Hello... long time no post. I was doing really well, and then suddenly my GAS came out of remission.

Mainly, I need a compressor. I've got my gearlust narrowed down to the Analogman mini-BiComp ($235), the Jacques Fat Burner (around $120), or the Marshal Ed ($79, under $50 on ebay). My butterflies on this are the wild balance of What Can I Do? and What Do I Need?

Mainly, I want to know if the Marshall (which was reviewed really well in DonneR's shootout) is something I want to pass up for that price.

Then, I have a great love of Jacque's work, the write-up for the Fat Burner sounds great, and bi-amping and the headphone amp are both big plusses. But has anyone used it? I have a lot of trouble spending money on blind faith.

Last, I have no doubts about the Bi-Comp... it it the most flexible, and the thought of the thing makes me salivate. But if I can come out of this round of GAS spending $100-175 less than the Bi-Comp's formidable price tag and be happy with my alternatives, well, good for me.

I'm sidestepping the obvious question: what style of playing? What kind of music? Chicken or Phish?

I'm given to both. Or everything. I want a compressor that will suit my needs even if they change (and they often do, from song to song). I like the "is it on?" award idea, but I also want to be able to squish and sustain for days, and I want that happy, spracky, attack-accentuating picking sound. Er... I want to have my cake and eat it too. These three candidates all seem like they might get me there (DonneR's review of the Marshall was a real suprise to me).

Okay-- done rambling. Any advice?

Thanks,
eric

That new Keeley Comp looks pretty sweet.

Sorry, I meant Teese. Duhr

Janglebox

That's pretty interesting... it looks kinda' like it's leaning towards the pickin', though. Does it to the long sustaining leadline thing, too?

Anyone else used the Janglebox?

I just ordered a Keeley Comp and a Fuzzhead. Will be here next week. I will be glad to let you know what I think. I love Phish and I think Trey used an old Ross. The Keeley claims to be a clone with some added benefits. I play LPs into old Marshall JMP and 4x12. The problem with me telling you it works for me is that your set-up is probably completely different. Anyways with that in mind I will tell you after I jam on it awhile. Take care and good luck man. Alot of my buds use the old red Dyna and although kinda noisy it has good warm sustain.

I haven't played/owned the Jacques or the Bi-Comp, but have owned the Keeley Comp and the Marshall ED-1. I don't know just HOW similar the Keeley comp is to the Bi-Comp's Ross side, but I wasn't all that thrilled with the Keeley.

Prior to buying it, I heard nothing but praises of it. It was made to sound like the holiest of holy grails and that you'd be doing something sacreligious by buying anything but it. I bought it and was less than impressed. It chops off some of your treble and even with the sustain set at the bare minimum, there was too much squish. If you WANT lots of squish, then great, but if you want something that can be subtle when you need subtle, it doesn't cut it.

The Marshall is probably the best budget compressor out there in my opinion. For less than $50 as you mentioned, you can get a great sounding compressor with true-bypass that has more adjustment than the Keeley. It worked fantastic on my electric, and although there is bigger and better out there (hint, hint: Barber Tone-Press - now THAT'S what a compressor is supposed to be!), it's a phenomenal value.

If you're looking to save a few bucks while getting a great comp, the ED-1 is a great idea. If you want tons of sustain without the ability to have a subtle compressor, then maybe the Keeley/Bi-Comp are for you.

Can't say anything about the Jacques personally.