An Un-hyped Classic - The Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus

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  • Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025

Комментарии • 59

  • @BitcoinTakeover
    @BitcoinTakeover Год назад +4

    That "D-Time" knob is for the ladies 😂

  • @wesmitchem825
    @wesmitchem825 Год назад +2

    I love how deep that chorus goes I wish more pedals would get as extreme

  • @therewasascene
    @therewasascene Год назад +2

    Oh man! As you went through the features, I was thinking, “nice! all this needs is a mix knob…oh hai.”

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +2

      I've never seen one tucked away on the back like that, either. The thing's really a marvelous chorus.

  • @Pedenski
    @Pedenski Год назад +1

    Such a great channel, always entertaining, and you often showcase older, more interesting pedals which have maybe flown under the radar!!

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      Glad you like them! I instantly bonded with this pedal. Lots of gold still out there to find.

  • @Leychen
    @Leychen 8 месяцев назад +1

    Most of these Maxon pedals are extremely nice and kinda underrated.

  • @shadowcat4372
    @shadowcat4372 Год назад

    that patch cable neck chain is mind bogglingly dope

  • @dc9662
    @dc9662 Год назад +1

    HELLO MELINDA! Nice Simitar shirt, btw! Also, that CS-550 sounds so lush, and it seems pretty versatile - it's really tempting me to seek one out.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +2

      HELLO MELINDA! Thank you, I caught a FFF show in Woodstock, NY a few weeks back. Amazing time, had to get the shirt. As for the CS-550, it's definitely one of my favorites now, just an absolutely thick and flexible pedal. It's the chorus that I hear in my head when I think about a chorus sound.

    • @SneedyKetler
      @SneedyKetler Год назад

      @@StompboxBreakdown this episode is an instant classic, by the way!
      I clicked because of pedal necklace, and then spent ~15 minutes learning about another chorus I had zero interest in but now is near the top of my want list (!)
      I really feel I am not alone, either. The pedal is fantastic; boutique and budget mini pedal builders would do well to lift some of its circuit design!
      But this video is also an exemplar of what “Stompbox Breakdown” really means and why it’s the epitome of lessons on effects in general. Circuit board deep dives. Variances between the current model vs. where the effect was upon release, or at least an earlier model of. Whiteboard step-by-steps. The dry vs. inverted signal design was covered at the end; I’d honestly never considered what makes a stereo effects pedal sound unique in-person and why it’s not always easy to recreate the spectrum of the steep effect through sound on most models of cellphones.
      This channel’s content truly represents the epitome of pedal knowledge. You’ve truly captured something and the team should be proud of doin it and doin it well.
      And that pedal necklace? Yeah, I’m gonna my grandkids I met Flavor Flav someday. Best thumbnail clickbait ever.

  • @ChanceSGuitar
    @ChanceSGuitar Год назад +1

    Great video as always. Love the pedal necklace lol

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      Thank you!! It really makes things easier. Also, fashion.

  • @MeatyController
    @MeatyController Год назад +2

    The song that first put the Chorus effect in my face is called "Ven" by Spanish Rock artist Alejandra Guzman. The intro is up front with a chorused guitar, It began a lifelong fascination and appreciation for me!

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      Just gave it a listen, that is a SMOOTH track and every guitar on there hits with a different type of modulation. A chorus-lovers dream. Starts out sounding like something from the 80's, then seconds later I'm reminded of Sade.

  • @middleagedgearjunkie
    @middleagedgearjunkie Год назад

    I really like this series of pedals, the analog delay and Rotary phaser were also great.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +2

      Oh man, you're gonna cost me some money! I wanna try the rest of them now. Rotary Phaser?!?!

    • @muzaffermahoni6828
      @muzaffermahoni6828 Год назад

      Hey I'm looking for the actual pedal that the "leslie phaser" effect in guitar rig 6 was inspired by. The thing in this software is the most original phaser I've ever heard. could it be the original maxon rotary phaser?

    • @m.charron
      @m.charron Год назад

      ​@@StompboxBreakdownthe AD999 leaves the factory with actual fairy dust. Magical.

  • @JF-em6hr
    @JF-em6hr Год назад +1

    I'm going to look on my zoom multi-stomp and see if any of the choruses have a delay time control.

  • @PedalExperiments
    @PedalExperiments Год назад +1

    Sounds fantastic! I definitely like being able to dial-in vibrato sounds from my chorus pedals, though.
    Saying that, I prefer chorus before delay, but vibrato after delay...so maybe I should just shut up. 😂

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      I thought about adding in an extra trimpot on the inside to make it go fully wet, but decided to leave it stock just in case. Totally get you on the pedal order, too. Delayed pitch by itself can kinda fold back on itself and almost turn into a chorus of its own.

  • @fedir_sh
    @fedir_sh Год назад

    I like Maxon very much. I have two they pedals - D&S and D&S II. They are... not new, so to say ))) Both are from the end of 1970-s. Simple, but really cool stuff, sound great.

  • @michaelshearer3559
    @michaelshearer3559 Год назад

    Love this 3rd knob! Great pedal. Just picked up Voodoo Labs Analog Chorus and one of the best sounds IMO.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      Voodoo Lab can do no wrong. I’ve been keeping an eye out for one of those

  • @PuttinOnTheRiffs
    @PuttinOnTheRiffs Год назад +1

    I own a CE-1 and have A/B’d it against the CE-2 Waza and it’s identical. The vibrato setting is identical even in rate at it’s slowest which is still pretty fast for a slow vibrato setting. Just in case you ever felt you needed to try a ce-1, it’s virtually the same

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      That's really interesting, thanks for that. They pop up for sale from time to time, and I've been tempted, but this helps. Is there anything the CE-2w can't do?!

    • @PuttinOnTheRiffs
      @PuttinOnTheRiffs Год назад

      @@StompboxBreakdown dude I was really surprised too! The PastFX ce-1 clone sounds perfect too if you ever wanna try a clone. Seriously. It’s such a fantastic pedal. Definitely a top choice in the waza line

  • @renzosound
    @renzosound Год назад +1

    I'm a serious fan of the delay time control, my first chorus was the Ibanez CS5

  • @mauricemusician7636
    @mauricemusician7636 Год назад +1

    The Maxon BC-9 Bi-Mode chorus is my favorite multi-chorus.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      Ooh, I gotta get me one of those

    • @mauricemusician7636
      @mauricemusician7636 Год назад

      @@StompboxBreakdown it's so simple, yet unique

    • @arthurpiccio7906
      @arthurpiccio7906 11 месяцев назад

      It's the Freak On a Leash chorus. Or it might have been the Ibanez version. Been trying to find one locally forever.

  • @michaelfowler3187
    @michaelfowler3187 Год назад

    Very cool! The older Catalinbread callisto features a density (manual) control and ability to go full wet or full dry on the mix. 3007, nice headroom and runs quiet.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      Ooh, they’ve got the 3007s in them? Gotta check that out

    • @michaelfowler3187
      @michaelfowler3187 Год назад

      Happy to send you mine if you want just let me know best way to get in touch. Happy chorusing!

  • @backlom
    @backlom Год назад +1

    It might be able to go full vibrato: plug two cables in the outs and one might be wet (vibrato) and the other, dry. Great vid!! Edit- just caught up to the part of the vid you broke it down. Never mind. Lol

    • @PedalExperiments
      @PedalExperiments Год назад

      I was going to comment this as well, then figured I should probably wait until the end to make sure Jeff didn't cover this possibility...which of course he did. 😄

  • @JimBoom92
    @JimBoom92 Год назад +1

    nice video and also nice playing. it was a joy to watch. man i miss my ehx stereo poly chorus. do know any good replacement for that maybe?

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. That's one that's been on my list for a while, had a chance to buy one from a local music store but it was DOA and I wasn't sure I'd be able to repair it. Kinda wish I grabbed it in hindsight. No idea on what comes close, sadly.

  • @CompletelyDifferentToBefore
    @CompletelyDifferentToBefore Год назад

    I only just got one myself, did you try summing the L & R? I'll have to recheck but I thought that because it was 90 degree out of phase, and not 180, they didn't cancel out the signal.
    Also you didn't seem to have any issues strumming with humbuckers(?) whereas I have to watch the headroom on mine especially on the low strings, but it's worth it for the lush compandiness.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      They A+B effects definitely cancel out when summed, and the effect is strongest when panned part left or right. It’s the same way on a bunch of chorus pedals I’ve used. Generally not a problem unless you’re micing both channels, and usually when recording guitar, time-based effects go on afterwards.
      No trouble with clipping on this with strumming, and that’s a pretty hot SD humbucker up there in the neck. Maybe the compander working its magic?

  • @TheBenb1999
    @TheBenb1999 Год назад

    Crazy I noticed this but did you flip the neck pickup in your Jetstream? I have a Reverend with the same pickups and am curious about what effect that would have.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      An astute observation!! It *could* have an effect of picking up different types of harmonics, assuming that the screw coil and the slug coil (we have such lovely terms) have slightly different properties, then you might be picking up on slightly different harmonics and overtones across the string. It could very well be the difference in looking at a cloud from two different perspectives five feet apart on the ground, too. It's an easy enough experiment to conduct, and on the Jetstream (if you've got something with a pickguard like that) it's less than ten minutes to unscrew/flip/re-mount.
      More detail than you may want: I got this guitar used from Guitar Center for $629 and it's probably my favorite guitar ever. I could gush about their value and features and quality forever, but you have one so you know already. That said, it came with a Duncan Distortion in the bridge and one of the Railhammer pickups in the neck when I got it, so I don't know what the stock pickup configuration sounds like. I suspect the neck pickup was seldom used by the previous owner because going between them was pretty badly imbalanced, tone and volume-wise.
      I replaced the neck with a Seymour Duncan Jazz and the bridge with an SH-4 and that's what you hear in this video. That combo kicks butt on this guitar, highly recommend it but I juuuust this weekend replaced both with a set of Gemini Mercury One Dualbuckers. What made me try them out was that they have a coil-tapping option that doesn't dramatically cut output volume. It doesn't turn a dual-humbucker guitar into a Strat, but it does give a slightly more focused option for those cleaner leads. So far, so good!
      Hope that answered your question without boring you to death.

    • @TheBenb1999
      @TheBenb1999 Год назад

      Thanks for the reply. IMO the stock Reverend HA5 humbuckers are somewhat unbalanced too so I could see how the previous owner would have experimented. I have not changed mine but they stick out to me as the oddball item on my guitar. I like the neck, it is the bridge humbucker that leaves something on the table.

  • @Legitimatenobody
    @Legitimatenobody Год назад

    There are alot of talks about it being the same as the CS9Pro, is this true?

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад

      The Maxon website says its “essentially” the same audio circuit

    • @Legitimatenobody
      @Legitimatenobody Год назад

      @@StompboxBreakdown
      I saw the comparison video from Godlyke distributing a few years back. When they mentioned the bigger chassis of the cs550 could "potentially" influence the sound, i thought i could hear a small insignificant change. But i didnt hear it before so maybe i just convinced myself it was different. Ah well, i just sold my CS9PRO. Now i want it back thanks to your video, thanks a bunch for your content man! I binged 40+ of your videos in the last 9 days.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      I think there's always going to be differences between pedals based on any number of seemingly-inconsequential differences. I've seen a few times where the markings on the outside of a knob and the knurling on the inside doesn't allow for it to be truly "centered", and I think about that when I see two pedals "set exactly the same". Unfortunately, I can't comment one way or the other, the CS-550 is the only one I have, but if I wanted it on my pedalboard, I'd probably grab the CS9Pro... the underside of the 550 is foam and hard to stick dual lock to.
      Thanks for being a new fan! I hope you enjoy the videos, and I hope you see an improvement over time, too!

    • @Legitimatenobody
      @Legitimatenobody Год назад

      @@StompboxBreakdown Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. Plus the fact you actually take the time to give a well-thought of anwnser.
      I am addicted to your pedal videos. I also got my brother hooked who once build a fuzz pedal and is really taken by your component and chip knowledge.
      I am spreading the word man, your channel is something brand new and should recieve the acknowledgement it deserves.
      One more thing to point out to you and then i will shut up, hehe. I just simply love your awkward humor/jokes in the videos. It'd not over the top, it's not forced but simply compliments your videos.
      As you normally tell us, i am sure i will see you, on the next one👌😁

  • @deanallen927
    @deanallen927 Год назад

    I could hear the stereo mod just fine. It just sounded less out of tune, but totally there, in my opinion a little nicer. Same thing with the Digitech dual chorus/delay you checked out the other day.

    • @StompboxBreakdown
      @StompboxBreakdown  Год назад +1

      Nice! What are you listening on?

    • @deanallen927
      @deanallen927 Год назад

      Just a cheap laptop with cheap Logitech speakers & sub. I have a little Focusrite scarlet 4i4 hooked up, but I don't think that means anything. The only thing that disappears is the out of tune wobble that many seem to like in a chorus.@@StompboxBreakdown

  • @aandhimilne1626
    @aandhimilne1626 Год назад

    Hands up who went straight from this to a pedals selling platform to track prices?
    😂

  • @FieryBiscuits
    @FieryBiscuits Год назад

    What a lovely cat you have! I have a black cat too