Chorus Pedals

A definitive sound of the eighties, chorus pedals are enjoying a renaissance.

Chorus pedals split your signal in two. One signal passes straight through unaffected and the other’s pitch is modulated like a vibrato pedal. They then combine to create the final chorus sound. The effect mimics two guitars playing at the same time, going slightly in and out of tune. The result is a lush, watery sound.

The effect was originally designed as part of the Roland Jazz Chorus amplifier. BOSS quickly replicated the effect in pedal format. Icons of the eighties such as Prince and Johnny Marr were famous for using Boss chorus pedals. In the nineties, Sonic Youth and Nirvana used chorus guitar pedals in a wilder, more aggressive way. Chorus went out of fashion for a little while because it was so strongly associated with the slightly dated sound of the eighties. But players are now returning to the effect in droves! Modern classics such as the Julia from Walrus Audio have brought about this resurgence due to greater controllability than the original circuits.

What Makes a Chorus Pedal Different?

• Lush, watery sound
• Distinctive 80s vibe
• Can be subtle or pronounced