Is a Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer Pedal necessary for acoustic?

Question:I play a Taylor.
Use it for Church stuff and some jazz/blues stuff.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I play a Taylor.
Use it for Church stuff and some jazz/blues stuff.

I would say no, not necessary. There are times when you want to compress the sound of an acoustic guitar so that it keeps an even dynamic and it remains in the background (which is what I imagine you would want), but not always.

A compressor will limit the dynamic range of your guitar - meaning that it will stay closer to the same volume whether you are playing harder or softer. This can be good (especially for a backing instrument) but it can also be detrimental... if you want to be able to change the dynamic, to build intensity in one section and drop it back down in another, it will be harder to do with a compressor on.

If you need to keep your acoustic's volume level in check, you *can* use a compressor, but it will sound more natural if you learn how to play softer... maybe get a thinner pick, for instance. Learning how to play evenly is tough - but being able to do so successfully is the mark of a good musician.

I can see it being used for soloing, though, because usually for soloing you want to have a consistently louder volume, and a compressor would help you do that.

Distortion = compression, so if you're overdriving the sound of your acoustic, you will naturally get some compression out of it. The effect intensifies with the more distortion you pile on.

I hope that helps!

Saul