Chorus and Jazz Guitar

**Hammerbox** · 03-19-2010, 12:07 AM

Hey guys! I usually don't play with too many effects but today I was running through some tunes with a bassist and on impulse I decided to turn on some heavy chorus and played with it for the rest of the day. I know opinions vary about the use of effects and such, so I wanted to know what your opinions might be. I plan using it in a quartet setting; drums, bass, and alto if the ensemble type is a matter of concern. Basically I just want to know to what point is it acceptable.

P.S. I'm sorry if I don't get back on this thread for a while, as a senior in high school transitioning into college my life is hectic with auditions and such things

**bkdavidson** · 03-19-2010, 12:16 AM

Check out Mike Stern's current band for the exact set-up you're talking about, although his chorus tone is slightly subdued. Also, John Scofield is famed for using pretty heavy chorus; he tones it down a bit for his stuff with Medeski, Martin, and Wood, however, which is all I've heard from him. Honestly, if you like the way it sounds, go for it. I rather enjoy a good chorus on a jazz guitar tone, but at the same time I don't think I'd ever use one. Hope that helps and/or makes sense. Good luck with the auditions.

**randyc** · 03-19-2010, 12:18 AM

Used sparingly, I think that the effect can add interest. (I'm not a Metheny fan and the excessive use of the chorus influenced that opinion.)

I'd probably be more enthusiastic if you were discussing a trio environment.

cheers -

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 03-19-2010, 12:35 AM

Is it the 80's again?

**hot ford coupe** · 03-19-2010, 01:28 AM

For the stuff I normally play, effects are just not called for. Most of what I do sits between 1930 and 1949.

**Tom Karol** · 03-19-2010, 08:58 AM

I find effects like chorus useful in my duo (with a keyboard player) where you need to fill up a lot of sonic space. In larger groups, I rarely use effects - just a touch of reverb or delay.

**Hammerbox** · 03-19-2010, 09:05 AM

I see what you guys are saying about filling up sonic space. Maybe that was the reason I liked using it so much, it was just me and a bass player. I'll keep all these responses in mind. Does anyone know a good, desirable chorus pedal? Just something I can take note of.

**fep** · 03-19-2010, 09:10 AM

I think a little bit makes the guitar sound bigger and the tone richer.

Too much makes the guitar sound out of tune.

Maybe a bit off topic but, speaking of sonic space, I can't think of anything that eats up sonic space like distortion. Distorted guitars are huge hogs of sonic space.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-19-2010, 09:11 AM

i've used chorus, but pretty rarely.

i have an ibanez CS-9. built well, inexpensive, and a subtle chorus sound--which is good...too much chorus equals cheese...

philip catherine's "art of the duo" record with niels pedersen has some use of chorus in a duo with a bass player that's done rather well, IMHO. seek it out.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 03-19-2010, 09:30 AM

I use the Tele forum as an "on the other hand" view to this forum. There, a "clean" country sound with few effects added might be a boost pedal + overdrive + compressor + delay + tremolo.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-19-2010, 09:47 AM

yeah, some of those purists over there really like the little boxes!

**cosmic gumbo** · 03-19-2010, 01:45 PM

I prefer the older, warm, analog pedals with just 2 controls for rate & depth. I don't use chorus often, but I find them very versatile for a number of aps. Good for adding a little sparkle to your tone, or I can dial in a spacey rhodes/vibes type of sound. I can get a good tremelo/vibrato sound that's good for surf or twangy style stuff. With distortion, it can even give me a subtle flange effect. Last but not least, I use it to create a funky Hammond organ sound that is great for comping to groove jazz type of stuff. All from one little magic pedal.

**bkdavidson** · 03-19-2010, 02:13 PM

Hammerbox, I'd go with Mr. B's and Cosmic Gumbo's suggestions of a more subtle, warmer, analog chorus. I hear great things about the Ibanez chorus that Mr. B mentioned. If you've got the money, you can always try to find one of the old original Boss Chorus pedals, as well.

**msr13** · 03-19-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Hammerbox

I see what you guys are saying about filling up sonic space. Maybe that was the reason I liked using it so much, it was just me and a bass player. I'll keep all these responses in mind. Does anyone know a good, desirable chorus pedal? Just something I can take note of.

As for recommendations, I love the Analogman Chorus. It sounds wonderful, but it is pricey. He makes a Mini Chorus, which is also great sounding, but not very flexible. On the more cost effective end, Digitech's Hardwire Chorus is great, as is the yellow MXR chorus. Both can be had for less than $100 used. The Hardwire is digital and the MXR is analog (I think), so they will sound different. The older Boss chorus pedal also sound great. Not too into the newer ones. I didn't like the Electro-Harmonix chorus options, but I think I am in the minority, there. As with guitars and amps, I think you have to try out a bunch of them and see what you like.

**funkmp** · 03-19-2010, 08:26 PM

I recently got myself a Line 6 M3 Stomp Box Modeler. Emulates lots of different FX. Some really tasty warm chorus-pedals in there to choose from (Boss CE-1, Roland Dimension D!, MXR Phase 90) and it is "true bypass" so it won't affect your sound when you switch it off (a must have!). Also echoes and reverbs and can do some overdrive/distortion if you must.
I used to buy smaller pedals (remember the TS808?), got tired of them. Had a 19 inch multi-effex. This one is compact enough to carry, less cables and no fading batteries. Bit of an investment though.

**Hammerbox** · 03-21-2010, 12:37 AM

I'll definitely look into some of these pedals. Right now I'm just tinkering with the chorus on my Roland 80x. It isn't bad but I would like a little bit more control over the sound. And I definitely agree with Mr. B's comment about cheese. I find it odd that I like chorus when I'm playing with certain groups but hate the sound when I'm playing by myself.

**itsall4you** · 03-21-2010, 03:11 AM

If you're looking to fill space.

Try using delay over a 2nd amp. (You can also add chorus to this signal as well)
With a separate amp going dry.

This gives a clear sound without the muddiness that you would expect with a chorus. (Because they are real sounds)

Good thing about this is - the second amp doesn't have to be very good or very loud. At reasonably small to medium venues a practice amp would do just fine for the wet signal.

**Hammerbox** · 04-01-2010, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by itsall4you

If you're looking to fill space.

Try using delay over a 2nd amp. (You can also add chorus to this signal as well)
With a separate amp going dry.

This gives a clear sound without the muddiness that you would expect with a chorus. (Because they are real sounds)

Good thing about this is - the second amp doesn't have to be very good or very loud. At reasonably small to medium venues a practice amp would do just fine for the wet signal.

That seems like a really good idea. That way the chorus is present but doesn't overbear the sound or cause it to lose clarity. Thanks for the advice

**woyvel** · 04-01-2010, 09:17 PM

You might want to try a chorus modeling stompbox. DigiTech, Line 6 and Boss each have one. The DigiTech is the least costly and may have the most models of the three. Now, I said to TRY IT OUT, not necessarily buy it. You can find the model of the one you thinks fits you and go from there. Hit a couple stores and have some fun.