The PastFX Kurt's Cologne is an analog chorus pedal built on the classic chorus circuit associated with the 90's grunge sound: the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone, the pedal behind Kurt Cobain's chorused tones. Where the original Small Clone gave you two controls, the Kurt's Cologne spreads the circuit across nine, including a three-way Decade switch that selects between three different versions of the classic chorus, covering what Guitar Pedal X calls three decades of Small Clone12.
It runs on a Panasonic MN3007 BBD (bucket brigade device) chip, the delay line at the heart of the analog chorus effect, and it offers both chorus and vibrato modulation. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found it "bright and full-range and perfectly balanced in its 90's voicing" and said it suits Kurt Cobain, Alex Lifeson and John Petrucci sounds, including the "Come As You Are" tone2.
The controls
The Kurt's Cologne takes the Small Clone's two-knob format and expands it into a nine-control layout, which Guitar Pedal X credits with "significantly extended range, and more granularity" over the original2. Here is what each control does, per PastFX's product page1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Sets modulation speed, with a red LFO LED giving a visual indicator of the speed |
| Depth (rotary switch) | Sets modulation depth. Position 3 matches the original's low slide-switch setting; position 8 matches the high setting |
| Mix | Reduces the amount of modulated signal |
| Level | Controls volume on both stereo outputs |
| 3-way Decade switch | Selects between three different versions of the classic chorus the pedal is based on |
| White pushbutton phase switch | Reverses the phase of the second output |
| Internal Balance trimpot | Allows stereo output volume adjustments |
The Decade switch is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Guitar Pedal X describes the three positions as 70's, 80's and 90's era voicings: mildest, strongest and warbly, or balanced, with the 90's setting described as "best balanced / goldilocks"2. A red "effect on" LED changes to blue when the effect is engaged1.
PastFX also notes that the pedal's history has two versions. According to Guitar Pedal X, the very original edition came with two different BBD chips and an internal Stereo Phase switch, while the later model uses just the MN3007 with an external phase switch and tiny differences in depth calibration2.
Power
The Kurt's Cologne operates off 9 to 18VDC and does not have any internal voltage doubler circuit, so the supply voltage you feed it is what the circuit gets. Current draw is 50 mA1. PastFX asks that you use only a high quality 9 to 18VDC regulated power supply with a 2.1mm Boss style negative tip connector1. Guitar Pedal X notes that it typically takes 18V2.
There is no internal voltage doubler, so the supply voltage you feed the pedal is what it runs at, with no internal conversion. Use a regulated center-negative supply only.
Where it came from and how it compares
PastFX describes the pedal as based on "the classic chorus circuit associated with the 90's Grunge sound," and credits Scruffie for assistance in the project1. Guitar Pedal X identifies the underlying circuit as the Small Clone and positions the Kurt's Cologne within PastFX's wider chorus lineup, alongside the Chorus Ensemble MN3007, the Chorus Ensemble Mini, the Stereo Chorus PX65 and the New Division23.
The price has shifted slightly between press listings: Guitar Pedal X gave the MN3007 model as $209 USD on PastFX's Reverb store in October 2024, with an Oceania direct price of $299, and listed it at $210 USD in November 202423.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reviewed the pedal in October 2024 and has returned to it repeatedly since. In his original review he wrote:
"I've loved each of Verlie's Choruses - the Chorus Ensemble Mini, PX65 Stereo Chorus, New Division and this Kurt's Cologn"2
In December 2024, naming it among the year's best new modulation pedals, he called it:
"Probably my favourite sounding Chorus to-date, and easily one of the most handy and expansive units"4
And in April 2026, reviewing the PastFX PolyChorus, he still ranked it highly:
"the Kurt's Cologne is my favourite PastFX Chorus"5
A related limited edition, the Kurt's Cologne Small Clone 3-Era Chorus, was named by the same reviewer in December 2024 as "probably my favourite sounding Chorus to-date," covering three eras of the EHX Small Clone including most of Kurt Cobain's favorite chorusing tones4.
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Questions
Is PastFX Kurt's Cologne true bypass?
Yes. PastFX lists true bypass among the pedal's features on its product page. When the effect is engaged, the red "effect on" LED changes to blue, so you can see the bypass state at a glance on a dark stage.
What BBD chip does Kurt's Cologne use?
The current model uses a Panasonic MN3007 BBD (bucket brigade device), the same delay-line chip family found in many vintage analog chorus and flanger pedals. According to Guitar Pedal X, the very original edition of the pedal came with two different BBD chips, but the later model uses just the MN3007.
Does Kurt's Cologne have stereo outputs?
Yes, it has two outputs and PastFX lists stereo outputs as a feature. A white pushbutton phase switch reverses the phase of the second output, and an internal balance trimpot lets you match the volume between the two outputs. Note that it is not stereo in: the input is mono.
Can Kurt's Cologne get the Come As You Are chorus sound?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X describes it as suiting Kurt Cobain's sounds, including the "Come As You Are" tone, and says it covers most of Kurt Cobain's favorite chorusing tones through its three era voicings of the Small Clone circuit the pedal is based on.
Is Kurt's Cologne based on the Small Clone?
Yes. PastFX says it is based on "the classic chorus circuit associated with the 90's Grunge sound," and Guitar Pedal X identifies that circuit as the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone. A three-way Decade switch selects between three different versions of that classic chorus.
Sources (5)
- Kurt's Cologne, pastfx.com, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-10-25
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-11-14
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-12-19
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-04-07
