Electro-Harmonix Black Finger Sustainer

As with most things from Electro Harmonix, the Black Finger compressor is not something you can just plug in and star using straight away. It needs a little time to get to know it, get used to the different settings and get familiar with the different sounds it is capable of.

I would have put 10 but sound is very subjective and we all like different things. However, my view is that this pedal sounds AMAZING!!! I wasn't looking for a compressor when I bought this. I was looking for a pedal that would give me that clean, punchy blues sounds that just breaks up as you play hard. The BF will do this brilliantly!! I used it for exactly this for some time and lots of people kept comig to me asking what I was using to get "that sound". I have subsequaently splashed out on a decent all-valve amp (should have done this years ago and stopped faffing around with lots of pedals). I thought about selling my EH Black Finger but decided I'd try it as a compressor. It sounds FANTASTIC. You can use it to take the harsh edge of an overdriven or distortion sound, to create great punchy clean sounds, to increase the sustain and to boost the signal level for lead parts. It lifts the sound and gives it s special 'professional' sound. Every one comments on how my set-up sounds. I use a Gibson SG straight into a Marshall TSL 122 all valve 2x12 combe, with the EH Black Finger in the FX loop. Amazing. Get one.

Can't realy comment - I've had no issues.

Never used them - had no need to.

It's the Daddy.

You need to read the manual. Let me say it again. Read the manual! It is short , but very helpful. It just lets you know the character of the modes and which one to use for a particular function. Once you figure it out, its great and easy to work with. But it takes a little getting used to.

Setup as follows: Fender Jaguar bass, Boss TU-2, Black Finger, Boss GEB-7, Sansamp 3 Channel Programmable. That is my direct tone. I use whatever amp the backline company has available. Mostly an Ampeg SVT Classic & Ampeg 8x10, or GK stuff.

Ok, like I said, read the manual. Once figure out where to start to get the sound you want, you can do just that. I just realized I had been using it incorrectly and that's why I was unhappy with it. That's sad because I engineer and play bass professionally for major-label artists. It happens. Anyways, once I figured it out, it took my tone to another level. I couldn't be more happy with it. You can get compressors like the Multicomp that are very hi fi sounding, but I like that this pedal adds the tube warmth. It really fattens up my tone and adds great punch. I play with it on always.

So far so good. It blew a tube after being transported across the country on an airplane. But, hey have you seen how those airline guys throw around your expensive gear? Punks. Other than that I have had no probs. I keep and extra tube just in case. The only thing I really worry about is the power supply. The connector is really weird and its proprietary. So if it gets messed up, you'll have to buy a new one. I know why they did this, but I think they could have used a more universal connector.

I haven't had to deal with them. But, there website is so so helpful.

If this thing broke or was stolen I would for sure buy another. It has helped me find my signature tone. And that is very important. I've been playing about 11 years and so far this is the best stomp compressor I have used. It really does act a little like an LA-2A, which is the quintessential bass comp. I wish it had a little smaller footprint, it takes up too much space on my pedalboard. But, overall I love it.