Chorus Pedals (which one should I choose!)

I have been looking at chorus pedals like the neo clone but is there a better one in the under $100 price range?

I've heard REALLY good things about Danelectros.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/guitar_effects/danelectro/fab_chorus/index.html

Digitech Hardwire Chorus is good. A used Boss CE-2 is good, but can be a pain to find under $100.

Marshall Supervibe is versatile and warm, but they've replaced that with this (http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=RG-1) which does a load of different emulation effects.

Best to just grab a bargain off eBay and use it because it was a bargain, or go and try some out in a shop.

I've got a DanElectro and a Japanese-era CE-2. I don't use either of them much, but the CE-2 sounds better to my ears. More "organic" for lack of a better term. The CE-2 is nearly as legendary as the Tube Screamer. Surely somebody out there is cloning the thing...

P

Thanks I'll look into those

I have an mxr zack wylde chorus and I love it same as the analogue chorus if you dont want the zack association

I do understand that the Danelectro is not the best one in the market, but for that price, it's definitely worth buying and throwing it away of you don't like it or make it spare parts. I have a Fab Echo and it's shockingly good for the price. By the way, it's pure analogue!

I've heard REALLY good things about Danelectros.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/guitar_effects/danelectro/fab_chorus/index.html


I have that one.. I honestly bought it cause it was 20 bucks new and I wanted chorus. The plan was to upgrade it with a better chorus later... 2 years later.. Still on my board and I haven't looked at another one..

If you can get your hands on an Arion Chorus SCH-1, it's the best I've tried. Better than some of the boutique choruses

Pricey but sounds great! TC Electronics Stereo Chorus/Flanger. I never loved chorus until I had this one.

+analogman mini chorus/w mix
+marshall vibe (clean) no tone suck

Boss Super Chorus . It keeps up with the best of them.

I also use a Boss Chorus, forget which # - about 15 years old or more.

Has been kicked all over stages and keeps going plus is amazing when out-put to stereo 2 amps with minimal effect.

Me --- save up the extra $30 or whatever go for a pro stereo unit.

EHX Small Clone. Or, the MXR Micro Chorus

I still have the DOD Stereo Chorus I bought in the '80s and it still works fine and sounds great. It's the real thing, and they're plentiful and cheap on the used market, usually $30-$50 tops.

MXR Analog Chorus is the one to get.

One of the reasons I like Boss Super chorus is the level control. Being able to balance the effect is a big plus.

Ibanez CS9. The original, not the reissue. Best chorus pedal ever.

Boss CE-2 or an analog Boss CE-5 !

Visual Sound H2O
I have the first version. It has chorus and delay, but the chorus is NOT over the top like some, subtle and great!!!

For around $100 I'd look at a Boss. I've used them before and their Chorus Pedals are very good. On the cheap look at a Dano Fab Chorus and I mean cheap as far as price goes not sound. Hard to beat for less than $20.

I have the Boss Chorus effect built into my Roland Cube and I picked the Dano up as a spare but I typically use the Dano Pedal instead. If you look around for a used Boss Chorus you could probably get both for under $100.

I personally did not like the EHX small clone and neo clone I had, but it totally depends on what you want from a chorus.

I tried a few and stuck with the lovely TC Electronics Corona. You might have to buy second hand if you want it under $100 though.
Marvelous and extremely versatile chorus!

The Boss CE-2 also sounds nice though and may be found cheaper.

Just another suggestion... Skip chorus and try detuning instead. Grab an old harmonizer or pitch shifter and set it for (+5/-5) cents. Its all the fun of chorus but without the warble. Listen to just about any Van Halen recording in the 90s to see what I mean.

Ibanez CS9. The original, not the reissue. Best chorus pedal ever.

Nah, the Ibanez BC9 is the one to get. It's like two CS9s in one box; you can do asymmetrical sweeps and cool warbly things and scribbly noises. I think it was only made for a couple of years in the 80s.

I still have the DOD Stereo Chorus I bought in the '80s and it still works fine and sounds great. It's the real thing, and they're plentiful and cheap on the used market, usually $30-$50 tops.

I have the same but it's only operating in mono at the moment. Great for the money and it has no noise.

I'd add the Jacques Meistersinger to the list of great choices already mentioned. You should be able to find one used for under $100.

Ibanez CS9. The original, not the reissue. Best chorus pedal ever.

+1 billion....

The Danalectro Cool Cat sounds close though.

Ibanez FL-9 reissue Flanger has enough knob variability to tweak for a chorus effect as well.

BTW - I really can't stand chorus unless it is so subtle, I barely notice it.

No hate, just my personal nails on a chalkboard thing.....

I've been a CE-2 guy for 30 years. That said, I recently played a couple that really impressed me. One was a new MXR- the blue 4-knob jobbie. My son's friend brought it over and I really liked it.

The other was a beat up Ibanez CS-9 that I bought for $30 because it was cheap. I assume it's a reissue, but don't really know. It sounds nice and wide with less wobble than the CE-2. It might just bump the Boss off my board.

Visual Sound H2O
I have the first version. It has chorus and delay, but the chorus is NOT over the top like some, subtle and great!!!

this +1!

I was recently over in the US and bought one of these second hand from the San Francisco Guitar Center... It wasn't actually supposed to be sold since it was under stolen watch or whatever but since I was leaving the next day they sold it to me :)

Thank crikey they did... for $79 used I got the chorus I was looking for, subtle yet meshes in with your signal to create that chorus I've been looking for. Lovely that the delay is activated by a separate switch and 3 knobs each. Only qualm is that it's a tad big size-wise but it's really nothing to whinge about!

One of the reasons I like Boss Super chorus is the level control. Being able to balance the effect is a big plus.

yes, pretty solid workingman's chorus, doesn't cost an arm and a leg
and hangs with the booteeks IMO. its actually the only pedal always on my board, not my ODs which change from time to time.

I had a Boss CE-5 that was sweet, lots of knobs to play with to get just the sound you need. You could get a used one for under $100.

Currently, I'm using an MXR Micro Chorus. It really sounds great, and offers a lot of adjustment from just that one knob. Unfortunately, it has quite a buzz to it, no matter where I put it in my signal chain. But, turning up the volume makes that a moot point... ;)

Where are you guys finding Boss CE-2s for under $100? I looked awhile back(maybe a year ago?) and at the time, they were going from anywhere from $150 to $250

Neo Clone is a really specific chorus sound that you'll either love or be unsatisfied. It's kind of flangey, very pronounced.

The MXR Analog Chorus or the Hardwire CR-7 both cost around $90-$100 (less used obviously) and they're probably the best value/versatility for the price. I'd go with the MXR because it's a bit smaller. Both are well made and sound great and fit your budget though

Where are you guys finding Boss CE-2s for under $100? I looked awhile back(maybe a year ago?) and at the time, they were going from anywhere from $150 to $250

If you're feeling ambitious, you could build a CE-2 clone of your very own, the Mad Bean Pork Barrel (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/projects/PorkBarrel/docs/PorkBarrel.pdf)!

You don't know me very well, do you Aunchaki?:lol:







(is that an old GI Joe?)

+1 for boss super chorus. Picked mine up in a pawn shop years ago for around $50. Turned out to be one of the blue label versions, which is all analog. Very versatile and I've yet to kill it.

For clean sounds: Boss CE-2 or CE-5
For dirty sounds: EHX Small Clone

(is that an old GI Joe?)

Eagle-Eye Commander G.I. Joe! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe_Adventure_Team)

Eagle-Eye Commander G.I. Joe! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe_Adventure_Team)

I totally had one of those when I was like 5-6...Sorry back to the discussion. I've seen the MXR Micro Chorus reviews. I like the simplicity, and the subtle sound. That may be the next pedal i purchase.

Yeah, I had one of those too! Too cool


(Sorry about the mild derail, folks)

I totally had one of those when I was like 5-6...Sorry back to the discussion. I've seen the MXR Micro Chorus reviews. I like the simplicity, and the subtle sound. That may be the next pedal i purchase.

It is a good sounding pedal, and simple as simple can be. But, like I said earlier, it has an annoying buzz to it that I haven't been able to get rid of. Its a non-issue when you're playing, but annoying nonetheless. Well worth the $70 or so that they sell for, imo.

Where are you guys finding Boss CE-2s for under $100? I looked awhile back(maybe a year ago?) and at the time, they were going from anywhere from $150 to $250

I got mine for $40 last year at some random music shop in a mall. I guess the guy didn't know what he had. Lol.

I have the Danelectro one because it was cheap and sounded good. But now that I have heard the TC Corona I want that one now because it has the best Leslie simulation I have ever heard. Wait a little longer and get the Tchaikovsky you won't retreat it.

I ended up this weekend with the MXR Micro Chorus...It did what I needed it to do. Very lush and simple. Traded anoher pedal for it, so easiest $20 purchase i ever did.

TC Electronic "Corona" chorus with the toneprint feature. So many sounds, and free downloads of new ones they think up. It's like having 10 chorus pedals in one, for $129.

Great pedal, small footprint, and solid build quality.

tB-sXNE7Wzg

TC Electronic "Corona" chorus with the toneprint feature. So many sounds, and free downloads of new ones they think up. It's like having 10 chorus pedals in one, for $129.

Great pedal, small footprint, and solid build quality.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB-sXNE7Wzg">YouTube Link</a>

I just picked this up at gc with the 4th of July discount. Love the pedal. There is even a ce-2 toneprint with tone and blend capabilities. Once you update the firmware, you can send toneprints to the pedal from your smartphone (android or iPhone app) . You just hold your phone to the guitar pickup with the pedal connected and on. I already have the flashback delay, so these two pedals combined with the toneprint app are extremely versatile. I highly recommend the TC corona chorus

Am I the only one that uses a neunaber chroma?:shock::neutral::oops:

Boss CE-2 (MIJ if you can find one); got me through the chorus drenched 80s
TC Electronics SCF; my fave but needs ac pwr
I also just scored a DigiTech Multi Chorus but haven't used it enough to render an opinion.
edit: would be tempted to try one of the new TC toneprint if I didn't already have chorus covered

I've figured out over the years that there are two types of choruses, an analog chorus and a Boss chorus.
If you prefer Analog, I recommend Wampler.

Danelectro FAB Chorus: $15. Analog. Warm. No volume boost/cut when activated. It will get zero credit here because it is cheap. I chose it over many expensive chorus boxes for a PRETENDERS tribute act. Worth a shot for $15.

I use a TC Electronic Corona and really like it. And, right now you can get a new one at GC for $109 with the $20 off coupon!

I'd add the Jacques Meistersinger to the list of great choices already mentioned. You should be able to find one used for under $100.
I had one of these too, a very nice and refined chorus. Lovely.
If I didn't gig, I would still have it.

The point is I prefer by far those analogue BBD driven chorus pedals (whatever the brand) but they're not very pronounced, rather subtle. In a live situation you might as well just play without.

I had a Rocktron Tsunami too which was REALLY nice but too subtle as well.
I heard those BBD chips are a thing of the past now anyway, too bad ...


As much as I dislike the wooshing Boss chorus sound, I found them to be much better when playing live since you can actually hear the effect over a full band. I've used a CH-1 for years.
(OK I admit, at that time I was playing disto-chorus hair metal :oops:)