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Average Price: $99

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$201+

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Description

The Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus pedal is a classic gem from the '80s, recognized for its versatility and rich sound. Providing a silky, smooth chorus, this pedal can oscillate from the faintest whisper to a commanding roar. Renowned for creating a remarkable faux-Leslie tone at higher settings, this pedal is not just a chorus but also a master of vibrato and rotary effects. With a rich legacy, the SCH-1 has been the choice of iconic musicians like Clapton and Michael Landau. It's not just a pedal, it's a time machine that takes you back to the golden era of music.

Key Features:

  • Smooth and versatile chorus effect
  • Capable of producing a faux-Leslie tone at faster settings
  • Offers vibrato and rotary effects
  • Used by renowned musicians
  • Classic '80s production

Product specs

Brand Arion
Model SCH-1 Stereo Chorus
Finish Blue
Year 1980s
Made In Japan
Categories Chorus and Vibrato

FAQs

What kind of power supply does the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus require?

The Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus requires a 9V power supply and can also operate using a 9V battery, making it versatile for both pedalboard setups and standalone use.

Can the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus be used in a stereo setup?

Yes, the Arion SCH-1 is designed for stereo use, providing two output jacks that allow you to create a wide, immersive chorus effect when connected to two amplifiers.

How does the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus compare to other chorus pedals from the 1980s?

The Arion SCH-1 is known for its warm, lush sound and subtle modulation, often favored for its musicality and unique character compared to other chorus pedals from the 1980s.

Is the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus suitable for both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Arion SCH-1 can be used with both guitar and bass, providing a rich chorus effect that enhances the sound of either instrument without losing low-end clarity.

What are the main controls on the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus?

The Arion SCH-1 features three main controls: Rate, Depth, and Tone, allowing you to adjust the speed, intensity, and overall character of the chorus effect to suit your playing style.

dirtboxdotnet

dirtboxdotnet

Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Demo - DBTV

Video thumbnail for Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Demo - DBTV by dirtboxdotnet

Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Demo - DBTV

dirtboxdotnet

dirtboxdotnet

Video thumbnail for Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Effects Pedal Demo by TheToneShack

Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Effects Pedal Demo

TheToneShack

TheToneShack

Video thumbnail for The Landau Chorus | ARION SCH-1 | Great or Garbage? by Leon Todd

The Landau Chorus | ARION SCH-1 | Great or Garbage?

Leon Todd

Leon Todd

Video thumbnail for My review of the Arion SCH-1. Why this pedal rocks!!!! by DutchGuitarDude

My review of the Arion SCH-1. Why this pedal rocks!!!!

DutchGuitarDude

DutchGuitarDude

Video thumbnail for Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Grey Box | Sound Check 【魔法の箱研究所】 by 魔法の箱研究所 - Stompbox Review Channel -

Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Grey Box | Sound Check 【魔法の箱研究所】

魔法の箱研究所 - Stompbox Review Channel -

魔法の箱研究所 - Stompbox Review Channel -

Video thumbnail for Testing The Arion SCH 1 Stereo Chorus (and my favourite settings) by Julian Doe

Testing The Arion SCH 1 Stereo Chorus (and my favourite settings)

Julian Doe

Julian Doe

Reviews

PROS

  • Favored by famous musicians for its unique sound

  • Offers a variety of deep, lush chorus sounds

  • Capable of producing famous 80s chorus tones

  • Allows for subtle tone enhancements not found in most pedals

  • Can mimic faux Leslie sounds with ease

  • Features a useful tone control not common in chorus pedals

  • Warm, analog sound that references the 80s

  • Versatile, from slow spacious to fast Leslie-ish modulation

  • Modification options available for even more sound types

CONS

  • Unassuming plastic build may not inspire confidence in durability

  • Some may find the sound nontraditional at times

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus.

Features and functionality

  • Described as capable of producing both subtle and intense "evil carnival" chorus effects.

    Source
  • Noted for producing a convincing faux rotary sound, surpassing other modulation pedals.

    Source
  • The Tone knob is highlighted as unique, offering subtle sound variations that appeal to users who prefer less pronounced chorus effects.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Often imitated by boutique brands, yet considered superior to modern versions by some users.

    Source
  • Some SCH-1 models are nearly identical to RockTek versions, differing only in two resistor values.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Reported as not friendly with daisy chaining power supplies.

    Source
  • Noisy output jacks may indicate grounding issues, prompting some users to consider rehousing.

    Source

User experience

  • Praised for its unique sound profile that has garnered a cult following among enthusiasts.

    Source
  • Some owners refrain from replacing their SCH-1, even when considering upgrades, due to its reliable performance over decades.

    Source

Build quality

  • The plastic potentiometers and output jacks are commonly criticized; replacing them is noted as challenging but potentially improves reliability.

    Source
  • Despite being made of plastic, some units have survived over 30 years of use, indicating durability beyond initial expectations.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Rehousing with upgraded parts is possible but reportedly complex, especially changing plastic components.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Originally a budget purchase, the SCH-1's resale value has significantly increased, now selling for 150-170 euros, surprising long-term owners.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings

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stoney_point

The Best Chorus Pedal

This is the most amazing sounding vintage analog pedal out there. The tone can be compared to a thin lizzy kinda setting and can be a little nontraditional at times.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Keep the depth cranked to max!

mx1810

80's sound in a pedal

The Chorus. Its warm and analog sound is an 80's reference. It can even simulate a Leslie speaker, and the knobs allows you to get the delightful sound that you expect from a chorus pedal,

zeke_yee

Old Fashion Chorus

Got my modified by Goose, such that it has more chorus types, including the stock chorus, LOFI mode and different vibrato types.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Valentine uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

James Valentine

Guitarist

Maroon 5

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Rig Rundown for James Valentine, you can see his Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus Pedal

See how Scott Henderson uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Scott Henderson

Guitarist

Tribal Tech

...
Verified via Scotthenderson

Scott's long time favourite is this old chorus pedal, the gear page on his website lists it among his current gear.

See how Lindsay Ell uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Lindsay Ell

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In the "Rig Rundown: Lindsay Ell [2023]" interview conducted by John Bohlinger for Premier Guitar, Lindsay Ell confirms her use of the Arion Stereo Chorus.

See how Guthrie Trapp uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Guthrie Trapp

Guitarist

Guy's All Star Shoe Band

...
Verified via Photo

Guthrie Trapp uses the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus on his studio pedalboard, as shown in a photo from Xacttone.

See how Nick Steinborn uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Nick Steinborn

Guitarist, Drummer

The Wonder Years

...
Verified via Photo

An Arion Stereo Chorus is amongst the pedals in this Instagram shot

See how Stu G uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Stu G

Singer, Guitarist

Delirious?

...
Verified via Flickr

In this photo, which shows 2006 pedalboard of Stu G, one of the pedals that can be seen in the photo is the Arion SCH-1.

See how Sean Woolstenhulme uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Sean Woolstenhulme

Guitarist

The Calling

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, which comes from Woolstenhulme's basement studio, one of the pedals that can be seen on top of the rack is the Arion SCH-1 stereo chorus.

See how Kengo Matsumoto uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Kengo Matsumoto

Guitarist

The Novembers

...
Verified via Photo

Kengo Matsumoto of THE NOVEMBERS incorporates the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus into his main effects board, as detailed in a Facebook post by the band. Alongside other pedals like the Boss CS-3 and Phantom FX Ruins Fuzz, the Arion SCH-1 contributes to achieving a core synthesizer sound by mixing with reverb and a line selector, especially in performances of "Gift."

See how Leendert Haaksma uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Leendert Haaksma

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

@0.49 you can spot this pedal on his pedalboard

See how Redd Volkaert uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Redd Volkaert

Guitarist

The Strangers

...
Verified via Gear Patrol

In an interview with Gear Patrol, guitarist Redd Volkaert confirmed his use of the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus pedal, stating, “I was looking for a Leslie pedal. I tried a DigiTech and a bunch of different kinds, and this kid turned me on to this. He said, ‘Get one of these cheap ol’ shitty Arion chorus pedals, turn it up all the way. It sounds horrible, but in a band, when the band’s loud and playing, it sounds like you’ve got a Leslie on.’ So I got one of those at a pawn shop for forty bucks. Lid was busted and gone, so I duct-taped over it.” This information was provided by John Zientek in an article titled "Legendary Telecaster Slinger Redd Volkaert Shares His Favorite Live Gear."

See how Nathan Larson uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Nathan Larson

Guitarist

Shudder to Think

...
Verified via Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43927712@N00/9827898533/

This picture of Nathan's Pedaltrain jr. pedalboard circa 2013 features an Arion Stereo Chorus, a Boss Heavy Metal HM-2, a Boss Chromatic Tuner.

See how Joseph Johnson uses Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus

Joseph Johnson

Singer, Guitarist

Stoney Point

...
Verified via YouTube

In the fifth edition of Joseph Johnson's YouTube series "Noise Sessions," titled "Stoney Point - Noise Session 05" (4/4/2023), he showcases a nearly complete version of his touring pedal board, which prominently features the Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus, providing clear evidence of its use. This session, which was mastered and mixed by Joseph Johnson, is available on the Stoney Point YouTube channel.

Album Usage

The Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
skytimesfive

skytimesfive

Gear IQ 633

wirehead

wirehead

Gear IQ 568

7 alternative and related items for Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus, curated by the Equipboard community.

Arion SCH-Z Stereo Chorus

$69.00

Vintage or Discontinued newer similar sound

The SCH-Z is an updated, reissue verison of the SCH-1, featuring more of a volume boost when engaged.

JHS Emperor V2

$199.00 - $221.00

newer similar sound high-end alternative

A much more refined take on the Arion circuit, with an added expression feature designed to mimic the sweep of a Leslie.

Arion SCH-ZD Stereo Chorus
Vintage or Discontinued newer similar sound

A variant of the later SCH-Z, designed to avoid a volume increase when the effect is activated.

Vertex "Landau Mod" Arion Stereo Chorus

 

high-end alternative mod

A modded SCH-1 created for Micheal Landau. Designed to preserve many of the eccentricities of his original unit.

NUX Mini Core Ukiyo-E Chorus

$57.75 - $79.00

similar sound cheaper alternative

A mini chorus pedal that features a SCH-1 emulation.

Browne Amplification SSHAC Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus

$169.00 - $199.00

similar sound high-end alternative mod

An original analog Chorus design, described as a blend between the Arion SCH-1 and Boss CE-2.

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