Laney Black Country Customs The Custard Factory Bass Compressor Pedal

Before my experience was with the Line 6 Helix’s compressors. They work fine but I never felt any wow. I just don’t see what the obsession is about. Then I tried The Custard Factory.

I am a weekend warrior, gigging once every month or two in the local scene in an alternative rock band. I play a Thunderbird 5 string and need a solid foundation.

From the moment I turned on The Custard Factory my tone improved immensely! Compression is famously hard to describe, but for me turning the off is like dialling my tone knob back. It just sounds great! My first thought was “I wish I had brought this pedal as soon as it was released”. This is my always on pedal!

The controls are simple to use in a way that the Helix’s aren’t. I literally just messed around and found a great tone in seconds that trashed the more complex studio style compressors I’ve used before. Intuitive is the name of the game. I’m a chartered Human Factors Specialist, and I approve of the designer’s excellent work!

I love that the pedal has a high quality buffer of 1 Meg input, 100k output. It means I need not buy a buffer pedal. Yet the best feature for me is the presence knob. I can dial in a subtle setting to help me stand out in the mix while still fulfilling the bass role.

The construction is solid and the graphics are really nicely printed. I feel this pedal can take some beating, but frankly, it won’t because it’s an always on compressor that never gets stamped on in a gig. Anyway, I’m glad to feel it can withstand an onslaught night after night.

While The Custard Factory is pretty unknown in the bass world, I can imagine this being a forever pedal.