Danelectro DC1 Cool Cat Chorus Pedal

Feature:
One unbeatable sound, so useable in many ways is a great feature.

Value:
9 - A second footswitch for fast/slow would give it a 10...or 11!

Desirability:
Bone simple, sharp looking and works great.

Sound:
I've owned this peal for a good four years now. I loaned out a Leslie 147 that never came back, so I know what one is supposed to sound like. So when Z-Sounds says that at fast speeds it sounds like a leslie, I'm here to tell you they're selling it short. At slow speeds the only ones that come closer are the $200 plus digital Leslie models, like the Boss R-20 (which I have) and the Digitech Expresion Machine (I will be trying the Line 6 Roto-Machine soon). Don't forget; the chorus, phase shifter, and - the grandma of 'em all -the Uni-Vibe, were all invented to simulate a Leslie. They would be considered failures, save for the fact that they instead, by circumstance, brought us other cool sounds we liked, sounds that became industry standards in thier own right. If you're into the "flowery" '70's Ibanez sound - which I personally think is a little corny and dated - you might look elsewhere, but do so after looking here. Think Clapton with Blind Faith or Harrrison on "Sun King". If the Cool-Cat had a second footswitch for two speeds and a "ramping" rise and fall effect, it could compete with those above named pedals - easily. But they market it as a simple chorus, and as such it is lovely, a two knob wonder, easily competing with the old blue Boss. Heavy and apparently indestructable. Never a problem, except it is an 18 volt effect, so carefull with power supplies and never leave it plugged in, as this mistake does get expensive with batteries. Also the second "stereo" output is simply a straight signal with the other side sounding like the unit used in mono. If you want pich bent on one side and straight on the other, you'll have to shell out the dough for something else. Forget stereo use (this baby sounds 3-D enough in mono). These two points bring it from a 10 to a 9, but not a smidgen lower. This is the only place the low price shows itself. Used straight in the guitar chain it's really at home, and enhances any overdrive pedal, especially following it. Fantastic all purpose chorus sound. I recomend it highly, if only for it's slowish settings, very deep, organic, cutting and creepy, usefull all over the place. Everyone should own one. You'll use it alot.

Ease of Use:
Just two knobs, an on/off switch. Hard to find a bad sound.

Support:
Never had to contact company-A great product IS the best service.

Overall:
I did seek out, buy and continue to use a BossR-20 because of it's features and sound. This in no way indicates a wane in my appreciation for the Cool-Cat. I just wanted the speed switch among other features.

Feature:
I give it a 9 only becasue one of the 9 volts are very hard to remove.

Quality:
I bought this pedal in 1995-96 when they first came out and have played the same on since. I'm said to say that today 11-01-2007 my pedal has finally laid down. Not bad for 12 years.......It has handled many road trips and thousands of gigs. I think it was once even thrown across a bar and back and still worked fine. The minute you hold this thing you will understand about quality. I will be purchasing another with in a few days.

Value:
Hummm I'm no math wizard but let's see 1995 I paid $80.00 I think $80.00 divided by 12 years is $6.67 per year or .02 cents a day..... WHAT DO YOU THINK....

Desirability:
the color and style is right on the money for any kind of music you play.

Sound:
This pedal time and time again out preforms any chours sound from any other pedal. I use it personally just for bass but many guitar players have borrowed it though-out the years.

Ease of Use:
two knobs....enough said

Support:
Back when this pedal came out I wrote the company a letter explaining that I use three of there pedals and wanted them to make a tuner that looked like the effects pedals. I received a t shirt for my idea and in a couple of months get a letter explaining they had produced some and I still use it today. That rocks

Overall:
Best peice of music equipment I have owned thus far