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Help me choose a new compressor pedal

Bassray_82

Bassray_82

Jun 12, 2023
37
63
Glasgow, Scotland
#1
Hey all looking for some advice, recently bought a Keeley Bassist compressor pedal, as an upgrade to my ampeg opto comp, but turned out to be a faulty unit so I’m in the process of returning it.

Space on my pedal board is pretty limited but I’m keen on finding out if anyone thinks it’s worth ordering a replacement keeley bassist pedal or should I go for something different?

ive got the MXR pre amp which sounds great with either my jazz or precision, and the build quality is brilliant. So what’s everyone’s thoughts on the MXR bass compressor?

Was also thinking of maybe getting a fender down town express as it’s a compact unit that would save having to take several pedals to rehearsals and gigs, but not sure if it’s really all that great.

Anyone got any other suggestions/recommendations? My playing style is mostly finger style with occasional plectrum.

Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Ray
 
#2
Thread solved

upload_2023-8-17_17-2-42.jpeg
 
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#3
What was wrong with the Keeley? FWIW and per the reviews, the Keeley and MXR kinda run neck-to-neck so it boils down to features and personal preference.

As @Killing Floor pointed out, the Alma is a new contender and "flavor of the month" receiving rave reviews. Same holds true for my recent acquisition, the Niche Devices Humboldt.

Riis
 
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#4
So it was really noisy when I connected it to a 9v power supply which never causes any issues with my other pedals, but lots of hiss before I’d ever switched it on. Once I started playing it hissed as soon as the gain went over 12 o’clock. I’d read up about the build quality and testing that keeley put into their pedals so guessing I’ve been unlucky and simply bought a dud.
 
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#5
Bassray_82 said:
So it was really noisy when I connected it to a 9v power supply which never causes any issues with my other pedals, but lots of hiss before I’d ever switched it on. Once I started playing it hissed as soon as the gain went over 12 o’clock. I’d read up about the build quality and testing that keeley put into their pedals so guessing I’ve been unlucky and simply bought a dud.
Click to expand...

Certainly not my strength but one question: what "12:00"? Did you contact Keeley?

Okay, that's two questions.

Riis
 
#7
Bassray_82 said:
12:00 - midday on the control, so no additional or reduction in the gain, as soon as I turned the dial up to try the gain it hissed really loudly. Have contacted keeley as bought brand new from Amazon and I’m just about to head off on shift for six weeks so will miss the returns window.
Click to expand...

So you're running: bass > Keeley > amp? I'm scratching my head as to why the noise floor is so high.

Riis
 
#16
Bassray_82 said:
Hey all looking for some advice, recently bought a Keeley Bassist compressor pedal, as an upgrade to my ampeg opto comp, but turned out to be a faulty unit so I’m in the process of returning it.

Space on my pedal board is pretty limited but I’m keen on finding out if anyone thinks it’s worth ordering a replacement keeley bassist pedal or should I go for something different?

ive got the MXR pre amp which sounds great with either my jazz or precision, and the build quality is brilliant. So what’s everyone’s thoughts on the MXR bass compressor?

Was also thinking of maybe getting a fender down town express as it’s a compact unit that would save having to take several pedals to rehearsals and gigs, but not sure if it’s really all that great.

Anyone got any other suggestions/recommendations? My playing style is mostly finger style with occasional plectrum.

Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Ray
Click to expand...
The three comps which I have real experience with are the Origin Effects Cali76 CB, the Empress Bass Comp, and the Broughton Audio Omnicomp.

Of those, in general, I'd recommend the Omnicomp. It's a very solid unit, and it dethroned my 76CB. Sound is good, metering is more helpful than most, and the selection of controls you are given are helpful without being confusing. It's also one of the few products you can get pretty much all the time from Broughton, which is good.

The Empress sits on my other board, and it's also a very good comp. For what it's worth, I am a little less endeared by its transparent quality, but it's certainly a very practical choice. The metering is second to none in pedal terms, and you get a lot of tonal versatility (including affecting just how "transparent" it is) in a compact and digestible package.

The 76CB is also a good compressor, although like I said, mine does not get used anymore. It's on the chopping block to sell. The only reason is that I have two compressors already serving my needs, and the CB served me pretty well already. It's a staple on high-end bass pedalboards for a reason, so you can't exactly go wrong with it. I first bought it on the premise that I couldn't find anybody really saying anything bad about it (aside from the price, but that's not exactly what I was concerned about)

The other compressor I still own is a Meridian Bass Compressor, an open source DIY circuit, in this case built by 903 Effects. It's interesting... it's three circuits in one: you get one knob for DynaComp compression, one knob controlling the harmonics from a BBE Sonic Maximizer circuit, another knob controlling the tilt EQ from a Big Muff, and a master volume. It's not a transparent circuit, but that's the point. It's definitely one of those things where you could use it as your solitary tone shaper, though it doesn't have preamp levels of output available. I haven't used it much, but the only reason is that I bought it because it was available cheap and I just haven't had time to really work out where it could fit in my sound.

I've previously owned a Markbass Compressore, which is a tube compressor. It's a good pedal, very good sound, but it's also a somewhat big and hard to find pedal. It was just slightly too big for me to justify keeping it. There is a 2nd version available with a slightly smaller enclosure, but you hardly ever see those go up secondhand. I suppose that could tell us something.
 
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#18
I have experience with 3 already mentioned. It is pity your Keeley is faulty unit. I had the GC-2 (almost the same as Bassist) and it was very silent. I loved the simplicity and efficiency of that pedal. Sold it only because I needed to fund the purchase of Cali 76CB. It was also very good, but unfortunately I had quite sparse opportunities to test in live situation and than it was stolen. After that I decided to buy Empress, just to try something else. It is very versatile. I like the pre-shaped tone enhancement options. I play it mostly of, but switch it to mid bump or mid scoop for some particular songs.
Sometimes I wish I had the Empress on the beginning of the chain and still have the Keeley and put it at the end. But it is probably way excessive.. Or? :-) Does anybody use two comps or comp and limiter?
 
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#19
I had three new Keeley Bassist and all had the same fault ..
As the Led changes colour indicating the release of the compression you would hear a feint static crackle noise
I reported it to Keeley and I suspect a batch of faulty components perhaps ?

Purchased the Ampeg Opto Comp instead which works fine albeit slight roll off of top end
 
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