my compressor has become part of my sound. i use a Demeter Opto-comp, which does slightly flavour your tone, but it's smooth and buttery. i picked it up because i had bad technique, and needed something to smooth it out while i worked on my form. i have since gotten much better, and don't really need it. that said, i use it on everything that i do, because i love the way it makes me sound. yes, i have great sounding basses. yes, i have a great sounding rig. but i love the way the compressor interacts with both of them. i play softly enough most of the time that i don't need it, but when i play with my rock band i like to just let loose, knowing that i have a compressor to take up the slack and smooth everything out. when i record, i use the compressor. and even then, before the track is mixed and finished, the producer will put more compression on everything. but that's their deal. i just play.
i don't like compressors as effects. just not for me.
