Diamond BCP-1 Bass compressor just arrived

blackba · #1 12-21-2009, 08:45 PM

I have been running either without a compressor or a Barber tone press. I have a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass and Ampeg SVTIII pro amp.

I must say I am really impressed with the Diamond Bass comp. It adds a smoothness to the sound, plus some punch. I am still twiddling with the settings. So far I have kept the EQ straight up and settled on the compression about 12 o'clock as well. The Volume is about unity at 11 o'clock. I tried the EQ and the switch, but I am not sure how much I will use it.

The Barber tone press has the blend at 10 o'clock and the sustain around 12 o'clock. The Barber sounds thinner, edgier, and just lacks some of the punch. I can hear some of the low end rolloff on the lower notes.

The true test for these compressor will be how they handle electric guitar and acoustic guitar work. So far the Diamond Bass comp is the clear winner for bass, which has me thrilled.

I haven't tested even 1% of the compressors Bongo has, but I have tried a Guyatone ST2, Alesis Nanocomp, and FMR audio RNC. Of those the Guyatone ST2 was my favorite, I think I like the guyatone better than the Barber Tone press actually. My buddy is using the Guyatone ST2 with his Jazz bass and loves it.

iamdenialNJ · #2 12-22-2009, 02:40 AM

Cool dude! I really like my Demeter Compulator. I've had a behringer compressor, and several boss compressors and the Compulator beats them. I want to give the aguilar tlc a test drive when they come in.

blackba · #3 12-30-2009, 01:25 PM

Still loving the Diamond BCP-1. I am pretty much leaving it on all the time. Very pleased with my purchase.

I do prefer my Barber tone press for electric guitar and don't really like a compressor with my acoustic guitar. I bought the Diamond for bass and for that its wonderful.

bongomania · #4 12-30-2009, 01:53 PM

It's a great pedal, I like it a lot. I like that ST2 as well, it's a sleeper.

One of the things I like about the Diamond is that it has a clarity that really works well with other tone-coloring processors, instead of muddying things up.

Folmeister · #5 12-30-2009, 09:25 PM

I have had the pleasure of putting this unit through its paces today. A very selective fellow bassist and I were very surprised at how good the BCP sounds. I am quite taken by how easy it is to use. What a great find!

dkhp124 · #6 12-30-2009, 09:27 PM

Nice! I want to try the Diamond Bass Compressor as well, but then I'd have to sell my EBS MultiComp, and I'm too scared to part with it. :P

cabbage · #7 12-30-2009, 11:53 PM

Waiting for one...!!!

Will contribute when it comes!

blackba · #8 12-31-2009, 09:05 AM

The low noise on the Diamond BCP-1 is amazing. When sitting it idle, I can hardly hear a difference between when the BCP-1 is on and when it is bypassed. With the tone press, the noise is a lot more present. I clearly hear in idle when the tone press is on and when it is bypassed.

old-fashioned · #9 01-01-2010, 02:41 PM

I'm impressed with the reviews of these Diamond compressors... But, which one should I prefer for using occasionally with a semi-acoustic guitar as well as a 4 string electric bass? (I'm a bassist but my wife plays acoustic guitar and we may both use one of these diamonds occasionally.) So, the dedicated bass compressor or the original one is better in this specific case? Any suggestions?

bongomania · #10 01-01-2010, 02:44 PM

The Bass one is the original one "plus"... IOW it does not lose any of the tones, frequencies, or functionality of the original model, it simply allows more lows to pass.

old-fashioned · #11 01-02-2010, 07:59 PM

OK, that was what I'd love to hear

Thanks again bongomania.

blackba · #12 01-16-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-fashioned

I'm impressed with the reviews of these Diamond compressors... But, which one should I prefer for using occasionally with a semi-acoustic guitar as well as a 4 string electric bass? (I'm a bassist but my wife plays acoustic guitar and we may both use one of these diamonds occasionally.) So, the dedicated bass compressor or the original one is better in this specific case? Any suggestions?

I liked the Diamond BCP-1 with my acoustic Martin DC-1E, it worked well, so I would go with that one. That said, I don't plan on using any compressor with my Martin DC-1E, frankly I liked the sound better direct into a PA.

I did get a chance to test out my old Guyatone ST-2. I modded the cap to a 0.1uF per Bongo's advice. I don't hear any loss of low end. Overall I was really impressed with the ST-2. I compared it to my Barber tone press and Diamond BCP-1. The ST-2 came in a close third, it was more muddy, not as clear and transparent. It added a growl to the sound, which was actually kind of nice. No loss of low end noticed on my 4 string Jazz bass. The ST-2 sounded like the tone press with the color knob (internal pot) turned up. As far as noise, the ST-2 was pretty quiet, not in the Diamond camp, but had less noise than the Barber.

The Diamond BCP-1 still won, it has the clarity and smoothness that I really like. I don't get as much smoothness from the Tone Press or ST-2.

I have another friend who plays an SX Jazz bass. I have got him interested in a compressor. I am suggesting he go with a BBE opto stomp (one of Bongo's top cheap recommendations). If that is too much, than I am suggesting he get a Guyatone ST-2 (I think I got mine used for somewhere in the $30's)

old-fashioned · #13 01-16-2010, 07:42 PM

[quote=blackba;8548515]I liked the Diamond BCP-1 with my acoustic Martin DC-1E, it worked well, so I would go with that one. That said, I don't plan on using any compressor with my Martin DC-1E, frankly I liked the sound better direct into a PA.

Wow, Martin DC-1E is the main guitar my wife plays

Well, thanks for the input. I've ordered the Diamond bass comp and been waiting. I'm excited... I want to use it with my acoustic bass guitar as well.

blackba · #14 01-17-2010, 11:11 AM

^ Let us know how it works out....

dcoredallas · #15 01-17-2010, 11:18 AM

how do all these pedals you guys are talking about compare to a boss cs3?

Mingus Addict · #16 01-17-2010, 04:53 PM

Does anyone have any experience with the Guyatone STm5?

bongomania · #17 01-17-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcoredallas

how do all these pedals you guys are talking about compare to a boss cs3?

The Boss has merits, it's not a "bad" pedal, but it is just not in the same class as the Diamond. The Diamond has better tone, lower noise, and more tonal versatility. The only thing the Boss can do better is it offers much heavier compression/limiting if that's the effect you want.

bongomania · #18 01-17-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingus Addict

Does anyone have any experience with the Guyatone STm5?

I've been told it's a Ross type (like the Dynacomp and Keeley) but i haven't tried it yet.

Mingus Addict · #19 01-17-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've been told it's a Ross type (like the Dynacomp and Keeley) but i haven't tried it yet.

Hmm, the Guyatone site says this

Quote:

The STm5 takes the core circuit of our popular ST-2 Micro Compressor and ups the ante with a variety of new features that make it even more versatile than before.

But it also mentions something about a 3080 op-amp which I think is used in the Dynacomp...

Anyway, the features look cool. If I get a chance to try one I will.

old-fashioned · #20 02-14-2010, 06:35 PM

I'm coming back from a gig tonight. All I can say is, the Diamond Bass Comp Rocks! I want it with me forever! It just makes me play better...