Just never liked chorus on guitars

[Dajax]

Its not that I don't like any modulating, swirly whirly pedals, but I'll always go with a Uni Vibe style pedal, flanger, or a phase shifter before a chorus. and to tell the truth my fave effect of this type is good old fashion amp tremolo. I have a Japanese Boss CE-2, and as far as chorus goes it sounds as good as any to my ears, but still doesn't really grab me.
http://bandmix.ca/dajax

 

[Melodic Dreamer]

Chorus?
This is how I like Chorus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE3pknXsoTA&feature=related

 

[Lolaviola]

I think that chorus "swirl" is overused. I like to use the chorus as a "doubling effect" --slow rate and use it on single-note passages that you would double in the studio.

 

[dk123123dk]

Chorus sounds like the 80's to me. That is a bad thing in my opinion. But it has its place if used properly and sparingly.

dk

 

[jb1911]

Its not that I don't like any modulating, swirly whirly pedals, but I'll always go with a Uni Vibe style pedal, flanger, or a phase shifter before a chorus. and to tell the truth my fave effect of this type is good old fashion amp tremolo. I have a Japanese Boss CE-2, and as far as chorus goes it sounds as good as any to my ears, but still doesn't really grab me.
http://bandmix.ca/dajax

What's the purpose of this thread? You don't like chorus, other people do. What's the point?

 

[Dajax]

What's the purpose of this thread? You don't like chorus, other people do. What's the point?

I dunno bud, just trying to start a conversation about effects. Feel free to disagree, 'cause it seems like you probably do.

 

[popsongsmith]

I agree that chorus is an overused guitar effect, but there is no denying that it is as essential to the pop/rock guitar "spice rack" as the phaser, wah, and tremolo. The Pretenders, Rush, The Police and so on simply wouldn't sound the same without it. I think the Stone Temple Pilot's tune Plush epitomizes tasty implementation of chorus.

 

[rosscoep]

Me neither. I like univibe and rotating speaker sounds. Chorus bugs me. I like some players use of it but it is very overdone.

 

[syxxstring]

Vibe all the way. Once I got my JT Pedals V-Trem it was all over for my chorus pedals.

 

[4styx]

I think that chorus "swirl" is overused. I like to use the chorus as a "doubling effect" --slow rate and use it on single-note passages that you would double in the studio.

+1 on that.I'm still looking for one that'll do what the Roland 301 Space Echo did for Uli Roth.

 

[89strat]

I never liked chorus either, until that is, I got an analogman chorus.

 

[rob2001]

I used to love chorus, i'd even go as far as to say I had to have it. But that was before I had a great base tone to start with. I still use it sparingly, not an always on thing.

I really should try a vibe of some sort though. Frank Marino is one of my favorite players and he's usually got a vibe goin. Pretty sure he uses an original Uni-vibe thats tweeked some. I'm just not ready to go on another pedal hunt right now!

 

[Laird_Williams]

I think that chorus "swirl" is overused. I like to use the chorus as a "doubling effect" --slow rate and use it on single-note passages that you would double in the studio.

I like using a detune for that doubling effect rather than a chorus. You lose the swirlies and get the fat. Works great for clean amp tones.

That said, I do like the occasional subtle chorus for texture/rhythm work. It is not that out-dated. Look as how it is used by some modern power-pop bands.

 

[gitpicker]

I enjoy using modulation, in whatever form it comes (Flanging, Phasing, Chorusing, Tremelo, Vibe, etc). The key for me is to pick your spots. I would never use one all the time, but I really enjoy them for a change-up. Also, there are some songs that just don't sound right without the correct modulation applied (ie - Manic Mechanic by ZZ Top is a great song to show off a chorus pedal - any Trower from Bridge of Sighs needs a Univibe or a thick phaser to sound authentic, Police, Queen, most 80's hair bands, and Zeppelin are other examples of bands that used a lot of modulation). Applied tastefully, and sparingly, modulation devices can add quite a bit to your tonal pallet.

Just my .02

 

[johnston]

to me, chorus is like syrup. a small amount with pancakes is good, but not on a steak or pasta if you get my drift. i don't use chorus at all anymore.

 

[Lucidology]

Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world..
A little touch of chorus mixed into your sound can help you cut through a loud mix
without overpowering your basic guitar's tone...

Overall, it's a classic guitar sound that I never get tired off. ....

IN fact, I wish more cats would use it ...
Of course it can be used way too much like anything else
(overdrive when playing chord is getting old real fast in my book,
where have all the totally clean tones gone ...?)

Unlike what other folk are saying here..
I hardly ever hear guitar players using it all that much anymore ....

You can see here how in a trio situation, it feels out my clean sound quite fully:
(This is from a live CD where my trio backed up a singer a few months ago)

Nasty~Our Funk Trio Live - The Gear Page

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[205]

I think there are a lot who automatically associate chorus with the eighties because it was so overused.

Used sparingly and tastefully, to me, chorus is a very musical and versatile effect.

Give more chorus anyday over flanging or phasing.

 

[Kenny D]

I like using a detune for that doubling effect rather than a chorus. You lose the swirlies and get the fat. Works great for clean amp tones.

That said, I do like the occasional subtle chorus for texture/rhythm work. It is not that out-dated. Look as how it is used by some modern power-pop bands.

I don't really hate the chorus, but instead, I use a TC G-Major's detune up 7 cents on one side, down 7 cents on the other and mixed in at about 10% to 15%. I have a SansAmp PSA-1 that does a perfect Fender Twin emulation. The G-Major's pitch shift, verb and delay combined with the Fender Twin gives me a perfect Eric Johnson clean sound. I mean it's just perfect. There is no phasey sound either, just a beautiful stereo image.

I liked chorus when Dave Gilmour's first solo album came out. Remember Mihalis?

 

[Brett Valentine]

These days, I like it better as something transparent that just makes chords just slightly shimmer. You don't necessarily notice when it's on, but you do when it's off.

My next move will put it after my NanoVerb in a parallel fx loop so that it is just affecting the tail end of the reverb.

 

[Balok]

I find a world of difference between a chorus pedal and a Leslie. Pedals always sound digital, or like a garble box to me.
But listen to old Danny Johnstone on 'Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me', or the bridge in Badge, or the solo in Goodtimes Badtimes.

Oh yeah baby. Ain't no pedal do that.
Course I aint hauling around a Leslie, so the hell with it.