The Fender Chorus Pedal is a chorus pedal from Fender, part of the company's Competition Series of effects. It takes a standard mono input and can give a straight mono output or stereo if you insert jack plugs into both outputs, and its three knobs cover speed, depth and the balance of effect to dry signal1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the speed of the modulation, linked to the LED, which blinks in time1 |
| Depth | Sets the depth of the modulation1 |
| Mix | Sets the balance of effect and dry signal1 |
The Speed knob's link to the LED is a practical touch: the indicator blinks in time with the modulation, so you can see the rate at a glance on a dark stage1.
Mono and stereo outputs
The pedal takes a standard mono input but can give you a straight mono output or stereo if you insert jack plugs into both outputs. The stereo signal consists of dry sound from the mono output and the modulated sound from the stereo output, which is worth knowing when wiring a pedalboard: to hear the full stereo effect, both output jacks need to be connected1.
Fender's own press material for the Competition Series described the pedal as operating in mono or with stereo outputs for vibrantly huge sound2.
What it sounds like
MusicRadar's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, found the pedal has a speed and depth range that covers a lot of ground, from subtle doubling to very obvious sweep effects and rotary speaker-style fast warbles1. His overall verdict: "If you like chorus, you'll find plenty of variations on the theme here."
"If you like chorus, you'll find plenty of variations on the theme here."
When Fender launched the Competition Series, the company's press described the chorus as reminding guitarists just how cool and indispensable the lushly spatial effect can be2. Guitar Interactive Magazine described its uses as adding sparkle to clean open chords, animating strummed passages and thickening distorted power chords3.
Where it sits in Fender's chorus line
The Competition Series chorus is one of several chorus pedals Fender has released. Later models include the Fender Bubbler Chorus, also sold as the Fender Bubbler Two Speed Stereo Chorus and Fender Bubbler Analog Chorus, and the Fender Competition Chorus from the same series2.
Questions
How do I get stereo from the Fender Chorus Pedal?
The pedal takes a standard mono input and can give a straight mono output, or stereo if you insert jack plugs into both outputs. In stereo, the signal consists of the dry sound from the mono output and the modulated sound from the stereo output, so both jacks need to be connected for the full stereo picture.
What does the Mix knob do on the Fender Chorus Pedal?
The Mix knob sets the balance of effect and dry signal. Alongside the Speed and Depth knobs, it lets you dial in anything from a light touch of chorus behind your clean tone to a much more pronounced modulated sound.
Does the LED on the Fender Chorus Pedal blink with the speed?
Yes. The Speed knob is linked to the LED, which blinks in time with the modulation, giving you a visual cue for how fast the chorus is sweeping.
Can the Fender Chorus Pedal sound like a rotary speaker?
MusicRadar's reviewer found that its speed and depth range covers a lot of ground, from subtle doubling to very obvious sweep effects and rotary speaker-style fast warbles, so fast settings can suggest a rotary speaker character.
Sources (3)
- Fender Chorus Pedal review, MusicRadar, 2013-08-02
- Guitar Pedal News: Fender Competition Series Pedals, Delicious Audio, 2013-01-08
- Fender Releases Competition Series Effects Pedals, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-01-08
