The Pro Tone Pedals Dawn Patrol Chorus is a chorus pedal developed with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and built to do one thing that many chorus pedals do not: hold the power across low end notes when the effect is engaged. Ellefson teamed up with Pro Tone Pedals to launch the pedal, and it is one of only three pedals he uses for his sound1.
A chorus designed around low end
The pedal came out of Ellefson's own requirements. "Dennis and the Pro-Tone team are technical wizards and developed the Dawn Patrol to my exact specifications," Ellefson said when the pedal was announced2. The stated goal was a chorus box that holds the power across low end notes when the effect is engaged, which is where many chorus designs thin out a bass signal1. For bass players, that makes it a chorus aimed at keeping weight under the effect rather than trading it away, and it sits naturally alongside other bass pedals.
Controls and Ellefson's settings
The Dawn Patrol keeps its control layout to the three knobs that matter for a chorus: Mix, Speed and Depth1. Ellefson's own recommended settings give a starting point:
- Set the mix at two
- Turn the speed knob back to 8 o'clock
- Turn the depth control slightly to the right of 12 o'clock
"Dennis and the Pro-Tone team are technical wizards and developed the Dawn Patrol to my exact specifications."
Power, bypass and build
At Ellefson's request, the Dawn Patrol Chorus is solely AC-powered. It operates on a standard 9-volt negative tip BOSS style adapter, which is not included, so battery power is not an option1.
The pedal uses True Hardwire Bypass with a grounded input for noise-free operation, and it is housed in a durable aluminum enclosure with a stomp switch built to withstand years of hard stomping shows. A super-bright LED makes it easy to identify onstage1.
Price and availability
When the pedal was announced in March 2017, it carried a limited introductory price of $189.99, with shipping beginning March 152. The resulting Dawn Patrol Chorus costs $209 as of the August 2017 launch coverage1.
Questions
Does the Pro Tone Dawn Patrol Chorus use a battery?
No. At David Ellefson's request, the Dawn Patrol Chorus is solely AC-powered. It runs on a standard 9-volt negative tip BOSS style adapter, which is not included with the pedal. Players who rely on battery power or a daisy-chained supply will need to plan for a dedicated adapter.
Is the Dawn Patrol Chorus true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses True Hardwire Bypass with a grounded input, which Pro Tone Pedals describes as delivering noise-free operation when the effect is switched out.
What settings does David Ellefson use on the Dawn Patrol Chorus?
Ellefson's recommended starting point is to set the mix at two, turn the speed knob back to 8 o'clock, and turn the depth control slightly to the right of 12 o'clock. He has said the pedal is one of only three pedals he uses for his sound.
Where is the Pro Tone Dawn Patrol Chorus made?
The Dawn Patrol Chorus is proudly built by hand in the USA by Pro Tone Pedals, the maker Ellefson teamed up with to develop the pedal to his exact specifications.
Does the Dawn Patrol Chorus work for bass?
It was developed with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, who wanted a chorus box that holds the power across low end notes when the effect is engaged. That design goal makes it aimed at players who want chorus without losing low-end weight.
Sources (2)
- Megadeth's David Ellefson and Pro Tone Launch Dawn Patrol Chorus Pedal, Guitar World, 2017-08-21
- Megadeth's David Ellefson Announces Dawn Patrol Chorus Pedal, Guitar World, 2017-03-06