Gearank High Notes
Gearank Recommendation
The Small Clone appeared on our recommended list for Chorus Pedals Under $100 from when we published the first edition in August 2017 until August 2021 when a price increase had made it ineligible for that price category.
Overview
Electro-Harmonix’s Small Clone is best known as one of Kurt Cobain’s go-to chorus pedals. The defining tone of the pedal is Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”, though don’t think of it as “The Nirvana” pedal.
Even with the controls being limited, the pedal is more versatile than most would initially assume.
The most important thing to know about this pedal is that the depth knob only has two-positions as opposed to the variable switches most pedals have.
So basically, you either have a lot of depth or a very subtle chorus.
Then, with the rate knob, you control the speed of the pitch modulation.
The cool thing about this is that it makes the effect really easy to dial in, and the positions available are all really usable.
It covers a lot of the same ground as other chorus pedals, but you won’t have to spend as much time dialing in your tone.
With its streamlined controls, this pedal is not for those who want to have more control over chorus effect parameters.
This pedal has a very warm, though slightly dark, tone. Unlike the original Small Clones, modern examples of the effect are true bypass.
If you’re looking for a straightforward plug-and-play chorus pedal then this may be a good fit for you.
Specifications
- Control: Depth, Rate
- Circuit: Analog
- Bypass: True Bypass
- Power: 9-Volt Adapter and Battery
- Dimensions: 5.19″ x 1.6″ x 3.37″
- Weight: 1 lb.