So I'm playing my Tele with a Compressor - is this normal?

[SpaceAceman]

I'm new to Tele's, so please let me know if this is a thing.

Signal Chain: Tele > Modtone Lemon Comp > Marshall VS100R Clean channel
- Reasonable amount of reverb

Anyway - the sound is just OMG! I'm loving it!!!

I have never played anything (mostly dual HB LP styles) where I just wanted to play clean with some squash going on. But on this thing (Tele) it just sounds right!

Is a Tele + a Compressor a thing???

 

[boxocrap]

I'm new to Tele's, so please let me know if this is a thing.

Signal Chain: Tele > Modtone Lemon Comp > Marshall VS100R Clean channel
- Reasonable amount of reverb

Anyway - the sound is just OMG! I'm loving it!!!

I have never played anything (mostly dual HB LP styles) where I just wanted to play clean with some squash going on. But on this thing (Tele) it just sounds right!

Is a Tele + a Compressor a thing???

well..a tele is a thing

 

[middy]

I'm new to Tele's, so please let me know if this is a thing.

Signal Chain: Tele > Modtone Lemon Comp > Marshall VS100R Clean channel
- Reasonable amount of reverb

Anyway - the sound is just OMG! I'm loving it!!!

I have never played anything (mostly dual HB LP styles) where I just wanted to play clean with some squash going on. But on this thing (Tele) it just sounds right!

Is a Tele + a Compressor a thing???

Yeah, it is. New Wave, funk, and country music all make heavy use of a compressed Telecaster.

 

[Peegoo]

Be careful. Compression can be a serious addiction, just like chorus was in the 80s.

Just as with herbs and spices in cooking--effects taste best when used in moderation.

 

[JL_LI]

I'm new to Tele's, so please let me know if this is a thing.

Signal Chain: Tele > Modtone Lemon Comp > Marshall VS100R Clean channel
- Reasonable amount of reverb

Anyway - the sound is just OMG! I'm loving it!!!

I have never played anything (mostly dual HB LP styles) where I just wanted to play clean with some squash going on. But on this thing (Tele) it just sounds right!

Is a Tele + a Compressor a thing???

I think what draws all of us to Telecaster is that we can create a very personal sound with it. I use an equalizer and delay. You've found your sound into a Marshall clean channel through a compressor. Good for you. That sound will keep you playing your Telecaster. But there's nothing wrong with a dual HB LP either. Hang around for a while and you'll find most of us talking about a variety of guitars. Maybe your next Tele will be an SH.

 

[msalama]

I usually play my Telecasters straight into a modded Super Twin - yah, they're horrible in stock condition, but this has been blackfaced with just 2 6L6s on - but do occasionally play clean with a dash of compression as well. And it IS a thing since it's actually one of the classic sounds!

 

[Bourbon Burst]

I usually play my Telecasters straight into a modded Super Twin - yah, they're horrible in stock condition, but this has been blackfaced with just 2 6L6s on - but do occasionally play clean with a dash of compression as well. And it IS a thing since it's actually one of the classic sounds!

There is a Super Twin for sale locally for $450. I want a Twin but don't know much about them. Seems to be mixed reviews.

 

[Bourbon Burst]

Yes, a Tele with a compressor is a thing. Used especially for chicken picking

 

[Wallaby]

Guilty. It's a thing, a good thing.

 

[blue metalflake]

Certainly a very common set up. I prefer to just plug in direct, but if you’ve found your sound, enjoy it.

 

[loudboy]

Yup. I use an Xotic SP on the Low setting on all the time for clean sounds. Love it, sits perfectly in the mix but doesn't sound too squashed.

 

[Skyhook]

Be careful. Compression can be a serious addiction, just like chorus was in the 80s.

Just as with herbs and spices in cooking--effects taste best when used in moderation.

Read you loud and clear!
I stopped using compressors because it felt like I was cheating.
Sloppy fretting and iffy picking turned into beautiful commanding tones by a pedal... nope.. felt dishonest.

I could see myself using it to achieve exactly that compressed sound if I'm going for that effect for a certain part of a song,
but for general usage... it's a real slippery slope there!

 

[VintageSG]

I run my compressor at such a low level, you'd struggle to know it was on. -I- know when it's off. Just a little, a soupcon if you will, adds a certain sparkle. Overdo it and it squashes the life from your sound.
On the all too rare occaisions I can really open an amp up, the natural compression of the power stage and speaker motor are lifted beautifully by a -barely- on compressor. To my ears. Ears which are mine, ie, not anyone elses.
Compressors and Telecasters go together.

 

[saleake]

Yes it is. I’m an “always-on” compressor guy.

 

[KelvinS1965]

Yup. I use an Xotic SP on the Low setting on all the time for clean sounds. Love it, sits perfectly in the mix but doesn't sound too squashed.

Same here, though I sometimes use the mid setting, but turn the blend knob back a bit. I play into a Marshall SC20 set clean when I'm playing with the band (have to use pedals for crunch/distortion).

 

[Nick Fanis]

If you are playing into a large wattage amp a comp is essential for a great tele clean tone IMHO .
If you are playing into a lower wattage amp (i.e.a tweed deluxe) not so much since the clean tone is already beautifuly compressed.

 

[loopfinding]

Read you loud and clear!
I stopped using compressors because it felt like I was cheating.
Sloppy fretting and iffy picking turned into beautiful commanding tones by a pedal... nope.. felt dishonest.

I could see myself using it to achieve exactly that compressed sound if I'm going for that effect for a certain part of a song,
but for general usage... it's a real slippery slope there!

well the amp is compressing, even clean, is that cheating too? taken to extremes, then the only form of not cheating is playing acoustic, haha.

i was recently learning some really distorted fast passages unplugged. playing with that much force/attack (for acoustic consistency) was slowing me down when it came time to play it amplified, where you couldn't distinguish a certain threshold of attack anyway with that much gain. it's not really economizing motion to be a hardass about it.

anyway, not saying one should play sloppy, but it's always a balancing act between effort in and sound out. there's nothing that says you still can't play accurately with the comp on. ideally it's just doing a little more of what the amp is doing for you, and you have to learn how to adjust to it, like you have to learn how to adust to dirt.

 

[HandOfIke]

I play my Tele nearly all the time through a Dyna Comp and love it.

I've got kinda 3 main settings for Funk Rhythm, Rockabilly and 'Heavier' stuff.... The only time I really turn it off is when high dynamic touch is called for, even then I can dial in some nice compression from time to time...

Dyna Comp and the bitting bridge pickup just sounds wonderful!

 

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Down the compressor rabbit hole you go!
My personal evolution was:
- Some cheap Rogue thing some guy gave me (Musician's Friend house brand) worth about $25
- Boss CS-3 (used $60)
- Keely Compressor + (new $120)
- Wampler Ego (new $200)

This was over a 8 year stretch.
The Ego changed my world. Simply amazing. Worth every penny. Far and above the others.

Next will be a Origin Effects Cali76 ($360 new) ..... maybe someday, cause for now, I'm really digging the Wampler Ego.

 

[old soul]

In the words of cheech & chong......'just go with it, sarge!'
Enjoy