Ross Compressor

Easy even for a stompbox compressor. Level and sustain knobs only, but many useable sounds.

I'm using this with a Tele into a Mesa DC5. Any reviews that trashed this unit either had a broken one, had never owned a compressor before, or didn't actually own this pedal at all. I've owned the Boss CS2 and CS3, and the Visual Sound Rt. 66, and this is definitely a great comp pedal. There is virtually no noise added to the signal, and the compression is very warm and natural sounding at lower settings, and pumps and breathes nicely at higher settings. It also has tremendous output and functions very well as a clean boost with the sustain turned low. Last but not least it doesn't really suffer from its lack of true bypass, and I'm normally pretty strict on that for my pedals. A very nice yet simple Comp pedal.

It seems like a really solid unit to me. The connections all look sturdy and I wouldn't really expect for it to go out on me.

My chain goes: Tele-Fulltone 70-Teese RMC3-Ross-Fulltone Soulbender-Mooger Phaser-Maxon Delay-Mesa DC5. My sound varies from the 90's alternative scene music I grew up with to the classic rock I later learned how to play from. I'm sure there are other comp pedals out there that have more features and possibly a cleaner sound, but the warmth and lo fi funkiness are what I really like about this unit. I've tried and owned several other comp pedals, but this one sounds great, doesn't interfere with my fuzz pedals, and doesn't suck tone so it has a permanent place on my board.

In my opionion this is a very simple device to use. The one I have (I purchased this compressor new in the late 70's, little did I know that these would become the thing) has only 2 knobs, level and compression. Wish it had an LED, if it had one I'd would have given it a 10, on the other hand, I set it second (after my tuner) in the chain, with not a lot of compression and a bit of boost on. Once it is on, it pretty much stays on, so an LED would have not be or particular use.

Ok, I'll admit this, I love this unit. I use it with just a little compression, my guitars tend to sustain REALLY well already, but I love the warmth it gives them. I play a strat, an LP and a 335 into a Rivera and an old Fender and for the music I play (blues, blues/jazz, blues/rock (get the theme..lol) it adds a welcome warm touch I love. It is almost as if it just kisses my tone and does something that makes it feel good to me. I love that. If I'm doing a jazz thing and playing clean through the neck pickup on my 335, I get a really wonderful warm tone and NO mud. I love that. Although at the price these are selling for these days, I am so tempted to sell it and purchase something from Analog Mike, but I'm so afraid of losing that incredible warmth it adds. I don't use enough compression to ever hear any kind of hideous pumping that so many compressors add, and if I have my Ts-9 or fulltone on with a bit of boost, the compressor will add some hiss to the mix, but that noice is only audible when no one is playing and that I can live with. Since the hiss goes away if I shut off either of the overdrives I use, it doesn't bother me at all, as when I'm playing you can't hear any hiss over me and the band.

It is the only compressor I have and I don't have a backup.. I've had this unit for over 20 years now and it still works GREAT. So I guess it would be reliable. I am careful with my equipment so as long as I don't throw it around or drop kick it I should be OK. At this point in time I'm not worried about it. If it dies, and I really hope it doesn't, I can certainly continue the gig without it, my tone will just be a little less warm and I'll be crabby for a while.. LOL.

I have no idea. I know they are long gone. Analog Mike will be who repairs this if it dies.

As I've said I purchased this unit new 20 some years ago for about $70. I don't use it every day, actually I practice without it, I pretty much only use it during band practices and gigs, but when I do use it, it makes me smile. I have certainly gotten my money's worth and at the rate it's going I hopefully will get a lot more use out of it.

obviously easy to use. 2 knobs, in-out. not splitting atoms.

i have to say that what people, me included, are paying for these things is completely out of line with reality. this is not the best compressor i have used and it is certainly not worth the cash. if you want to sound like trey then start taking lessons when you are 5 years old and be fortunate enough to have a good ear. the problem with this pedal is all the hype and the idiot ebay "traders" who try to make money off these things.

no problems.

obviously ROSS is long gone.

i give this pedal a 6, at best. i think it does an ok job, but it does the same as any $100 pedal, not something that is worth the $375+ it is going for on ebay. in fact, if i were smart i would sell mine on ebay for $400 and make some money off it. happy bidding :(

This Compressor is very simple. With a control for sustain (compression), and output (volume) it doesn't get much easier. I bought it used but there is very little use for a manual.

I didn't buy this pedal to sound like Trey Anastasio. In fact I had not heard of him at the time, nor did I know what these compressors where going for. As a compressor it is really pretty limited. There is very little control, but that's not what's so special about it. It's very warm, and does something really cool for your sound. I use it to smooth every thing out and keep my amp from hitting the wall when I get agressive. As for noise, I don't have much of a problem because I don't turn both the knobs to 10. Instead I use the compression sparingly and set the volume at about what it would be with the pedal off.

If I could afford it I would buy a backup because it's old, and one time before a show one of the battery leads became detached. Although this is a pretty trivial problem, it could cause some problems at a gig. They're just to expensive to buy a backup.

I can't rate this high because the company went out of business years ago. Should a problem arise I could usually fix it myself.

Unless you want a studio quality compressor, I think this would make a great addition to anybody's setup. Also, if your going for a Phish sound it's going to take a lot more than a compressor. If your into controlled feedback this pedal can be a big help. Over all, it's a really strong pedal.

This is a follow up to all the people who have rated this pedal negatively. For all of you who bitch about this compressor being noisy, well your right. However, no one ever said the reason it was good was because it is quiet. Let's all think about this one.........the thing was built over 25 years ago! The compressor is unique because it makes your guitar tone raw and powerful, not quiet. I know a lot of people buy this to imatate Trey's sound, but your have to have good technique. His guitar is a full body electric. Just imagine the feedback from that alone! His tone is different because he can control the feedback from his guitar and uses the compressor to his advantage. I know many people out there want the nice quiet studio compressor sound and that's fine because you're missing out. There is a reason the compressor goes for 350 on ebay......and it's not becasue Trey uses it..........IT"S ACTUALLY GOOD. I play an Ibanez Artstar through a tube screamer through the ross to a Roland JC77. Occasionaly I uses a Wah pedal and my Ross EQ. My tone is very good and I don't sound like Trey. Maybe a few of you out there should learn how to actually play the guitar and not let 20 pedals or 8 different guitars do the work for you. A true guitarist should have a tonal range from smooth and clean to a tone that bites with each note. (And I am not talking about shitty metal tones.........I am talking about tones more like Scofield)

Oh I would say that it is pretty easy to use......two knobs.

This is where i have to stand up and say something.....this pedal is way over-hyped. Phish has been getting pretty popular lately and more and more people have discovered and want to emulate Trey's magical tone (with good reason), but this thing is *not* the secret to his tone. I would say that has more to do with his Languedoc hollowbody and his amps than anything. But most importantly, this thing is noisy!! It really is kind of rediculous. It's not a bad compressor by any means, I would just rate it as average to above average. This thing has been fetching outrageous prices on ebay lately....$350 wtf?? I just don't see how people can praise these things unconditionally. (that would be a nod to some of those fanatical phans)

this thing is definitely built like a tank

n/a

I cannot stress enough......don't buy one of these things unless you have tried it first, and I would especially try it next to some of the other excellent compressors out there. The price you pay for one of these is 75% name and reputation via Trey, and 25% for it's slightly above average qualities.

The two knobs(level and sustain) are rather straight forward. . .

I use my ross with a carvin DC400, TS9, Real McCoy Wah, DOD flanger and a Boss digital delay. I can not verbalize the extent to which I love this pedal. . .it is soooo smoooooth! The combination of the smooth tight compression and the fantastic sustain is truly inspiring.

I haven't had any problems. . .

Ross used to be in Kansas but they are no longer around.

I LOVE THIS PEDAL! I had a hell of a time finding one. . .if you are searching for one of these gems and are having little luck, I have seen a few pass through ebay recently.

Two knobs, output and sustain...about as easy as it gets.

What an over-hyped joke!! I'm writing this review because it's about time someone told the truth about this pedal. The sound of this compressor would be ok IF the thing wasn't so ridiculously noisy. Frankly, it is unusable. I have spent a lot of time and money selecting guitars that are quiet with great tone. I have also spent a lot of time and money getting together a handful of great sounding amps. I'll be damned it I'm gonna use a compressor that ADDS a bunch of noise to my sound. I compared this pedal side by side with the following compressors: Way Huge Saffron Squeeze, MXR Script Dynacomp, and DOD Milbox. The Ross finished dead last. That's right a $360 Ross finished behind a $40 Milkbox. I used a '64 strat, '98 Custom Shop LP, '91 SG, and a '93 USA Hamer GT Studio w/ p-90's. The Saffron is a totally stellar, gorgeous sounding compressor and is dead quiet.
The Dynacomp was quiet but sounded like somebody put a pillow over the amp speaker. The Milkbox is suprisingly pretty good, but doesn't hold a candle to the Saffron.

I wouldn't be caught dead with it at a gig...I would be totally be embarrassed to click on something that sounds like this. Built well enough though which I guess is what I'm suppossed to evaluate in this category...

Out of business for years...

I bought this pedal unheard based on the hype. Trey, Trey, Trey...please. I bet he has to gate the hell out of his rig to use this thing. You know why people rave about this on ebay? Because they are desparate to get rid of this thing!! I was lucky and found a buyer for mine. Don't even bother. I found a mint Saffron for $250 off Harmony Central. Couldn't be happier with it!!

Pretty darn simple. 2 knobs ... Output and Sustain

I'm using an American Standard Tele through a Dr. Z Maz 18 junior. I have a Teese RMC1 Wah and a Fulltone '69 in the line up. The effect of this pedal is pretty cool, the signal tends to boost a little as the sustain rings out. The thing is though that when the output is anywhere past half way this thing is so noisy that it becomes useless. The sustain is not creamy enough for me and in my opinion this thing does not sound that great.

It looks to be built very solid. I can't imagine it breaking down.

Out of business.

This thing is not living up to all the hype it has been getting lately because of the Trey article in guitar Player. I wouldn't buy it personally.

It only has two knobs, so it's easy to use (unless you're the Socialist scumbag that posted below fo course).

This thing sounds great! There is almost no noise through my rig. I love it's warm, organic tone. This pedal sounds especially good when used with amp tube overdrive as opposed to outboard overdrive or distortion. It can pump and breath and give a good boost. However, it doesn't walk on water like the Socialist scumbag below, so I'll give it a 9.

I have had mine for many years and it has been gigged with on several occasions. I have yet to have any reliability issues with this pedal. It probably wouldn't be as reliable, however, as the Grand God-like creature that sits in our midst that posted below. Therefore, I'll give it a nine. Don't you just love stupid assholes that cut everything down just because it didn't come from Goodwood's? Oh well, I guess we can't all get our asses kicked by the Falkland Islands.

I love it! It's much better than my script logo Dynacomp and is also better than the Boss CS-3 IMHO only.