Electro-Harmonix · Modulation

Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Settings Guide

Kurt Cobain's chorus. Simple, lush, unmistakeable. The sound of Nirvana's clean sections.

The best Electro-Harmonix Small Clone settings start with: Rate at 4/10, Depth at 1/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Grunge: Rate 4/10, Depth 1/10.

What Each Control Does

Rate
Slow
Fast
Speed of the chorus modulation. Slow = subtle warble; fast = vibrato-adjacent.
Depth
Off
Full
Toggle switch only (not continuous). Full Depth adds a distinctive ethereal character.

Recommended Starting Settings

Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.

4
Rate
1
Depth

All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.

Settings by Genre

Grunge
Rate4
Depth1

Depth switch on (full), moderate rate. The signature Cobain clean tone.

Indie
Rate3
Depth0

Depth switch off, slower rate. Subtle width without the pronounced character.

Artist Settings

Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.

Rate3
Depth0

Frusciante uses it subtly for width on clean passages.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  • The Depth switch (not a knob) is the most significant control — full depth gives the vintage character.
  • Chorus after overdrive produces a smoother, more blended effect. Before overdrive gives a more complex, swirling result.
  • At slow Rate with Depth on, the Small Clone produces a subtle, slow warble that adds life without obvious chorus.

Electro-Harmonix Small Clone — Common Questions

Best starting settings for Electro-Harmonix Small Clone: Rate at 4/10, Depth at 1/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.

For Grunge: Rate 4/10, Depth 1/10. Depth switch on (full), moderate rate. The signature Cobain clean tone.

For Indie: Rate 3/10, Depth 0/10. Depth switch off, slower rate. Subtle width without the pronounced character.

Rate: Speed of the chorus modulation. Slow = subtle warble; fast = vibrato-adjacent. (Slow to Fast). Depth: Toggle switch only (not continuous). Full Depth adds a distinctive ethereal character. (Off to Full)

The Depth switch (not a knob) is the most significant control — full depth gives the vintage character. Chorus after overdrive produces a smoother, more blended effect. Before overdrive gives a more complex, swirling result. At slow Rate with Depth on, the Small Clone produces a subtle, slow warble that adds life without obvious chorus.

John Frusciante settings: Rate 3/10, Depth 0/10. Frusciante uses it subtly for width on clean passages.