Mojo Hand FX reaches for chorus and flanger nirvana with new Swim Team pedal

Mojo Hand FX Swim Team
(Image credit: Mojo Hand FX)

Mojo Hand FX has unveiled the Swim Team, a dual-purpose chorus/flanger pedal that promises a host of “swimmy”-sounding modulation.

You know who loved “swimmy” modulation? Kurt Cobain, who employed the Electro-Harmonix Polychorus and Small Clone to great effect in Nirvana. In a neat touch, the Swim Team’s enclosure mimics Nevermind’s font and cover artwork, so we think it’s fair to call this an homage to the modulation predilections of the alt-rock great.

According to Mojo Hand FX, the chorus side of the pedal is an all-new multi-chorus design, while the flanger is more classic-inspired – vintage chorus effects can also be obtained with lower flanger feedback settings. A push-button selects between the two sounds.

Controls include Rate, Depth and Mix/Feedback – Mix for chorus, Feedback for flanger – all of which keeps things easy to dial in. Mike Hermans does a reliably superb job of tapping into the full range of sounds in his demo below.

There are a wealth of dual-purpose chorus/flange pedals on the market from the likes of TC Electronic, Empress and Keeley, but we reckon the Swim Team taps into a tonal niche that could cause Nirvana fans to go (very) ape.

The Swim Team is available now for $159 – head over to Mojo Hand FX for more info.

Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.