The Joyo Narcissus (R-22) is a chorus pedal in Joyo's R Series, built around a VINTAGE & MODERN toggle switch that selects between two styles of chorus. Joyo describes the pedal's range as covering "surreal, deep tone to fierce and Vintage Distortion tone", so it reaches further from a straight chorus than most chorus pedals do1. Reviewing it for Bass Musician Magazine in August 2025, Cláudio Ribeiro called it "a great example of a pedal that covers both ends of that spectrum" and said it "feels like two pedals in one"2.
Controls and how it works
The Narcissus keeps things simple: three knobs adjust the chorus effect, labeled WIDTH, DEPTH and RATE, plus the VINTAGE & MODERN toggle1. The Rate knob adjusts the speed of the modulation, per the Bass Musician Magazine review2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | Adjusts the chorus effect1 |
| DEPTH | Adjusts the chorus effect1 |
| RATE | Adjusts the speed of the modulation2 |
| VINTAGE / MODERN toggle | Selects between styles of chorus1 |
Vintage and Modern modes
The toggle is the pedal's defining feature. "And then there's the Vintage/Modern switch. This is where the Narcissus really shows two distinct personalities," Ribeiro wrote2. On the Vintage side, he found "that familiar warmth that bassists often crave. The low end stays solid, the shimmer ri..."2, describing the Vintage mode as thick and musical. That low-end solidity is the detail bass players will care about most, and it is what separates the Narcissus from choruses that thin out a bass signal.
Build and power
Ribeiro described the Narcissus as "a sturdy little stompbox" with solid aluminum casing and smooth-turning chrome knobs, noting the knobs are plastic underneath but "they do the job"2. Power is standard 9V, "which means it's easy to slot into most pedalboards"2.
What reviewers said
The Bass Musician Magazine review is positive on value and character: "For under $60, the value here is undeniable"2, and Ribeiro summed up the pedal as "a workhorse pedal with enough character" from Joyo2.
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Questions
How much does the Joyo Narcissus cost?
Bass Musician Magazine's review put the Narcissus at under $60 as of August 2025, with the reviewer calling the value undeniable at that price. It sits in Joyo's R Series line as a budget-friendly chorus.
What power does the Joyo Narcissus take?
The Narcissus runs on standard 9V power, which the reviewer noted makes it easy to slot into most pedalboards. No battery option or current draw figure is documented here.
What is the difference between the Vintage and Modern modes on the Narcissus?
The Vintage/Modern toggle gives the pedal two distinct personalities, according to Bass Musician Magazine. In Vintage mode the reviewer found a familiar warmth with a solid low end and a thick, musical shimmer, while the maker describes the pedal's range as running from deep, surreal chorus to a fierce vintage distortion tone.
Does the Joyo Narcissus keep the low end solid for bass?
Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer, Cláudio Ribeiro, found that in Vintage mode the low end stays solid, with the warmth bassists often crave and a thick, musical shimmer. That makes it a chorus worth considering on a bass board as well as a guitar one.
Sources (2)
- R-22 NARCISSUS_JOYO, JOYO
- Review: Joyo Narcissus Chorus Pedal, Bass Musician Magazine, 2025-08-25
