The Browne Amplification SSHAC, short for Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus, is an analog chorus and vibrato pedal built on a bucket brigade (BBD) circuit. Browne says the design sets out to build on the things the makers loved from the classic bucket brigade chorus pedals, and the manual describes its range as everything from slow, lush chorus, to Leslie-esque rotary tones, to pure, warm vibrato1. The name is a nod to what Browne calls a wild story involving a snake and a hawk, two forces of nature coming together in unexpected ways2.
What makes the SSHAC unusual among chorus pedals is its output arrangement: instead of one output, it has a Wet output that runs through the analog bucket brigade circuit and a Dry output pulled directly from the input buffer stage3. That pair of outputs is what gives it stereo capability, and the Blend control is what lets it go from chorus to pure vibrato.
Controls and how it works
The SSHAC keeps its control set to three knobs, and each one does a clear job:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SPEED | Controls how quickly the pitch modulates. Fully counterclockwise is minimum speed, fully clockwise is maximum speed.3 |
| DEPTH | Controls the amplitude of pitch modulation. Fully counterclockwise is minimum pitch deviation, fully clockwise is maximum.3 |
| BLEND | Controls the mix of dry versus modulated signal sent to the Wet output. Fully clockwise is completely dry, fully counterclockwise is pure vibrato.3 |
The Blend control is the heart of the pedal's flexibility. With dry signal mixed in, it behaves as a chorus; turned fully counterclockwise, no dry signal reaches the Wet output and the effect becomes vibrato. Between those points, the manual describes Leslie-esque rotary territory1. A Speed LED underneath the speed knob flashes at the rate of modulation, so you can see the speed setting at a glance1.
The pedal uses soft switching with an adjustable start-up state, meaning you can set whether it comes on in an engaged or bypassed state when power is applied2.
Mono and stereo use
The two outputs decide how you run the SSHAC:
- Mono: use the Wet output only. It carries the Blend control's mix of dry and modulated signal32.
- Stereo: run both outputs. The Wet output carries the affected signal and the Dry output carries the unmodulated signal, giving stereo operation1.
Because the Dry output comes straight from the input buffer stage, the dry side of a stereo rig is unaffected by the Blend setting, which only acts on the Wet output3.
The SSHAC is a buffered pedal, not true bypass. Browne states this directly in the manual, so if a true bypass chorus is a requirement for your board, this is not that pedal1.
Power and practical details
The SSHAC runs on 9V only, using a standard 9V DC adapter with negative ground, like the rest of Browne's pedals13. Current draw is less than 75mA, around 50mA3. There is no battery option at that draw, so plan on a pedalboard power supply.
Other practical points from the maker:
- Pedals are built to order and ship as soon as they are built3.
- International orders go through Browne's international dealers2.
- Warranty is 2 years non-transferable for pedals sold in the USA, 1 year non-transferable for pedals sold internationally, with proof of purchase required1.
The manual is marked as version I:11.
Where it came from and what reviewers said
Browne Amplification offers the SSHAC as a compact analog bucket brigade chorus and vibrato pedal, built to order and shipped as soon as it is built, at a list price of $229.00 USD3. The manual credits a question posed by David Ryan Harris in the pedal's naming1.
Guitar Pedal X covered the release and called it an impressive simple chorus in its own right, while noting that its stereo arrangement is not true stereo in the way a design like the Hamstead Redwing's is, since the Dry output is an unprocessed duplicate rather than a second modulated path4.
"but is an impressive simple Chorus in its own right"
Videos
Browne Amplification
Browne Amplification
Browne Amplification
Questions
What does SSHAC stand for?
SSHAC stands for Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus. Browne Amplification says the name is a nod to a wild story involving a snake and a hawk, two forces of nature coming together in unexpected ways. The manual also credits a question posed by David Ryan Harris in the naming of the pedal.
Is the Browne Amplification SSHAC true bypass?
No. The SSHAC uses buffered bypass, not true bypass. Browne states this plainly in the manual, and the pedal's Dry output is pulled directly from the input buffer stage, which is part of how the stereo setup works.
Can the SSHAC be used in stereo?
Yes. The SSHAC has two outputs: a Wet output carrying the modulated signal and a Dry output pulled from the input buffer stage. Running both to two amps gives stereo operation, with the affected signal on one side and the dry signal on the other.
How do I use the SSHAC in mono?
Use the Wet output only. Browne's product page states that when running the SSHAC in mono, you should use the Wet output only, since it carries the blended dry and modulated signal from the Blend control.
What power does the Browne SSHAC need?
The SSHAC runs on 9V only, using a standard 9V DC adapter with negative ground. Current draw is less than 75mA, around 50mA, so it is comfortable on most isolated power supplies but has no battery option.
Is the SSHAC a chorus or a vibrato pedal?
Both. It is an analog bucket brigade chorus at heart, but the Blend control goes from fully dry to pure vibrato, so turning it fully counterclockwise gives vibrato with no dry signal mixed in. The manual also describes Leslie-esque rotary tones between the two extremes.
Sources (4)
- SSHAC_V1_Manual, Browne Amplification, 2024-12
- SSHAC | Discover Sonic Perfection - Browne Amplification, Browne Amplification
- SSHAC - Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus - Browne Amplification, Browne Amplification
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-01-27
