TC ELECTRONIC SCF GOLD

TOTAL GUITAR AUGUST 2022
94
T
his Stereo Chorus Flanger
was TC Electronic’s fi rst
ever production pedal
back in 1976, and this
45th anniversary edition
retains the same layout as the
original that’s proved a fi rm
favourite with Eric Johnson for
years. It adds a gold typeface,
larger LED and a new op amp in the
preamp stage for
greater headroom.
But how does it fi t on today’s
pedalboards? While its physical
width means it won’t win points
for being the most compact, it’s
got versatility in its favour with
three modulation modes: chorus,
fl anger and, in the middle position,
pitch modulation. This latter eff ect
is a combination of chorus and
vibrato to create a subtler chorus
sound. But there’s more...
The SCF also off ers input gain
via its inbuilt preamp to drive all
its eff ect modes harder if required.
The ingredients are all here for
a modulation pedal that can
confi dently deliver atmospheric
texture for chords and breaks,
along with the more 80s tones you
might expect. And so it proves. This
is an excellent pedal, tweaking
what TC got right fi rst time round.
Pitch Modulation is great dialled
low for adding subtle atmospheric
swirl to clean strumming and at
midday settings may even win over
some fans of traditional chorus.
The ability to use it with the
preamp gain for a boosted tone is
really useful. The Chorus mode is
unsurprisingly brighter here in
comparison, with the Width knob
providing a modulations sweep
numbered one to six, though the
latter might as well be called
‘woozy’. Intensity determines wet/
dry mix in this mode, while in Pitch
Modulation and Flanger it sets the
chorus/vibrato blend and fi lter
phasing strength, respectively
Some may prefer warmth and
girth from their fl anger, but the
clarity for overdrive and clean
tones from this Bucket Brigade
circuit could be another strength
that wins over players on a classic
pedal that earns its spot on
a contemporary pedalboard.
Rob Laing
ORIGIN: China
TYPE: Stereo Chorus / Flanger /
Pitch Modulation pedal
FEATURES: Three modulation
modes, in-built preamp with input
gain control, stereo out
CONT ROLS: Speed, Width,
Intensity, effect select toggle
CONNECTIONS: 1/4-inch mono I/O,
stereo out
POWER: 9V DC (150mA)
DIMENSIONS: 126 (L) x 95 (W) x
49 (H) mm
CONTACT: TC Electronic,
www.tcelectronic.com
AT A GLANCE
A CLASSIC PEDAL THAT EARNS
ITS SPOT ON A MODERN ’BOARD
TH
E G
AS
S
T
A
T
I
O
N
OVERALL RATING
SUMMARY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
USABILITY
TC ELECTRONIC
SCF GOLD
TC’s triple threat returns
£129
TGR360.gear_quick.indd 94TGR360.gear_quick.indd 94 15/06/2022 20:2815/06/2022 20:28