The TC Electronic SCF, short for Stereo Chorus Flanger, is an analog modulation pedal that puts three effects in one box: chorus, pitch modulation in the vibrato style, and flanger. Made by TC Electronic, it was the Danish company's first product, released in 1976 and produced for around 40 years before it was discontinued12. It returned as the SCF Gold reissue, issued to celebrate the pedal's 45th anniversary3.
The pedal runs on a vintage-style bucket-brigade circuit, the analog delay-line technology behind most classic chorus and flanger pedals, and it includes an analog preamp that TC says gives extended headroom4. Delicious Audio describes it as still in use in pro studios and on countless professional pedalboards5.
What it does: chorus, pitch modulation and flanger
A three-position mode switch selects Chorus, Pitch Modulation or Flanger3. In chorus, the pedal thickens the guitar with a doubled, slightly detoured signal, and in flanger mode it produces the swept, jet-like sound of a short modulated delay fed back on itself. Pitch modulation is vibrato-style pitch wobble, and the Intensity control behaves differently there: Pedal of the Day's reviewer found that in Pitch Modulation mode it works as a blend control, mixing chorus and vibrato together6.
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the modes cover more ground than the labels suggest. The chorus can approximate a 12-string electric or trippy faux-rotary sounds; fast, intense vibrato with high input gain gets close to Magnatone amp vibrato and a Boss VB-2 style throb; and high flange speeds with modest width create gently pulsing waveforms with hints of phase, tremolo and delay11.
The stereo outputs are a core part of the design. Pedal of the Day notes that running in stereo, for example into two amps, is a key aspect of the pedal, and the split stereo outputs open up a wide spectrum of sonic options69.
The controls
The control set is small and shared across all three modes4:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the rate of the modulation4 |
| Width | Sets how wide the modulation sweep is4 |
| Intensity | Sets effect depth; in Flanger mode it controls the strength of the comb filter, almost like a feedback control; in Pitch Modulation mode it blends chorus and vibrato46 |
| Mode switch | Selects Chorus, Pitch Modulation or Flanger3 |
| Input Gain | Sets the right amount of gain for any instrument, feeding the analog preamp14 |
The input gain control is worth attention: because the preamp has extended headroom, dialing gain to match the instrument shapes how the modulation reacts, and Premier Guitar's reviewer used high input gain to push the vibrato toward amp-style throb111. On the Gold reissue, the original power/LFO LED was replaced by a larger light so the pedal's status is easier to read on stage1.
Power and connections
The original SCF used a hardwired transformer power supply rather than a standard 9V input1. The SCF Gold replaces that with a standard 9V DC power socket, center negative, drawing 150mA3104.
At 150mA the SCF Gold draws more current than most analog pedals, so it is a poor candidate for a small daisy chain and is better served by an isolated power supply output. There is no battery option; the original's hardwired transformer is gone in favor of the 9V socket34.
Connections are a standard input and standard outputs, left (mono) and right, for mono or stereo operation312. The enclosure measures 95 (w) x 124 (d) x 49mm (h)3.
History: reissuing the Stereo Chorus Flanger
The SCF arrived in 1976 as TC Electronic's first product and stayed in production for about 40 years, an unusually long run for any pedal1. Gearnews calls it one of the best modulation pedals, with an excellent and controllable sound, and notes the old version still cost a hefty €379 new in 20111. The original was eventually discontinued2.
The SCF Gold brought it back as a reissue with updates to TC's first pedal ever5. Beyond the new power socket and larger status light, Guitar World's review notes a new op-amp in the preamp stage3. The reissue carries the analog modulation of the original: Pedal of the Day found it replicates its predecessor's analog modulation effects closely, including the analog preamp TC has become known for9.
Versions and editions
| Version | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger | The original, released 1976, produced about 40 years, discontinued12 | €379 new in 20111 |
| SCF Gold | Reissue with 9V socket, larger status light and a new preamp op-amp31 | $149 (2026)3 |
| SCF Gold SE | Limited edition, same circuit, refinished gold enclosure, top-mounted jacks12 | $179 street (June 2022)12 |
The SCF Gold SE, announced in June 2022, is spec-wise the same as the standard reissue, differing only in its refinished gold enclosure and jacks mounted on the top of the enclosure to keep pedalboard wiring tidy12.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review of the SCF Gold concluded:
"A welcome return for a classic and very classy-sounding pedal, now with everything in place to slot into the modern pedalboard."
MusicRadar's 2022 roundup of favorite effects pedals called it an excellent modulation pedal whose wide range of lush tones could make it a go-to modulation station for many players2. Pedal of the Day's review of the original found it "can be subtle, powerful and awesome, all at the same time" and a great tool in multiple sonic settings6. The same site's review of the Gold praised its three modes and split stereo outputs9.
On the player side, Steve Lukather uses the SCF Gold on his pedalboard. In a 2023 MusicRadar rig rundown his tech Jon Gosnell said13:
"It works great with high gain and it's a big part of the show now"
Gosnell noted Lukather was not yet running it in stereo at that point, despite the pedal's stereo outputs13. John Petrucci has also referenced the SCF, describing his Dreamscape pedal as being like the SCF in having chorus and flanger7.
Videos
Sweetwater
That Pedal Show
TC Electronic
Questions
What changed between the original TC Electronic SCF and the SCF Gold?
The SCF Gold is a reissue of the original Stereo Chorus Flanger with updates. The hardwired transformer of the original was replaced by a standard 9V DC power socket, the power/LFO LED was replaced by a larger light that is easier to read, and the preamp stage uses a new op-amp. The analog modulation circuit and the three modes carry over from the original.
What is the TC Electronic SCF Gold SE?
The SCF Gold SE is a limited edition version of the SCF Gold reissue, announced in June 2022. It uses the same circuit as the standard SCF Gold but arrives in a refinished gold enclosure, with jacks mounted on the top of the enclosure to keep pedalboard wiring tidy. It was priced at $179 street when announced.
Is the TC Electronic SCF Gold analog?
Yes. The SCF Gold is an analog modulation pedal driven by a vintage-style bucket-brigade circuit, with an analog preamp for extended headroom. RockBoard lists its circuit type as hybrid, and reviewers describe it as replicating the analog modulation of the original SCF.
Is the TC Electronic SCF Gold true bypass?
No. Guitar World's review lists the SCF Gold with buffered bypass rather than true bypass. MusicRadar's chorus pedal buying guide gives the same specification. Players who want the effect out of the chain entirely will need a bypass loop or switching device.
Does Steve Lukather use the SCF Gold in stereo?
Not yet. In a 2023 MusicRadar rig rundown, his tech Jon Gosnell showed the SCF Gold on Steve Lukather's pedalboard but said he was not using it in stereo at that point, even though the pedal has stereo outputs. Gosnell said it works great with high gain and that Steve absolutely adores it.
Is the TC Electronic SCF Gold a reissue of the original?
Yes. The SCF Gold is a reissue of the TC Electronic Stereo Chorus Flanger, the company's first product, released in 1976 and produced for around 40 years before being discontinued. The Gold version was issued to celebrate the pedal's 45th anniversary, with a modern power socket and updated preamp.
Sources (13)
- TC Electronic SCF GOLD: A legendary stereo chorus/flanger pedal returns, gearnews.com, 2021-12-24
- Our 11 favourite effects pedals of 2022, MusicRadar, 2022-12-22
- TC Electronic SCF Gold review, Guitar World, 2022-05-11
- Stereo Chorus + Pitch Modulator & Flanger by TC Electronic, RockBoard (rockboard.de), 2026
- TC Electronic SCF Gold Stereo Chorus+, Delicious Audio, 2023-09-10
- TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2015-11-10
- Interview: Dream Theater's John Petrucci on his new TC Electronic Dreamscape pedal, MusicRadar, 2012-04-05
- TC Electronic SCF Gold Review: Stereo Chorus Flanger, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-13
- TC Electronic SCF Gold Stereo Chorus Flanger, Pedal of the Day, 2022-05-09
- SCF GOLD SE by TC Electronic, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- TC Electronic SCF Gold Review, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-25
- TC Electronic drops some bright 'n' shiny 45th anniversary bling for your pedalboard with the SCF GOLD SE, Guitar World, 2022-06-16
- See Steve Lukather's talented guitar tech Jon Gosnell demo his pedalboard, MusicRadar, 2023-09-06
Steve Lukather
John Petrucci
