I’ve just purchased and received a vintage EH Polychorus from an American music store. It appears to be in great condition, and came with the original box, manual and warranty card.

The thing is that the sound of it does not live up to my expectations whatsoever, and I am 100 percent positive that the pedal is broken.

When powered and active the LED lights up like it’s supposed to, but the sound is VERY disappointing. The direct/dry signal runs well alone: Db is the same whether pedal is engaged or not. The effect/wet signal, however, has low output, low effect sound and is somewhat distorted on some settings if you turn the knobs to extreme settings. In “blend on mode” you mostly hear the direct signal – effect signal is very faint somewhere in the background. In the “blend” mode – as described above – the signal is low, sounds horrible and is distorted at times. In the effect out signal, the “flange mode” has the loudest output of the four (still a lower than the direct or disengaget signal), but sounds more like a chorus than anything else. The “chorus mode”, on the other hand, is barely audible. When I turn the knobs I do hear the signal change, but when plucking my strings the sound fails completely. The same with “filter matrix” and “double track.”

Maybe I should also note that I live in Europe (230v, 50 hz) and got a step-down converter from the best electronics store in town. I have now tried to different converters as I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a power problem (US vs. EU). Experts have told me that the converters should work just fine!

I am very frustrated here…I paid too many $$$ for this pedal that is malfunctioning.

What could be the problem and can it be solved? Should I have it repaired at a local guitar shop; or return it to the store that sold me it and claim reimbursement?

Any ideas and advice is greatly appeciated.

Thanks!