The ThorpyFX The fat general is a ThorpyFX compressor pedal, currently around $188. Close alternatives include the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro and the SolidGoldFX Compression Machine. It pairs well with the Marshall Super Bass and the PRS HX 50 Head.
ThorpyFX The fat general
ThorpyFX · pedal
The ThorpyFX Fat General is a premium boutique optical compressor from ThorpyFX (UK), delivering warm, musical optical-style compression with Attack, Release, and Ratio controls in a military-grade aircraft aluminum enclosure. The original Fat General established ThorpyFX as a premier compressor builder and is among the most acclaimed boutique compressors available.
What stands out
“Original acclaimed boutique compressor that established ThorpyFX reputation”
— from the reviews
“The ThorpyFX Fat General delivers warm optical compression at ThorpyFX boutique quality for country, blues, clean, and studio players who want one of the finest boutique compressors from a respected UK manufacturer”
— from the community notes
“The original Fat General established ThorpyFX as a premier compressor builder and is among the most acclaimed boutique compressors available”
— from the listing
“The ThorpyFX Fat General is a premium boutique optical compressor from ThorpyFX (UK), delivering warm, musical optical-style compression with Attack, Release, and Ratio controls in a military-grade aircraft aluminum enclosure”
— from the listing
“Strengths: Warm optical compression with Attack, Release, and Ratio controls in military-grade aircraft aluminum at ThorpyFX UK boutique quality”
— from the reviews
- compressor
- optical compression
- warm
- boutique
- fat
- release
- compression
- studio
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the ThorpyFX The fat general is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the ThorpyFX The fat general
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Where this leans warm, Marshall Super Bass answers back bright
Comes later in the signal chain
PRS HX 50 Head
PRS
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Where this leans warm, PRS HX 50 Head answers back bright
Comes later in the signal chain
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Díaz CD-100 Amp Head
Diaz
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Díaz CD-100 Amp Head leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Laney Richter
Laney
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Laney Richter after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Mesa Boogie Subway D-350
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa Boogie Subway D-350 leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Morgan MVP66
Morgan
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Morgan MVP66's bright balances out the warm tone
Orange OR30 Head
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Orange OR30 Head leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the ThorpyFX The fat general
Way Huge Pork Loin
Way Huge
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Way Huge Pork Loin leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Browne Amplification Carbon
Browne Amplification
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Browne Amplification Carbon leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss RV-6 Reverb
Boss
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Boss RV-6 Reverb after ThorpyFX The fat general in the signal chain, where it won't crowd ThorpyFX The fat general — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978
Chase Bliss Audio
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep ThorpyFX The fat general's warm voice out front: Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978 goes after ThorpyFX The fat general in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Maxon FF10 Fuzz Elements Fire
Maxon
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Maxon FF10 Fuzz Elements Fire leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Dallas Tuxedo 1959
Dallas
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dallas Tuxedo 1959 leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Wylde Audio Cry Baby Wah
Wylde Audio
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Wylde Audio Cry Baby Wah belongs in front of ThorpyFX The fat general, since a wah tracks picking dynamics best on the raw signal
Keeley KO-Als Distortion
Keeley
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Keeley KO-Als Distortion after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Cheaper alternatives
T-Rex Comp-Nova
T Rex
60% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor
One Control
60% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, clean
Carl Martin Classic Opto-Compressor
Carl Martin
58% similarityShared character: fat, compressor, attack
Friedman Sir-Compre
Friedman
58% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
MXR Super Comp M132
Dunlop
58% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
J. Rockett Jrad Squeegee Compressor
J Rockett
56% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Boutique & premium upgrades
DryBell Module 4
Drybell
94% similaritysimilar tone character
ThorpyFX Fat General V2 Parallel Compressor
ThorpyFX
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Walrus Audio Mira
Walrus Audio
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor
Strymon
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro
Homebrew
73% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, warm
SolidGoldFX Compression Machine
Solidgoldfx
61% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, clean
Hot Box Pedals CP-81
Hot Box Pedals
61% similarityShared character: compressor, compression
EarthQuaker Devices The Warden
EarthQuaker Devices
59% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Donner Lax Comp
Donner
58% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, warm
Mooer Dyna Compressor
Mooer
56% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
See all alternatives to the ThorpyFX The fat general (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the ThorpyFX The fat general?+
The closest matches in character are the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro, the SolidGoldFX Compression Machine, the Hot Box Pedals CP-81. Budget picks: T-Rex Comp-Nova, One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor, Carl Martin Classic Opto-Compressor. Boutique upgrades: DryBell Module 4, ThorpyFX Fat General V2 Parallel Compressor, Walrus Audio Mira.
What pairs well with the ThorpyFX The fat general?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Super Bass, PRS HX 50 Head, Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head — Where this leans warm, Marshall Super Bass answers back bright.
How much does the ThorpyFX The fat general cost?+
Around $188 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).
Compare
- vs Keeley Classic Keeley Compressor
- vs DryBell Module 4
- vs ThorpyFX Fat General V2 Parallel Compressor