Compressor help! Torn between Keeley and Barber.

[danut]

I just came to the point that I need some compression on my clean/semi-clean arpeggios and strum patterns played on the neck humbucker split, combined with the middle position single coil. (I have an Ibanez RG, with HSH pick-up configuration). They just don't cut through the live mix and I also feel my playing is sloppy and lacks presence.
But here comes my dilemma: since I'll get a compressor, I would like to have it on all the time, which, I'm afraid, would negatively affect the dirty, high gain parts played on the bridge humbucker (SD TB-6 Distortion Trembucker). I wouldn't like extra compression on the high gain stuff, which is already compressed by the nature of distortion. I don't want to turn the compressor on and off each time I switch from dirty to clean/semi-clean, because I hate tap dancing.
So here's my question: out of these two brands (Keeley and Barber), which do you think would better fit my need? I mean, I'd like to find a sweet spot setting where single coil clean stuff benefits from compression yet the bridge humbucker dirty stuff doesn't suffer too much.
Can the Keeley do this if set with level at unity gain and with sustain at, say, 9 to 10 o'clock?
Or is the Barber a better option because of its famous blend control?
Thanks a lot!

[El Jimbo]

I would go for the Barber because of the blend feature you mentioned...by all accounts, it works very well and would probably suit your situation more.

What about a looper pedal so you can switch a number of effects in and out with one stomp? They're not too expensive.

Another option is the Teese FK-1 comp which is nearly identical to the Keeley in curcuit and apparently sounds as good but slightly different...it's a lot cheaper...you could buy a looper with the change.

[TheGrooveking]

Check out the Maxon CP101, it's a great little box!! It doesn't squash your sound but it adds an eveness to your playing and can impart more sustain. A very transparent unit, very easy to use. I used to use a Carl Martin Compressor Limiter, which I feel is one of the best, but you had more of a feeling that it was on, versus the Maxon. The Maxon, you'll play through and at first you'll think, this isn't doing anything, but once you turn it off, you'll quickly say that is the one and turn it back on!!

TheGrooveking

[Ryan]

+1 on the Maxon; I love mine.

[Glowing Tubes]

Had both the Keeley and the Barber,
Both great but prefer the Barber due to the blend feature and the cost isnt bad either.

good luck


richard

[BrianB]

Originally posted by Andersonguy
Had both the Keeley and the Barber,
Both great but prefer the Barber due to the blend feature and the cost isnt bad either.

good luck


richard

+1 Had both, still have the Barber. Really can't go wrong, but I found the Barber to be much more flexible.

[LordRiffenstein]

Own the Barber and absolutely love it, even use it on higher gain settings and it works well. Tried the MAxon and that's a great one as well. Tried the Keeley and it didn't live up to expectations, in fact, it turned into total mud when we used a guitar with hot P90s thru so I wonder how and if it will work with humbuckers.

[Telecaster]

+1 for the Barber.
If you really want a Keeley, get a Teese FK-1 compressor. Same quality, 70 dollars cheaper........................

[danut]

OK guys, thaks for your inputs. I think I'll go with the Barber. Actually, even before posting this thread, I had the feeling that this one would be going to be the most recommended

[58lespaulman]

I'd go for the Barber, it really is going to be the best for what you want.. Plus I had the Keeley and it does get muddy and it's one of those compressors that you can tell when it's on because it comressese the hell out of your guitar.. I sold my Keeley and now have the Homebrew Comp-Retro, and it's very transparent..

[Phil M]

Originally posted by 58lespaulman
I'd go for the Barber, it really is going to be the best for what you want.. Plus I had the Keeley and it does get muddy and it's one of those compressors that you can tell when it's on because it comressese the hell out of your guitar.. I sold my Keeley and now have the Homebrew Comp-Retro, and it's very transparent..

That wasn't my experience with the Keeley at all (I have an older 2002 version in a brushed metal box with a decal; maybe he changed them a little?). I find it can be set to be incredibly transparent, almost so much so that I can't tell it's on. Once you get the sustain set higher, it'll squish the sound up. Makes a great boost too. I think it's an outstanding pedal, though the facts show that the Barber is much cheaper and a lot of people love it.

[pacomc79]

The keeley is better with single coils, same with the dyna comp/ross and the like.

The Barber is a different idea, even more subtle more of a boost with out so much squeeze. If you are using buckers I'd go with the Barber.

[j631378]

I've been using both a Barber Tone Press and a Demeter Compulator for several months now, hoping to finally make a choice between the two. Although I liked both, I just sold the Barber because it tended to squash my tone. The Demeter is an optical compressor that fills out my basic tone and adds high end sparkle. No other compressor that I've tried does both like that. The Demeter is permanently affixed to my pedal board (At least for now!)

[Jemlite]

It's not on your list but... I've got an Analogman BiComprosser, and it's an f'n blast to play.

I dig a comp as more of an effect than a function. The Bicomp kicks butt. From tons of squish and sustain, to jangly chimey cleans. No mud here.

Since it's 2 comps, you could set one side up for your HB's and the other for your Single Coils.

I can't recommend this pedal enough... and I've never been much of a comp guy.

[danut]

Since it's 2 comps, you could set one side up for your HB's and the other for your Single Coils.

Ok, but that requires tap-dancing, isn't it? Whereas I am especially looking to avoid that