MXR Bass Chorus DeluxeFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want chorus and flanger in one analog pedal to save board space
  • You need modulation that won't muddy your low end in a mix
  • You prefer a more subtle, practical effect over an aggressive chorus

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want a strong, obvious chorus effect without much tweaking
  • You need true stereo output without extra adapters
  • You want a classic Boss-style chorus character

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe
Effective crossover preserves low endStrong built-in flangerAnalog circuitry appreciatedPreference for Boss CEB-3 tone by someWeak or unconvincing stereo modeEffect too subtle for some
MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe
Effective crossover preserves low end
Strong built-in flanger
Analog circuitry appreciated
Preference for Boss CEB-3 tone by some
Weak or unconvincing stereo mode
Effect too subtle for some

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The crossover control is the pedal's defining strength for bass players. Multiple users highlight that the crossover keeps low frequencies unaffected while modulation happens above it, preventing the muddy or thinned-out bottom end that often plagues chorus effects on bass. One user called it perfect for keeping the low end intact, while another noted lower notes stay clear and don't get muddy or overpowered by higher frequencies. This is seen as a practical, real-world feature for full-band mixes.

The built-in flanger is often praised as good enough to be its own pedal. Several commenters say the flange mode is so strong it could be marketed as two pedals in one, with one user preferring it over a dedicated Boss BF-3 flanger and using it more than the chorus mode. Another said the demo made them want to buy two units for a live board specifically because both effects were so well executed. This dual-effect value is a recurring praise point.

Opinions split sharply when compared to the Boss CEB-3, especially on stereo performance. Many users directly compare the two pedals: some find the MXR's tone thin or too subtle, preferring Boss's classic chorus character and stereo sound, while others insist the MXR holds the low end better and has more practical controls. Stereo mode is a specific pain point, with reports that it doesn't sound stereo, the wet signal cancels in mono, and only one output jack is provided despite stereo claims, requiring splitter cables.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?