I'm shopping for a compressor.

It would be nice to be able to occasionally produce that highly-effected "popping" kind of thing that country players use a compressor for, but my main goal is to smooth out attack and increase touch sensitivity when playing in a very particular style... a sort of "smoove" jazz/blues style associated with, say, Larry Carlton. Think Steely Dan... a firm compression you really can't hear.

I have had the Barber TOne Press recommended may times, and am just about to buy one. But before I do, does any here have a killer suggestion? I've played a Dyna-Comp, and it was alright, but not awesome.

Thanks in advance.

Boss CS3 -

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

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Thanks, Mike... a very complete demo!

Hi SlapChop: I use a compressor particularly for my early Straits type sounds. These days I'm using an EH Soul Preacher:

http://www.ehx.com/products/soul-preacher

There's a video demo on that page too, if you need it! (I suspect you don't...)

Very simple little unit: does exactly what it says on the tin.

Good luck finding the right squeezer for you. Surely this is an easier mission than some...?

Cheers - C

I'm a big fan of the MXR Dyna-Comp, it's always in my chain. If you didn't like it, you might want to try the MXR Super Comp which has a 3rd knob to adjust the attack to make the compression more transparent. I tried it, but didn't think I needed the 3rd adjustment. For what it's worth, Larry Carlton used a Dyna-Comp back in the '70s.

You can find sound bites here:

http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/pip&id=252&pmh=products/p_and_e_detail

and here:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXR-M132-Super-Comp-Compressor-Pedal?sku=151113#new

Good luck with your search.

Ceri - my main man at GC recommended the Soul Preacher, too, which is odd because this is twice in two days, and I'd never heard anybody say a mumblin' word about it before. I guess I should play one, but I didn't have time last Friday.

stratmansteve, it's not that I disliked the Dyna-Comp... I was just looking for something... more refined? I might have bought a Super-Comp, but the store didn't have one in stock (special order) and I figured, well, heck... if that's the deal, I'll just mail order one and have it sent to my place, saving a trip. So I may try one... the Dyna Comp at least sounds "good" (meaning that it doesn't make you say, "wow, that sounds bad"), and an attack knob might be all I need.

I'd heard Larry The C used a Dyna-Comp, but I can't help but figger it was "tweaked," because his compression sure doesn't sound like one. Nowadays, it seems that doesn't use effects between his guitar and his amp: he mics the amps and runs the MIC through the effects. Whoof.

Well, let's be honest here. I'm not recommending it after a vast intensive search. Actually, I use it simply because I won it for having an email published in a guitar magazine. It seemed perhaps a little nicer than the Boss compressor it replaced - or maybe I just prefered the simple two knob layout.

Also got a little cheapy Marshall compressor lying around somewhere, as well as compressors built into multi-FX units. The Soul Preacher obviously sounds better than those... slightly.

I wouldn't base a buying decision on my mention of it (and I know you won't). Just another one to look at if you can be bothered. I bet the Barber you mentioned at the top is as good as anything...

Cheers - C

Dragging this one back from the shadows....

After checking out all suggestions, I bought the Barber Tone press, unheard.

Got it today (from Barber dealer Tonetronix in eastern Ohio) and it is everything everybody said... the most transparent stomp-box compressor I ever heard, even when set-up for maximum (effect). It will pop and quack, but dial back the blend control and it just blows your mind.

Extremely versatile, good sounding and well-built. They could get over 2 bills for this... at $149, it's a real deal. If you're shopping for something that will actually make the connection between guitar and preamp more "alive," the Tone Press has the skills to pay the bills.

Good to know,good review. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Well, I wasn't here for the original discussion, but I have a Rocktron Big Crush that I like a lot.

i have a Kobalt with a 60 gallon tank, 3.5 HP motor, cast iron pump and it puts out 135 PSI. ;)

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I have the Rocktron Big Crush too!

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.