Pedal Compressors for bass guitar?

[Impulse 101]

I'm looking for a pedal that sounds good in front of an amp. (it has to be in front, no rack stuff please) The more moderate the price the better.

JT

[gdcx]

I have had good luck with my Tech 21 Bass Compactor.

it can get a bit noisy at some extreme settings, but I have learned (over time) how to tame the beast.

G

[tkozal]

a couple of guys I know suggested the old basic MXR Dyna-Comp, which for me really does the trick...and I normally HATE compressor pedals....

[JohnSS]

BBE Opto Stomp is very transparent and works great. Built like a tank, too.

[cmatthes]

I use either Tech21 stuff or the Boss Bass Compactor. My guitarist (also an amazing bassist) pretty much INSISTS on the Boss unit!

Both practically indestructible for gigging and cheap enough for sure.

I play various Trace configurations, and love their amps - heard good things about their separate dual compressor units, but they haven't made them in a long time. Ebay can be your friend for that.

Good luck!

[guitarcec]

go grab an Aphex Punch Factory right now! i first heard a great bass player using it on his JB, and it sounds amazing. opto-compressors are the best on bass, and this one sounds great, and is dirt cheap to boot. i got mine (for acoustic and a little electric guitar use) from ebay for about $70. the only bad thing about the pedal is the construction - crappy jacks...

definitely try it out - at that price, there's no reason not to. i think you'll be very surprised with the results - it's a great sounding comp on bass.

[Lucidology]

I've play with two great bass players who swear by the Maxon CP101 ...

You can hear one of 'em using it live in this clip:

Nasty~Our Funk Trio Live - The Gear Page (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=304069)

[Fineblend]

I'll add another flavor to the pot: Guyatone Micro Compressor, budget orientated, small footprint and sounds excellent, read up on it over at HC and their site.

[cameron]

BBE Opto Stomp is very transparent and works great. Built like a tank, too.

That's a very good choice for bass (or for acoustic guitar, for that matter). It's also very reasonably priced.

[RockStarNick]

I'm a guitar player, but I'll chime in.

The Barber Tone Press is GREAT on bass. It's actually great on everything.

Transparent tone, and a parallell wet/dry mix knob, so you can have as little or as much compressed tone as youd like.

$140 bucks, and it just RULES. Works great on guitar, acoustic, bass, etc...

[HandOfTheHost]

I've had very good results with an Ashdown Dual Band Bass Compressor. It really fattens up the tone nicely.

[mainsale]

I hear good things about the EBS Multi Comp.

[jokerjkny]

my demeter compulator is by far the most natural sounding ones. doesnt ever get into "pumping" , but still sounds easy and controlled.

[Bassomatic]

Hard to find, but amazing - The Retrospec Squeeze Box.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=375717

[James Hart]

I use a Orange Squeezer clone from OLC... I like the old Ibanez / Maxon CP9 as well.

[prsbass]

Hard to find, but amazing - The Retrospec Squeeze Box.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=375717

+1
I also have the Barge RC-3 and like it.

[andrewnielson]

I even used my Keeley and it sounded good!

[pedalhead]

i've had some pretty cool results with a marshall ed1.
Wasn't too keen on the CS3 though.
Most bass players i know tend to have either a punch factory or Opto stomp.

[Impulse 101]

I've settled on the Barber Tone Press for both bass and guitar duties. The Parallel thing is too cool.

Also the addition of a Music Man 5 String Stingray HH has solved every tonal issue that we've been having.

Thanks for all of the suggestions,
JT

[alanbass1]

The EBS pedal compressor is excellent. I typically use a TL Audio Ivory (tube rack unit) but the EBS box is not too far behind it IMHO.

[kipknee]

I've tried a few different pedal-type compressors. The EBS Multi-Comp was my favorite, but I also had some good experiences with the Carl Martin compressor/limiter.

[Tubevalvemaniac]

Vintage Ibanez Bass Compressor

[Thor]

I use the EBS Mulit-Comp and love it. I also have used the Demeter Compulator and was also very happy with the results.

Cheers,

Edward

[cptnhook]

my demeter compulator is by far the most natural sounding ones. doesnt ever get into "pumping" , but still sounds easy and controlled.

yup, the demeter compulator has worked well for me.

[bostonwal]

The Mone Allums Opto Mod for the Boss CS-3 is fantastic for bass (and guitar!).

[cheesey]

i have a diamond comp that i want our bassist to try. its my back up i am using analogman bicomp for guitar.

[Karatekid25]

+1 Demeter Compulator!

[mbetter]

I've got a Trace Elliot SMX Dual Compressor here that is absolutely amazing with a bass. As I don't really play the bass, I might be tempted to sell it or trade it for a good guitar compressor.

[BluePat]

You might think this is a joke but put a small lightbulb (real small, like a 1157 bulb from a car turn signal) in series with one of the speaker leads, inside the speaker/cab and you'll be surprised at the smooth compression it will generate. :D Play with sizes, as that can influence compression envelope characteristics. The beauty is in the simplicity...

[rjs6700]

+1 for the EBS MultiComp, I always have mine on.

TalkBass forums have a ton of information on compressors and might be worth checkin out.