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don jon · August 16th, 2009, 01:35 AM

Ok I am not much of an FX pedal person. I play a 2006 60th Anniversary Tele and usually run it directly into my Blues Deville 212, AC-15, or Vibro Champ. If I need tube driven clean boost with some slapback I plug into my Hughes and Kettner Replex.
But I want a good all around practical compressor pedal that won't squash my attack too much or muddy up my tone. I was intrigued first by the EH Black Finger because it is tube driven and has a lamp light and an LED. But after reading some reviews I am not so sure.
I have also been considering an Analogman Juicer, Keeley 4 knob, and the BBE Opto-Stomp and Orange Squash.
I like James Burton, Vince Gill or Albert Lee type clean leads, but I also love Clapton and Mark Knopfler type tones, and who can resist a little Hendrix.
So what compressor pedals do you other chicken pickers use? And what pedal would give me the versatility to emulate all of the above-listed influences?
Thanks

tomorrowstars · August 16th, 2009, 02:05 PM

Definitely have a look at the CMATMODS Compressor (Formerly known as the RossComp for looking it up on harmony central).

zombuswoof · August 16th, 2009, 02:19 PM

I switch between an MXR Dynacomp and a Keeley Comp and mostly chicken pick, although the comp goes off when the dirt kicks in for Freddie King/Clapton-type tones.

DMace · August 16th, 2009, 02:55 PM

I have a Keeley 2-knob. It's a really warm, subtle, and most importantly, quiet compressor. Great for chicken pickin'.

brittwin · August 16th, 2009, 03:14 PM

I have a 2 knob Keeley too..... excellent compressor. I had a Barber Tone Press that I loved too, but it was too big compared to the Keeley, the real estate factor came into play.

DblStop · August 16th, 2009, 06:31 PM

Just bought a Retrosonic Compressor about a month ago from PedalGeek and I'm Loving it,Dan from Pedalgeek descrided it being very close to the Keeley.It also has a toggle switch on it for dark ,bright setting which is cool if you have a dark or bright amp.I had the Tone Press that had been on my board for 5 or 6 years and was looking for something a little more squish not much and plus it's a smaller footprint and takes up less real estate on my board.Mark Moree akaDblStop

don jon · August 16th, 2009, 11:52 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like the Keeley 2 knob is the most popular option. And here in Nashville it is a standard. I know the Barber is a little bigger, but since you have owned both Brittwin how do they A-B tone wise. I am looking for transparency, low noise, just a touch of squash on the "he was feelin' that one" notes, and lots of sustain. And is there anyone else who has A-B'd the Barber and Keeley?

I have never heard of the Retrosonic, I will have to check them out. And as far as the Ross goes I have played the Analogman clones and they are pretty sweet but pricey.

don jon · August 17th, 2009, 12:09 AM

OK so I just checked out the Retro-Sonic.....
Nice Suggestion DblStop! It seems to out-perform the Keeley in versatility (especially ver. 2 with the toggle switch). And it is very quiet and transparent. Does anyone else own a Retro-Sonic Comp? I appreciate the feedback!

guit30 · August 17th, 2009, 02:58 AM

Ok guys , chicken pickin is my hobby, My favorite is The Wampler Ego Compressor, 4 knob Ross circuit that has a slightly larger footprint than the Keeley, but smaller than the Barber, Have played all of the above and here is what I love!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_2jMWK3WY

Tremolo7 · August 17th, 2009, 10:33 AM

I ordered a Keeley 4-knob Comp from PGS, and it should be here tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out

Guitarzan · August 17th, 2009, 04:44 PM

There is a potpourri of opinions in the archives of this forum on different compressors. A search on past threads will be very useful.

In particular, look for a thread Bill Hullett did on the analogman mini bicomp.

You can pick up a lot of compressors used on the Gear Page and try them out.

Also, be mindful that MXR has a Dynacomp reissue out now, and there have been commentaries here.

flatout9 · August 17th, 2009, 04:59 PM

The CS-2 is doing me fine but is a little noisy. Looking at putting a mod on it to help with that.

DblStop · August 17th, 2009, 11:25 PM

Don Jon glad I could help out i'm LOVIN' the RetroSonic very sweet little compressor,Hey Don Jon how long you been in NASHVILLE?Are you a transplant there or are you origionally from there.The wife and I are relocating to Nashville hopefully by the first of next year cant wait to get there.Mark Moree aka DblStop

August 16th, 2009, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
don jon TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville Age: 29 Posts: 21	Chicken Pickers??? What is the best all around compressor? Ok I am not much of an FX pedal person. I play a 2006 60th Anniversary Tele and usually run it directly into my Blues Deville 212, AC-15, or Vibro Champ. If I need tube driven clean boost with some slapback I plug into my Hughes and Kettner Replex. But I want a good all around practical compressor pedal that won't squash my attack too much or muddy up my tone. I was intrigued first by the EH Black Finger because it is tube driven and has a lamp light and an LED. But after reading some reviews I am not so sure. I have also been considering an Analogman Juicer, Keeley 4 knob, and the BBE Opto-Stomp and Orange Squash. I like James Burton, Vince Gill or Albert Lee type clean leads, but I also love Clapton and Mark Knopfler type tones, and who can resist a little Hendrix. So what compressor pedals do you other chicken pickers use? And what pedal would give me the versatility to emulate all of the above-listed influences? Thanks

August 16th, 2009, 02:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomorrowstars Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Age: 24 Posts: 104 3 Photos	Definitely have a look at the CMATMODS Compressor (Formerly known as the RossComp for looking it up on harmony central). __________________ Current set-up Guitars: Squier JV Strat or CIJ Fender Telecaster Effects: Doobtone Micro Buffer, Cmatmods Compressor, Digitech Whammy, Tubeworks Realtube. Amps: Kustom Defender or EVJ

August 16th, 2009, 03:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
brittwin Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canonsburg, Pa Age: 36 Posts: 235 20 Photos	I have a 2 knob Keeley too..... excellent compressor. I had a Barber Tone Press that I loved too, but it was too big compared to the Keeley, the real estate factor came into play. __________________ ________________________ At all times be alert. The world needs more lerts.

August 17th, 2009, 02:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
guit30 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Abington Age: 56 Posts: 752	Ok guys , chicken pickin is my hobby, My favorite is The Wampler Ego Compressor, 4 knob Ross circuit that has a slightly larger footprint than the Keeley, but smaller than the Barber, Have played all of the above and here is what I love!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_2jMWK3WY __________________ Wampler Ego Compressor Edan Analog Nashville Hot Boost Jim's Country Reviews www.geocities.com/guit30

August 17th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
Guitarzan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hotlanta, GA Posts: 1,186	There is a potpourri of opinions in the archives of this forum on different compressors. A search on past threads will be very useful. In particular, look for a thread Bill Hullett did on the analogman mini bicomp. You can pick up a lot of compressors used on the Gear Page and try them out. Also, be mindful that MXR has a Dynacomp reissue out now, and there have been commentaries here. __________________ I got all my country learnin, milking and a churnin, pickin cotton, raisin hell, and bailin hay

August 16th, 2009, 02:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
zombuswoof TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 72	I switch between an MXR Dynacomp and a Keeley Comp and mostly chicken pick, although the comp goes off when the dirt kicks in for Freddie King/Clapton-type tones.

August 16th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
DMace Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,996	I have a Keeley 2-knob. It's a really warm, subtle, and most importantly, quiet compressor. Great for chicken pickin'.

August 16th, 2009, 06:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
DblStop Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 423	Just bought a Retrosonic Compressor about a month ago from PedalGeek and I'm Loving it,Dan from Pedalgeek descrided it being very close to the Keeley.It also has a toggle switch on it for dark ,bright setting which is cool if you have a dark or bright amp.I had the Tone Press that had been on my board for 5 or 6 years and was looking for something a little more squish not much and plus it's a smaller footprint and takes up less real estate on my board.Mark Moree akaDblStop

August 16th, 2009, 11:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
don jon TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville Age: 29 Posts: 21	Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like the Keeley 2 knob is the most popular option. And here in Nashville it is a standard. I know the Barber is a little bigger, but since you have owned both Brittwin how do they A-B tone wise. I am looking for transparency, low noise, just a touch of squash on the "he was feelin' that one" notes, and lots of sustain. And is there anyone else who has A-B'd the Barber and Keeley? I have never heard of the Retrosonic, I will have to check them out. And as far as the Ross goes I have played the Analogman clones and they are pretty sweet but pricey.

August 17th, 2009, 12:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
don jon TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville Age: 29 Posts: 21	OK so I just checked out the Retro-Sonic..... Nice Suggestion DblStop! It seems to out-perform the Keeley in versatility (especially ver. 2 with the toggle switch). And it is very quiet and transparent. Does anyone else own a Retro-Sonic Comp? I appreciate the feedback!

August 17th, 2009, 10:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tremolo7 TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: EU Posts: 44 1 Photos	I ordered a Keeley 4-knob Comp from PGS, and it should be here tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out

August 17th, 2009, 04:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
flatout9 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Houston, TX Age: 33 Posts: 250 3 Photos	The CS-2 is doing me fine but is a little noisy. Looking at putting a mod on it to help with that.

August 17th, 2009, 11:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
DblStop Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 423	Don Jon glad I could help out i'm LOVIN' the RetroSonic very sweet little compressor,Hey Don Jon how long you been in NASHVILLE?Are you a transplant there or are you origionally from there.The wife and I are relocating to Nashville hopefully by the first of next year cant wait to get there.Mark Moree aka DblStop

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