Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer

The Boss CS-3 is without doubt, one of the most versatile pedal compressors on the market. It can go from subtle compression all the way to slamming limiter with the turn of a knob or two.

I'm a session guitarist and constantly use the CS-3 in the studio for everything from clean country solos to rock rhythm and lead. With a minimal amount of adjustment, I can do anything I need with this pedal.

The tone knob is a particularly good feature. When used correctly, it can make guitars pop out of the mix without sounding harsh. It can also help to thicken up a thin sounding guitar. Very useful indeed.

Like all Boss pedals, it's very well built and should last a lifetime. The only issue I've ever had with a Boss pedal was when I used a bad power supply and fried a DD-3 :-( Totally my fault!!

I've used a lot of different brands of effect pedals in the past but I keep returning to Boss. I'm rarely disappointed by a Boss pedal (there are a few exceptions).

Don't get me wrong, the Keeley and Carl Martin comps are great pedals, but they are two or three times the price!! Let me tell you, they are NOT two or three times better than the CS-3.

A large number of guitarists insist that if you're not spending hundreds of Euro/Pounds on pedals, then you're not getting a good product. A lot of the same players look down their noses at Boss pedals. I like to call these people the "True Bypass Brigade". I don't subscribe to this way of thinking at all. Some of the greatest and most revered tones in guitar history would not pass the true bypass test.

A good guitar and amp and a handful of Boss pedals will get you as good a tone as you will ever need. Fact!!

Guitarists as diverse as Andy Summers, Steve Lukather, Joe Walsh, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steuart Smith, Mark Knopfler, Steve Vai and many, many more have used and continue to use Boss effects, so I'm more than content to do likewise!!

Anyway, that's enough about that!! Go ahead and buy a CS-3. You won't be disappointed :-)

A very simply designed and set up effect, and thus very easy to use. Level knob is essentially for your volume control. Tone this has an effect on your low/high end frequencies. When rolled up high you can hear more high end frequencies and it gives a clicking sound that feels like you can hear the contact with the string. Attack / Sustain - these two knobs I use in co-operation to achieve various sounds. With the sustain knob on a low setting the pedal acts as a limiter, while rolling it up high increases sustain and the length the effect lasts for. Meanwhile I adjust the attack value depending on whether I'm playing clean / overdriven. When at a low value the pedal produces a crisper and cleaner sound, while it allows more Drive when rolled up high.

Conclusion: Awesome compressor!