What's The VERY BEST Chorus For A Distorted Amp?????

**jemaholic** · #1 11-26-2008, 10:06 PM

I am not happy with any chorus pedals I've had. They sound great for clean, but I really need that EVH / Alex Leifson style fat-warm-wet blanket chorus sound.
I've owned Boss, DOD, Analogman, Ibanez and some others I can't remember...and they all sounded terrible overdriven.

I also thought maybe it's not a chorus, but a flanger or phaser but I got a bunch of those too and still can't get THAT sound.

Has anyone had luck with this? I'm really looking for answers from guys who have figured this out- not just prefer one over another. Thanks.

~j

quik · #2 11-26-2008, 11:20 PM

I know what you mean. EVH calls it "jape." I think he does it with an Eventide, but there is a guy on YouTube (kentcarlevi) who gets pretty close with a Vox ToneLab and a Boss PS-5 Super Shifter.

LuredMaul · #3 11-27-2008, 12:16 AM

Roland SDE-3000? errr no, uhmmmmmmmmmmm lol can't remember now...........

TC electronics yeah that's it

waylay00 · #4 11-27-2008, 12:27 AM

I use my old 1979 Boss MIJ (black label) CE-2 for that stuff. It is amazing for that thick, syrupy sound. It's a world of difference between it and the Taiwanese ones and the modern Boss choruses.

You can get them on e-bay used for around $150.

sleepyone · #5 11-27-2008, 11:13 AM

Voodoo Labs Analog Chorus, just scored one a few days ago, it's a pedal I've known for a long time a good friend of mine has one, but now that I have it I've tested it in every possible way and it rocks when used with distorted sounds, mine I like it better in between my overdrive pedal and the distorted channel of my amp, it can also deliver more flanger-like tones when used in the fx loop

RockmanXPR · #6 11-27-2008, 11:46 AM

my 2 cents goes for the old Rockman Stereo Chorus, great for both clean and distorted sounds.

speedy mcfeely · #7 11-27-2008, 01:15 PM

TC Electronic... Zakk Wylde has a TC chorus in his rack. ex. "No More Tears".

RSVampire · #8 11-27-2008, 07:55 PM

analog is great for clean (it gets a little warmer sound and has less frequency responce)

digital is great for distortion and okay for clean/modern clean sounds. You're options with digital these days are endless, you're going to be choosing between how much money you can spend and how much power you really need.

If you're just playing like a nice digital based pedal might fit the bill nicely. Line 6 builds really nice units ranging from a single chorus pedal to the new M13 which has literally everything on it.

rockguitar4ever · #9 12-09-2008, 02:52 PM

i love my Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, always sounds really cool

GLG421 · #10 12-09-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy mcfeely

TC Electronic... Zakk Wylde has a TC chorus in his rack. ex. "No More Tears".

I thought Zakk used a MXR Stereo Chorus.

I haven't seen that mentioned, and I'm thinking of picking one up. Any experiences with that pedal?

Devo · #11 12-09-2008, 08:02 PM

Hey man, sounds like we're on the same mission. Have you tried the Digitech CF-7?

http://www.digitech.com/products/Pedals/CF7.php

Its got an impressive list of modelled chorus tones.

really need a nice chorus pedal that can fatten up driven guitar sounds and can also do some swirly stuff for filling in for keyboards.

chaos731 · #12 12-11-2008, 09:53 AM

Hey man, I totally know what "that sound" means...I used to be obsessed with that particular flavor of chorus, and I found it (or as near as possible) with the original Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus (NOT the reissue/mini "cool cat" line of effects...the original full size effect). It's analog, thick, gooey, warbly, lovely, sexy stereo chorus, if that's what you're after (and it sounds like you are). It's as dead-on a mimic of Lifeson (with fairly heavy distortion) and Summers (with mild distortion/overdrive) as you're likely to find.

These days, I tend to use the BOSS Super Chorus for general purpose chorus, but every so often, I fire up the Cool Cat (which I keep in the effects loop of my X100B for that very purpose)...really takes me back.

Anyway, I think they still make it, and it should be relatively easy to find. Mine is probably 12 years old (or thereabouts) and it still sounds spectacular, when I'm in the mood for it. Anyway, it's a very specific type of chorus sound, so give it a try.

Oh, and the pedal plays exceptionally well with others.

ken_r152 · #13 12-11-2008, 10:37 AM

I remember reading online that EVH either does, or did, use an Eventide Harmonizer and an MXR Chorus.

Cathedral · #14 12-11-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_r152

I remember reading online that EVH either does, or did, use an Eventide Harmonizer and an MXR Chorus.

I'm late to the party but still on time to back this up. Virtually every article I've read on Eddie's tone has mentioned the Eventide Harmonizer and MXR Chorus. I know exactly what that sound is the thread starter is talking of, never achieved it myself (yet) but god, its something else when you hear it.

Pulsar · #15 12-12-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devo

Hey man, sounds like we're on the same mission. Have you tried the Digitech CF-7?

http://www.digitech.com/products/Pedals/CF7.php

Its got an impressive list of modelled chorus tones.

really need a nice chorus pedal that can fatten up driven guitar sounds and can also do some swirly stuff for filling in for keyboards.

I played one and I hated it. There were one, maybe two, models I actually liked and I wasn't able to change the sound very much. Almost as bad as the Distortion Factory. Great ideas, sounds like microchips.