Description
The Asheville Music Tools ACV-1 NOS Time Warping Chorus & Vibrato is a limited edition analog modulation pedal built around a rare, hand-tested NOS Matsushita BBD chip. It's an excellent pick for studio musicians, analog effects enthusiasts, or anyone chasing a deeper, richer modulation voice that stands apart from the digital crowd. This version offers expanded delay and modulation ranges, along with a subtle tonal revoice that brings out more warmth and clarity, particularly in the midrange and low end.
At the heart of this pedal is a tribute to Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic and one of the most influential industrialists in modern Japan. His legacy in electronics is built on precision, innovation, and longevity, all qualities that this pedal reflects. The NOS BBD chip used here, sourced from his company's earlier output, delivers a smoother, more cohesive modulation tone. You'll hear tighter fundamentals, less high-end smearing, and an overall cleaner presence. Asheville Music Tools even revoiced the tone circuit to better complement the chip's response, shifting the filter range and opening up the low end for more warmth and clarity.
This NOS edition delivers between 3.1ms and 80ms of delay, with an uncalibrated top end that gives each unit its own slightly unique character. You get full analog modulation via sine, triangle, or slewed square LFOs, with extended control over Time, Rate, Feedback, and Depth-either from the pedal or through CV or expression input. The center frequency of the tone control has been shifted down to emphasize low-end presence and midrange clarity, resulting in a smoother, more cohesive voice that's especially nice on slower chorus settings and deep vibrato.
Build-wise, this thing is rock solid. It's housed in a genuine Hammond enclosure with a custom mauve powder coat and GORVA aluminum knobs. The bypass is user-selectable between true bypass or buffered, and it plays well with just about any rig. From our side, we've seen how dialed-in this NOS variant sounds compared to the standard ACV. If you're looking for a uniquely voiced analog chorus and vibrato with the pedigree to back it up, this one's a standout.
Specifications:
- Type: 100% Analog signal and control path
- Delay Time: 3.1ms - ~80ms (uncalibrated, varies)
- Feedback: 0 to near infinite, capable of self-oscillation
- Rate: 0.1Hz to 14Hz (28Hz with CV control)
- Amount: LFO depth control from OFF to 60% of TIME sweep
- Mix: Full wet to full dry, center at 50%
- Tone: ~613Hz center tilt filter, plus/minus tonal shaping
- Phase Switch: 180 degree phase shift of wet and feedback signal
- LFO: Selectable Triangle, Sine, or slewed Square
- Expression Switch: 4-position rotary for external control over Time, Feedback, Rate, or Amount
- Bypass Footswitch: Selectable True Bypass or JFET Buffered
- Power: 9VDC at less than 150mA (250mA startup), center negative
- Input Impedance: Greater than 1M Ohm
- Output Impedance: 1K Ohm Max (5K Ohm max for buffered bypass)
- Max Input Level: +14.25dBu (4.0V RMS)
- Max Output Level: +14dBu (3.9V RMS)
- Noise Reduction: 2:1 broadband with 10dB HF emphasis
- Enclosure: Genuine Hammond die-cast aluminum
- Dimensions: 4.95" x 3.75" x 2.25"
- Weight: 15oz (425g)
Sku: ACV-1-NOS
