Compressor for Lap Steel / Pedal Steel

[Duesenbert]

Hey guys and gals, I don't really care for compressor pedals normally, but I've been borrowing a friend's old Dyna Comp (older, but not script logo) and really digging it for lap steel with moderate settings (output 3:00, sensitivity 10:00). I'm pretty new to lap steel and don't play it a whole lot, but wouldn't mind picking up a compressor just for that.

Is the newer Dyna Comp pretty alright? Don't wanna spend a lot since I won't use it all the time, but what are some other options you've found work well for lap/pedal steel, slide, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Tim Bowen]

Haven't played a DynaComp in years but it's been a fave among slide guitarists for ages - Lowell George & Sonny Landreth come to mind. As for lap steel, I gig with an old 60's Supro in D and a newer Gold Tone eight string in C6. As for comps, I've been using either a Keeley two knobber or an Xotic SP with nice results. I run comp->Timmy OD -> Xotic RC Booster, all set for fairly low gains, and then at the steel I roll the volume knob back considerably. Lots of gain in reserve as needed, and the tones I get w/ volume rolled back are cleanish but still with lots of sustain.

 

[lefort_1]

I don't run a separate compressor per se.

I play my homemade lapsteel through a Hot Chilis Tubester CL (running a 12au7, pushing it hard) and into an old Silvertone 1482 that's got a modified, saggy B+... no need for external compression there.



my Lapsteel, on the left:

 

[donfrantz]

I have this and like it very much for slide.

http://www.origineffects.com/SlideRIG.php

 

[Jerkobson]

I have the sliderig as well, it's fantastic for regular guitar and single string slide stuff.

But as a pedal steel guitar player I find it destroys all the things that make the pedal steel awesome. I wouldn't recommend compression for steel. On lap steel the sliderig might be great, I haven't tried. I did use the diamond compressor on a lap steel rig and it sounded pretty great though.

 

[Jason Lynn]

The strymon ob1 is a serious sleeper. It's my choice.

Impressive clips on that origin site but that is quite a commitment (large pedal). Both those guys are solid players in the demo vids. That compression is more in your face than I prefer personally...but ain't nothing wrong with it for sure.

 

[Tim Bowen]

I tend to use compression more with my Supro in D, which I use more for bluesy stuff, than for my Gold Tone in C6, which I use for honky tonk/western swing sounds.

 

[walterw]

I have the sliderig as well, it's fantastic for regular guitar and single string slide stuff.

But as a pedal steel guitar player I find it destroys all the things that make the pedal steel awesome. I wouldn't recommend compression for steel.

with pedal steel you have that volume pedal, right? that's like your manual compressor, giving you just the attack and sustain you want at any given moment.

i use a plenty squishy allums-modded CS-3 with my lap steel, but i use a volume pedal after the comp, to still control the swells and overall loudness.

 

[Smiletone]

But as a pedal steel guitar player I find it destroys all the things that make the pedal steel awesome. I wouldn't recommend compression for steel.

In 20 years of playing pedal steel, Ive never used a compressor. It will destroy it. Never really tried it on a lap but I dont run too many effects on my steel rig to begin with. I usually run into a Peavey Session 400 and just unplug the pedal steel and plug the lap steel in when its time to use it.

 

[Duesenbert]

Sounds like the cheapest option is to work on my technique haha. Thanks guys!

 

[crambone]

I don't run a separate compressor per se.

I play my homemade lapsteel through a Hot Chilis Tubester CL (running a 12au7, pushing it hard) and into an old Silvertone 1482 that's got a modified, saggy B+... no need for external compression there.



my Lapsteel, on the left:

Dude...that one on the right...whoa!!!

 

[teleman1]

I have marveled over Lowells fat fat slide tone and man, that Origin sounds impressive. Pete Thorn does another brilliant job at demoing that pedal. Listen to his closing comments.