Boss CE-5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Long-term owners consistently call it the best chorus pedal they've used. Multiple commenters who've owned the CE-5 for years, some over a decade, say it outperforms boutique pedals costing twice as much. One user says it replaced their entire boutique modulation collection after discovering Boss emulations matched or beat expensive alternatives. Others regret selling theirs and have bought it back, calling it indispensable and versatile with excellent, smooth, liquid tones for the price.

It pairs unusually well with distortion and heavy gain. Several guitarists note the CE-5 avoids the noisy, swooshy problems other chorus pedals have when stacked with drive, crediting its analog oscillator and lower noise than BBD-chip chorus units. It's used by players like Zakk Wylde and Alex Lifeson to thicken distorted chords, and one commenter says it 'gets through a huge gob of distortion' cleanly, making dirty tones sound bigger and more intimidating for metal-style riffing.

Stereo mode is a highlight, but mono output and thinness draw complaints. Fans love the stereo separation, saying it can create width across two amps subtly enough that listeners may not realize a chorus is involved, and the added EQ filter knobs are praised for shaping tone. However, some call the mono output inadequate and 'meek' without stereo, and others find the effect thinner or too subtle compared to classic 80s chorus tones from Cobain, Frusciante, or Munky/Head.