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Post by John on Sept 2, 2006 4:28:22 GMT -7
I guess I'm going to get a compressor.
I want it to be true bypass. The Keeley gets rave reviews, but at $210 new and averaging $160 used on ebay...that's a bit much.
The boss is out because it's not true bypass.
Someone mentioned the a BBE model for $119 (new) and they thought it close to the Keeley. So new there are no reviews anywhere.
Anyone have a favorite? And why?
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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 2, 2006 5:14:13 GMT -7
Most, if not all of the compressors that are true-bypass are in the $200 plus range.
Here's a thought to consider. Since a compressor should be 1st in the signal chain, and considering that once you get one, and find out what it does for your playing/ sound expecially with country music; you will most likely as alot of us do (including pro nashville guys) leave it on all the time, true bypass is no longer a factor as the benefit of that comes when the pedal is off!
I would recommend buying the Boss for now, or borrow one from a friend and see if you like it. Either way, you're not wasting a ton of $$.
The Boss works well, especially for country, but the Keeley is the Mac-Daddy ;D!
Good luck
Harold
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Post by Bill on Sept 2, 2006 5:45:57 GMT -7
Good advice from Harold. I'd only add that for a few more bucks you can get a modded Boss (Humphrey or Allum) on Ebay. If you're playing country (I'm assuming), put level & tone at noon, the other two knobs at 1:00, and you'll get an idea of what a compressor will do for you.
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Post by billyguitar on Sept 2, 2006 5:57:01 GMT -7
I think I'm the only guy with a little green Guyatone. I also have a Keeley. Honestly I like the little Guyatone better.
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Post by skydog958 on Sept 2, 2006 17:09:01 GMT -7
there's a company that rehouses Boss pedals into smaller boxes (lots of cool finishes too!) w/ true bypass switches. Check it out www.pacificustompedals.com
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Post by John on Sept 3, 2006 5:19:11 GMT -7
I like the idea of the Allums mods. Just send me the parts and I'll do it myself.
I'll probably get a Boss Compressor to start with, make the Allums mods myself, and then cruise Ebay for a Keeley at a good price. Then I get to compare the two, and sell the one I don't like.
I also like the idea of having a pedal or two that's not hooked up and velcro'd onto my pedalboard. Pain in the butt to remove one. With extras, just throw a pedal or two in a gig bag and off to rehearsal you go.
Plus I have a Boss SD-1 that I never liked. (it was cheap!) Probably used it twice. I'll try the Allum mod and see what happens.
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Post by James on Sept 3, 2006 6:44:10 GMT -7
I mentioned the BBE, I have one on order. Nice pedal and great value.
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Post by John on Sept 3, 2006 10:15:29 GMT -7
Musicians friend has them (the BBE) in stock. Who knows, I may try one of those.
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Post by bustertheboy on Sept 3, 2006 14:17:40 GMT -7
I agree with most of the ideas above- after listening to some clips on the keeley site I put new capacitors in my ancient ibanez/ maxon unit- which had always sounded thin. The upshot is, it now is bright punchy and full, and I'm hearing a lot of what I like in the best compressors. So try a few with your amp- and fiddle with the settings- remember less is more! Brett
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Post by James on Sept 3, 2006 14:38:33 GMT -7
They reviewed the BBE in this months Guitar Player magazine...........got a good review.
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Post by steveinnashville on Sept 3, 2006 16:57:50 GMT -7
I really like running my Squeeze Factor (orange squeezer clone) into the CompROSSor...
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Post by backwardsman on Sept 4, 2006 17:11:29 GMT -7
I'm a fan of the Barber Tone Press. I liked it just a bit better than the Keeley. It is true-bypass, and I think it's in the $140 range (but I'm not sure--I spend enough time hiding the true price of gear that I often forget....)
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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 4, 2006 19:51:04 GMT -7
+1 for your price cloaking strategy! Very Funny! ;D
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