Off Topic Vintage Ross Compressors w/ EB Guitars

[jazzyitalian]

Hey folks-

I'm contemplating buying my first compressor and thought about going big bang. There seems to be a lot of talk about the Vintage Ross Grey Compressors as being the Holy Grail of compressors. DynaComp seems popular as well.

I play Music Man electrics and quite frankly have never shopped for compressors much less sampled them with a Music Man guitar. So I don't know what compressor really complements the Music Man guitars. In the case of the vintage out of production pedals (like Ross), I would have to drive two states over to a music store or wait for a local retailer to get one. There isn't going to be an opportunity to try before I buy.

So I have this opportunity to buy that hard to find Grey Ross (for about $350). But was interested in hearing your thoughts on it. Is it a worthy buy? Or is something that would be a better complement for the Music Man guitar?

Thanks...
I am... dazed and confused....

 

[DrKev]

in short, no I don't think so. But I'm naturally sceptical of many things anyway so bear that in mind.

Personally, I'd never fork out that much money for a used compressor without a) a lot of experience of other compressors to know what the differences are and sound like, and b) being able to try the pedal out in a side-by-side comparison with my favourite other compressor, with my guitar and my rig. If you really are a compressor aficionado and it's a huge part of your tone and rig then maybe it's worth it to you. But otherwise, I'd never consider it. There are a lot of other excellent choices out there, significantly cheaper than a $350 used pedal.

Besides, I hate the idea that there is a "holy grail" for anything. We're talking about music. Everything is subjective, each person has different influences, different ears, we play differently, with different guitars, different effects in the chain, and different amps and speakers. That one pedal will be better for most people than anything else just seems kinda dumb to me.

Anyway, that's my two cents, for what ever it's worth. Let us know what you decide.

 

[fbecir]

I fully agree with Kevin. There is no holy grail (the guys who are saying "this pedal is the holy grail" are in fact the guys who are trying to sell this pedal).
The Ross compressor is a classic pedal with no magic component or know-how.
You can find the schematic on the net. You can buy the solder board for 13$ here (tonepad -- FX projects) and after that you have perhaps 20$ of components ...
It can be a fun project if you like to solder ...

 

[beej]

Yup, what those guys said.

There's no particular type of compressor that goes with a particular guitar. Different people use compression in different ways. If you want to add sustain without being too obvious, look for something that allows you to blend in the original signal, perhaps an optical compressor. If you want lots of squash, find an Orange Squeezer clone. Etc.

I've got a few, but these days I'm using the Xotic SP comp. Inexpensive, small, lots of options. Kicked the other ones off my board.

And btw, in terms of a "holy grail" ... consider how many classic tones were made with the original Dynacomp. I'd say that one is closer to the mark.

 

[auxren]

I've heard great things about the 4-knob Keeley Compressor.


A few years ago I found an original '76 Dynacomp at a swap meet. Guy didn't know what it was so he sold it to me for $4. I honestly dont use it that much because its sucks massive tone when its off.

 

[mikeller]

I have had a Barber Tone Press (wish I didn't sell) and a Wampler EGO Compressor. I don't like much squash - I probably liked the Tone Press the best of any compressor I've tried.

Beej - I have been somewhat gassing for the Xotic SP - would love to hear your thoughts on it. I love the simplicity of it. My only real complaint with the EGO is all the knobs and the ease at which they get bumped and moved at gigs!!!!

 

[matty76]

I have an Xotic SP and it says it's based on the Ross, seems to do the job, small package and cheap enough. I had the Keeley 2 knob a while back but it was almost too subtle.

Xotic Effects SP Compressor

 

[beej]

Prior to the SP, I was using an Analogman Ross style and Orange Squeezer. The SP does what I like about both of those (depending on how I set it), in a much smaller package. Lately I'm using it a lot as an always on type of effect with single coils, works really well.

Anyhow ... it's pretty solid for a pedal compressor, and the price is right.

 

[jazzyitalian]

Okay-

Based on my interpretation that's 3 Big Nays, 3 normal sounding Nays and 1 Maybe.
So I'm not going to pursue the Ross option. I'll just look for a new one under $125 and bring the Axis with me.

Thanks guys for all the candid feedback.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Good thread - I have an inexpensive Compressor that I use turned on all the time. It just adds a really small amount of compression (and I mean small amount) but that's all I want.
Job done for under $120.

 

[guitardude1230]

Get something like the SP or a tone press and save a ton of cash. Old Ross units can be noisy.

 

[banjoplayer]

I have an clone of the Ross Compressor which I built myself. Bought here
I´m not 100% satisfied as it is a bit difficult to me to find settings that work for me. Sometimes I´m pleased, sometimes not. But I can´t really judge (as I don´t have the comparison to the real one or other comps) if I soldered something wrong (it seemed all correct and it works) or if it just doesn´t fit my needs. And I didn´t spent that much time with it so far. But it´s not that big matter as I don´t use it often and it was really cheap.
So I would recommend building a clone if you have some soldering experience or want to malke the experience. It´s fun, it´s cheap and you learn something.