Ibanez Bi-Mode-Chorus

Two oscillators, one slow and one faster, each have a rate and depth setting. That's it. Call me a philistine, but I have both rate knobs on minimum and both depth knobs on maximum.

There is in fact only ONE chorus effect circuit, but by driving it with two oscillators running at different speeds, Ibanez (it's a rebranded Maxon, really) have produced a pedal which reduces the annoying sweeping effect most pedal chorus units suffer from. Note that in order to produce a stereo effect, the second output is out-of-phase, so both outputs will carry a chorus effect, not just one channel. The disadvantage of this approach is, however, that in a mono mix, the two will cancel and the chorus effect disappears! So use the two outputs for live only.

Had it for years. Done horrible things to it. As robust as any pedal of this type.

never needed.

Why this concept has not been picked up on by other manufacturers I shall never know. The chorus in the Roland RS-09 keyboard (of similar vintage) used the same principle to fantastic effect, so you'd think Boss would bring out something along the same lines, but no.

Today, the only comparable non-sweeping chorus effect pedal I have is from the expensive Boss PS-5 harmonizer pedal in detune mode.

Also handy is the fact that this old 9-series Ibanez pedal (BC-9) has (nearly) the same footprint as the Boss pedals, meaning it fits in the Boss BCB-6 and BCB-60 pedal boards. And the jacks are high enough not to foul the sides of the pedal wells in the BCB-6 (unlike many new Boss pedals I could mention!)

The new(ish) Ibanez 7 series has several unconventional pedals in the range. I wish Ibanez had included a bi-mode chorus (as a BM7?). They didn't. Pity. Really a pity.

Easy

This pedal has been part of my unique sound for 20 years!! I use the width at about 1/2 and the speed at 1/4. The two stages give it an awesome shimmery sound, and a little treble boost, as well. I use this pedal as my clean boost- when I need my guitar to stand out of the mix a little bit. Definitely a sleeper....

Who needs a small clone or a boutique pedal?

20 years of absolute abuse and not a single problem. I have mistreated this thing so bad that the pot shafts are bent and it STILL works flawlessly!!! They don't make em like this anymore....

I wouldn't bother

Blues/SRV/R&B/Funk

20 years with 79 strat, Ibanez Tube King, and 72 twin

I would dig everywhere to find another one of these, worth its weight in gold

Clearly superior to any chorus I've ever heard for that shimmering ZZ Hill type sound or Cure sound, you name it, it nails it.

This pedal really sounds great. It is an analog type pedal with a really clean sound to it. 4 knobs all self explanitory...a piece of cake....

My setup for the test was a custom made Strat type guitar through the Bi-mode chorus and into a Fender Blackface Super Reverb amp. This has to be one of the best sounding chorus pedals that I had ever owned in my 30 years of playing guitar...When it comes to sound I get kinda anal when listening to pedals and this on rates right up there...

This pedal is almost 20 years old and functions perfectly so I would have to say that it is reliable

I wouldn't pay for boutique pedal when there are sleepers like this around. Of course it doen't have true by pass like some pricey boutique pedals but that isn't enough of a negative for me to fork out and extra 2 or 3 hundred dollars.

Four knobs. Easy to use, i got it used with no instruction. If you know how to use a chorus pedal or why it's made for, you'll have no problems with this one.

I play with a Strat mex. trough a 100 w. fender deluxe. My rack of effects is simple: reverb+distortion (fender), ibanez chorus, DOD flanger and dunlop crybaby. I personnaly like my chorus played speed 0 and detph 10 with a lot of reverb. The crybaby "funk style" is better with the chorus. If you planning to buy a chorus for the speed aspect of the effect, forget the ibanez bi chorus, but if you like the sound of Push intro by matchbox 20, this pedal is great.

Got it used from the bass player of my band.

The warm sound of a chorus is indispensable for someone who plays everything. It's amazing how you can get good old effects for less than 50$. I had the dod flange for 20$ too. I don't know if the ibanez bi chorus is a rare pedal of collection or a piece o'crap. (I haven't seen another but mine, it is an old pedal). It's sound good.

Four knobs: two width, two speed. I'm assuming Bimode is old-speak for stereo.

This is a really nice chorus. The setting are easy to dial up with only two knobs (go figure), and there's really no noise to speak of. Played through a Washburn-Fender(amp) set up it does the task. Also is nice on the eye. Lavender, glittery color and a seventies-ish appearance add to the aesthetic.

Solid metal. I could break diamonds with this thing.

I would NEVER need their help with this beauty.

I play jazz, funk, rock, and metal and this crosses over the barriers well. Though it can be a bit tinny, its a colorful aspect and doesn't hinder the overall sound's warmth. I wouldn't part with it.

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