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Electro-Harmonix
Small Clone 4600 Chorus Full-Chorus Pedal REVIEWER: Phil Para DISTRIBUTED BY: Lamberti Bros |
This month I tried out an Electro Harmonix - Small Clone 4600 full-chorus pedal. It's features are depth & rate controls with a led function indicator. This chorus device is a reissue of the analogue chorus pedal that the late Kurt Cobain popularised.
Playing my Fender Strat I ran the Small Clone firstly on it's own straight into a Marshall JMP Head and Quadbox and I was immediately impressed with the full lush chorus effect.
The depth switch has two functions, in the up position it allows for a more spatial chorus effect and tonal difference. Even at zero setting on the rate control there is still a nice chimey chorus, as you increase to about ten o'clock, the chorus effect, in my opinion, is enhanced to its best grade. At this point it is still very even and extremely lush. Up to this point I would be well pleased with it's sound qualities for my own live work. Past ten o'clock it starts to become warbly, at this rate point I could possibly use the effect perhaps at the end of a song and I understand that many players may consider it advantageous as an unusual effect during a piece of music. The warble effect then increases to such a dramatic point that I would personally find unusable.
In the down position it provides a more jangly style of chorus effect. At zero setting on the rate control it offers a spatial chorus sound and as the rate control is advanced, the jangly chorus effect remains whilst the speed of the frequency increases adding a pleasant vibrato effect. The taper of rate control is very responsive from zero to ten which allows a good control over the vibrato. I could also use this setting in my own live performances quite often.
I then used the effect with a variety of other pedals, mainly distortion and delay and in different positions in the chain; In each case the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone performed very well. Experimenting with placing this pedal in different positions in your effects chain may result in some truly interesting effects. I really enjoyed the analogue quality of the tone and therefore overall I rate it as a very versatile unit effects wise.
The adapter fitting is 9 volt 100ma tip-positive AC adapter with a 1/8" plug. The adapter for this fitting is not supplied with the unit and therefore your options are; to access one or use a 9 volt battery or have the fitting modified.
Although I am very pleased with the actual tonal qualities and efficiency of this effect, unfortunately I must point out that some things that did not meet my expectations.
There is a distinct 'click' when the unit is switched on and whilst it is engaged there is a slight hiss. Both of these points bothered me as did the absence of a more compliable adapter fitting.
OK, the housing is not military issue but it is of reasonable quality and the controls and jacks seem to be sturdy enough. The battery compartment is situated underneath the pedal and access is gained via a phillips head screw. If I owned this pedal I would remove the screw and gaffa the compartment lid for quicker access at live gigs where maintenance time needs to be limited. "The band will just take a short break while I change batteries...."
The points are not necessarily to be considered a drawback when you are weighing up whether to buy this unit or not. You will be purchasing a great effects unit sound wise and remember the more precise the external features are the pricier the unit must become.The Electro Harmonix Small Clone retails for $249 which I believe to be reasonable for an imported item. Lush is the catch phrase for a chorus pedal and this one does capture that essential quality as well as any other chorus effect
QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
BANG-F0R-YOUR-BUCK
OVERALL
