Which Chorus pedal to thicken up lead tones?

[Dimebag11]

I have a Fryette D120, and since it has no FX loop I'm thinking a chorus might work well to thicken up my lead tones for live use. I've been listening to videos of my most recent live show and the lead tone is just way to dry for me. I tried a DD-3 up front, but it sounded awful......so I'm thinking a chorus pedal, any suggestions as to which one would work?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I really like the Digitech Hardwire Chorus and it gives you a bunch of options to work with. For whatever reason, the Hardwire Chorus and Delay pedals both sound good running in the front.....at least moreso than most of the other pedals I've used (including some high end ones).

 

[Chubtone]

MXR Stereo Chorus sounds fantastic into the front of a distorted amp.

 

[mrhiwatt]

I use a TC Corona chorus in front of my D60. I think it works nicley.

Mrhiwatt

 

[Badronald]

Boss CE-5 sounds great with tons of gain. I love it.

 

[glassjaw7]

I really dig the EHX small clone, Nano chorus. It's analog, super simple and sounds fat in front of gain.

 

[steve_k]

Fromel Seraph Chorus.

 

[Dimebag11]

Wow everyone has a different suggestion lol guess I'll have to try a bunch out at GC

 

[steve_k]

Chorus pedals to me have some serious suck. It's probably the nature of the effect and how it works with the filters, rather than the pedal manufacturer. If anything, I find they tend to thin the tone even more. The Fromel, which you won't find at a GC is an exception to some of the one's I tried though. As far as the traditional stuff goes, the TC would probably be your best bet. I had one briefly and it was pretty good. But, I am sure there are plenty other good one's around. Red Witch seems to be highly thought of as well.

 

[glpg80]

Boss CE-5 sounds great with tons of gain. I love it.

+1

 

[Reiep]

IMHO chorus in front of drive doesn't work very well

I can't understand Fryette not making a loop on the Deliverance

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Chorus pedals to me have some serious suck. It's probably the nature of the effect and how it works with the filters, rather than the pedal manufacturer. If anything, I find they tend to thin the tone even more. The Fromel, which you won't find at a GC is an exception to some of the one's I tried though. As far as the traditional stuff goes, the TC would probably be your best bet. I had one briefly and it was pretty good. But, I am sure there are plenty other good one's around. Red Witch seems to be highly thought of as well.

I like chorus in moderation for 80's tones. But I agree in that it's the last effect I would use to thicken a tone. All the chorus pedals I have used seem to thin it out to some degree. I would recommend to the OP to try an MXR Carbon Copy out front with conservative use of the settings. IMO, that would be best for "thickening".

 

[tripstan]

Corona chorus for me. I like the mxr micro chorus too. It's cheap and you can adjust the knob with ur foot and kinda get a Leslie type thing going on.

 

[shredhead7]

What didn't you like about the DD3? To me, the best way to thicken up a lead tone is to set it at around 360-400ms, 30-40% feedback and at 10-15% wet (essentially barely there). With the setting, the delays are far enough away from the pick attack, that you can blaze and not get muddy, but you can also sit on a single note and it will sing.

As others have said, the chorus is nice, but it immediately makes you sound like you're trying out for a hair metal band, circa 1987.

 

[koury73]

I like the boss CE-5 in front as well.

 

[Dimebag11]

Well, if not a chorus, what other pedal would work well out front? I've tried every setting imaginable with my DD-3 and it just didn't do it for me at all.

 

[MrDan666]

Personally i friggin HATE chorus when used in front of a dirty amp.. I can dig the UniVibe or a Phaser into the front end, but Chorus into the front end just isn't my thing at all.

In the Loop it's a whole different story.. i love using it in the Loop or in a W/D/W rig for some added 3D stereo width.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Well, if not a chorus, what other pedal would work well out front? I've tried every setting imaginable with my DD-3 and it just didn't do it for me at all.

If that pic is current, you have 2 amps.

Why not wet dry with some delay or chorus on the wet side? Any old pedal will do.

 

[napalmdeath]

Well, if not a chorus, what other pedal would work well out front? I've tried every setting imaginable with my DD-3 and it just didn't do it for me at all.

I have the DD-3, and it sounds fantastic in a loop, and like SHIT up front. I've owned many chorus pedals, looking for the right one, and this is THE chorus pedal for me..

 

[Dimebag11]

Well, if not a chorus, what other pedal would work well out front? I've tried every setting imaginable with my DD-3 and it just didn't do it for me at all.

If that pic is current, you have 2 amps.

Why not wet dry with some delay or chorus on the wet side? Any old pedal will do.

That pic is from '08 or '09 when the EVH 1st was released. I only have the D120 now.