Morley Compressor

Impossible to not make it work well.

Exceptionally good sound! Very transparent, smooth, and strong compression. DOES NOT change the tone of your guitar unlike other popular compressors. And I've owned and used many - the Ross, Dyna-Comps (old and new), Boss CS-2, Ibanez, etc. It runs at 18vdc (2 batteries or an 18vdc adaptor) but will run on a 9vdc adaptor. It just doesn't have as much compression punch or power at 9 volts. Didn't try it with one battery.

Extremely solid overall but the standard sized pots (dated '83) have knurled plastic shafts which could shear off in an accident. Not to worry though; the pots are quite accessible and could be easily replaced. Try replacing those strange Ross Compressor pots. Since they are recessed, liquids and grime collects and pours straight into the Ross pots - good night! Moreover, the Morley is housed in an extremely heavy cast base pedal - presumably steel, not aluminum. DPDT footswitch, Both on and off LEDs, compression and level controls, 1/8" adaptor jack. On the down side, this series of Morley pedals used vinyl stickers for markings, not silk-screening. Think electrical tape. A cheapness feature I never liked. 10-32 stainless countersunk screws. CA3080E, TL074CN ICs. The parts are unusually mounted on the trace side of the solid PCB so maybe I'll eventually get around to doing a schematic.

Forget it. You wouldn't need it anyway.

Very nice, underpriced, and oft overlooked compressor on the vintage pedal marketplace. It's only real competition would be the Ross which sounds nearly identical but isn't quite as strong and punchy. Flamers ignite but I have decades of experience I'm drawing from. Does the Ross run at 18vdc? Never did check.

Two knobs: level and compression

This thing is great. I saw that someone else just left a reveiw for it and couldn't resist adding my 2 cents worth. It sounds great and better than anything being made now. I think it was made in the early 80's and I've been told it's what Steve Vai used back then. I never understood what the term "chicken pickin'" compression even meant until I got this. You just get this incredibly well defined string plucking sound that's very dynamic. It's also got miles of sustain and enhancement. Mines not noisy at all with distortion but I cleaned and lubed the pots with Caig laboratories Deoxit and Preservit. That's some good shizzy. I give this pedal a 10 based on the fact that it's better than anything else out there.

The heaviest pedal I own. TTHHIICCKK!!

Discontinued.

Would buy another one if I can find one.

This unit was manufactured sometime in the mid-late 80's. It is a true-bypass, so it doesn't degrade your signal chain. The unit has only two knobs, so it is a simple device. The only problem comes when you need to change the batteries (yes, it takes two 9 volts). Four screws actually secure the bottom cover.

This thing sounds way better than most other compressor pedals (Boss, DOD, Marshall, MXR). It gets a great clean chicken-pickin type of sound with both knobs turned in @ 90 degrees. I use the pedal with an Am. Strat and a Marshall JTM 60 2x12. It also gets a nice 80's type of clean with both settings backed down a bit. It is noisy with distortion (like all compressors). I think it is best suited for relatively clean sounds.

This is probably the most solid pedal I have ever seen. It is built to withstand a bomb blast I think. I bought it used, but I think it will last a long time...

Morley hasn't made these in years.

I bought this pedal cause I coudn't find another one like it on the Internet. This pedal is great! I think that this was an expensive pedal when it first came out. I wouldn't be suprised if these start to go for serious bucks on ebay or at vintage shows. Get one while they are still cheap and keep it!