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Which 'guitar' compressor works best with bass?

David English

David English

Guest
Apr 6, 2017
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#1
Hi

I play in 2 bands, one on bass and one on guitar and I want to get a compressor pedal that works well with both. Does anyone have any particular recommendations?

It doesn't need to be the world's greatest compressor, but I just need to know that it can do a decent job on both, and won't wreck my tone on either. Particularly I don't want it robbing all of my low end when playing bass.

I've seen a Toadworks Mr Squishy on Ebay which is supposedly a clone of the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, that people elsewhere on the web says is used by both guitarists and bassists - would this work?
 
#4
Diamo... aw, you've heard it all before...

IMG_3656.JPG
 
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#5
David English said:
Hi

I play in 2 bands, one on bass and one on guitar and I want to get a compressor pedal that works well with both. Does anyone have any particular recommendations?

It doesn't need to be the world's greatest compressor, but I just need to know that it can do a decent job on both, and won't wreck my tone on either. Particularly I don't want it robbing all of my low end when playing bass.

I've seen a Toadworks Mr Squishy on Ebay which is supposedly a clone of the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, that people elsewhere on the web says is used by both guitarists and bassists - would this work?
Click to expand...

Adamixoye said:
Empress Compressor - transparent with lots of control
Click to expand...

Yup. Empress or the Diamond. Or, check out all the great compressor information on this website:

Compressor Reviews
 
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#9
I didn't like the M87 on guitar, I don't think the attack and release have enough range. The Empress has wider ranges and the blend knob, which is great for both bass and guitar.
 
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#11
David English said:
Hi

I play in 2 bands, one on bass and one on guitar and I want to get a compressor pedal that works well with both. Does anyone have any particular recommendations?

It doesn't need to be the world's greatest compressor, but I just need to know that it can do a decent job on both, and won't wreck my tone on either. Particularly I don't want it robbing all of my low end when playing bass.

I've seen a Toadworks Mr Squishy on Ebay which is supposedly a clone of the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, that people elsewhere on the web says is used by both guitarists and bassists - would this work?
Click to expand...
MXR Studio Compressor

It is the same circuit as the Bass Compressor, but so many guitar players and studio engineers loved it too! So, they went ahead and repackaged it. The other suggestions are phenomenal as well. Also, the Cali 76 is another top pick.
 
#12
It's on the bigger clumsy and expensive side of compressor pedals, but I love my EHX Black Finger tube driven optical compressor.

Sounds amazing both for bass and guitar.

And contrary Bongomania's review, and what I hear some people say, mine is not noisy at all.

At least not at the settings I use it.

Check out Bongomania's compressor review page to find inspiration and information: Compressor Reviews
 
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#17
I currently run a Diamond BCP-1 (bass version), but used to run a Bearfoot Pale Green. The Pale Green is terrific if you want a very light optical compression that adds just a bit of color. I was never much of a compressor user until pulling that pedal off of my guitar pedalboard & trying it on bass. It worked really well to tighten up the flub of a JBL K130 in an old Sunn cab I run. The Diamond BCP-1 reminds me of the Pale Green a bit, but it can get into heavier compression and the EQ is way more powerful.
 
#18
David English said:
Hi

I play in 2 bands, one on bass and one on guitar and I want to get a compressor pedal that works well with both. Does anyone have any particular recommendations?

It doesn't need to be the world's greatest compressor, but I just need to know that it can do a decent job on both, and won't wreck my tone on either. Particularly I don't want it robbing all of my low end when playing bass.

I've seen a Toadworks Mr Squishy on Ebay which is supposedly a clone of the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, that people elsewhere on the web says is used by both guitarists and bassists - would this work?
Click to expand...

Depends what you want it for...
Foe a clean uncoloured 'don't know it's there until it's not' thing, I say the Boss LMB-3 is a good pedal. For squishy sustain and prominent attack the Wampler Ego is really good but expensive but I found it not so good with bass where I had so much dry in the blend as to be pointless.
To use in both scenarios you will really need control over the ratio which the Boss CS do not offer.
But check out the reviews page linked above - questions not answered there are not worth asking, IMHO.
 
#19
A bass compressor used on guitar will generally sound better than a guitar compressor used on bass, so lean that way if at all possible. Plus, when you see the light and burn your guitar(s) (not for an effect, but to quit the instrument of your mis-spent youth*), you'll have the compressor you really need.

*Not that there's anything wrong with mis-spending at least some of your youth - that's why we're all young once. Actually, at my age, just being a musician, I'm sure some folks think I'm mis-spending some of my mid life.
 
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