Electro-Harmonix Vintage Polychorus Pedal

This is a great analog multi-effect (sort of) pedal! All effects are delay based, you have Filter Matrix (which is sort of a "frozen" flanger, you can manually move it or set it on a fxed position), Flanger (a bit mild, not as pronounced as the usual suspects), Chorus (which goes from subtle to too-much-with-a-bit-of-delay) and Double Track (which is basically a short delay). It might be a bit of work to find a regular chorus sound, if that's what you're after, but it it possible. I like to use it (in Chorus mode) with both Rate and Range set at 9'o'clock, Delay and Feedback off. And the noise possibilities on this pedal are awesome. In any of the 4 modes you can go into self-oscillation by turning the feedback knob all the way up, and get weird noises by moving the other parameters around after that.

I'm going to start by saying, this won't be a quick review, but it will be the most accurate as far as the differences between the different versions of this pedal. Over the years, I've seen more confusion, and misinformation on this pedal, than just about any other piece of gear I've read about before. I've owned all three versions of the EHX polychorus, and I feel like I should point out that the unit in the photo here is not the vintage model. It's the big box reissue. Before reviewing the vintage model, I feel that I should point out that the vintage and reissue models, although very similar in appearance, are two completely different circuits, use different BBD's, and sound very different from each other. The easiest ways to tell the difference between vintage and reissue are that the reissue is stereo, and features an "overload" LED. The vintage model uses two SAD1024A BBD IC's, and the reissue, MN3008 and MN3009 BBD's. Also, the Echoflanger (1977-1979), Polyflange (1979-1980), and vintage Polychorus (1981-closing of EHX) are all exactly the same circuit, marketed with different names. The vintage unit features a "blend" switch rather than the "sweep filter" on the reissue. The blend switch turns off the dry portion of the signal when in the off position, for vibrato effects, but with a very slight, but noticeable reduction in volume. The "sweep filter" on the reissue sort of tames the width of the sweep, which can get very extreme, especially at longer delay times. As I mentioned before, I have owned all three versions of this pedal, but now only have my original vintage model. Double track mode features a nice short analog slapback delay, that breaks apart in typical analog fashion at higher feedback settings. Don't expect this to replace your delay pedal, even at max delay time, it's probably not much more than 100ms or so. Chorus sounds from this pedal are incredible. Very warm and organic, just how analog should be. Lots of tweakability given that many other chorus pedals don't have controls to adjust delay time, or add in any regeneration. The the width and delay controls are interactive with each other, and can make for a sweep much wider than most traditional chorus and flanger pedals. Flange mode can do anything from subtle to full on jet plane swoosh. The filter matrix mode can be useful for sweeping your frequency around manually and finding a sweet spot to cut through a mix, or at certain settings, coaxing some banjo-esque tones of out your favorite electric guitar. The reissue, while also BBD based, just wasn't as warm and natural sounding as the original to my ears. However, its maximum delay times are a bit longer than the vintage unit, and because of that, when modulated, the ups and downs of the sweep can be VERY extreme, reaching probably a good 4 to 5 steps above and below the original note played. If you're looking for some never before heard, weird avant-garde noise rock worthy sounds, the reissue might be the way to go for you. Oh, that actually reminds me, everyone trying to replicate the Radio Friendly Unit Shifter sound from Nirvana, you're going to want the vintage model (this is where that blend switch shines). While the reissue can make lots of crazy sounds, it can't make that one without the original note droning out over the modulated sound that you hear on the album.

Had this taped to a guitar body, then gigged hard on the floor for a few years. Very strong construction.

You need to really spend time with this pedal to find the sweet spots. Might be Kurt Cobain's secret weapon, but I've moved it off of my board in favor of others pedals. I still use it in the recording process on occasion.

With the ability to be both a chorus and a flanger, I made great use of this over the years.

This pedal has become my security blanket. Playing a solo? Flange with wide berth at a ridiculous rate. Rhythm chords? Double Track, with zero feedback. End of the show? Crank every knob to 11 and watch your audience members run out with their ears in their hands. Or set it to Filter Matrix and let it rip through the mix like a saber made of light. "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... But your kids are gonna love it." -Marty McFly

this is a great great great chorus pedal... creating a strange sound i never heard before...

Only wish mine was a true original vintage polychorus.