Chorus pedal $100 cap

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skullfxr

skullfxr

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As the title states I am looking for a chorus around a hundred bucks. I like my cmatmods chorus and malekko chours a lot, paid less for both. I want analog, not digital. I was thinking about picking up another VS H2O as they are stoopid cheap and the delay is a bonus. This will be on a board for a bunch of vintage fenders. Way huge could be an option, but not MXR or boss.

I could spend more but I don't want to spend much more, as I am planning a few amp builds and don't want that to get in the way.

Whadda' y'all thank?
 
Looking at a EQD sea machine, Keeley, and Maxon atm.
 
if you can add a proper True Bypass switch to it (I gather from your username that you either build or mod pedals), soundwise the MXR Analog Chorus M234 is really good. Thick, gooey, and works well with gain as much as with clean.
Its bypass just sucks (tone).
The main reason I got rid of mine and went with a 2nd Mooer Ensemble King (analog, Boss CE-2 clone with added level control and it's true bypass).
It beat out a whole slew of analog chorusses from cheap to boutique. I use them in the fx-loop only FWIW.
Forget about the super small Ammoon Chorus, Boss CH-1 and CE-5, EHX NeoClone, Deltalab SC-1 and Valeton Aquaflow.

So-so (because they almost all didn't give me what I wanted with high gain):
MXR Bass Chorus, Providence ADC-3 & 4*, Ibanez CS9 (too metallic).

*If you mostly play clean, then a Providence Anadime ADC-4 (3 knob version) would be really good, but for $100...nah. Even used, they typically fetch more.
 
I know it is not analog but the Corona chorus with the DC-2 tone print is pretty bad ass with distortion. And you can get a lot of chorus options, unlimited and they sound quite glorious. YMMV.

Just a thought.
 
7 Stringer":1dbyltor said:
I know it is not analog but the Corona chorus with the DC-2 tone print is pretty bad ass with distortion. And you can get a lot of chorus options, unlimited and they sound quite glorious. YMMV.

Just a thought.
You know I was going to post this but I wasn't 100% sure if it was analog or digital with all the tone print stuff.

They are super cheap used and while I am not a chorus expert this one sounded pretty amazing from subtle to getting interesting and unique with the setting tweaks.
 
I picked up a Digitech Hardwire Chorus recently used for under $100, sounds really good!
 
I realize that a lot of people like them, but I will not go TC.

The analog is nice and a strong preference of mine (I have had digital too.

I had an MXR that I ditched a few weeks ago. It just did not do it for me.

Here is the exception - I like the tone of the sea machine, it fooled me.

I like the Keeley a lot and resale will always hold. What are your thoughts on that?
 
I did a shootout when I was shopping for a chorus (for bass though), and I ended up with the Sea Machine. It handles the low end well. It beat out all the MXR pedals I tried, and the TC Corona. The boss Waza Craft was pretty good, but pricey. If you can swing it, go with the EQD.

There are a few EQD pedals I'm looking to buy duplicates of for guitar and bass. The Sea Machine is at the top of the list, with a Transmisser in close second.
 
BeZo":3dgbnbep said:
I did a shootout when I was shopping for a chorus (for bass though), and I ended up with the Sea Machine. It handles the low end well. It beat out all the MXR pedals I tried, and the TC Corona. The boss Waza Craft was pretty good, but pricey. If you can swing it, go with the EQD.

There are a few EQD pedals I'm looking to buy duplicates of for guitar and bass. The Sea Machine is at the top of the list, with a Transmisser in close second.

i think i will just go EQD. the controls are nice, not too much over budget and its EQD makes solid stuff. thanks and cheers.
 
another thought. what about the keeley seafoam? it sounds good too.

the thing being is that this is for a vintage chorus tone, what are your thoughts?

i also think i could get a EQD and put that on the high gain rig and put my cmatmods on the fenders. just a thought.
 
I liked the Keeley Seafoam a lot. When I had it in my hands, the deal wasn't right. Otherwise I would have one. Same logic that landed me on the Sea Machine applied though: I could get the Sea Machine to do anything the other pedals could do just as well as they can or better. The Dimension and Animate knobs take it into a realm that set it apart from the rest. I don't usually use them much though, because it makes me sea sick.
 
Stradazone":35ma7zil said:
I picked up a Digitech Hardwire Chorus recently used for under $100, sounds really good!
This! Great pedal for the price!
 
Not sure what MXR you tried, but I happen to dig the Black Label Chorus.
 
fender126":kb0fq3o6 said:
Stradazone":kb0fq3o6 said:
I picked up a Digitech Hardwire Chorus recently used for under $100, sounds really good!
This! Great pedal for the price!

that one is digital i think
 
BeZo":znsibx0i said:
I liked the Keeley Seafoam a lot. When I had it in my hands, the deal wasn't right. Otherwise I would have one. Same logic that landed me on the Sea Machine applied though: I could get the Sea Machine to do anything the other pedals could do just as well as they can or better. The Dimension and Animate knobs take it into a realm that set it apart from the rest. I don't usually use them much though, because it makes me sea sick.


I think that i will end up with Sea Machine. Waiting for the right deal and finances to align. I have a few other things that take presidence.
 
I really like my Jacques Meistersinger chorus, both for clean and higher-gain. Analog, true bypass. Can find them pretty easily for $90-125-ish. Prefer it to the MXR regular and Black Label, Boss and numerous others
 
A used Arion Sch-z can be had cheap ($35) and is a great analog chorus.
I’ve had my Arion Sch-1 since the 90s, one of my first pedals, and it ain’t going nowhere.
 
napalmdeath":1s0n9b3n said:
Not sure what MXR you tried, but I happen to dig the Black Label Chorus.
It's the same as the M234 Analog Chorus; just different looks.
You have a Thrasher 50 still with a footswitchable fx-loop, right?

Try it in the fx-loop, pedal OFF and turn the Fx-loop on/off with extra footswitch. You'll probably notice a dulling of the tone. I did with my 5150III 50W's fx-loop.
 
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