The PastFX Stereo Chorus PX65 is an analog stereo chorus pedal that recreates the DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus, a circuit PastFX describes as "a faithful reincarnation of the beloved DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus"1. Where the original had three knobs, the PX65 keeps that core sound and expands it: wider control ranges, added Level and Blend knobs, a Dave/Andy phase switch, a Regen feedback button and a Vibrato mode. It runs on the classic Panasonic bucket brigade chipset, the MN3101 clock and MN3007 BBD1.
The pedal is currently on hiatus. In Guitar Pedal X's November 2024 survey of PastFX's modulation range, Stefan Karlsson listed the Stereo Chorus PX65 at $210 among the maker's pedals that were no longer active, so finding one new is difficult2.
From the DOD FX65
The original DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus was an analog stereo chorus pedal with Speed, Delay Time and Depth controls, and dual output jacks for stereo use3. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described the PX65 as "an evolution of the DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus," noting that Australian PastFX "makes it quite clear that it's in the business of recreating/improving existing effect circuits"4.
A detail of the original that shaped the remake: the DOD FX65 and the FX62 bass model were usually populated on the same FX65 PCB, so the circuit PastFX started from carries that shared heritage1. The FX65 is also rumoured, on PastFX's own page, to have been used by John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik album era, a rumor the maker presents as such rather than fact1.
The controls
The three original knobs remain, but each with a wider range than the DOD pedal, and PastFX added four new elements on top14.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets modulation rate; increased range allows significantly slower and faster speeds than stock1 |
| Delay Time | Sets the delay length; reaches shorter and longer times than all DOD FX65 and FX62 models1 |
| Depth | Sets modulation intensity; can access more extreme "seasick" settings1 |
| Level | New; solves a unity gain issue. Fully counterclockwise gives the stock core level, and it can boost the signal in Vibrato mode1 |
| Blend | New; limits how much wet, modulated signal combines with the dry signal. Fully clockwise gives the stock circuit1 |
| Dave / Andy switch | Dave Mode is the default DOD FX65 setting; Andy Mode puts the stereo outputs out of phase1 |
| Regen button | New push button; introduces a small amount of feedback, similar to a flanger circuit, adjustable via an internal trimpot. Only active in Andy Mode1 |
A red LFO LED indicator gives a visual display of the modulation speed, so you can see the rate at a glance1.
Dave and Andy modes
The Dave / Andy switch is the pedal's most distinctive feature. Dave Mode, named after Dave Simpson, is simply the default DOD FX65 setting: the stock chorus sound1. Andy Mode, named after YouTuber guitarist Andy Martin, puts the two stereo outputs out of phase, which Delicious Audio describes as opening up "phase inverted Faux TZF Andy tones" without having to swap cables between the mono and stereo output jacks14.
With Speed set very slow and Delay Time between 0 and 25 percent, Andy Mode produces faux "Through-Zero Flanging" tones, an effect normally associated with flangers rather than choruses1. Adding the Regen button in Andy Mode feeds a small amount of the signal back through the circuit, the way a flanger does, for a more intense version of that sound; the feedback level is set by an internal trimpot1.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reviewed the PX65 as part of a wider survey of PastFX's modulation pedals in November 2024, comparing it against the maker's other choruses2:
"This one is a little more full-on then the elegant Chorus Ensemble Mini - but still sounds fantastic - and overall has a little more versatility."2
Stefan Karlsson, Guitar Pedal X, 20242
In that same survey he listed the pedal at $210 and noted it was among the PastFX pedals no longer in active production2. Within PastFX's chorus lineup, the PX65 sits alongside the Chorus Ensemble Deluxe, the Chorus Ensemble MN3007, the Chorus Ensemble Mini, the Chorus Ensemble MN3007 Mini and the Kurt's Cologne, with Karlsson finding the PX65 the more full-on but more versatile of the bunch next to the Mini2.
Power and setup notes
The PX65 runs on a standard 9V DC center negative "Boss style" power supply jack, with a maximum of 12V DC, and draws approximately 10mA1. It is true bypass, so with the effect off the signal passes through untouched1.
Videos
HarryAndAGuitar
Cici Von Strangelove
Dave Simpson
Questions
What is the PastFX PX65 based on?
It is a faithful reincarnation of the DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus, an analog stereo chorus pedal with Speed, Delay Time and Depth controls. PastFX rebuilt the circuit around the Panasonic MN3101 clock and MN3007 bucket brigade chipset, then expanded the control ranges and added new features.
What is the difference between Dave and Andy mode?
Dave Mode, named after Dave Simpson, is the default DOD FX65 setting. Andy Mode, named after YouTuber guitarist Andy Martin, puts the two stereo outputs out of phase, which allows faux through-zero flanging tones with Speed very slow and Delay Time between 0 and 25 percent, without swapping cables.
Is the PastFX Stereo Chorus PX65 true bypass?
Yes. PastFX lists the pedal as true bypass with stereo outputs, so the effect is fully removed from the signal chain when the pedal is off.
Does the PastFX PX65 have stereo outputs?
Yes. The pedal has stereo outputs, like the original DOD FX65's dual output jacks. In Andy Mode the two outputs run out of phase for phase-inverted tones.
Is the PastFX Stereo Chorus PX65 still made?
No. As of Guitar Pedal X's November 2024 survey of PastFX's modulation range, the Stereo Chorus PX65 was listed among the maker's discontinued or on-hiatus pedals, priced at $210, and it is currently not readily available new.
Did John Frusciante use a DOD FX65?
It is rumoured. PastFX's own product page says the DOD FX65 is rumoured to have been used by John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik album era, but it is presented as a rumour rather than a confirmed fact.
Sources (4)
- Stereo Chorus PX65, pastfx.com, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-11-14
- FX65 Stereo Chorus by DOD, RockBoard (rockboard.de), 2026
- PastFX Stereo Chorus PX65, Delicious Audio, 2022-10-24
