CS-9 or CR-7?

[Vic Winters]

I currently have a Danelectro Fab Chorus that I like the sound of, but the layout of the pedal just doesn't work for me. The smaller/lower profile, smaller/less sensitive switch, and top mounted jacks and power supply make it difficult for me to use in a live setting.

Anyway I've narrowed my selection to the Hardwire CR-7 and the Ibanez CS-9. I like Ben Kenney's sound on Drive @ Red Rocks where he uses a CS-9. I like Duff's chorus tones as well, but he uses a rackmounted Yamaha SPX-90. The CR-7 has more sounds and an extra Level control that can allow me to dial back the effect for a more subtle sound.


Which do you think?

[RickenBoogie]

I would imagine the Ibanez to be alot like the Maxon, and I think the Maxon is the best chorus ever, so CS-9 all the way.

[DosiYanarchy]

i've never used the CS9 so cant comment on that, but i recently got the Hardwire chorus and im loving it. some modes are radically different to others, so tweaking in each mode is the key. You may find some modes are suited to bass better, and that some modes sound better 100% wet and some you'd wanna dial the clean tone back in.

the only less than stellar thing ive noted is that some modes lack girth and punch, however i think this is more a product of the effect of chorusing/phase rather than anything to do with the pedal itself.

Its not hard for me to get Simon Gallup (the cure) sounds, or more classic jaco-style sounds. It can be mellow and warm or cold and bright.


bottom line - a very versatile pedal thats worth spending time on (at home and with the band) to find exactly what you want to get out of it.

[James Hart]

I've got a vintage CS-9 and love it... but the new Maxon CS-9 is just that much better. It's the only chorus I'll replace my current vintage Ibanez with.

[Vic Winters]

The Maxon looks nice, but I can't justify dropping that kind of coin.

[James Hart]

if you watch and wait... they pop up on eBay and craigslist for a good price.

[JMDT]

The Maxon Cs-9 is the best. The Ibanez is similar and should win this by a landslide,

[lowbass68]

Voted Ibanez. Easy to use, great sounding, and like better than the CR-7.

[shinobi]

i recently bought a CS-550 because i wanted to try a maxon and i figured it was more or less the same thing as a CS-9 (i think CS-9 was released later in fact, while the CS-550 is a reissue of an older model)

it sounded so good that i sold that and ordered a CS-9

when something costs that much, the fact that it is worth every penny will be shocking.

[phatbass30]

i got the CR-7. so far the best chorus that i've tried.

[shinobi]

my cs-9pro just arrived in the mail. its pretty much the same awesomeness as the cs-550. so if you're on a budget and don't mind the larger size, rear-mounted dry blend control and inability to run off batteries, you could go for the cs-550 instead of the cs-9.

[Hoover]

I've been using an Ibanez CS-9 since 1983 or '84. It does exactly what a chorus pedal for bass is expected to do.

[Vic Winters]

I went to GC yesterday and oddly enough they had a used CR-7 sitting in the case. I spent a good 15-20 minutes with it, and even though it has some great sounds, the chorus just sounded "cold" to me (played through a similar setup to my own). I asked the guy to hold it for 24 hours so I could think about it. Then today while browsing the TB classifieds, I found an Ibanez CS-9 at a decent price which I nabbed. If I don't like it, I could easily sell it for what I payed and just look for someone to rehouse my Fab Chorus.

[Low_blow]

I read that Maxon chorus boosts the signal when engaged, does it? My main bass is Yamaha TRBJP (active), has anyone used it with active basses?

[cybersnyder]

I think the CS-9 is more intense than the CR-7. It could have been what I was playing through, different rigs, but I preferred the Ibanez CS-9 over the Maxon CS9pro. I currently have a CR-7, but I may end up swapping that out for an Ibanez CS-9. The CR-7 sounds a little better when you use it with other effects, IMHO.