Modulation Dilemma

[CamiloDíaz]

I've been gasing and trying a lot two pedals:

Boss CEB3
MXR phase 90 (DIY, i'm no diyer, a friend of mine is to some extent)

So, I've been into chorus so much, and never had a really good one, that I loved everything about the CEB3. But then there's the Phase, and it's awesome weirdeness and simplicity grew very fast to my linkings. So, in the short run, I only have the money for ONE of them, only one (saving up for a baby daughter coming, so...).

wich one do you modulator freaks do you say "go buy it first"?

I'm a chorus kind of guy, but really loved the phaser...

Decisions... decisions...

 

[Jared Lash]

Personally, I'd say phaser, but then this is the type of question where the only answers you're likely to get will be exactly that, people's personal preference for phasers or choruses.

The real bottom line is which you'd use more in your gigs. Or if you aren't gigging, which one you think would be more fun to play around with.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Yup. What TheBigO said.

 

[CamiloDíaz]

personal opinions is exactly what I'm aiming for, cause I think i'll use pretty much the same one or the other giggin...

anyone maybe have tried or owns the two of them, or either one?

 

[Jared Lash]

I've owned a few of each and at the moment I technically have two chorus pedals and two phasers. The choruses are a George Dennis Chorus Flanger and a Boss PS-3 which isn't truly a chorus but can be used that way in Detune mode. The phasers are the Pigtronix EP-1 Envelope Phaser and a Boss PH-3.

Here's my opinion on the two: I like them both, but I have found that finding a chorus I liked was much harder than finding a phaser I did. I've been pretty happy with most of the phasers I've tried, including the MXR Phase 90 that you mentioned. Personally I liked the EHX Nano Stone better, but that's just me.

With chorus pedals, the majority have sounded metallic to my ears and often give what I can only call a bit of a "dated" sound as they make me think of 80's stuff. My search was always for a more "organic" tone which I found with the George Dennis. That said, I find I use phaser much more so sadly that pedal will likely be up for sale in the weeks to come.

YMMV, but I just get more use out of a phaser. I'm sure there are plenty of people who feel the exact opposite.

 

[bigchiefbc]

I currently have both chorus and phaser on my board. I love them both. Judging by the way that I use them, and this is just IMHE, I would say that chorus can be used in more songs and add some color or shimmer to a lot of passages, but phaser is a much more dramatic effect and can really explode a section if you want it to.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I also use both. And just like TheBigO, I use a Pigtronix EP-1. Great pedal. Also, took alot of buys before I stopped trying different chorus pedals. I landed on the Maxon CS9-Pro. Lush, full range organic sounding stereo chorus. Neither was under $200. That's the problem, you'll see.

 

[CamiloDíaz]

yes, tried maxtone too, but i'm more into icy, 80ish kinda chorus

the exact opposite works for me when put in front of a phaser, it has to be as 70's as can be

but the doubts are slowly coming to pass

thanks for all your opinions and experience, guys
much appreciated

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I found I could get some pretty "icy" chorus from the CEB-3 cus of the HPF. If Im correctly translating the word "icy".

I find chorus to be subtle no matter what, tho I can get crazy or subtle out of my phaser, depending on the effects rate/speed mostly.

Hope this helps

 

[kevteop]

With chorus pedals, the majority have sounded metallic to my ears and often give what I can only call a bit of a "dated" sound as they make me think of 80's stuff.

FWIW I use my CEB-3 mostly to get that '80s sound, which can be nice if you're not taking yourself too seriously, but it also does a pretty good job of turning my Blowtorch into a synth pad-type effect (again, pretty '80s!).

I do have a phaser on my board (DOD 490) but it only ever comes on for a bar or two.

 

[CamiloDíaz]

I'm becoming more and more decided on ceb3, for that exact 80 stuff sound, just searching for a kind of Tony Levin's Crimson sound, or 80's Yes basses, for some very different uses, tho, just like the sound of "techy" chorus.

Phaser will be on the way come next year or so

thanks for your answers!!

 

[bass-shy]

If you want an icy, 80's sounding chorus, the Digitech Bass Multi-Chorus is as good as I've found. It might even cost a little less than the Boss, too. Good luck.