Boss1979CompressorCompression$$Mid-Range($250–800)
Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer
Guitarists wanting an early, characterful vintage Boss compressor circuit, distinct from later smoother models.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Check your gain staging
Free tool — convert dBu/dBV, chain gain stages, and check your headroom before it clips.
Strengths
- A genuinely early, well-regarded compact compressor pedal, predating and influencing many later designs including the CS-3
- Distinctive, slightly grittier compression character than later, smoother Boss compressor models
- Became a real cult favorite among vintage-pedal collectors specifically for this earlier, more characterful circuit
Trade-offs
- Considered noisier and less transparent than later compressor pedal designs
- Discontinued and unreissued, making genuine vintage units the only way to get this exact circuit
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | CS-2 Compression Sustainer |
| Era | 1979 |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Effect Type | Compressor |
| Circuit | Analog |
| True Bypass | No |
| Power | 9V battery/adapter |
| Controls | 3 knobs |
| Tap Tempo | No |
| I/O | Mono in/out |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Compression
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer.
50
50
50
50
This deckBoss CS-2 Compression Sustainer
Match57
Flexibility40
Portability85
Ease of Maintenance70
Tonal Neutrality32
Ranked against 47 other decks
- Boss GE-7 EqualizerMatch71Flexibility58Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality62
- Fulltone OCDMatch67Flexibility55Portability88Ease of Maintenance80Tonal Neutrality45
- MXR Micro AmpMatch66Flexibility25Portability90Ease of Maintenance82Tonal Neutrality68
- Klon CentaurMatch65Flexibility40Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality58
- Boss BD-2 Blues DriverMatch65Flexibility42Portability88Ease of Maintenance80Tonal Neutrality48
- Boss CE-5 Chorus EnsembleMatch65Flexibility58Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality40
- Flexibility58Portability82Ease of Maintenance72Tonal Neutrality42
- MXR Dyna CompMatch63Flexibility35Portability90Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality48
- Line 6 DL4 Delay ModelerMatch63Flexibility85Portability48Ease of Maintenance72Tonal Neutrality45
- Boss SD-1 Super OverdriveMatch63Flexibility35Portability90Ease of Maintenance80Tonal Neutrality48
- Way Huge Green RhinoMatch63Flexibility42Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality45
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808Match62Flexibility40Portability90Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality42
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9Match62Flexibility38Portability90Ease of Maintenance76Tonal Neutrality42
- Boss DM-2 DelayMatch61Flexibility45Portability90Ease of Maintenance70Tonal Neutrality40
- Boss CE-2 ChorusMatch61Flexibility42Portability90Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality38
- Boss OD-1 OverdriveMatch61Flexibility32Portability90Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality45
- Flexibility32Portability88Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality45
- Flexibility60Portability82Ease of Maintenance55Tonal Neutrality38
- DOD 250 Overdrive PreampMatch59Flexibility30Portability90Ease of Maintenance76Tonal Neutrality40
- Boss MT-2 Metal ZoneMatch59Flexibility45Portability88Ease of Maintenance82Tonal Neutrality22
- Pro Co RAT2Match59Flexibility45Portability88Ease of Maintenance80Tonal Neutrality22
- Marshall Guv'norMatch59Flexibility58Portability82Ease of Maintenance72Tonal Neutrality25
- Way Huge Swollen PickleMatch59Flexibility58Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality15
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PiMatch58Flexibility45Portability90Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality20
- MXR Phase 90Match58Flexibility30Portability92Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality32
- Flexibility32Portability92Ease of Maintenance76Tonal Neutrality32
- Boss PH-1R PhaserMatch58Flexibility52Portability85Ease of Maintenance68Tonal Neutrality28
- Boss OC-2 OctaveMatch58Flexibility42Portability85Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality28
- DOD FX25 Envelope FilterMatch58Flexibility45Portability85Ease of Maintenance72Tonal Neutrality30
- Morley Power Wah VolumeMatch57Flexibility42Portability78Ease of Maintenance75Tonal Neutrality32
- Flexibility68Portability65Ease of Maintenance58Tonal Neutrality35
- Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95Match56Flexibility30Portability82Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality32
- Ross CompressorMatch56Flexibility35Portability85Ease of Maintenance68Tonal Neutrality35
- MXR Distortion+Match55Flexibility28Portability90Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality22
- Boss DS-1 DistortionMatch55Flexibility25Portability90Ease of Maintenance85Tonal Neutrality20
- Ibanez SM-9 Super MetalMatch55Flexibility48Portability85Ease of Maintenance68Tonal Neutrality18
- Colorsound OverdriverMatch54Flexibility30Portability85Ease of Maintenance70Tonal Neutrality32
- MXR Blue BoxMatch54Flexibility45Portability85Ease of Maintenance70Tonal Neutrality15
- DigiTech WhammyMatch53Flexibility60Portability55Ease of Maintenance62Tonal Neutrality35
- Boss HM-2 Heavy MetalMatch53Flexibility35Portability88Ease of Maintenance78Tonal Neutrality12
- Flexibility55Portability68Ease of Maintenance48Tonal Neutrality35
- Guyatone PS-002Match52Flexibility35Portability85Ease of Maintenance62Tonal Neutrality25
- Univox Super-FuzzMatch50Flexibility42Portability82Ease of Maintenance62Tonal Neutrality12
- Vox V846 Wah-WahMatch48Flexibility30Portability75Ease of Maintenance55Tonal Neutrality30
- Arbiter Fuzz FaceMatch47Flexibility30Portability88Ease of Maintenance55Tonal Neutrality15
- Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1Match45Flexibility25Portability88Ease of Maintenance50Tonal Neutrality18
- Boss CE-1 Chorus EnsembleMatch40Flexibility55Portability25Ease of Maintenance45Tonal Neutrality35
Maintenance & Supplies
As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.