The Empress S&D Compressor Mk II is the Scratch and Dent version of the Empress Effects Compressor Mk II, a compact compressor pedal that That Pedal Show has described as "studio compression for your pedalboard"1. "S&D" stands for Scratch and Dent: these are the same pedals as the regular lineup, sold at a lower price because the enclosures carry small cosmetic blemishes. Empress states that "Scratch and Dent pedals are functionally working perfectly. They have small cosmetic flaws such as a smudge on the screenprint, scratches or maybe a powdercoating defect"2.
For a player, that means the full Compressor Mk II circuit at a discount: the S&D units are listed at $224.00, against the regular Compressor Mk II price of $274.0023. The S&D Compressor Mk II is sold in two finishes, Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle, both at the same $224.00 price24.
What Scratch and Dent means
Empress sells S&D versions across much of its range, and the description is the same on every listing: the pedals work perfectly, but the finish is not flawless. The flaws named are a smudge on the screenprint, scratches, or a powdercoating defect2. Nothing in the circuit or the controls differs from the regular version; the discount reflects the enclosure's appearance only.
The S&D Compressor Mk II carries the same warranty terms as a new Empress pedal. In the maker's own words24:
"You still get our awesome 2 year warranty that can be extended to 4 years for free by registering your pedal!"
So the trade-off for a player is straightforward: a lower price and a full warranty, in exchange for a blemish somewhere on the box2.
The Compressor Mk II behind it
The Mk II update brought changes to the pedal's feature set and hardware compared with the original3. Empress publishes the pedal's electrical specifications, including its power input requirements3. The regular version is offered in more than one finish3, which is where the S&D Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle units come from.
On That Pedal Show's New Pedal Day video in November 2022, the presenters ran the Compressor MkII alongside the Victory V1 The Copper and The Sheriff, the EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker, and the Fender Hammertone Space Delay, calling it:
"a really clever and great sounding compressor from Empress"
Price and warranty
| Version | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S&D Compressor Mk II (Blue Sparkle) | $224.00 | Regular price $274.002 |
| S&D Compressor Mk II (Silver Sparkle) | $224.00 | Regular price $274.004 |
| Compressor Mk II (regular) | $274.00 | Current maker listing3 |
| Compressor Mk II at launch (2020) | $249 | Premier Guitar, November 20205 |
The $224.00 S&D price against the $274.00 regular price is a $50.00 saving on the maker's current listing23. At launch in 2020 the regular pedal was $249 US5; the current maker listing shows $274.003.
Every S&D pedal in the Empress range carries the same warranty terms: 2 years, extendable to 4 years for free by registering the pedal with Empress2. Registration is the only step needed for the extension.
The bass version
Bass players get the same deal. Empress sells the S&D Compressor Bass in Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle, each listed at $224.00 against the regular $274.00 price67. It is the Scratch and Dent version of the Bass Compressor that launched alongside the Mk II in November 20206, and it carries the same 2 year warranty, extendable to 4 years for free by registering the pedal2.
S&D stock is cosmetic seconds sold at a discount, so specific finishes and units come and go. Both Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle versions of the S&D Compressor Mk II were listed at $224.00 as of October 202624.
Questions
What does Scratch and Dent mean on an Empress pedal?
Scratch and Dent (S&D) is Empress Effects' name for cosmetic seconds. The pedals are functionally working perfectly, but they carry small cosmetic flaws such as a smudge on the screenprint, scratches, or a powdercoating defect. Empress sells them at a discount, and they carry the same warranty as new pedals.
Does the S&D Compressor Mk II work the same as the regular Mk II?
Yes. The S&D Compressor Mk II is the same compressor pedal as the regular Compressor Mk II, just with small cosmetic flaws on the enclosure. Empress states that Scratch and Dent pedals are functionally working perfectly, and the S&D units carry the same 2 year warranty, extendable to 4 years for free by registering the pedal.
What finishes does the Empress Compressor Mk II come in?
The Empress Compressor Mk II is available in two finishes: undeniable blue or silver sparkle. The S&D version is sold in both Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle, each listed at $224.00 against the regular $274.00 price.
How do I extend the Empress warranty to four years?
Empress S&D pedals ship with a 2 year warranty that can be extended to 4 years for free by registering your pedal with Empress Effects. Registration is done through the maker, and the extension applies to Scratch and Dent units the same as new ones.
What is the input impedance of the Empress Compressor Mk II?
The Empress Compressor Mk II has an input impedance of 1M and an output impedance of 2.2k. It is powered through a 2.1mm barrel connector with center negative polarity.
Is there an S&D version of the Empress bass compressor?
Yes. Empress sells the S&D Compressor Bass in both Blue Sparkle and Silver Sparkle finishes, at $224.00 against the regular $274.00 price. Like the guitar version, it is functionally working perfectly with only small cosmetic flaws.
Sources (7)
- New Pedal Day Victory V1, EQD Special Cranker, Fender Space Delay, Empress Comp MkII, That Pedal Show, 2022-11-01
- S&D Compressor Mk II (Blue Sparkle), Empress Effects Inc.
- Compressor MKII, Empress Effects Inc.
- S&D Compressor Mk II (Silver Sparkle), Empress Effects Inc.
- Empress Effects Launches Compressor MkII & Bass Model, Premier Guitar, 2020-11-12
- S&D Compressor Bass (Blue Sparkle), Empress Effects Inc.
- S&D Compressor Bass (Silver Sparkle), Empress Effects Inc.
