In need of a chorus pedal

[Dave]

Hi guys,

I'm adding to my pedals and the next addition will be a chorus pedal. I am curious about the Ibanez cs-9, vs. the Boss Super chorus vs. ensemble vs.??

I play country blues rock/alt country. I have 2 teles and a strat and play with a blues jr. or an sIII TMB 18w. I am looking for a quiet, non-offensive chorus effect, just to add a bit of shimmer to the cleans. I'd never use it under high gain/distortion.

The only Chorus I have exp with is the Voodoo Analog chorus-via a friend who only had it for a few months. I had no negative opinion about it, but new they are a lot more than the boss/ibanez, and mono. HC reviews note that it was a bit noisier than the boss pedals.

For those who use a chorus pedal, how important is the stereo feature of it? I only really use one amp, although I have 2.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Dave

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Chorus can sound really really great in stereo-- one output is wet, one is dry. So you still retain your original tone. The Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus is based on the Boss CE-1, a very sought after chorus, but it's very specific in what it does. Another CE-1 clone (true clone, with vibrato) is the Retro-Sonic Chorus, but it's pretty expensive. Lots of people swear by the Danelectro Fab Chorus and the Danelectro Cool Cat chorus, though...

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Hi guys,

I'm adding to my pedals and the next addition will be a chorus pedal. I am curious about the Ibanez cs-9, vs. the Boss Super chorus vs. ensemble vs.??

I play country blues rock/alt country. I have 2 teles and a strat and play with a blues jr. or an sIII TMB 18w. I am looking for a quiet, non-offensive chorus effect, just to add a bit of shimmer to the cleans. I'd never use it under high gain/distortion.

The only Chorus I have exp with is the Voodoo Analog chorus-via a friend who only had it for a few months. I had no negative opinion about it, but new they are a lot more than the boss/ibanez, and mono. HC reviews note that it was a bit noisier than the boss pedals.

For those who use a chorus pedal, how important is the stereo feature of it? I only really use one amp, although I have 2.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Dave

If you aren't going use 2 amps the stereo feature woud be of minimal importance. If I'm not mistaken the Voodoo labs unit you are using is a copy of the Boss Ce-1 and it is a realy good unit.

If price is of no concern, the TC electronics chorus/flanger is cool...on the cheap the Dano cool cat is pretty good, as is the Boss and Ibanez units that you mentioned. Go to local music store and try a bunch of different ones out with your rig, and see what lifts your skirt.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Hi guys,

I'm adding to my pedals and the next addition will be a chorus pedal. I am curious about the Ibanez cs-9, vs. the Boss Super chorus vs. ensemble vs.??

I play country blues rock/alt country. I have 2 teles and a strat and play with a blues jr. or an sIII TMB 18w. I am looking for a quiet, non-offensive chorus effect, just to add a bit of shimmer to the cleans.


For those who use a chorus pedal, how important is the stereo feature of it? I only really use one amp, although I have 2.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Dave

I have the CS-9 re-issue, and I swear by it. Its gonna give you gorgeous cleans if want subtle chorus this it the two controls aver powerfull you can go from barely noticeble chorus to very over the top, but its VERY WARM!!! I play through single half stack but the two outputs sound are very different. I doubt I would be looking for a chorus anytime soon.

 

[scottish]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

i have the electro-harmonix small clone chorus. sounds really good. [cheap] im actually selling it cause i barely use it, see the trading post [/cheap]

i havent really tried any other chorus pedals but i bought this on a whim based on the good reviews, its nice, but like i said i really dont use it for my music

 

[lex666]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

I have a Boss chorus, I think its the CE3...

I don't use it very often, its a very subtle, clean effect - or at least thats the way I have it set up. It adds just the right amount of 'shimmer' to your tone, without over powering it too much.

If you're looking for a heavy or deep chorus effect try something else...

Haven't tried it in stereo, so i can't comment on that...

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Another pretty light chorus is the Boss Dimension D chorus. Behringer cloned it if you want it cheap...

 

[Dave]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Chorus can sound really really great in stereo-- one output is wet, one is dry. So you still retain your original tone. QUOTE]

What is wet and dry? Does that mean one amp has no chorus and the other does? Or does the chorus effect swirl between the two? Which stereo chorus pedal did you use?

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Chorus can sound really really great in stereo-- one output is wet, one is dry. So you still retain your original tone.

What is wet and dry? Does that mean one amp has no chorus and the other does? Or does the chorus effect swirl between the two? Which stereo chorus pedal did you use?

Wet/dry just means that one amp is getting the modulated signal (chorus), and one is completely unmodulated (no chorus). I actually don't use chorus as of now, but some day down the road I'm going to pick up a Retro-Sonic Chorus. I've used a Roland JC-120, and that's how their chorus is set up-- one wet speaker, one dry speaker. And they use the Boss CE-1 circuit, too.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Chorus can sound really really great in stereo-- one output is wet, one is dry. So you still retain your original tone. QUOTE]

What is wet and dry? Does that mean one amp has no chorus and the other does? Or does the chorus effect swirl between the two? Which stereo chorus pedal did you use?

To the best of my knowledge and I am no expert......

A chorus when using a mono out takes your signal and splits it...one signal is dry (unaffected) the other is slightly detuned and delayed, then they mix the signals back together into a chorus effect.

When you use both outs (1 signal dry and the other detuned and delayed) and physically separate the amps the sound can get huge and lush...more or a "true" chorus....the sound of 2 guitars playing the same thing.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

To the best of my knowledge and I am no expert......

A chorus when using a mono out takes your signal and splits it...one signal is dry (unaffected) the other is slightly detuned and delayed, then they mix the signals back together into a chorus effect.

When you use both outs (1 signal dry and the other detuned and delayed) and physically separate the amps the sound can get huge and lush...more or a "true" chorus....the sound of 2 guitars playing the same thing.

That is my understanding as well. So the "chorusing" is actually occuring in between your amps, give a 3D sound. When I tried it with my cheapo Ibanez CF-7 it was really nice sounding.

I'm going to throw the EHX Small Clone into the mix, it's a nice pedal for the cash, TB too. I agree though, go to a GC or something where you can try the CE-5, CH-1, Small Clone, and CS-9. I hear great things about the CS-9, but I think I'm more interested in getting some vintage Boss first (CE-2, DC-2) then move on to the Ibanez.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

The Voodoo labs chorus is the nicest I've heard.

 

[James Rock]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Another pretty light chorus is the Boss Dimension D chorus. Behringer cloned it if you want it cheap...

Or a dimension c clone it is simpler if maybe not as versatile but is regarded as better. Try behringer cos if u dont like it only cost u almost nothing so it doesnt matter

 

[Dave]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Try behringer cos if u dont like it only cost u almost nothing so it doesnt matter

I can't do that-blowing small amts of cash on something that is either cheap, or kinda ok. I'd rather start out with some dependable, well-reputed pedals and move up if I don't get what I want.

That's what I have learned works best for me. Resale is a bit better on mid/upper range stuff. I don't believe that I need to go totally boutique, like the TC electronics for $250-300. Somewhere in the 75-150 range is affordable in my situation and I prefer to buy good stuff and hold on to it, instead of blowing bits of small cash on cheap stuff and wind up spending 150 bucks total and ending up with an $80 pedal.

The only argument that overrules that is the opportunity to experience a number of products so I, for once, can give well-founded advice on the forum!:bigok:

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Or a dimension c clone it is simpler if maybe not as versatile but is regarded as better. Try behringer cos if u dont like it only cost u almost nothing so it doesnt matter

Maybe that's what I was thinking of. I get the Dimensions mixed up a lot.

I'd say try and score a used Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus. New, they're $170, a little out of your price range.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

I've got a Dimension C and its a very lush chorus. The 4 presets cut out constant tweaking and although there are only 4 they cover a wide spectrum of chorus sounds. Had a CE-5 but sold it as it wasn't any better than the c.

I'm after a Dimension-D as I'm curious to compare it to the C but the seem to go for silly money

 

[James Rock]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

I wasnt saying that its ok to buy cheap stuff cos its cheap, the behringer stuff is good (well some of the pedals anyway) the dimension c is identical to the boss version but cheaper and way easier to get ur hands on it isn't bad at all i'd recommend the behringer over the new boss choruses although they aremt as good as boutique.

 

[wahwah]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

+1 for the Boss DC-2 Dimension C. Based on the studio rackmount Dimension D, it has something extra that standard choruses don't have, whilst not overtaking the entire signal as most choruses do. I've got an original CE-1 that I hardly ever use and sold an 80's CE-2 because I much prefer what the DC-2 does. Would be fantastic with both your Teles and Strat.


Cheers.....................wahwah

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

I've gone through a lotta chorus pedals over time, but I always keep on coming back to the Voodoo Lab analog chorus. Its a little noisy, but it has a smooth quality to it that I haven't found in any other chorus pedal as of yet. You can find em used for a bit cheaper, I just picked one up again (after foolishly selling my first one) for about 100 bucks.

 

[Majestic]

Re: In need of a chorus pedal

Or a dimension c clone it is simpler if maybe not as versatile but is regarded as better. Try behringer cos if u dont like it only cost u almost nothing so it doesnt matter

This is huge. The original post did NOT go unnoticed by me. Once I researched the Behringer, I realized Behringer also cloned the DC-2, which has just 4 buttons representing 4 presets, and is analog.

The Boss DC-3 has 4 knobs, and is digital. I'm not looking for a digital chorus.

I'd really, REALLY like to know if anyone has tried Behringer's knock-off of the Boss DC-2. It's called the Chorus Space-C (CC-300).

The Boss version isn't available in the U.S., and sells for $250 used.