Suggestion For Used or New Compressor $150 Max

[PJ Bassthumper]

Hi,
I'm shopping for a bass compressor to add clean sustain to my notes and level out the volume between the low end and high end. Unfortunately I live in Canada and prices are quite a bit higher than in the USA. For example a Markbass Compressore goes for $299.99 new The Seymour Duncan Studio Bass goes for $249.99 and the MXR M87 goes for $266.99 add tax to that and I am at or over $300 and at this moment I only have $150 to spend.

I play a SWR Workingman's 4004 Head through a Traynor B410 Cabinet. I have one passive bass and one active bass a Fender Precision Deluxe Special. I play mostly with my fingers and rarely slap of play aggressive.

So my question is with only $150 to spend should I go new or used. If I go used I would prefer a stompbox but if a rack mount one is better I will go that route if that is the general concensus.

Here is what is available to me new in my Price Range.

Boss LMB-3 $109
TC Electric Spectra Comp $129
Electro Harmix Steel Leather $73
Electro Harmix Bass Preacher $100
Digitech Main Squeez Bass Compressor $89.

Here is what is available used at the moment.

Alesis 3630 $50
Art Dual Levelar Tube Compressor $140
Beta Aivin $60
Beringer T1952 Tube Compressor $150
Boss LMB-3 $75
DBX 160X $150
DBX 163A $80
DBX 166A $150
DBX 166XL $140
DBX 263X $125
DBX 266 XS $125
DOD FX80B $90
Electro Harmix Soul Preacher $85
Electro Harmix Bass Preacher $100
Maxon CP 101 $120
Marshall ED-1 $50
MXR Dyna Comp $115
MXR M-132 Super Comp $80
Rolls GLC 151 Audio Compressor $60
TC Electronic Hyper Gravity $100
T Rex Comp Nova $120
T Rex Squeezer Tube Compressor $150

There are all my choices. Last night I was on OVNILABS compressor site for 5 hrs straight last night and I found it informative, but at the end of the day will I be better served by something new or something used given my $150 limit.


Steve

 

[johnk_10]

in your price range, id be looking at these:

MXR M76 Studio Compressor DEMO

Keeley Bassist Compressor - Excellent Condition

 

[PJ Bassthumper]

Thanks for the response John K. I have none for sale in my area at the moment but I will definitely add your recommendations to the list and hope one pops up on our version of Craigs List called Kijiji. The ones on Ebay are nice but once you factor in the exchange rate and the shipping and the customs fee I'm over my budget on both and with the Keeley I'm over by a lot. If I was to buy from the states it would have to be in the $100 - $120 range.

Cheers.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Is "Used" a brand? If not, it should be. There's a ton of stuff in the TB classifieds. How difficult is it to ship across the border?

BTW, your < $150 new selections....I'm not terribly excited.

Riis

 

[eriky4003]

PJ,
I used a Boss LMB-3 which I thought was good with my passive basses but not as nice with my active.

 

[wpc1996]

I tried the tc ones the otherday. The spectre comp is pretty cool. Tc doesnt have it on the toneprint app for it tho so i couldnt get into it. The hypergravity is insanley noisy

 

[PJ Bassthumper]

Is "Used" a brand? If not, it should be. There's a ton of stuff in the TB classifieds. How difficult is it to ship across the border?

BTW, your < $150 new selections....I'm not terribly excited.

Riis

Thanks for the reply. I would prefer to go used because if you don't like whatever you bought you can sell it for what you paid for or at worse a minimal loss. As far as TB classifieds go any product that interested me had in their description CONUS which I will assume means shipping within continental USA only. I keep looking everyday as I would rather support a fellow TB'er. Thanks.

 

[Plutonium244]

Keeley bassist is a very good compressor, I am not a huge compressor guy for most instances, but the Keeley is really nice, musical. I bought one used here on TB, like it a lot.

Here is a Keeley bassist for sale right now on the TB classified, were I in your position I would buy this without further delay:

For Sale - Keeley Bassist Compressor/Limiting Amplifier

 

[PJ Bassthumper]

Thanks for the link Plutonium244. I just sent a post in the TB classifieds for a Seymour Duncan Studio Bass, the poster said in his post CONUS only but I asked if he was willing to ship to Canada. I haven't heard back but if he says no I'll respond to your link, the Keeley has CONUS in the item description as well I guess it's a pain to ship to other countries as I find most things I'm looking at on the site say CONUS in the description.

 

[Oddly]

They're not to everyone's taste, but what about the new EHX Bass Preacher ?
I'm very happy with mine.


106 CAN from Moog Audio in Montreal.

MOOG AUDIO - Canada's Best Music Store Online


EDIT: I must be going blind...you had it listed. Anyway, I'll stand by my recommendation!

 

[BaltBass5]

Ovnilabs has the most comprehensive list of compressor reviews and prices around!!

Having said that my personal pref:

Keeley Bassist
Aphex 1404 Punch Factory

 

[Oddly]

Also, check out Compressor Reviews . A seriously helpful review site for all things compressor.

EDIT: @dcbassist5 beat me to that recommendation!

 

[BluesWalker]

I use the EBS Multicomp. I mainly play finger style rock and jazz. It does a good job evening out the volume. They can usually be found used on FB within your price range.

 

[eottjake]

I have and love my Forest Green Compressor. There's one on reverb right now for 145
Mad Professor Forest Green Compressor

Least amount of noise I've had from a compressor (a/b'd a few at GC and had the displeasure of owning a Black Finger)

 

[DavC]

had the Seymour , and many others , ... it's a great choice used , it has a Clean Blend ... !!!!!! and a filter to pick the freq response of the Clean Blend ... very useful pedal for the price .. !

for a little more , $200 ish , i picked up a DarkGlass Super Symmetry ... also has Clean Blend and a nice tubey kinda voice .

 

[PJ Bassthumper]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Believe me it's valued.

 

[ofajen]

If non-stomp is an option, first on the list should be a lightly used RNC (FMR Audio). Caveat is its line level, so you will need something in front as a buffer or use it in a processing loop. I guess that's ok as you listed other line level units.

Otto

 

[pacojas]

shipping to Canada from the US is as easy as mailing a letter at the post office, ime.

TIP: if the seller uses UPS he can specify "damaged goods" and it's even cheaper for the Canadian buyer.

 

[BAMonBASS]

I dont have much experience with compressors, but i did just pick up the pigtronix philosopher bass compressor and i love it. Runs right around $100 used in the states.

 

[Doner Designs]

You have done your homework for sure. All I can add is my own preferences which are highly rated by Bongo - the Markbass Compressore and the MXR Bass Compressor. Both are excellent but are closer to $200. Note that GC and MF likely will have 4th of July sales offering 15% off which would just about close the gap for you.