The Ibanez TC10 Twin Cam Chorus is a stereo chorus pedal from the Power Series 10, made in Japan and produced from 1986 to 19931. Its trick is in the name: instead of one chorus engine, it carries two, and modulates at two different speeds and depths at the same time. According to TONEHOME, that means less depth or width, the change in delay time, is needed to create an obvious effect, giving what the site calls deeper and more realistic chorusing than the related Ibanez SC10 Super Stereo Chorus1.
What it does
The TC10 can do everything a regular stereo chorus can do, and then some, in TONEHOME's words1. It has two modulators with distinct jobs: Modulator "A" is for true vibrato and high speed pitch bends, while Modulator "B" handles normal chorusing effects1. For stereo setups, it offers normal and inverted stereo outputs, which TONEHOME describes as the way to create a stereo image using two amps1.
JHS Pedals, in a history of chorus pedals, explains the circuit this way:
"essentially this is two of the classic CS9's (which, if you remember, is a variant of the CE-2) in one unit. You can run"2
That is, the Twin Cam is essentially two Ibanez CS9 Stereo Chorus circuits in one box, and JHS notes it is an identical circuit to the 1985 Bi-Mode Chorus from the Power series2. The two engines can be run one fast, one slow, both fast, or at different depths2.
Where it came from
JHS Pedals dates the Twin Cam Chorus to 1986, alongside the rest of the 10 series2. TONEHOME gives the production run as 1986 to 19931. The pedal has never been re-issued1, and TONEHOME lists it as rare with high collectibility1. Players who want a current Ibanez chorus look instead to the modern mini format, such as the Ibanez Chorus Mini or Ibanez Analog Chorus Mini.
The TC10 is a discontinued vintage pedal with no re-issue. Units turn up on the used and collector market rather than new.
How it compares
- Ibanez SC10 Super Stereo Chorus: the TC10's sibling in the Power Series 10. TONEHOME says the Twin Cam produces deeper and more realistic chorusing than the SC101. Chorusing in general works by mixing constantly changing, short delayed signals with the normal dry signal, producing a deep, melodic type of vibrato3.
- Ibanez CS9 Stereo Chorus: the single-engine chorus the Twin Cam doubles up, per JHS Pedals2.
- Ibanez PC10 Prime Dual Chorus and Ibanez BCL Bi-Mode Chorus: other dual-chorus and bi-mode designs in the Ibanez line.
For more on the effect itself, see the site's Chorus Pedals page.
Videos
Through the Sunn
Alexandra Topley
the diplomat of swing
Sources (3)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- 12 LEGENDARY CHORUS PEDALS, JHS Pedals
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
