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I'm not sure of how many of each model were made, but the '2 is the older of the two and generally speaking, people prefer the tone. I'm one of the few that prefers the '3. I suspect that age and desirability play a big part in the pricing.
There has been a lot of debate as to why the '2 sounds richer than the '3, with some concluding that it's the BBD Chips which make the difference (the CE-2 uses the MN3007/3101 chipset, while the CE-3 uses the MN3207/3102 set). The circuits in the two choruses are very similar, apart from these chips. However, I read an interesting article where someone swapped the few differing components in a CE-3 (excepting the BBD chipset) and ended up with an almost indentical sounding pedal, which suggests that it's these component values that make the sonic difference. I'm tempted to get hold of a second CE-3 and experiment on it, if I can find one cheap enough.
I also like the Ibanez CS-9 stereo chorus and BC-9/BCL Bi-Mode Chorus.
I said maybe.....
Are there any good CE2 clones out there?
If you want real mindblowing chorus, try the legendary CE1. In a different world to anything else.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
I own a modified CE-2 - it's a great sounding pedal - but early Japanese ones seem to command high prices, even if they look like they've been run over by a steam roller.
Lovely washy chorus, especially in stereo
I really like the old ibanez cs9 as well and I'll add one when I see one for a decent price.
Make of that what you will. It is a bit quieter in terms of hiss/noise, stereo out if that's your bag. The switch feels flimsier but it sounds good enough for me to overlook it... Just. I think it'll go one day!
I have an unhealthy love for chorus, though.
I've currently got a very early (silver screw, which personally I dislike the look of!) CE-2 on loan, and I *still* don't like it that much - unlike the CE-3 it's somehow just slightly too 'syrupy' for want of a better word. I always did think so, which is why I had the 3 originally. Not sure why, when they're so close, maybe it's exactly that slight extra bottom end. I can't decide if I prefer it to the 3 or not...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Am I the only person that prefers the analog CE5?
Try a dod fx65 ,- thicker than a ce3, slightly less hiss (although I have a fairly high toleranc, the ce3 was a hair much - I wonder if it's a poor copy?) And you can adjust the time control which adjusts how warbly it goes. I think it has magic parts inside (that ce2 chip) but maybe not. I doubt the chip is especially important anyway, much like those delay chips.
From memory I had the Wah, Classic Tube, Supra Distortion, Phasor (they did spell it like that!), Chorus, Delay and the Gate/Loop. I can't quite remember why I sold them now, in fact...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The CE2 did have its own sound though which nothing else I have gets close too.
The one thing that bothers me about the CE-2 is that the fastest mod rate isn't really fast enough, IMHO. It's easy enough to bugger about with, but I'm surprised at Boss's component selection in this case. Obviously, the same is true for the CE-3, but for some reason it doesn't bother me as much!
I said maybe.....