Chorus For Bass. Am I Insane?

[MuttThud]

Greetings, Bass People.

While researching the market for a Tuner, and Compressor, I've discovered people really digging on a Chorus.

Any Favorites of yours?

Any thoughts?

Not insane at all. A touch of chorus can work wonders in the right song. I’ve tried several of the flavours mentioned in other posts but have settled on the Boss CEB-3 (which is also one of the cheaper options FWIW). Selling points for me were the crossover knob (essentially being able to dial the chorus out of lower frequencies which helps avoid muddying up my tone) and the level knob which means I control how much of the effect I want to blend in with the dry signal. Most pedals do not have both of those controls but they’re essential IME. Often I want just a touch of chorus to thicken out higher frequencies and give them a bit of a shimmer... not always looking for Pino’s sound on Paul Young’s Wherever I Lay My Hat (although for the right song I love that sound too).

 

[GMC]

I use modulation either two ways. The classic 80's tone, which requires some compression to make the chorus pop a bit more in a mix. It's a specific sound and if you are playing those tracks...then that's the sound one needs to dial in. However, an octaver can cover similar gound. The other use of modulation I tend to go for is big pad / synth swells. I use modulation to add a bit of movement to the sound and for this a good analogue sounding Chorus adds a lot of texture to the top end of a Pad, mainly because the grit / dirt adds a lot of upper harmonics for the chorus to move about.
Currently using a Strymon Mobius. I've been using it for the last three years and it's good. I just wish it had a low retain mix control. The standard parallel mix / blend knob just sounds a bit naff to my ears. Bass pass at the low end...effected tone over 800 hz...it should be the defacto standard for modulation, verbs etc these days. I never find that modulation muddies my tone, quite the opposite...it usually thins out the low end a bit too much.

 

[Polkatronixx]

I never used chorus for bass, which is odd, given that probably by #1 influence when I was a teenager was Peter Hook (this explains why I can't play bass). However, I recently bought a TC Electronic 3rd Dimension chorus pedal for my guitar (a non-stereo clone of the Boss DC-2, I think) and I tried it on my bass. I loved the way it sounded. I didn't pay too much attention to whether or not it was losing a lot of bottom end, but then again, I play a Rickenbacker.

Edit: it's super-cheap, too. I think mine cost less than £40.

 

[Evilheim]

I've tried also several Chorus pedals over the years and I stay with the BOSS CE-2B, the brown one from the 80's, it sounds just a little bit darker compared to the others I've tried, just enought for bass (it's actually a Bass pedal) it sound's kind of post punk /goth from that time. After gigs there's some people that comes to me and sais that I sounded a bit like The Cure (what a compliment!).

MXR and Jam Chorus pedals are also pretty damm good. Also I don't recomend the EHX NANO Clone if you're using a cheap power supply (non isolated outs) It can get really noisy with other pedals.

 

[crguti]

why do you think you are insane? are you playing in a country cover band?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Back in 1981 I had a DOD 690 chorus.

I currently use a Digitech Multi Chorus.

 

[Flamingo21]

Back in 1981 I had a DOD 690 chorus.

I find it kind of mysterious that it has a "speed one" and a "speed two" knob. Like a car that will run at two different speeds at the same time.

 

[monsterthompson]

 

[LanEvo]

I've discovered people really digging on a Chorus.

It was very popular in the ‘80s. Still pretty common with fretless in particular. Listen to “Wherever I Lay My Hat” by Paul Young for a classic example.

Any Favorites of yours?

The built-in chorus on older Gallien-Krueger heads is my personal favorite. More subtle and much more usable than most IMNSHO.

 

[HMZ]

tc electronics corona chorus. Works great for bass and guitar. There are two banks that you can down load different celeb tones as well.

 

[TreySonagras]

EHX Bass Clone. That’s all you need. Thread closed.

I have the Bass Clone. The crossover is an good idea...

 

[nilorius]

I love chorus on bass, but i don't play and own it.

 

[JTbass44]

Another vote for the EHX Bass Clone.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Back in 1981 I had a DOD 690 chorus.
View attachment 4048836
I currently use a Digitech Multi Chorus.
View attachment 4048837

I use the DigiTech, as well. Didn't take much research...somebody gave it to me.

Riis

 

[Polkatronixx]

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Another Julia vote. When I got my H9 I sold my first one. But I bought her again.

And, should you need it, Walrus customer service can't be beat.

 

[LowActionHero]

I use one in my Zoom B3.

 

[darren1970]

I'm a commited user of chorus pedals.
It can give a great 'shimmer' to the upper registers.
My chorus of choice is the Nemphasis "Steam Bass". One of the best I've ever used.

 

[JRA]

Any thoughts?

one thought: don't buy an expensive top-of-the-line pedal unless/until you know better how it fits into your playing. get a cheap one (new or used) and play around with it...then you'll know what to do next...if anything.

i took my own advice: i still have a cheap behringer chorus pedal (~$25, new) because i use chorus/pedals sparingly, if at all. it's not a "fantastic" chorus pedal. i don't need a fantastic chorus pedal. do exactly as i do.

good luck with your chorus pedal decision(s)!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Greetings, Bass People.

While researching the market for a Tuner, and Compressor, I've discovered people really digging on a Chorus.

Any Favorites of yours?

Any thoughts?

I just picked up a "vintage 80s" made in Japan Boss Bass Chorus. It's great.