BOSS
CH-1 Stereo Super Chorus Pedal
One of the most classic chorus options around, this recognizable stomp is easy to use for mono or stereo effects.
$119 street
boss.info
JHS
3 Series Chorus
Part of the company’s utilitarian 3 Series, this simple stomp offers three controls—volume, rate, and depth—plus a vibe switch that removes the dry signal.
$99 street
jhspedals.info
STRYMON
Ola dBucket Chorus and Vibrato
This feature-full pedal includes chorus and vibrato tones based upon the company’s dBucket DSP algorithm, with stereo ins and outs.
$299 street
strymon.net
KEELEY
Dyno My Roto
The graphics say it all! This standard-sized stomp promises ’80s rackmount tri-stereo chorus tones, plus rotary simulator and rotoflange.
$169 street
robertkeeley.com
EHX
Small Clone
Another classic choice, and this analog chorus is about as simple as it gets—with one knob and a depth switch, you’ll spend your time playing, not tweaking.
$85 street
ehx.com
TC ELECTRONIC
June-60 V2
Based on the Roland Juno-60, this affordable BBD chorus features two preset modes and mono or stereo options, plus a classic aesthetic.
$59 street
tcelectronic.com
WALRUS AUDIO
Julia V2
This simple-but-feature-rich analog chorus/vibrato features selectable wave shapes, a lag control that sets the center delay, plus a dry/chorus/vibrato blend knob.
$219 street
walrusaudio.com
EVENTIDE
TriceraChorus
Conjure rackmount tri-stereo chorus and vintage-style stomp tones via three independent chorus voices, three chorus types, presets, and much more.
$249 street
eventideaudio.com
MOJO HAND FX
Swim Team
Two selectable DSP programs offer chorus or flange settings with a simple control set and graphics that evoke your favorite ’90s chorus user … oh well, whatever, nevermind.
$159 street
mojohandfx.com
MXR
M234 Analog Chorus
This all-analog BBD chorus features low- and high-cut knobs and stereo functionality.
$129 street
jimdunlop.com
Anthony Pirog of the Messthetics
A: As I remember it, the first time I fell in love with the guitar was at a Nirvana concert in 1993. I was 13 years old, and my mother took me to American University in Washington, D.C. to see the show. I had been playing for about two years at that point, and remember the guitar was just riveting in the way that it could be played at the dynamic of a whisper or scream with unhinged violence. Thanks for taking me to the show, Mom!
Current obsession: My current musical obsession is improvising off of small atonal melodic fragments that I compose. I was talking with Joe Morris about his book, The Perpetual Frontier, and it led me to this study. I’ll take a small phrase that might be only a measure or two long and move it around to different keys, play chopped up versions of it, or play it in retrograde for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time. This gets me to where I want to be in terms of motivic free improvisation, and the surprising thing is that it’s changing the way that I improvise tonally.
Brett Petrusek - Director of Advertising
Photo by Bud Ingram-Lile
A: I started on bass when I was 8 years old. I couldn’t really reach the first fret. My instructor was teaching me 1950s bass lines from a Mel Bay Music book while I was busy listening to the debut Black Sabbath album. I loved the heavy sounds and giant riffs. Then, after a lesson, I was in the local music store and heard a guy playing the solo from “Whole Lotta Love.” I watched him bend the strings and thought, “Hm…. I’d much rather do that.”
Current obsession: Gibson Explorers (I’ve always been a Les Paul guy). I love the stripped-down simplicity. They hang great for me and have been inspiring new riffs and songs, plus they provide a new opportunity to change pickups and go down the rabbit hole and make them my own. I love wrenching on guitars.
Naomi Ruckus Rose - Graphic Designer
A: Dad would play goofy songs on his guitar when my sisters and I were little, and I just thought there was some kind of magical happiness that came from an acoustic guitar. Mom took me thrifting when I was 6 and I found a kid-sized guitar. I was hooked instantly.
Current obsession: ROCKS! I write a LOT of smart-ass songs (the rage flows easily, okay?). Now I’m spending more time soaking in nature and chilling the “f” out, and it’s altered the way I write. Taking rocks home lets me feel connected with nature without actually having to be in it. Namaste, punks.
Wojtek Drewniak - Reader of the Month
A: Hearing the SWAT Kats theme as a kid. I knew I loved it from this very moment and I remember it perfectly: A 6- or 7-year-old kid sitting on the carpet in front of the TV with his jaw dropped in delight. From then on, I started paying attention to the sound of the distorted guitar. After a few years, I decided that I wanted to create these noises myself.
Current obsession: Given that I love music of almost all genres, I was delighted to discover [Japanese electronicore band] Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas a few years ago. These people know no boundaries in music and I love it. Not everyone has to, but everyone should respect their musical courage. “Acceleration” is an absolute banger!