Boss CE-2WFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 38 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 38 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an authentic-sounding CE-2 chorus with added CE-1/vibrato versatility
  • You value stereo operation and clean, 80's-style chorus tones
  • You don't already own a vintage CE-2 and want a reliable modern equivalent

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You already own an original CE-2 and don't need the CE-1 mode
  • You require a mix/blend knob for subtle chorus blending
  • You're chasing the exact thick warmth of an original CE-1, not just a close approximation

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Boss CE-2W
Authentic vintage chorus toneExcellent CE-1/vibrato modeImproved, clearer bufferNo mix/blend knobNot a perfect CE-1 recreationSlightly less warm/too clean
Boss CE-2W
Authentic vintage chorus tone
Excellent CE-1/vibrato mode
Improved, clearer buffer
No mix/blend knob
Not a perfect CE-1 recreation
Slightly less warm/too clean

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The CE-2W nails the classic CE-2/CE-1 chorus tone that longtime players still consider the gold standard. Commenters repeatedly call the original CE-1 and CE-2 circuits the best chorus sounds ever made, and many say the Waza Craft reissue gets impressively close. Owners who have both an original black label CE-2 and the CE-2W often say they're nearly indistinguishable, with the CE-2W's improved buffer keeping the signal clearer without sacrificing warmth. The bonus CE-1 mode, which includes vibrato, is frequently singled out as excellent and sometimes preferred over the standard CE-2 mode.

Some purists feel the CE-2W is thinner, cleaner, or less warm than a true vintage original. A handful of commenters who own real CE-1 or CE-2 units argue the reissue can't replicate the original's depth because of different BBD chips, describing the CE-2W as sounding 'weak and thin' or 'a bit too clean' by comparison. One suggests swapping in vintage Panasonic chips to recover the old warmth. Others note the standard CE-2 mode specifically feels weaker than the added CE-1 mode, while another found the chorus effect overbearing on anything but clean tones.

The missing mix/blend control and price are the pedal's most cited practical drawbacks. Multiple users explicitly ask Boss to add a mix or blend knob, calling it a critical missing feature for recording and layering with other modulation effects, and point to alternatives like the CE-2B or Mooer Ensemble King that offer this control. Existing CE-2 owners also mention the CE-2W's price is hard to justify since it doesn't add much over a pedal they already own, despite acknowledging the pedal itself sounds great.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?