FFS Chorus-EHX Small Clone

Guardians of the analog

Guardians of the analog

Papi Fuego
Build Rating
5.00 star(s)
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I'm back in my TWS era of gear. While I do love me some BOSS and MXR gear, those have always been the more middle of the road, conservative and somewhat safe (boring) circuits that drive in the slow lane. The EHX brand has always given you the pedestrian sounds as well as sounds that have some chest hair on them. The extreme is on display at both ends of the spectrum with their pedals. This was always my first love of pedals and why I started building years ago. So it's fitting to come back and fully realize the circuits I love and rediscover them with my current rig.

This project actually started 2 years ago. Chatting with @blackhatboojum, I asked why no one makes a vintage accurate small clone? Everyone does the depth pot, but I always felt that it was harder to dial in the classic sounds. EHX knew what they were doing with this two setting is on the switch that are perfectly voiced. So Clinton being a rad dude made me a board🙏.

Build wise it's laid out well, no noise issues and sounds fantastic. Chorus is probably my least favorite modulation but this is my favorite chorus pedal. Unlike most chorus that has a more mundane waveform, this is far more complex, brooding and fluid feeling. Great range on the speed knob that goes both slower and faster than the BOSS stuff. I also added the relay bypass board from @dan.schumaker.

Trash can series no film on raw enclosure with classy aluminum knob from @StompBoxParts. What started with the DMM and now this has turned into a full on EHX revival. More builds are in various states of completion. It feels good to be inspired again.
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Looking forward to what all is gonna be in this series. EHX modulation pedals have a unique sound too them. Almost a liquid and metallic type top end but just the right amount. They’re my favorite as well and are also the reason I got into even using pedals. Pretty soon after I was chasing each version of the deluxe memory man and mistress.
 
bluedmc777 said:
Looking forward to what all is gonna be in this series. EHX modulation pedals have a unique sound too them. Almost a liquid and metallic type top end but just the right amount. They’re my favorite as well and are also the reason I got into even using pedals. Pretty soon after I was chasing each version of the deluxe memory man and mistress.
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I agree, the ehx stuff from the 70s and early 80s was really great. It inspired a lot of the stuff the came later, the more refined circuits. It's the quirks that I really like about them, gives more character. Now, that's not to say that they all work for me, they are kind of like Taco Bell...while they do have some real dog shit, they occasionally achieve excellence within their field 😂
 
Guardians of the analog said:
I asked why no one makes a vintage accurate small clone? Everyone does the depth pot
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IKR. It’s seems like no one entertains the idea that you may want the option to do the depth switch. It seems simple to mod, but still.

When I was growing up, EHX was like the ‘cool’ alternative to Boss and DOD pedals. Everyone in my band had at least one ehx pedal on their board.

Super clean as always
 
bluedmc777 said:
I think bigger meant better! Let’s face it the old big boxes and graphics ARE attractive.
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while they may look cool, I don't have any desire for vintage units. The ones I have played in stores or owned by others are usually impractically big, have odd power requirements(wall plugs), are fragile, non true bypass and most of all, noisy AF. I can build it better. but they definitely look awesome.
 
Guardians of the analog said:
while they may look cool, I don't have any desire for vintage units. The ones I have played in stores or owned by others are usually impractically big, have odd power requirements(wall plugs), are fragile, non true bypass and most of all, noisy AF. I can build it better. but they definitely look awesome.
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I don’t own ANY of those pictured. That DEM was mine and I do have a big black box Russian, the last of the two old units I kept, but I agree. They were shit! I was introducing visuals to the thread.
 
Small Clone > CE-2. Something ab the 3007 (and the circuit around it) is just way better to me. Built a MBP Touchstone (with vibe/chorus mod) awhile back but gave it to my son for his bday (his choice) then built a Caesar to “replace” it since I had 3207 on hand and it just isn’t the Touchstone. I eyeball it every time my son has it out. Guess I too should build another. Glad TWS got his groove back
 
Diynot said:
Small Clone > CE-2. Something ab the 3007 (and the circuit around it) is just way better to me. Built a MBP Touchstone (with vibe/chorus mod) awhile back but gave it to my son for his bday (his choice) then built a Caesar to “replace” it since I had 3207 on hand and it just isn’t the Touchstone. I eyeball it every time my son has it out. Guess I too should build another. Glad TWS got his groove back
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When I plugged this in I was almost shocked at how good it sounds. I've built 2 other versions of this circuit, the old gpcb mini me and the touchstone but this one is truly in a league of its own. I'm wondering why I was using a ce-2 so long.
 
Diynot said:
Small Clone > CE-2. Something ab the 3007 (and the circuit around it) is just way better to me. Built a MBP Touchstone (with vibe/chorus mod) awhile back but gave it to my son for his bday (his choice) then built a Caesar to “replace” it since I had 3207 on hand and it just isn’t the Touchstone. I eyeball it every time my son has it out. Guess I too should build another. Glad TWS got his groove back
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It’s that liquid-y metallic sound I’m telling ya! I’ve always found the mids in the CE-2 to be either too much or in the wrong place too. Plus-I can replicate a CE-2 with an old CE-5 with the right settings. I couldn’t tell in an AB test. Guarantee I could pick any small stone or mistress out of an AB test.
 
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