Below, you will find useful information about chorus pedals and the best chorus pedal for guitar effects on the market for both beginners and experts.
If this overused modulation effect (the chorus pedal) in the 1980s and 1990s has lost some of its aura in recent years, it remains an appreciated and widely used effect in certain genres of music. But whether you’re a fan of Nirvana, Metallica, or Bryan Adams, or you just want to thicken your guitar or bass guitar for a song, it’s not easy to look for it in every model available.
The original chorus, like the highly praised CE-1 Chorus Ensemble by Boss, was based on analog delay chips and is famous for its deep and sweet tones. Modern digital units offer greater clarity and versatility, including multiple chorus pedals at once, as well as stereo outputs and greater equalization options.
In this article, we explain how to choose the best one and where to place it on your pedalboard. And you may be crying for a model of our selection!
The top 10 best Chorus pedals of all time in the market right now
Here, we have assembled 10 of the best chorus pedals available at Amazon today. Whatever sound you are looking for, one of them is undoubtedly the best one for you.
TC Electronic Corona Chorus
On our own, the most recommended pedal for the chorus is the TC Electronic Corona Chorus. In fact, it is one of the chorus pedals most recommended by guitarists of all styles. The Corona Chorus is part of the TC Electronic TonePrint series, which allows you to download presets (the so-called “TonePrints”) marked by professional artists directly on the pedal, either with a USB connection to the computer or wirelessly via smartphone.
This pedal is recommended for two reasons: it is considered the most versatile device that exists, and it has the ability to have a relatively subtle effect.
If you prefer analog pedals, keep in mind that this is totally digital, but it is very good for a digital pedal. It’s a great start if you don’t have a specific chorus sound in mind. All this, plus a very reasonable price, makes it easy to name this pedal one of the best chorus pedals with one of the best prices.
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Boss CE-2W Chorus Pedal
This is another of the best Chorus pedals for guitar effects. Boss combines a great family design with a strict focus on achieving incredible sounds, and that is why guitarists, from fans to legends, trust this brand. The Boss CE-2W continues that legacy in an era in which many more competitive and cheaper pedals are launched every day.
Relying on old and good analog circuits to create a warm sound, the Boss CE-2W tries to emulate the classic sounds of CE-1 and CE-2, two pedals that were the basis of the industry for a long time. Sometimes it is better to keep something good going, and this is a good example of that. What this pedal does is that it offers everything that CE-1 and CE-2 did and improves them by offering variable depth control. This almost perfects the winning formula, and now you can get truly amazing tones and great versatility.
If you have the money for it, catch this pedal. It is simple but powerful, easy to use, and extremely versatile. Its only defect is its energy consumption. But if you dare…
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MXR M234 Analog Chorus
The next chorus pedal for guitar effects we recommend for your guitar is the MXR M234 Analog. While it is difficult for any other pedal on this list to compete with the versatility of the TC Electronic Corona Chorus, the MXR Analog is approaching dangerously. This pedal does a good job of combining tonal versatility and “punchiness” with analog circuitry. And given how expensive discontinued analog chorus pedals can be, the MXR Analog Chorus is excellent for the price (not to mention that it’s easy to find online and in stores).
In terms of sound, give them a rich, warm, and soft pedal, as you might expect from an analog unit (on the other hand, digital sound can be harder and more clinical). It has a few tones to flirt with.
This pedal is solid to the touch and should last a long time, thanks to its all-metal construction. Another advantage is that there is no noticeable drop in volume when the pedal is pressed.
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Danelectro D-5 Fab Chorus
This is another of the best options for guitar effects. What is this price? Are we facing one of the cheapest Chorus pedals with reasonable sound? Yes, we are. The Danelectro D-5 Fab Chorus is one of the most recommended cheap chorus pedals. Danelectro has managed to produce a simple and solid chorus effect pedal at a surprisingly low price.
Let’s talk about the characteristics, sound, and durability of this pedal. The first thing that will catch your attention is that the Fab Chorus seems different from the rest of the pedals. Many people do not love the way this pedal is designed. Not only for pure aesthetics, but also because the shape makes the pedal harder to hit with the foot than a more traditional Boss or EHX shape. To keep the price low, Danelectro has built this thing mainly from plastic. It is definitely not as pleasant to the eye and touches as other pedals with a completely metallic construction. But anyway, it is a really durable pedal, capable of supporting everything.
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Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
The Small Clone is one of the most interesting pedals of its kind. Electro-Harmonix did its magic once again, giving us the opportunity to experience a versatile chorus that is capable of offering a wide variety of options. The finish is more or less standard for the Electro-Harmonix company, with its wide body and a very meticulous graphic design. Once you connect it and observe the available controls, you may think it has limitations in terms of tone construction. That could not be further from the truth.
Small Clone allows you to mark anything, from that lush chorus, a solid 12-string effect, to a Leslie-like chorus. That is a great variety of options on a pedal that is reasonably priced. This works very well with electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Whether you’re looking for a simple solution or something a little more flexible, the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone is probably a perfect choice.
If you are looking for a large analog true bypass chorus that does not break the bank, you definitely cannot go wrong with the small Electro-Harmonix Clone. It is capable of conjuring wonderful classic analog chorus tones.
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Boss CE-5 Stereo Chorus Ensemble
Another Boss on our list of the best chorus pedals for guitar effects is the Boss CE-5 Stereo Chorus Ensemble. Boss Chorus pedals have been popular for quite some time, perhaps none other than the Boss CE-2 Chorus made in Japan, in production from 1979 to 1992. With a similar look and feel, the Boss CE-5 is a good device. With a CE-5 on his pedalboard, he will be in good company; Steve Vai and Jerry Cantrell are among the notable users.
The Boss is a fine cinnamon of guitar effects pedals, and the CE-5 is no exception. It will have everything you expect from a boss. Solid durability—nothing too crazy, but very good.
Like the TC Electronic Corona Chorus, the Boss CE-5 is praised for its ability to have a very subtle chorus effect. This pedal offers four controls: effect level filter, speed, depth, and treble/bass attenuation (depending on the configuration). Having granular control over the high and low frequencies of the chorus effect is a good feature to have, and it puts this pedal slightly above the heavy weights in terms of features. It also has stereo outputs for connection to dual amplifiers.
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Dunlop M148 MXR Micro
When it comes to a simple but effective chorus pedal for guitar effects, MXR knows how to do the job. The pedal comes in its standard slim format, while it has a single control knob that allows you to adjust the depth of the effect. Some might say that it is not enough, but you should try this before drawing conclusions.
This is a high-quality analog chorus. Of course, you can’t really shape your tone, but the one it offers is impressive. The effect is warm, as only an analog can be. It offers a natural and organic sound experience at a price that is more than reasonable. The MXR 148 is old school, so those who are looking for a type of vintage choir will find a combination of quality in this pedal. This is one of the best budget chorus pedals on Amazon. At this price, it is a pedal that is worth investigating.
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Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone
This is another of the best chorus pedals for guitar effects. A direct descendant of the famous analog pedal Small Clone (used in particular by Kurt Cobain on some of its tubes), the Neo Clone takes exactly the same circuit and settings as its elder. True Bypass, a rate control, and a depth switch in two positions will allow you to quickly get a chorus singing and haunting.
Electro Harmonix had the rich idea to take advantage of its redesign to reduce the size of its pedal and make it a hair sexier, which is not negligible.
Be careful though; the sound undergoes a coloration that may displease, and quickly turning the only available knob can plunge your instrument into the abyss.
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MXR M134 Stereo Chorus
Here is another MXR design that has to be on any list. The MXR Stereo chorus pedal for guitar effects offers the quality you would expect from a higher-level pedal but also includes much more. The case of this pedal is wider than most MXR designs. This pedal features standard speed, intensity, and width controls, but the most interesting thing is that it also offers a two-band equalizer.
Using this equalizer, you can shape the chorus tone and thus create more or less contrast between the raw signal and the effect itself. Another great feature is the addition of stereo output. Combined, everything MXR Stereo brings to our delight makes it a very versatile package. If you are looking for a great chorus effect to add some flavor to your tone or a professional-level tool to use in stage work, the MXR Stereo should be on your list.
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Valeton CCH-1 Guitar Chorus Effects Pedal
This is another of the best chorus pedals for guitar effects. The Chinese brand Valeton is not yet well known by us, but its pedal Aqua Flow begins to make a name in the middle. Compact and pretty, the CCH-1 stands out at sound level, taking with seriousness and fidelity the vintage sounds of the chorus module of the Roland JC-120.
With four knobs (Mix, Speed, Tone, and Depth), the pedal offers many possibilities and allows you to explore all registers. The solid construction and the true bypass could eventually convince the most skeptical.
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What is a chorus pedal for guitar effects?
When you look at the bassists’ pedalboards, after the compressor and the overdrive, you almost always find the chorus effect. And for a good reason: it brings depth, presence, and richness to your sound.
The chorus effect simulates the addition of a second instrument, taking the original signal and adding it with a slight delay and subtle differences. This gives a thicker and more rich sound to your sound.
Analog or digital?
Today, there are two technologies for designing circuits: analog and digital.
The analog chorus, the oldest, is based on transistors to preserve the sound, delay, and mix with the original, while the digital chorus treats all the sound entering your pedal by computer. If the sound of an analog chorus often seems warmer, deeper, and deeper, the variety of possible sounds is often narrower than with a digital pedal.
There is not one technology better or worse than another; the sound is just different, and it will mainly be chosen according to your tastes and your budget! (Digital pedals are often cheaper than analog.).
How do I use a chorus pedal?
The chorus is part of the family of modulation effects (as well as the flanger and the phaser). It is therefore advisable to insert this kind of pedal at the end of the chain, before possible modules of delay and reverb. If you can, favor the integration of a chorus in an effects loop. This will allow you to free yourself from some worries (sound level difference between engaged and not engaged, for example) and compromise the sound less than live (facade).
Conclusion
This concludes our list, offering several options and ways to improve the sound; however, all share one thing in common: quality in terms of the wonderful effect of a chorus, which means that quality is assured no matter what your choice. We always make sure to offer the best chorus pedal for guitar effects!!