advice on a new compressor

  • Thread starter Thread starter dr.underhill
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dr.underhill

dr.underhill

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i'm in the market for a compressor, but don't have a ton of money to spend. i don't want to go super cheapo, but somewhere in the $125-150 range. wanting something with an effective sustain included. i've tried some low end pedals and actually found at least one that had a pretty decent sound to it (dan electro surf/turf) but it didn't last long at all. there's a bunch of compressor out there, but in my market area (east texas-behind the pine curtain) there are very few i can try out.
anyway would sure appreciate some suggestions. i've looked at the philospher tone and it's interesting, and pretty well in the range of the money i have to spend-but just need some feedback on anyone using it, or again maybe something else that will give me the most for the money.
 
i'm a big fan of the barber tone press .. blend knob to dial in the amount of compression and a really nice tone to it,

should be able to find one used in that price bracket,
 
Tone Press :thumbsup: blend knob is great and it has a trim pot inside to adjust how sharp or flat the attack is.
 
I have a Wampler and Barber. For me, the Wampler Ego Comp does the country chicken pickin a smidge better. It and a Tele into a Dr Z is the modern country rock tone. The barber does typical rock blues slightly better. That is a matter of personal taste. I know compressors are not supposed to color a tone, maybe just my playing interaction when using them. There must be some shade of difference since opinions vary quite a bit on compressors.

But I only use a compressor in lower gain settings since the high gain settings naturally compress and sustain. If I am hitting any high gain setting on my Gemini, no compressor. A little vibrato creates sustain enough.

I have had the Ego Comp on my board for a year. But every time I think I may want to sell the Barber, I play with it and it has a excellence of its own. Either pedal is great.

Good luck on the tone quest.
 
Check out the MXR Custom Comp - absolutely killer compressor at a great price point. Reminds me a lot of the Way Huge Saffron Squeeze that I wish I never sold.
 
+1 on the MXR Custom Comp. The Maxon CP101 is nice too, and you could probably find one used in your price range as well.
 
I have a barber tone press, very nice compressor and fits your budget. It has an internal 'color' knob inside, so there is more tweaks than just want is on the outside of the pedal.

If you can find a used Guyatone ST-2, those are very nice compressors. When I had mine, I got it for about $40 used, this was many years ago.
 
pigtronix philosophers rock. great comp then it also has a little grit switch.
 
The biggest Q you have to ask yourself is: do you need a blend knob or not.

If you do, Barber Tone Press or Wampler Ego. Me personally, I need one. And once you get used to having it, playing a comp without one seems very limiting - no pun intended.

If you don't, then there's a bazillion other comps out there that can get the job done.
 
many thanks for all the input. i'll do a little research on these suggestions and go from there.
 
This is the most transparent one i'v tried... I really like mine! It's just a damn great compressor, thats all. The diodes are very usable
compressor-600.jpg
 
+1 for the barber tone press. Works great in many different situations with its blend knob. I just set mine and forget it and works great for cleans and also adding some great sustain on low to mid gain settings.
 
Jofipe":1v83r31w said:
This is the most transparent one i'v tried... I really like mine! It's just a damn great compressor, thats all. The diodes are very usable
compressor-600.jpg
Click to expand...

I would love an Empress compressor and would have recommended one, but at $250 new, even used they are out of the OP's budget. :)
 
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