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Chorus pedal for bass...suggestions?

zartalexander

zartalexander

Guest
Mar 17, 2012
105
9
California
#1
I've been looking at different Chorus pedals lately. I was interested after using the "chorus" setting on a Zvex Instant Lo-fi I had. It sounded awesome, but due to the whole "lofi" thing, it didn't really cut through the mix on bass. I understand that part of this has to do with not having enough headroom? Also probably just the nature of the pedal.

That being said, I am looking at two different pedals that have caught my attention: The MXR Stereo Chorus (reissue, but the vintage could be cool, too...?) and the EHX Stereo Memory Man (90's reissue). It seems like they are kind of similar in sound/flavor.

There are some clips of the Memory Man on youtube that make it sound pretty good to my ears (here's one on bass: )

But I've also heard the MXR is very suitable for bass, too. Also, less expensive. Can't seem to find any good bass samples for that one.

I know that neither are true bypass, which could be fine as long as it doesn't suck/color tone when bypassed.

Does anyone have any opinions/experience for either one of these? Or maybe any other (analog) alternatives? I'm not really interested in boutique or high-end pedals. Also not as interested in "bass specific" chorus pedals. That's just a label of course.
 
#4
I would find an old MIJ Boss CE-3. I just picked one up in Berlin for €45 and its killer. I have the Stereo Chorus and I wasnt a huge fan. Will definitely sell it when I get around to it. No reason to keep it.

My biggest problem with chorus on bass is that it's either too subtle or totally overwhelming. The Stereo Chorus is too subtle.
 
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#5
Mosfed said:
I would find an old MIJ Boss CE-3. I just picked one up in Berlin for €45 and its killer. I have the Stereo Chorus and I wasnt a huge fan. Will definitely sell it when I get around to it. No reason to keep it.

My biggest problem with chorus on bass is that it's either too subtle or totally overwhelming. The Stereo Chorus is too subtle.
Click to expand...
I really like my mxr bass chorus deluxe...

I really like my mxr bass chorus deluxe. Not too extreme but I really like it
 
#8
I'm pretty happy with my new TC Corona, and I started playing around with the Toneprint Editor. It's not as difficult as I thought it would be, and I now have the Depth set at %100 (rather than the %35 max with the pre-loaded template Toneprint). The Toneprint Editor has so many parameters to play with, and is an outstanding feature TC offers.

I went with TC because I'm so thrilled with the Vortex flanger and the Flashback delay, and I'm glad I did with the Corona as well. $129 at Sweetwater.
 
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#10
I first tried the Boss CEB3 but didn't like it.

I now have the MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe and it is simply brilliant.

A lot of useable sounds,plus it doesn't lose your bottom end. And it has a Flanger button too.

I like all my MXR pedals, Bass Compressor, M80 Bass DI+, Phaser 90, SmartGate
 
#12
Solarmist said:
I'm pretty happy with my new TC Corona, and I started playing around with the Toneprint Editor. It's not as difficult as I thought it would be, and I now have the Depth set at %100 (rather than the %35 max with the pre-loaded template Toneprint). The Toneprint Editor has so many parameters to play with, and is an outstanding feature TC offers.

I went with TC because I'm so thrilled with the Vortex flanger and the Flashback delay, and I'm glad I did with the Corona as well. $129 at Sweetwater.
Click to expand...

Yeah, for functionality, tone, options, etc...it is hard to beat a Corona or a Corona Mini in that price range. Heck, buy used and you'll have money left over for another pedal. :)
 
#13
zartalexander said:
Ideally no more then $100-150.
Click to expand...

At your price range, the mxr bass chorus deluxe and the t.c electronics corona chorus would be right up your alley. or if you can save a little more, check out the ebs unichorus. my other suggestion would be a danelectro chorus pedal. they're affordable and they provide nice lush chorus sounds. I own one and it sounds totally awesome. especially when I use my distortion pedals with it.
 
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#14
I'm using the Mxr bass chorus deluxe and the strymon ola
Not sure which I like better yet but they both sound awesome

I'm very very interested in trying the jam pedals waterfall for bass

Win your budget I would suggest you try the Mxr
 
#16
I own the Boss CEB-3 and I like it. But this is quite a 80's sound. If it's what you are looking for then I'd recommend it. Otherwise for a more modern sound the MXR is also good.
Both have solid consctruction.
 
#18
I love MXR. I do have/have had a lot of their pedals. But... their chorus deluxe is some kind of disappoint to me. That is way i have bought my Tech 21 Bass Boost Chorus. This one is VERY tweakable. It can be light, strong, flangey, annoying and somewhere in between. Thick and sick.
 
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#19
If you're looking for a delay with bass, IME, stick with digital. Stay away from analogue. Analogue sounds beautiful but it breaks up too much in the mix. Digital keeps a strong and clear signal going. I'm referring to delay because you did.

As for chorus, I've had really good luck with the source audio orbital. And from what I've heard it's hard to wrong with the tech 21 boost chorus. It's supposedly supposed to be one of the best bass choruses on the market at the moment. I've tried a handful of others. I didn't have very much luck with the MXR bass chorus deluxe in the mix at all. I guess if I'm going to use a chorus, I want people to hear it.
 
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