Maxon RCP-660 Real Compressor

Took me some time because the manual doesn't really give away that much information. "Turn clockwise for more compression"... What is "more compression"? Higher ratio? Lower threshold? Sharper knee? Knobs for "sustain" and "sensitivity" interact with each other, adding to the confusion. "Attack" and "master" are pretty straightforward, though.

I play a Rickenbacker 4003 and a Gibson Thunderbird. Setup is Bass -> RCP -> Hartke 3500 -> Ampeg SVT-810. Since the Hartke is a hybrid amp and both basses can be slightly uneven in their output I was looking for a compressor and a little more of a tube sound. The Maxon looked like the ideal thing and it delivers. Definitely colors the sound, so if you want "clean" compression, this is not for you. Also cuts a bit of the deepest lows which works for me as the Ampeg only goes down to 50 Hz anyway. The 10 dB boost is a nice gadget. Only drawback: noise. Not when the effect is off altogether and acceptable when the boost is off, but a bit too strong when the boost is on.

Tubes generally require more maintenance and care, but it hasn't gone out on me yet and doesn't look like it will.

No idea.

I've been playing melodic hard rock, punk and metal for six years. My other effects are a Boss BF-2 Flanger and a Monarch EEM-3000 Delay. I sold my overdrive pedals because the boost is more authentic for that purpose. Considered buying the Boss LMB-3 or a rack compressor, but most of them sounded too clean. Once you find out how to set the knobs and if you can live with the noisy boost (you might want to use a gate if it's too much for you), the RCP gives you great sounding warm tube compression.

Compressors are never 100% intuitive, and this one is no exception. I spend about a minute twisting knobs each time I plug it in. I find that the response changes as I raise or lower the volume on my amp, which sort of compounds the problem. Still, I wouldn't say that it is difficult to use, but rather just that it takes a little bit of work.

I've put it up against everything including a Keeley and a Ross, and this compressor just sounds better IMO. It isn't a colorless sound, but I don't believe that a compressor should be colorless (at least not a guitar compressor--studio compressors are a different story altogether).

I run the pedal in front of my amp along with my OD, filter, and wah pedals. I do find that this pedal is a little noisy when running in conjunction with either of the OD pedals, particularly when I'm using my wireless. I've used this pedal with a number of different amps. My two main units are a '64 Bandmaster and a Trace Elliot Trident, but I also occasionally run it through a Zinky Blue Velvet 25w or a Fender Blues Jr. It works equally well with any of these amps.

I'd give it a 10 if it weren't for the noise factor.

Maxon makes great stuff. The knobs on this series of pedals come off the shafts a little too easily, but other than that I have absolutely no complaints.

I've never dealt directly with Maxon, but the guys at Godlyke Distribution are great.

I play everything (jazz, funk, rock, blues, country, Latin, etc.). This pedal works best for funk/R&B sounds as well as country. I don't use it in a straight-ahead jazz context, but I think it would serve well for that purpose also.