Comporessor - Boss CS2 or CS3?

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:37 am

I'm finally giving in and looking for a cheap compressor. Mostly for bass but also with my 330 and 660/12. On Aussie Ebay there are currently Boss CS2 and CS3s available. Which is the best option?

Smoothing out my bass playing will be the main task, but making my 660/12 sparkle and shine is the most important job in terms of tone. I want my Rics to sound their best, but not to sound different. Has anyone compared these two pedals out? - Which would you reccomend?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 2:14 am

Hi Lee.

The CS3 is an OK pedal - I bought one but it didn't do much for me - I was expecting a lot more, but in my case, ignorance was my worst enemy. You would more that likely have a better idea of what it can and should do. Never compared it to a CS2.

I'll sell you mine for whatever you think is a fair price - I'm not fussed about the dollars because it sits in the drawer and never comes out. As long as it covers postage/freight and a few beers I'll be happy!!

I've since bought a Korg AX1500G ToneWorks processor and it's brilliant! Set it to chorus, crank up the treble and mid on the Roland, add a bit of flange and 'verb, switch to the neck pickup and the 660/12 chimes like hell!

Mind you, a CS3 on Ebay or from me will cost you a hell of a lot less that $380 odd!!

I'm serious about the CS3 - send me an email and name your price. I've got the box, book of words and all - even the plastic bag!! Mint condition.

However, IMHO you may be doing yourself a disservice if you don't consider a multi-effect unit. Then again, you did say 'cheap' and this could be a very inexpensive entry.

Cheers

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:49 am

I'd recommend an Aphex Punch Factory, great smooth compression that still sounds like the guitar.

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:09 pm

Thanks Howard, I'll email you off-line about the CS3. I'm not much of a fan of multi-effect processors, although I know there are some good ones out there. My 30 watt Laney valve amp sounds really good with the 12 string, and when I got the 330 I plugged it straight into the amp and it sounded so good I've never bothered with any pedals.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:33 pm

No worries, Lee. Hear from you soon

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:48 pm

Lee -- buy the CS3 from Howard and let us know what you think. Compressors are a great tool to use with Ricks. If you aren't thrilled with it, you can keep it and maybe use it in tandem with the next one you buy to really make your guitar sparkle!

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:54 am

I think these compROSSors sound fab, at least based on the demo's from his site. It sounds better than my rack Furman compressor which I use at home-- I think I'm going to pick up one of these (pricey!) devils. He's even got a little MP3 recording of a 360/12 through one of his pedals!

http://www.analogman.com/rossmod.htm

varmint · Post by **varmint** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:17 am

I'm using an MXR Dynacomp. It sounds good with my 370/12. I've never used a compressor before, I bought this one specifically for my Ricky, but I'm finding it to be very versatile with other guitars as well. There may be better choices out there for compression tools, but for a compression newbie like myself it was an inexpensive option. Also, I like the small footprint of the MXR box in my pedal board.

fire_glo · Post by **fire_glo** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 11:10 am

I've used a CS-2 with my 360/6. It sounded really nice with a strat and tele, but not my ric. The CS-2 is more of a "darker" sounding compression and it takes away some of the rickenbacker jangle and brightness. My suggestion for a cheap compressor is a Marshall ED-1. It's cheaper than the Boss CS-3 and MXR Dynacomp and I think it sounds better (surprising for a Marshall product). I've been really impressed with it as I've compared it with almost every other available compressor. Now for a shameless plug, check out the newly released (more high-end) compressor from a new pedal company called Diamond Pedals. These things are going take off! It's my brother's company, but I'm fortunate to be involved by giving my "sonic opinion" during the development of these pedals. At least check them out.
http://www.diamondpedals.com/
I believe there will be some new MP3 files recorded tonight for the compressor and put on the website in the next couple of days.

fergs40 · Post by **fergs40** » Thu May 12, 2005 2:47 pm

DOD Milkbox. If you can get one without the silly names on the controls you'll even have a vague idea of what you're doing with it...

jamesvwaal · Post by **jamesvwaal** » Thu May 12, 2005 5:53 pm

Lee, I also use a 30-watt Laney tube amp and thought that my Ric 360 run direct-in with no effects was good and jangly enough. But I read about the JangleBox on this forum and gave it a try. I know it is more expensive than the CS-2, but the sound was so much better. On some settings, the high gains of the Ric sound a bit muddy but the JangleBox removes that (using the treble booster).

And, no, I am in no way affiliated with the JangleBox company.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Thu May 12, 2005 11:03 pm

Has anybody played, owned, tried a Jacques Fat Burner compressor with or with out a Ric. Like so many other boutique-like compressors, the Fat Burner is apparently inspired by the Ross, the Juicer, and the other '70s "classics". I can get one in France for about 130 € which would be quite less than say a Keeley compressor or the Janglebox which would be around 200 € once I shipped it to Europe.

On the forum, people are holding the Janglebox is high esteem, but, I have heard good stuff about the fat burner as well.

any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

popster15 · Post by **popster15** » Fri May 13, 2005 4:37 am

Just so you know, a compressor buy itself will
not make a guitar, "Sparkle". Actually, it has the opposite effect. A compressor reduces the dynamic range of a signal...smoothes it out..."compresses" it. Ricks will usually chime
through anyway, but you need to boost the treble too, if you really want "Sparkle" with compression.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri May 13, 2005 4:50 am

Unless Keith, you use an optical compressor & set a slow attack & a fast release! This wont do too much damage to the high end, but with the right amount of compression, will hold the 'jangle' nicely....

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Fri May 13, 2005 5:12 am

i tried the fat burner today in a really cool little whole in the wall tube amp repair shop. it was not that exciting a pedal; even the shop guy told me to forget about it ! the search goes on !