The TWA Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus is a compact chorus pedal from Totally Wycked Audio, part of the Fly Boys line of mini pedals. The line is housed in a "sturdy but lightweight aluminum enclosure", and the small size is pitched at players who need to save pedalboard space and travel to gigs1. The model has been discontinued: the Godlyke product page now carries the notice "SORRY, THIS MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED"2.
What it does
The FB-04 is an analog chorus. TWA's product page describes "warm, shimmering pulses" and says the pedal "offers up analog chorusing at its finest"2. As a chorus, it doubles your signal with a modulated copy and blends the two, which is what the Level control manages: TWA describes it as adjusting "the blend between Dry and modulated voices"2.
The controls: Rate, Depth and Level
The FB-04 keeps things to three knobs, and each has a clear job3:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Sets the speed of the modulated effect, from a slow and gentle wave to a high-speed pulse1 |
| Depth | Adjusts the intensity of the chorus, from a slight overtone to a lush, watery shimmer1 |
| Level | Sets how much modulation is mixed with your dry signal1 |
TWA's own take on the Depth control is that it "adds spacious modulation without making you feel seasick"2. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, noted that the knobs are oversized for easy foot manipulation, and summed up the range this way:
"At slow speeds, this crystal clear-sounding modulator gives off just a hint of sparkle, while it can totally transform your entire tone and setup when maxed out."
On the board and with other pedals
The whole Fly Boys line is housed in what Pedal of the Day calls a "sturdy but lightweight aluminum enclosure"1, and the small footprint is aimed at players squeezing effects onto a crowded board. The reviewer found that the small size makes "traveling to gigs and saving pedalboard space" easy1.
For pairing, TWA says the FB-04 "stacks well with Distortion and Delay effects for additional tonal variety"2, which puts it alongside the usual placements on a board: before or after a drive pedal, or feeding a delay. Pedal of the Day's verdict agreed, calling it "a great way to add some depth and further shape your tone, and pairs really well with other pedals, especially a good overdrive"1.
The FB-04 is discontinued, so it will not appear in current dealer stock as a new item. If you are comparing compact analog choruses that are still in production, the chorus pedals page covers the wider field, and TWA's related SC-04 from the Space Cadette line is a separate model.
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Questions
Is the TWA Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus analog?
Yes. TWA's product page describes the FB-04 as offering analog chorusing, and the pedal is an analog chorus in the Fly Boys mini pedal line. It is a compact unit with Rate, Depth and Level controls rather than presets or digital features.
Has the TWA Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus been discontinued?
Yes. The Godlyke Distributing product page for the FB-04 Chorus carries a notice that the model has been discontinued, so it is no longer in current production. Used units and remaining stock are the routes to finding one.
What does the Level knob do on the TWA Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus?
Level adjusts the blend between the dry signal and the modulated (chorused) signal. In practice it sets how much of the chorus effect is mixed into your sound, from a subtle thickening to a prominent shimmer.
Who makes the Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus?
The FB-04 Chorus is made by Totally Wycked Audio, usually shortened to TWA. The Fly Boys line was distributed in the United States by Godlyke Distributing.
Does the Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus work with distortion and delay pedals?
TWA says the FB-04 stacks well with distortion and delay effects for additional tonal variety. Pedal of the Day's reviewer likewise found it pairs really well with other pedals, especially a good overdrive.
Sources (3)
- TWA Fly Boys FB-04 Chorus, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-13
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Godlyke Introduces TWA Fly Boys Mini Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2013-11-14
