• macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Topic: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

Yeah, I borrowed a friend's MXR Dynacomp and I am loving what it does to single coils... I am however NOT loving the noise even when just plugging it directly to the amp with nothing else in the chain.  What are you guys using, and are there any low noise dynacomp options out there?  optical vs. IC based?

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

i have a 4 knob version of the keeley compressor that I love.....it does wonders on a clean tone and like you said with single coils clean or dirty.

masque's Website

  • From: Bangor, Wales, Uk
  • Registered: 2011-08-09
  • Posts: 23

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

I've just built one of these.....

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/classiccomp.html

Totally noise free! Based on the old 2 knob Ross compressor with some Keeley stuff in there!

Great instructions and straight forward to build. Cost me $65 to the UK

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

When playing through my tube amps, I usually use my Analogman 3 knob Comprosser - but mainly as a booster to drive the signal a bit harder to the amp for a bit of breakup...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

I have an MXR Custom Comp, sounds just as good as a jangle box..I've A/B them both together simultaneously. Very nice pedal.

Also have a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone, that one is my favorite cause it can add a hint of OD.  You can also use it primarily as an OD pedal with an amp slightly broken up and keep the blend knob (on pedal) toward the "grit" side and you won't get the noise of a compressor if you leave it on all the time.  Only time you can leave a compressor on all the time is if your using a clean tone, then you won't hear any hissing.  With an overdriven amp, they are noisy like a fuzz face can be.

I love compressor pedals, They're great to thicken up the lighter strings for solos and add a slight boost.  I don't know why more people don't use them?  They also will smooth out your tone when you use it for a solo and allow some forgiveness if your chops aren't quite up to snuff on a fast run.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

This is silly but I used a behringer compressor pedal I got for $10 for years.  It had a sustain and Level control, and on the inside it had a special trim pot nobody knew about from what I know because nobody really uses them.  It sounded very good for the money.  I used to uses mine for really clean songs that we used to do like "Wonderful Tonight" "Sitting On the Dock Of the Bay" and anything twangy like a Stones song.  For $10 I got more then my moneys worth out of it!  Currently don't use Compressor.

AD3THREE's Website

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

BYOC looks interesting... also the visual sound comp 66.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

I used a Barber Tone Press for awhile.  It was in my opinion, better than the Keeley I had. Both are gone now as I kinda drifted away from using compressors.

  • macg1
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Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

HoosierRock wrote:

I used a Barber Tone Press for awhile.  It was in my opinion, better than the Keeley I had. Both are gone now as I kinda drifted away from using compressors.

yeah i remember hearing the keeley at a store once... i was REALLY impressed.  but somehow the videos online, even in HD either sound different or my ears changed.  the one i heard was a 2 knob one, and I figured good enough for sonny landreth, good enough for me.  but i remember EJ was using a dynacomp (vintage one likely) for a spell and it sounded great too.  basically I do love the tone of the dynacomp, just not the noise even at moderate settings (i have mine set at 1 and 11 o'clock output and sensitivity respectively).

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

I use a Strymon o.b. 1   It's a great transparent compressor.

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
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Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

wharris wrote:

I use a Strymon o.b. 1   It's a great transparent compressor.

interesting... did not know strymon made a comp.  yeah much like the rest of their gear I expect nothing short of perfection.  found one for a reasonable price.  maybe a christmas gift to myself...

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

Analogman Bi-Comp

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

macg1 wrote:
wharris wrote:

I use a Strymon o.b. 1   It's a great transparent compressor.

interesting... did not know strymon made a comp.  yeah much like the rest of their gear I expect nothing short of perfection.  found one for a reasonable price.  maybe a christmas gift to myself...

You won't regret it. I didn't think I was a compression guy until I put the Strymon on my board.

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

I only use a compressor with my single-coil guitars (Baja Tele, JV Strat, Hanson Cigno), but I heartily recommend the Visual Sound V2 Comp 66 pedal:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ … ects-pedal

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • macg1
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Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

Yeah I have heard good things about the comp 66.  is that optical or IC-based? likely IC based considering the price.  It is also supposed to have noise reduction right?

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • Registered: 2011-11-29
  • Posts: 10

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

i use a Boss CS-3 that i modded with the Analog Man Ultra Mod. all for about $75, you can get the pedal used for cheap and I think it is about $25.00 mod kit or less. Great pedal.  I use all of the nobs set to 12.

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

macg1 wrote:

Yeah I have heard good things about the comp 66.  is that optical or IC-based? likely IC based considering the price.  It is also supposed to have noise reduction right?

Yes, it does...

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Who is using compressor? What you got?!

HoosierRock wrote:

I used a Barber Tone Press for awhile.  It was in my opinion, better than the Keeley I had. Both are gone now as I kinda drifted away from using compressors.

My reply too. I don't use them any more...but the Barber is less than half the price of the Keeley and completely floors it. It has a wet/dry blend knob so you control how much effect comes through. Great with chords too!