Boss CE-2 How Much? !!

ElectricXII

Our covers band has added a couple of 80s songs which really need an 80s chorus sound. I can get an approximation with the slowest speed on my Mini Vent 2 or a faux-chorus with my Elec Lady, but I thought I'd perhaps pick up a cheap used Boss CE-2 like we all had back in the day, and nail it properly. 

The thing is, there's no such thing as a "cheap used Bos CE-2", cos they're going for £150 and up, especially if you want a Made in Japan job! What's that all about?

midiman1962

Isn’t there a Behringer clone to help you out?

fretmeister

Mooer Ensemble King pedal.

It’s identical in sound and has the benefit of a level control too.

I have a 30 year old CE-2 and the Mooer is bang on.

fretmeister

As for the Japanese ones being expensive… wait until you go down the rabbit hole of the different screw colours…

Gassage

Metal Screw Long Dash or GTFO.

Wazmeister

CE2W is all
you need 

tone1

Gassage said:

Metal Screw Long Dash or GTFO.

Mine’s got a metal screw….but is it long dash? I’ve got nothing to compare it with 

https://i.imgur.com/4FtdBKN.jpg

Musical_Mystery_Tour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK4N4mx52Bs

If you could actually hear that much of a difference, and especially at a live gig, it'd be worth the extra money, but since you can't, that is why I have a UC-200 on my pedal board.

Alex2678

I’ve got a jam waterfall which is great, but the Mooer ensemble king was also really great and didn’t cost nearly as much 

brojangles

Came in to say Mooer Ensemble King. One of those and an Elec Lady has you covered for the 80s sounds (the Smiths AND The Cure... and The Police). 

fretmeister

Of course the real and only answer is that you don't need chorus because it's not 1985 anymore.

UnclePsychosis

Try and find a CE-2b.

I'm about 90% certain its the same as the CE-2, only with a clean blend. But it can be had for a fraction of the cost of a CE-2 because it is ugly and brown, not shiny and blue. 

Whistler

fretmeister said:

... you don't need chorus because it's not 1985 anymore.

Funny but perhaps you missed what the OP said:

ElectricXII said:

Our covers band has added a couple of 80s songs which really need an 80s chorus sound.

Musical_Mystery_Tour

Further to the mention of the EC200 as a cheaper alternative, the CE-1 and the CE2 were both around in the Eighties, so it could be either which one is hearing on many classic records if it isn't some rack module. Of the two, the CE1 is more of an in your face effect than the CE2, which is more subtle, but since the UC200 is basically a copy of the CE1, it is possibly more suited to a live situation, where subtlety in effects is often lost on the audience and in any case, if you watch that comparison video and listen to it, you'd be hard pressed to hear a difference which justified the price disparity.

If it's just gonna be used on one or two covers at a gig, there's little point in spending a lot on a Boss when the Behringer will do the trick for peanuts. I know they cop for a bit of flak for having ABS cases, but I've never had one of those break - ABS plastic is actually incredibly strong - so I don't see the problem with that unless you wear motorcyle boots and jump on your pedals when gigging.

CaseOfAce

fretmeister said:

Of course the real and only answer is that you don't need chorus because it's not 1985 anymore.

I know it was said in jest - but my chorus pedal is one of the most useful (and one of the few) pedals I use in my function / pub band - incredibly useful for decorating parts of the setlist throughout.
Curently using a DC-2 Waza but the Boss Super Chorus CH-1 I had was doing a more than adequate job.
To be honest live... no one's really going to know (or care) what chorus pedal you are using in the wash of sound...

stickyfiddle

Quite seriously, how about an HX One, noting it will probably kick another 3 "feature pedals" off your board as well? 

ElectricXII

stickyfiddle said:

Quite seriously, how about an HX One, noting it will probably kick another 3 "feature pedals" off your board as well? 

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think so. The HX One is one of those new fangled thingies with LCD screens that give me option paralysis and oblige me to spend hours working out what they do. 

I'm probably going to buy a Mooer Ensemble King, as it will fit on my board more easily than a Boss-sized pedal and it's cheap.

ICBM

The CE-3 sells for a fraction of the price of a CE-2 and sounds very similar. (I actually prefer it.)

The CE-5 is probably even less and is close enough for most purposes. The CH-1 is a bit different, but still a ‘Boss Chorus sound’.

TobyB

TC electronic Dimension chorus will get you there for £40. Seriously great pedal for the money and covers all 80s sounds

DefaultM

Gassage said:

Metal Screw Long Dash or GTFO.

I got one of these in September for £100. Bargain I thought. Unfortunately it doesn't work and the seller doesn't seem to want to refund me for a return.  
Light turns on but no effect comes out with the dials in any position.

monquixote

I have had a Mooer Ensemble King along with various other chorus pedals and I'm not usually one for cork sniffery, but there is something about the Waza CE-2W which just takes it to another level. 

It also won the Andertons blind Chorus shootout which suggests there is something in it. 

That said in a pub you probably won't appreciate the difference, but it's a pedal that's never come off my board and I don't regret splashing out on for one second.