Ross Compressor Mod

I am giving it a 10 based on a few things.  One, it is a modified dyna-comp, so if you like the dyna comp, but would like an "improved" dynacomp sound, then this is for you.  Two, I compared it to three other compressors (A Boss CS-2, a standard re-issue dynacomp and a Maxon CP101-which is a great compressor!) and I really liked this pedal better OVERALL. I've been re-doing my pedal board lately. The dyna-comp was more of a rock-n-roll sound with the midrange boost and snappy attack, but it was kind of unnatural with it's uneven swell of sustain-and it changed the sound of my guitar. The Maxon is a GREAT, pristine compressor!The Maxon and the "dyna-ross" mod worked great together, but alas I am only allowing myself one compressor- The dyna-ross retains the dyna-comps rock-n-roll characteristics, but seems quieter and smooths out the sustain-The Maxon was like a clean boost that compressed just slightly and didn't have near the sustain of the dyna comp (of course the Maxon sounded more natural in that way as well) but the "dyna-ross" cleans up nice at moderate settings and even sounds good on my accoustic!!! (The Maxon was too bright) putting all three of these in front of my Keeley Modified TS-9 also showed the differences very clearly- The Maxon emphasised alot of high and high mids which kind of gave it a "honky" sound......(that does not mean that if you played funk, you sounded "white") -sorry-anyway- The Maxon also had very little sustain. The dyna comp was too midrangey and altered the tone of my guitar. I liked some of that, because it sounded like rock-n-roll, the dyna comp is an institution! but the "dyna ross" is like a toned down dyna comp, different mid shift, smoother gain swell, still plucky, still has monster sustain-a good compromise and now-my only compressor.

MXR case......built like a tank- Mike seems easily accessable for questions etc. so yeah, I trust the thing.

Like most compressors, you have to tweak them a bit to get the best possible response, but if you are used to an MXR dynacomp, it works the same way and isn't much trouble.

Analog Mike and Robert Keeley both deserve alot of respect for providing great customer service, doing honest business on the web, and making boutique tone available to the working musicians and hobbyists for a decent price.  I highly recommend both of them.

This is now my only compressor- It gives me the classic tone of the dynacomp, but with more subtle results.  Although at 160.00, the Maxon was a good choice at 135.00 and the dynacomp being half that at 65.00, I wouldn't quite call it a "bargain" but you often get what you pay for and it's hard to put a price on certain things like craftsmanship.  This is a great improvement on the dynacomp-and has alot of character.

I play a Hamer Echotone/Duncan Antiquity pickups through a '59 Bassman reissue.  I purchased the MXR Dyna Comp earlier this Summer and couldn't quite get a sound I really liked - all kinds off burping and swelling - so I had Mike do the mod, and what a difference.  Now it produces a beautifully subtle, clean compression (first in line) with sustain to spare.  I thought I liked the Bassman before...WOW!

I've only had it a short time, but the solders look solid and the thing is in an MXR box - it weighs about as much as a Volkswagen.  I don't expect it to fall apart.  I'll have to gig without a backup because I only have one, but I'm not worried about this pedal.

It's a compressor.  I set the level to match the clean signal, and the sustain (the other knob) to about 25% and leave it alone. 

Mike is great.  The mod was about a week and a half, door-to-door, and he responded to all my emails within a matter of hours. 

I play blues and blues influenced rock, mostly, and have been for about 25 years.  I just set out in the last couple of months to start replacing my ancient, abused (I was a teenager when I got this stuff) rig. In fact, the guitar, amp, compressor and other pedals are all brand new.  The user reviews at Harmony Central have been very, very helpful to me.  Thanks for pointing me toward AnalogMan.