
JIm

Astro1176 · January 17th, 2009, 06:35 PM

I ended up getting the cmatmods Deluxe Signa Comp - which I understand is based on the original dyna comp. My taste is such that I intensely dislike the Boss CS2, and this pedal is very different. It changes the tone a lot, but it still sounds very natural. I pretty much have the pedal on the whole time, I really like what it does for the dynamics and my playing.

tele-jack · January 17th, 2009, 08:25 PM

I started out with a Boss CS-3, got rid of it for a Dyna Comp. The Dyna Comp created all kinds of noise so I bought a noise suppressor. Got rid of the Dyna Comp and bought a Keeley and couldn't see what all the fuss was about, so I got rid of that too. I finally settled on The Barber Tone Press and am thoroughly satisfied and now have a surplus ( USELESS ) noise suppressor!

Justinvs · January 17th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the advice!

Justin

Joel · January 18th, 2009, 03:34 AM

I've tested the MXR SuperComp I'm assuming they sound kinda the same (Insert opinion). And even though it is supposed to be quieter than the dynacomp I thought it was kinda noisy. I've listened to the barber and that actually sound great. And regarding shipping pedals to Sweden, from proguitarshop the dynacomp inclouding shipping was nearly HALF THE PRICE!!! than in my local music store (and it's a ****ing good store).
I don't know what the barber would cost in Sweden but I'm guiessing that it will be cheaper to buy it from the states.

vjf1968 · January 18th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

I've tested the MXR SuperComp I'm assuming they sound kinda the same (Insert opinion). And even though it is supposed to be quieter than the dynacomp I thought it was kinda noisy. I've listened to the barber and that actually sound great. And regarding shipping pedals to Sweden, from proguitarshop the dynacomp inclouding shipping was nearly HALF THE PRICE!!! than in my local music store (and it's a ****ing good store).
I don't know what the barber would cost in Sweden but I'm guiessing that it will be cheaper to buy it from the states.

BYOC has a 5 knob compressor that it is kind of a cross between a Barber Tone Press and a Keeley but at a fraction of the cost. If you are into building something from a kit than that may save you some money or you can get it pre-assembled from www.axeandyoushallreceive.com. The components are top quality and again it is a lot cheaper.

Joel · January 18th, 2009, 02:03 PM

I might check out the BYOC cause we have them in Sweden and I like to build my own pedals, It's so much easier to mod them when you build them from scratch than to mod a regular "factory" pedal

DMace · January 18th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

Anyone got any suggestions for a nice comp pedal mostly for clean sounds?
I have a 52 vintage reissue tele and (my new favourite) a Champion 600

Keeley

Roli · January 18th, 2009, 05:40 PM

I'm happy with my Marshall ED-1. It can do very transparent and total squeeze, and anything in between. You might give it a try.

- Sound sample -

.

Doc · January 20th, 2009, 09:31 PM

Keeley 4 knob and ED-1 tend to be my favorites.

jmclaren · January 20th, 2009, 10:24 PM

I have an Ego Compressor on order from Wampler too. I'll let you know what I think after using it for awhile.

Johnir · January 21st, 2009, 04:56 AM

I bought a secondhand Marshall ED-1 this weekend to have as an extra compressor outside of my pedalboard and I'm suprised how good it is. I checked it against a Boss CS-3 (which I never liked) and the Marshall is much more flexible and transparent. It can squash rather heavy though and the knobs weren't very intuitive, but after a bit of exploring it sounded very good.

I think the Barber is TOO transparent... I understand there's a knob inside you can dial to make it more "rubbery" which I didn't check out and I've been thinking about trying it out again for this.

An other transparent compressor is the T-Rex Comp-nova which I guess is available in Sweden.

I'm using the MXR SuperComp on my pedalboard, and I don't think it's especially noisy, not when it's used within reasonably settings. It's noisy when you turn the compression up too loud. It's not transparent but colors the sound in a way that's suitable for country music IMHO. I haven't A/B tested it with the Marshall yet, but it might be replaced by it. (At least untill I get a Keeley...)

Joel · January 21st, 2009, 07:15 AM

Compressor pedals are by far the hardest pedals to buy, because you have to try them with your own setup and it's very hard to listen to sound clips. The T-Rex pedals (all of them) are one of my favourite lines of pedals along with Mad Professor and Skydstrup. I'm just going to have to try pedals until I find one I like, there's no easy way around.

rob w jackson · January 21st, 2009, 09:57 AM

What Joel said... you really got to try as many as you can and find one that works for you, but there's loads of good suggestions here already. Here's a few more to consider...

Maxon
Diamond
HBE
Analog Man OS clone
Original OS (my current fave)

Joel · January 21st, 2009, 11:27 AM

Oh man I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started this thread.
To.....many....pedals.......AAAARRRRGHH

studio1087 · January 21st, 2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

I've tested the MXR SuperComp I'm assuming they sound kinda the same (Insert opinion). And even though it is supposed to be quieter than the dynacomp I thought it was kinda noisy. I've listened to the barber and that actually sound great. And regarding shipping pedals to Sweden, from proguitarshop the dynacomp inclouding shipping was nearly HALF THE PRICE!!! than in my local music store (and it's a ****ing good store).
I don't know what the barber would cost in Sweden but I'm guiessing that it will be cheaper to buy it from the states.

The Supercomp doesn't sound like the DynaComp. I like DynaComps and I bought a SuperComp once and returned it after 3 days. I thought the SuperComp was very noisy and sounded poor.

The Dyna is simple and it sounds great. You can get dynamic control or the big squeeze.

I have a Boss CS-3, a Marshall ED-1, a DOD MilkBox and the DynaComp. I always come back to the Dyna.

John

danfromdsf · January 22nd, 2009, 02:10 AM

I suppose I'll throw my two cents onto the ever-growing pile and say that I really like my CS-2. I guess it's more like a haypenny than two cents, because it's the only compressor I've ever owned... but I got it for about fifty bucks on eBay and have loved it ever since. Does exactly what I'm looking for - gets pretty subtle and pretty squashy, and I'm really not looking for either extreme.

Guitarist4u36 · January 22nd, 2009, 04:33 PM

I have fought with compressors for YEARS! Some may or may not agree with me, but I find that compressors (along with various other effects but compressors tend to be the hardest to me) are an effect that has to really grow on you because each one (even if they're the same brand and model) has a slightly different voice which is in turn affected by the style and the way you play. Over time you slowly dial it in /adapt to it and it becomes a part of "your" sound. I have used a Boss ME-10 multi-effects pedal for 16 years (to the point that it's basically worn out) because of this very reason. I believe the compressor in the ME-10 is simply based upon the boss CS-3 but it doesn't even sound like other CS-3s that I've tried. I've tried Barbers, Keeleys, Maxons, Dynacomp vintage scrips, analogman...you name it, and as great as they are, there's still something lacking in my ears. I won't say that any of them sound BAD....just different. Some sounded very good in their own way. But when I tried them live and started playing like I play, I felt like I was "walking with a slight limp" for lack of a better way to put it. Either they squish to much or not enough, attack too slowly, attack too quickly, suck tone,too transparent, not enough sustain, ect. Again, probably affected to a degree on how I have adapted to playing. And also, if I think back about it, when I first got my me-10 I fought with it as well until I got used to it.
That being said, the one compressor that I've tried that I like the best is the Electro-Harmonix Black finger. It's an optoisolator tube vacuum that runs on either lamp or led. It has both normal and squash modes as well. I feel like it's a very warm sounding, balanced compressor...one of those hidden jewels that you don't hear alot about. Anyway that's my input and also finishes up my compressor venting on the soapbox. It's someone elses turn. haha
Dino*

Joel · January 22nd, 2009, 07:01 PM

Man, I don't know if I'm loving or hating this!

ChikNpikN · January 23rd, 2009, 11:48 AM

Another vote for the Barber Tone Press. My Baja, into the Tone Press, into a BFDR, Great Combination!

Chik

January 15th, 2009, 05:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	Compressor pedals? Anyone got any suggestions for a nice comp pedal mostly for clean sounds? I have a 52 vintage reissue tele and (my new favourite) a Champion 600

January 15th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
vjf1968 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia Age: 41 Posts: 1,683 7 Photos	I use the Barber Tone Press. I like it because of the blend knob but there are others available with this feature. Actually BYOC has a compressor that also has this feature. I don't know how it compares with a Keeley but it is cheaper than one. Even cheaper if you build it yourself. __________________ "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

January 15th, 2009, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 2,201 15 Photos	Keeley 4 Knob Compressor!!! It's the best compressor I've ever encountered! I love mine! __________________ Louisiana Twangmaker

January 16th, 2009, 11:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
tele1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 351	Anothe happy MXR owner here I have a 52ri and I love my dynacomp......

January 16th, 2009, 01:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
TB72 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 532	A Mad Professor Forest Green comp recently replaced a Keeley on my main board. Expensive...but holy $#!t, what a tone!!! Later... __________________ Why is easy-listening music so hard to listen to?

January 15th, 2009, 05:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
badmelonfarmer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Land of the Wurzels - UK Age: 39 Posts: 490	I Like the MXR Dynacomp with my AV52 RI

January 16th, 2009, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tele Baby TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South East England Age: 31 Posts: 27	I like the MXR compressor - decent price and does the job Jack Compress

January 16th, 2009, 01:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	yepp the mad professor pedals are insane all of them and I don't just say that because i'm a swede, I've tried all of them, little bit to expensive though. You should see..or hear the new MP amp though, they just burnt the rulebook with that amp.

January 16th, 2009, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Martin R Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 216	I was shopping for a compressor and found an article about Nashville session people. Each one had a sidebar with the rigs they used. EVERYONE of them had the Dynacomp. I bought one and love it. Super clean, very easy to set up and built like a tank.

January 16th, 2009, 02:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 63 Posts: 8,124	another vote for the Barber. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Woody & the Stragglers - Western Swing/Roots-rock)

January 16th, 2009, 03:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	Hartman Compressor __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

January 16th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jenix Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Illinois State University Age: 20 Posts: 507	not the cs3 even indy modded, there's no fixing it __________________ USA Ovation MIA Standard Telecaster * Vox AC15CC Martin 000C-16RGTE Aura ISP Decimator - MXR Super Comp - Wah - Keeley TS9 86 Pro Co Rat - Volume Pedal (Boss TU-2) - Boss DD6 Some people sing in the shower, I play guitar...

January 16th, 2009, 03:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	Thanks everybody I will go check out the MXR tomorrow, Alot of people seems to like it. By the way is it true bypass?

January 16th, 2009, 04:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
vjf1968 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia Age: 41 Posts: 1,683 7 Photos	Well, that depends on which one. There is currently a "script" MXR Dynacomp re-issue and it does not have an LED nor is it true-bypass IIRC. As for the regular "block" MXR I don't know. I had one a long time ago but sold it. "script" and "block" are references to the MXR logo font on the pedal itself. But do yourself a favor and try the Barber Tone Press. There is a trim pot located inside the pedal so you can set for the more Dynacomp compression and you get the added bonus of the blend knob. __________________ "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

January 16th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	We unfortunaly don't have any distributors for Barber in Sweden

January 17th, 2009, 01:30 AM	#16 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	Joel, You can't get one online? Pedals Plus, PedalGeek, Pro Guitar store ,TheMadApe. Jim PS- It is a nice pedal, just doesn't compress enough for me, great tone though PSS- I tried one of the script reissue 76 dynacomps, $175, Very nice looking, But mine was super noisey, so I sent it back, I loved the tone. It was not true bypass and no LED. They must have something good to them, Analogman sells them on his site, He will make them true bypass for you. He said the ones plugged in to A/c converters were very noisey, but as long as you used a battery they were great, I did love the tone Jim __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

January 17th, 2009, 01:38 AM	#17 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	The EGo Compressor Here's a picture of a pedal I ordered that's on it's way to me. I want a good Ross comp to augment my Dan Armstrong comp, Hartman is a Dan Armstrong Clone Jim The EGo Compressor http://www.wamplerpedals.com/ego_compressor -will let you know how I like it Jim __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

January 17th, 2009, 03:28 AM	#18 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	I suppose I can get any pedals online, for me It's just a bit of a gamble to order something I haven't heard in real life but I will check it out.

January 17th, 2009, 11:26 AM	#19 (permalink)
Justinvs Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wise River, Montana Age: 47 Posts: 454	I just picked up a cheapie compressor on ebay (Arion SCO-1) and actually it doesn't sound horrible. <G> I'm still trying to figure out the settings on it, as this i the only compressor I've used. Which is the primary control on most of these pedals, the attack or the sustain? Justin

January 17th, 2009, 03:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	The sustain is most important, that controls the amount of compression, as for attack, that is nice, I tend to set attack as fast as possible and it will give you more compression. Usually, the fastest for attack is all the way to the left. Then adjust the compression as you like. Those Arion folk made a chorus pedal that very popular. JIm __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

January 17th, 2009, 03:25 PM	#21 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	Joel, Check out Pro Guitar Shop, they have some real accurate video demos they made of alot of their pedals and theuir prices are good JIm __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

January 17th, 2009, 06:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
Astro1176 Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 733 17 Photos	I ended up getting the cmatmods Deluxe Signa Comp - which I understand is based on the original dyna comp. My taste is such that I intensely dislike the Boss CS2, and this pedal is very different. It changes the tone a lot, but it still sounds very natural. I pretty much have the pedal on the whole time, I really like what it does for the dynamics and my playing.

January 17th, 2009, 08:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
tele-jack Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: massachusetts Age: 48 Posts: 163	I started out with a Boss CS-3, got rid of it for a Dyna Comp. The Dyna Comp created all kinds of noise so I bought a noise suppressor. Got rid of the Dyna Comp and bought a Keeley and couldn't see what all the fuss was about, so I got rid of that too. I finally settled on The Barber Tone Press and am thoroughly satisfied and now have a surplus ( USELESS ) noise suppressor!

January 17th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
Justinvs Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wise River, Montana Age: 47 Posts: 454	Thanks for the advice! Justin

January 18th, 2009, 03:34 AM	#25 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	I've tested the MXR SuperComp I'm assuming they sound kinda the same (Insert opinion). And even though it is supposed to be quieter than the dynacomp I thought it was kinda noisy. I've listened to the barber and that actually sound great. And regarding shipping pedals to Sweden, from proguitarshop the dynacomp inclouding shipping was nearly HALF THE PRICE!!! than in my local music store (and it's a ****ing good store). I don't know what the barber would cost in Sweden but I'm guiessing that it will be cheaper to buy it from the states.

2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.

January 18th, 2009, 02:03 PM	#27 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	I might check out the BYOC cause we have them in Sweden and I like to build my own pedals, It's so much easier to mod them when you build them from scratch than to mod a regular "factory" pedal

January 18th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#29 (permalink)
Roli Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ¤ Hungary ¤ Posts: 2,379 8 Photos	I'm happy with my Marshall ED-1. It can do very transparent and total squeeze, and anything in between. You might give it a try. - Sound sample - . __________________ How I Play Fingerstyle Guitar - blog for rookies and not so rookies - with videos now!

January 20th, 2009, 09:31 PM	#30 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 1,060	Keeley 4 knob and ED-1 tend to be my favorites. __________________ 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

January 20th, 2009, 10:24 PM	#31 (permalink)
jmclaren Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern California Age: 57 Posts: 117	I have an Ego Compressor on order from Wampler too. I'll let you know what I think after using it for awhile.

January 21st, 2009, 04:56 AM	#32 (permalink)
Johnir TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 32	I bought a secondhand Marshall ED-1 this weekend to have as an extra compressor outside of my pedalboard and I'm suprised how good it is. I checked it against a Boss CS-3 (which I never liked) and the Marshall is much more flexible and transparent. It can squash rather heavy though and the knobs weren't very intuitive, but after a bit of exploring it sounded very good. I think the Barber is TOO transparent... I understand there's a knob inside you can dial to make it more "rubbery" which I didn't check out and I've been thinking about trying it out again for this. An other transparent compressor is the T-Rex Comp-nova which I guess is available in Sweden. I'm using the MXR SuperComp on my pedalboard, and I don't think it's especially noisy, not when it's used within reasonably settings. It's noisy when you turn the compression up too loud. It's not transparent but colors the sound in a way that's suitable for country music IMHO. I haven't A/B tested it with the Marshall yet, but it might be replaced by it. (At least untill I get a Keeley...)

January 21st, 2009, 07:15 AM	#33 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	Compressor pedals are by far the hardest pedals to buy, because you have to try them with your own setup and it's very hard to listen to sound clips. The T-Rex pedals (all of them) are one of my favourite lines of pedals along with Mad Professor and Skydstrup. I'm just going to have to try pedals until I find one I like, there's no easy way around.

January 21st, 2009, 09:57 AM	#34 (permalink)
rob w jackson Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 174	What Joel said... you really got to try as many as you can and find one that works for you, but there's loads of good suggestions here already. Here's a few more to consider... Maxon Diamond HBE Analog Man OS clone Original OS (my current fave)

January 21st, 2009, 11:27 AM	#35 (permalink)
Joel Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden/Norrbotten/Luleå Age: 21 Posts: 101	Oh man I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started this thread. To.....many....pedals.......AAAARRRRGHH

January 22nd, 2009, 02:10 AM	#37 (permalink)
danfromdsf TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI Age: 21 Posts: 41	I suppose I'll throw my two cents onto the ever-growing pile and say that I really like my CS-2. I guess it's more like a haypenny than two cents, because it's the only compressor I've ever owned... but I got it for about fifty bucks on eBay and have loved it ever since. Does exactly what I'm looking for - gets pretty subtle and pretty squashy, and I'm really not looking for either extreme.

January 22nd, 2009, 04:33 PM	#38 (permalink)
Guitarist4u36 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Forsyth, Mo Age: 41 Posts: 10	I have fought with compressors for YEARS! Some may or may not agree with me, but I find that compressors (along with various other effects but compressors tend to be the hardest to me) are an effect that has to really grow on you because each one (even if they're the same brand and model) has a slightly different voice which is in turn affected by the style and the way you play. Over time you slowly dial it in /adapt to it and it becomes a part of "your" sound. I have used a Boss ME-10 multi-effects pedal for 16 years (to the point that it's basically worn out) because of this very reason. I believe the compressor in the ME-10 is simply based upon the boss CS-3 but it doesn't even sound like other CS-3s that I've tried. I've tried Barbers, Keeleys, Maxons, Dynacomp vintage scrips, analogman...you name it, and as great as they are, there's still something lacking in my ears. I won't say that any of them sound BAD....just different. Some sounded very good in their own way. But when I tried them live and started playing like I play, I felt like I was "walking with a slight limp" for lack of a better way to put it. Either they squish to much or not enough, attack too slowly, attack too quickly, suck tone,too transparent, not enough sustain, ect. Again, probably affected to a degree on how I have adapted to playing. And also, if I think back about it, when I first got my me-10 I fought with it as well until I got used to it. That being said, the one compressor that I've tried that I like the best is the Electro-Harmonix Black finger. It's an optoisolator tube vacuum that runs on either lamp or led. It has both normal and squash modes as well. I feel like it's a very warm sounding, balanced compressor...one of those hidden jewels that you don't hear alot about. Anyway that's my input and also finishes up my compressor venting on the soapbox. It's someone elses turn. haha Dino*