Topic: Shopping for a chorus pedal

Hey guys I'm humoring the idea of adding a small profile chorus pedal to my rig but since I've never been a "chorus guy" I don't really know a ton about them.  I want something to add a little shimmer to the cleans but with the same settings still be very usable and VERY subtle with my distorted sounds.  Every sound clip I hear sounds like super '80s out of tune Andy Summers chorus which I am personally not fond of.  Any suggestions on a very transparent and SUBTLE chorus guys?

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

This is the one I use and it does exactly what you described.  I was looking for the same things out of my chorus too.

http://www.pedalgeek.com/cgi-bin/new_sh … ink--xeacm

Ben

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

Thanks Ben for the suggestion, but being that I'm not going to use it a whole lot just to add texture here and there I can't really justify $200.  I'm sure it's the cat's pajamas but for that kind of money I'd probably be trying for a TC SCF or Carl Martin ChorusxII.  Anyone have any experience with the Ibanez CS9, EH Nano Clone, or others?  I'm shooting for prices under $150 if possible.  Thanks!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

I'm not a huge fan of chorus, but if I had to choose one, it'd be the TC Electronics chorus - great sound (a bit on the expensive sound) but it's the chorus upon which all others are judged... check it out

"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought-- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

I think there are 2 different types of Chorus. "Clean" or "Fat".

    Clean? Like a TC SCF.
    It's also warm, as it's Analog, but has a better S/N Ratio than Digital. With the Pitch Modulation settings, you can also cop some pretty cool "Leslie" type effects, AND sounds great on Acoustics. Even on Vocals! So, it's actually not as expensive as you might first think. Very versatile.

    Fat? Like a BYOC, or an AnalogMan.
    I use my BYOC Chorus/Vibrato with OD Tones, a lot. Really FAT. Thickens everything up. Does really well with Clean Tones also. Also, with the multi-position "EQ" Knob, it can be mated up with many different Guitar and Amp combinations. You can even use this Knob to get some kinda radical EQ type effects. Like a "Cocked Wah" , etc.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

I have a Boss Super Chorus CH-1, I'm not really using it now but at the time I founded it gives a little grip to my sound. I pay 120$ (canadian money) 9 or 10 years ago. Maybe you should chek to get one.

I don't believe in psychology....I believe in good move - Robert James (Bobby) Fischer

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

In a perfect world I would get the TC SCF because it has the reputation as being the best you can buy for that super clean, subtle shimmery sound.  Is there anything similar for less money without all the features?  BTW keep 'em coming guys I love all the suggestions.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

Alright guys I cheaped out and bought a DeltaLab SC1 stereo chorus.  They are way cheap, around $60.

The Pros:
1) Super compact and fits right in the last space on my pedalboard.
2) Heavy,  sturdy feeling, and easy to access battery
3) Can get VERY subtle (just was I was looking for) to over the top warble.  It's so subtle that it's easy to forget if its on or off.  Really adds some shimmer to the cleans and some smooth sustain to the leads.  Sounds better than some pedals costing 2-3 x as much
4) 9 volt adapter or batteries (whoopdy doo)
5) Bright Blue LED light
6) TRUE BYPASS on a pedal under $100 whoaaaa

The Cons:
1) The LED is bright enough, but it flashes on and off depending on the rate.  So if it's slow it turns off and on every 2 seconds which is kinda annoying.  I would have prefered it to be ON all the time.  Kinda useful if you're deaf and can't figure out the rate knob. hmm
2) The knobs look kinda suspicious, I like super durable knobs.  IMO every pedal should come with the ones Fulltone uses.
3) It's made in China
4) It's digital hence the price, but I much prefer it to the Small Clone I use to have (analog)
5) There is some slight hiss going on even with mild settings. The good thing is it doesn't really go up any more when you dime the settings.  I have historically found that most chorus pedals add a bit of hiss unless they are super boutique $200+
6)  Compresses the tone a bit and loses a little tightness when engaged.  Not a real con as its probably designed that way.

Overall, it's a super affordable and great sounding chorus.  Now my rig is pretty much complete.  I was aiming for the Marshall and Carol-Ann +delay/reverb/chorus sound that Joe gets and I think I'm pretty close!  Again guys thanks for the suggestions I just cheaped out this time!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Shopping for a chorus pedal

I would have gone with a Maxon chorus - quite amazingly warm.

Good luck with it anyway, Sir!