The PastFx Poly Chorus is a compact, all-analog multi-effect from PastFX that recreates the original 1980s Electro-Harmonix Poly Chorus circuit. PastFx is explicit about the lineage: "Our Poly Chorus is based on the original 1980's EHX Poly Chorus circuit," not the later reissues and not a DIY PCB project1. In one pedalboard-friendly box it can produce up to five effects: slapback delay and double tracking, chorus, vibrato, flanger, and filter matrix1. It sits in the same family as PastFX's other modulation takes, including the PastFX Echoflanger, which recreates the related 1970s EHX Echoflanger / Poly Flange / Poly Chorus circuit2.
Controls and the LED mode indicator
The pedal's headline control change is a Blend control in place of the original's switch. PastFx says this gives the user more control, and notes that in Chorus mode a vibrato effect can be achieved by turning the Blend control fully counter clockwise1. That puts chorus and vibrato voicings on one knob, alongside the pedal's other modes.
The LED doubles as a mode indicator: it flashes with the LFO in the chorus and flanger modes and sits static in the Slapback and Matrix settings, so you can see at a glance which family of effects you are in1. The same LED behavior is used on the PastFX Echoflanger4.
Power: 18V DC, 80mA
The Poly Chorus runs on 18V DC through a 2.1mm Boss style negative tip jack and draws 80 mA1. PastFx is specific about the supply: "Only high quality audio style power supplies to be used. (eg Cioks dc7 and equivilent)"1. An 18V requirement rules out battery power and means a standard daisy chain output will not run this pedal; it needs its own 18V outlet on a supply that can deliver the current.
The Poly Chorus needs an 18V DC, center-negative supply rated for its 80 mA draw. PastFx names the Cioks DC7 as an example of a suitable audio-style supply1.
A recreation of the 1980s EHX Poly Chorus circuit
The original EHX Poly Chorus was also sold as the Poly Flange and Echoflanger, and PastFX covers that wider family with the PastFX Echoflanger, which RockBoard's PedalPedia describes as faithful to the 1970s EHX Echoflanger / Poly Flange / Poly Chorus circuit12. PastFX as a maker is known for faithful reincarnations of classic circuits with extra features and tonal options, and that approach shows here in the Blend control and the compact enclosure5.
At the heart of the pedal are two vintage Panasonic BBD chips, the analog delay-line components the original design relied on1. Guitar Pedal X, reporting on the release, specified them as "2 rare Panasonic / Matsushita MN3007 BBD's"3. BBD chips of this type are no longer made, which is why vintage-stock parts feature in PastFX's limited runs.
How it differs from the EHX Poly Chorus reissues
Electro-Harmonix reissued the Poly Chorus twice starting in the 1990s: first a "stereo" big box version, then several years later a smaller version. PastFx states that those reissues use a different circuit compared to the vintage units, and that the reissues used a pseudo stereo reversed phase output1. The PastFx Poly Chorus is mono and does not have that output1. So if you are comparing this pedal against a reissue, the difference is not just size: it is a different circuit generation, with the PastFx build following the original 1980s design.
What reviewers said
"I was particularly impressed by the Chorus and Flanger voicings - very classic sounding, with some useful enhancements."
Chirps and ticks: the nature of the circuit
PastFx is upfront about the pedal's quirks. "Due to the limitations and complexity of the circuit the Poly Chorus can exhibit chirps, lfo ticks and other sounds which may to some be interpreted as a fault, the nature of the circuit"1. In other words, if your unit chirps or ticks with the LFO, that behavior comes with the original design rather than indicating a broken pedal.
Videos
NirvanaGuitars
Questions
Is the PastFx Poly Chorus stereo?
No. PastFx states the pedal is mono, and unlike the Electro-Harmonix Poly Chorus reissues it does not have the pseudo stereo reversed phase output those units used. The maker also notes that the DRY output found on the original was omitted due to space restrictions in the smaller 1590B enclosure, so there is a single output path.
Is the PastFx Poly Chorus true bypass?
Yes. PastFx lists the Poly Chorus as true bypass on its product page. The same is stated for its sibling pedal, the PastFX Echoflanger, which shares the same family of circuits.
Why does the PastFx Poly Chorus chirp or tick?
PastFx says that due to the limitations and complexity of the circuit, the Poly Chorus can exhibit chirps, LFO ticks and other sounds that may be interpreted as a fault, but which are the nature of the circuit itself. The original 1980s design behaves the same way, so these artifacts are characteristic rather than a defect.
Is the PastFx Poly Chorus a limited edition?
Guitar Pedal X reported in March 2026 that the Poly Chorus was one of three limited and rarified evolved classic editions PastFX released using vintage parts, alongside the Retiklon Super-Klone and the OG-1 Super/OverDrive. It uses rare Panasonic / Matsushita MN3007 BBD chips, which is part of why the run is limited.
How does it differ from the EHX Poly Chorus reissues?
PastFx is explicit that its pedal is based on the original 1980s EHX Poly Chorus circuit, not the reissues. Electro-Harmonix reissued the Poly Chorus twice starting in the 1990s, first as a stereo big box version and later as a smaller version, and those use a different circuit compared to the vintage units. The reissues also used a pseudo stereo reversed phase output, which the PastFx pedal does not have.
Sources (5)
- Poly Chorus, pastfx.com, 2026
- Echoflanger by PastFx, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-03-04
- Echoflanger, PastFx, 2026
- Stereo Chorus PX65, pastfx.com, 2026
