The Suhr Woodshed Comp is a compressor pedal designed in collaboration with guitarist Andy Wood, built around an analog VCA compressor circuit that Suhr describes as tailored towards a studio-type schematic. It is a compact, true bypass pedal made in the USA, and it carries Andy Wood's signature1. RockBoard's PedalPedia also lists it as the Woodshed Comp Andy Wood Signature, with an analog circuit type and compression as its effect2.
Design and the Andy Wood connection
Suhr states that Kevin Suhr and Andy Wood designed the pedal together, and that the two "have built a compressor that is the foundation of some of Andy's favorite tones"1. Wood plays in multiple musical environments with the pedal, according to Suhr's page1.
The circuit uses feed-forward gain reduction, meaning the input signal controls the amount of gain reduction applied1. Suhr describes the result in strong terms: "Woodshed Comp is more natural, open, and present than anything else you've heard"1.
Controls
The pedal keeps its control set simple. Its main feature is an attack toggle switch with three positions1:
- Fast, medium, and slow attack settings, chosen as Andy Wood's optimum versions of each, so the switch selects between three preset attack characters rather than a continuous knob1
Headroom and use as a clean boost
Suhr says the Woodshed Comp has the most headroom of any of the company's pedals, going almost to the rails (24v) before clipping1. That internal voltage gives the circuit room to handle hot input signals without distorting.
That headroom also supports a second use beyond compression. Andy Wood explains: "In essence, you can use it as a clean boost, with minimal to no compression, and it would act as a high-gain boost"1. Players looking at it purely as a boost can pair it with the site's Boost Pedals page for comparison, or with other compressor pedals for the conventional role.
Size and availability
The pedal's footprint is small: 1.82 inches wide, 3.85 inches deep, and 1.89 inches high1. Suhr lists the Woodshed Comp at a list price of $200.00 USD1. A user guide is available from Suhr as a PDF1.
Suhr lists the Woodshed Comp at a list price of $200.00 USD on its product page1.
Videos
Suhr Custom
Andy Wood Music
Jack's Guitar Trax
Questions
Who designed the Suhr Woodshed Comp?
The Woodshed Comp was designed by Kevin Suhr in collaboration with guitarist Andy Wood, and it carries his signature. According to Suhr, the two built a compressor that serves as the foundation of some of Andy Wood's favorite tones, with the attack switch set to his preferred fast, medium, and slow settings.
Is the Suhr Woodshed Comp true bypass?
Yes. Suhr lists true bypass switching on the Woodshed Comp, so the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when it is off.
Is the Woodshed Comp analog or digital?
The Woodshed Comp is an analog pedal built around a VCA compressor circuit, which Suhr describes as tailored towards a studio-type schematic. It uses feed-forward gain reduction, where the input signal controls the amount of gain reduction applied.
Where is the Suhr Woodshed Comp made?
Suhr builds the Woodshed Comp in the USA, according to the company's product page.
How big is the Suhr Woodshed Comp?
The Woodshed Comp measures 1.82 inches wide, 3.85 inches deep, and 1.89 inches high, which Suhr highlights as one of its small dimensions. That footprint suits a crowded pedalboard.
Can the Woodshed Comp be used as a clean boost?
Yes. Andy Wood says that with minimal to no compression the pedal works as a clean boost, and that in that role it acts as a high-gain boost. The circuit's high headroom supports this use.
Sources (2)
- Woodshed Comp, Suhr (www.suhr.com)
- Woodshed Comp Andy Wood Signature by Suhr, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
Andy Wood
