Sustain, Compressor Pedal Experiences

[Artie Owl]

Hey Gang,

 

I'm looking for a decent Compressor pedal for some added sustain to slow my playing down a bit. I first plan on switching to a higher gauge string set, but I'd like to add a compressor to my repitoire.

 

It doesn't have to be gig worthy, more practice at home worthy, I'm just looking for recommendations under 100$

 

My first look was the Boss CS-3 because I really like my OS-2 from Boss.

 

Anyone?

[S t e v e]

i don't use a compressor/sustainer but tbh if i was gonna get one then i'd just go with the BOSS...BOSS every time for me

[Versatile]

Hey Gang,

 

I'm looking for a decent Compressor pedal for some added sustain to slow my playing down a bit. I first plan on switching to a higher gauge string set, but I'd like to add a compressor to my repitoire.

 

It doesn't have to be gig worthy, more practice at home worthy, I'm just looking for recommendations under 100$

 

My first look was the Boss CS-3 because I really like my OS-2 from Boss.

 

Anyone?

The Boss is great...and I aint talkin' about Bruce....Enjoy !!

[Silenced Fred]

i don't use a compressor/sustainer but tbh if i was gonna get one then i'd just go with the BOSS...BOSS every time for me

 

MXR! No doubt, always gotta go with something in the Dunlop family

[Artie Owl]

I agree with you Stevejoshlay, and Versatile since I've had previous experience with Boss. Musician's Friend has a thread of Compressor Pedals based on sale popularity;

 

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/effects/pedals/compression-sustain

 

They also have a Electro Harmonix Freeze that seems like it'd be kind of cool.

 

Nathan, I've never given Dunlop a try, other than possibly their golf ball line.

[Corrosion of conformity]

I like the MXR Super Comp.

[chase1410]

MXR! No doubt, always gotta go with something in the Dunlop family

 

I agree, i had the Boss and hated it, significant popping and very noisy. Then i went to my local music store, and my friend there who is a audio engineer, and a musician persuaded me to get the MXR Custom Comp, and i have loved it. You get anything from squashed chime bloom, to chickin pickin, and the internal trim pots, really help you to dial in that special tone. Id recomend the Custom Comp or Barber's Tone Press..I've heard incredible things about it, but some people do prefer the Custom Comp. A little more expensive but defintley worth it.

 

PS: I have seen demos of the EH Freeze, and man does that thing sound sweet!! But that is not your CLASSIC compressor. Ive thinking of picking one up and trying one for my self.

[LarryUK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP0o2T_dNFU

Neal Schon's signature Les Paul had a sustainer built into it.

I think it worked great

[Silenced Fred]

I agree, i had the Boss and hated it, significant popping and very noisy. Then i went to my local music store, and my friend there who is a audio engineer, and a musician persuaded me to get the MXR Custom Comp, and i have loved it. You get anything from squashed chime bloom, to chickin pickin, and the internal trim pots, really help you to dial in that special tone. Id recomend the Custom Comp or Barber's Tone Press..I've heard incredible things about it, but some people do prefer the Custom Comp. A little more expensive but defintley worth it.

 

PS: I have seen demos of the EH Freeze, and man does that thing sound sweet!! But that is not your CLASSIC compressor. Ive thinking of picking one up and trying one for my self.

 

Yes! Score one for Dunlop

 

My cat is named Dunlop btw, name he came with when I adopted him. He was named after the tire brand though, I don't care. I think I should get a sponsorship

[Nick Beach]

MXR! No doubt, always gotta go with something in the Dunlop family

 

 

Agreed. I've been rocking the new Custom Shop Compressor from MXR and the thing is monstrous, way better than any other compressor I've had.

[Artie Owl]

I agree, i had the Boss and hated it, significant popping and very noisy. Then i went to my local music store, and my friend there who is a audio engineer, and a musician persuaded me to get the MXR Custom Comp, and i have loved it. You get anything from squashed chime bloom, to chickin pickin, and the internal trim pots, really help you to dial in that special tone. Id recomend the Custom Comp or Barber's Tone Press..I've heard incredible things about it, but some people do prefer the Custom Comp. A little more expensive but defintley worth it.

 

PS: I have seen demos of the EH Freeze, and man does that thing sound sweet!! But that is not your CLASSIC compressor. Ive thinking of picking one up and trying one for my self.

 

Not your classic compressor kind of sounds tempting, I think I might trek down to L&M and test drive one.

[Laaz]

I like the MXR Super Comp.

 

I agree. I don't use it much, but it does the job well when you need it.

[Artie Owl]

So the shopping list so far is to try the MXR Super Comp and the Electro Harmonix Freeze, and possibly still the Boss CS-3, I like how it's trending towards a specific one though, Thanks all.

[LarryUK]

So the shopping list so far is to try the MXR Super Comp and the Electro Harmonix Freeze, and possibly still the Boss CS-3, I like how it's trending towards a specific one though, Thanks all.

Try an MXR micro amp pedal.

I used to use one for solo's in my gigging days. It just used to 'fill' the sound out.

[chase1410]

Make sure that you try the Super Comp and the CUSTOM comp. i heard a pretty big difference between the two, and the Custom Comp, is supposedly the best compressor MXR has ever released.

[duane v]

The Keeley four knob is the best one I have used

[Kimbabig]

I think dunlop is starting to get a "monopoly" over guitarists, next thing you know they'll start selling guitars.

[Silenced Fred]

I think dunlop is starting to get a "monopoly" over guitarists, next thing you know they'll start selling guitars.

 

Nah, I highly doubt they wanna get into the guitar or even amp market. They've found their niche.

[Artie Owl]

I think I've priced the keeley ones Duane, they're a little out of my range for how often it'll get used at the moment, but maybe if I promise to buy one of the pedals I try they'll let me test it out.

[milod]

Brandon...

 

Here's another unmentioned option that might be attractive, especially if you basically like the tone you're getting.

 

Turn up your amp. Then get a nice, inexpensive passive volume pedal.

 

We did that a lot in the olden days of rock <grin> and pedal steel players still do it. Granted, it requires human input and some practice to get it right, but you're in charge instead of a machine.

 

BTW, that's another reason I'm big on a master volume on the guitar where one might use one's pinky finger to control it as did a picker I played with for a cupla years and, I later discovered, so did Roy Buchanan. Without it, you almost need a volume pedal. But again, that's if you already like what you're getting but just want it to last longer...

 

m

[Versatile]

Thinking in parallel for a moment...the E-Bow can be great fun...

[Artie Owl]

Brandon...

 

Here's another unmentioned option that might be attractive, especially if you basically like the tone you're getting.

 

Turn up your amp. Then get a nice, inexpensive passive volume pedal.

 

We did that a lot in the olden days of rock <grin> and pedal steel players still do it. Granted, it requires human input and some practice to get it right, but you're in charge instead of a machine.

 

BTW, that's another reason I'm big on a master volume on the guitar where one might use one's pinky finger to control it as did a picker I played with for a cupla years and, I later discovered, so did Roy Buchanan. Without it, you almost need a volume pedal. But again, that's if you already like what you're getting but just want it to last longer...

 

m

 

Thanks Milod, I really do like my tone, just want a bit more hover to it. Is that what they're called? Passive Volume Pedals? I'll have to do some googling.

[LPguitarman]

BOSS for me. See Signature...

[milod]

Brandon...

 

I think they're called that. I figure if you just look for volume pedals at your favorite on-line store you'll see something.

 

I think mine was around $30. Since it's foot operated, it takes a little more beating than just the actual switch. There are combination volume-tone pedals, too, but I've always preferred just the simple volume pedal.

 

m

[Artie Owl]

Brandon...

 

I think they're called that. I figure if you just look for volume pedals at your favorite on-line store you'll see something.

 

I think mine was around $30. Since it's foot operated, it takes a little more beating than just the actual switch. There are combination volume-tone pedals, too, but I've always preferred just the simple volume pedal.

 

m

Yeah, That's what they're called alright M, but I can't seem to find one for less than about 60-70$. That's just for the online stuff I've come across. Were I more confident in my fabrication skills I'd DIY, since there's a bunch of links on making your own Passive Volume Pedal, I just don't think I understand all the terms they're using. Not to mention I understand the concept of grounding but never done it before etc..

 

I'll keep looking thanks again.