Boss CE-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 29 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 29 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a classic, warm analog chorus tone many call the best they've heard
  • You value simplicity with just two easy-to-use controls
  • You're chasing vintage 80s or Gilmour-style chorus tones

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need the thicker, lusher, more versatile CE-1 sound specifically
  • You're bothered by treble loss or tone coloration in bypass
  • You want built-in overdrive/boost voicing without adding another pedal

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Boss CE-2
Exceptional chorus toneStrong resale/collector valueRugged, long-lasting buildFalls short of the CE-1's depthPreference for other chorus modelsStandard/CE-2 mode considered weak in Waza version
Boss CE-2
Exceptional chorus tone
Strong resale/collector value
Rugged, long-lasting build
Falls short of the CE-1's depth
Preference for other chorus models
Standard/CE-2 mode considered weak in Waza version

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners consistently call the CE-2 one of the best-sounding chorus pedals they've ever used. Multiple long-term owners describe the CE-2 as the best chorus sound they've heard, with one saying it's been their favorite since 1985 and another calling it 'the best sounding chorus I've ever heard in the flesh.' It's described as having a darker, more subtle, misty character compared to more obvious chorus effects, giving guitars a thickening rather than an in-your-face warble, which many find musically appealing across genres like post-punk, 80s pop, and shoegaze.

Comparisons to the CE-1 reveal the CE-2 as excellent but not quite as lush. Several commenters who owned both pedals note the CE-1 has a thicker, warmer, more unparalleled chorus sound due to its original impedance design, while the CE-2 is described as flatter, thinner, or lacking the same midrange richness. Even the CE-2W's CE-1 emulation mode is generally preferred by CE-2 owners over the pedal's own standard CE-2 mode, which some call weak or not up to par.

Long-term durability and rising resale value make the CE-2 a prized possession. Many users kept their CE-2 units for 20-40 years, from purchases in the early 1980s through today, with several noting Boss pedals are 'indestructible.' Original units found secondhand or at garage sales for very low prices have since become valuable collector items, with one owner selling theirs for eight times the purchase price, and others regretting having sold their unit at all.

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