Multivox Big Jam SE-12 Chorus Owned and Used by Tom Verlaine Model Chorus Effect, c. 1980, made in Japan, serial # 00114, purple enamel finish, aluminum.
Multivox was a relatively shortlived American synthesizer and electronics company that operated from the latter half of the 70's into the 80's, born out of a manufacturing subsidiary of New York music retailer Sorkin music and eventually a distributer of electronics built by Japanese companies like Japanese Hammond offshoot Nihon-Hammond Ltd. The company was known for their more affordably priced (and often regarded as cruder Roland-style) synthesizers and line of Big Jam pedals made in Japanese factories and imported back to American music shops.
Among these was the SE-12 Big Jam Chorus, a simple but effective chorus with only three sliders controlling the speed, depth, and "warp" of the signal. Based on the same MN3007 chip as the classic Boss CE-2 chorus, the SE-12 and its soft plastic stomp capture the nostalgic silvery warble of the 80's. Per the words of Tom's friend and collaborator Jimmy Rip, Tom liked a "little wiggle" and used this pedal in studio and stage performances.
Height is 5 1/2 in. (14 cm.), 3 in. (7.6 cm.) width, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This Big Jam is a little roadworn and the sliders are slightly scratchy only when in active movement, but still fully functional and original, seemingly down to the battery snap. Cool enough, stuffed inside this little pedal is a small scrap of paper with a note from Tom Verlaine when he was seemingly going through and testing his collection in April 2021. The note reads "Works Fine� Maybe" and noting on the aforementioned scratchiness of the original sliders. As with many of Tom's other effect pedals the battery cavity cover is missing for easier access to a quick 9V battery swap. No time to fiddle with screwdrivers when you're rushing to a packed-out gig at CBGB. The pedal also comes with a letter of provenance from Jimmy Ripp (his co-guitarist on most Verlaine projects since 1981). Generally Excellent - Condition.
