Thanks for taking the time to do this! CE-3 is also worthy and cheaper competitor then trying to find an original CE-1/CE-2… The BP seems like a good addition to any pedal collection 👌 Cheers from the US!
06:31 The CE-1 Intensity control does not actually control both rate & depth. This is a common misconception. It actually only controls rate (a.k.a. speed). The CE-1 has a fixed depth in chorus mode, just like the JC-120 chorus circuit that came before it. I've found setting the depth knob on the CE-2W to about 2:00 will get you pretty close to the original CE-1. That's the reason you're finding the need to drive the depth knob up to match the lower intensity knob settings on the original.
I have the BP-1w and really want the CE-2w, as well. I actually thought about combining the two for a CE-1 sound before seeing this video, cool to see it tried out.
I think that any booster before the CE2w (CE1 mode) will make it sound more similar to CE1. I've already tried with Fulltone Fat Boost and Boss GE7. They make the CE2w signal clip a bit and bring some of that CE1 feel, although not equal. The original one appears to sound "darker". If BP1w doesn't make CE2w sound like the original CE1, any booster will suit.
The reason it sounds darker is the pot needs to be changed from a 50k to a 500k..that's what guitar players twigged back in the 70s..makes a big difference
Fuller low end on the CE-1 and there is something about it's chorus warble that just hits the feels a little harder. It's more vulnerable and flawed than the Waza in all the right ways.
I think the smarter, cheaper and smaller footprint route to take would be to look at the PastFX Chorus Ensemble. Same MN3002 chip as the original CE-1 with built in pre-amp, same controls as the original etc. If anyone is thinking of buying these TWO newer Boss pedals to chase that CE-1 sound, seriously look into the PastFX version. I have one and it's amazing
I have OCD, all my pedals must match... so I stick with Boss or Boss clones (same design/size/shape, like PSK or Sound JS). It really sucks, but at least there are plenty of Boss pedals to collect.
I think there was a bit of a missed opportunity here to further experiment with tone matching the BP-1w to the vintage CE-1’s preamp using the two different buffer types offered (with the buffer switch in the back set to vintage in the BP-1w you get a noticeably warmer tone) and altering the levels/gain for each at different settings. Just from the controls being different, it seems unfair to say one is warmer than the other without addressing that. Perhaps a future video!
The CE-2w in the middle setting is milder by design. Should've used the far right mode to better match the original unit. Also, the Waza combo has much higher headroom and lends itself much better to modern recordings.
Going back to the review of the 80A Phaser, there seems to be quite a marked different with the old BBD chips and the newer ones. The old ones definitely have a 'sharper' more 'toppy' or trebly sound. The new ones sound alot 'warmer' and don't have that harshness that it seems, people want! But the bottom line is the Boss pedals just sound better than anything else, vintage or new, and TBH, you just need all the new Waza pedals, they have the 'vintage' and 'modern options' that just deliver what you need. That BP-1w is an instant classic, it went straight on my board as the perfect, end of chain 'mastering' pedal, blows away the EP-type boost and variants (Catalinbread 'epoch', the Chase Tone 'secret boost' etc..etc...) AND Boss Pedals are buffered as a default, so you get that Cornish 'secret sauce' as a default!
It seems I'm the only one that hears what is missing (my opinion, of course LOL). The original has a slight flanger aspect to it. I've just gotten into the CE-1 obsession yesterday, so I've yet to test my theory using my CE-5 and a flanger pedal. Should be interesting at least. The chorus swirling with the flanger might also recreate that extra marbly-round-glorious chorus sound of the CE-1.
The buffer on BP-1w is standard or vintage ? Cause this may change the sound ...I guess the buffer is in standard mode and that's what makes the BP + CE 2w sounding different , like more highs...am I wrong ?
Great video, really appreciated this one. The BP-1w hasn’t really been on my radar, so I’m looking into that one now. Just out of curiosity, which buffer mode did you have selected on the BP-1w? I also wonder if you could get even closer to a CE-1 by running BP-1w into CE-2w into an EQ pedal? I know that’s not the point of this video - just thinking out loud! Anyway, thanks again. Really enjoying your videos, especially your deeper dives into Boss gear. Regards, -Bern
The buffer was set to standard (I really like that option). I think they did a great job with the preamp, they sounded near identical. The biggest difference for me was the chorus, this might be down to the CE-1 using the high voltage MN3207 BBD chip and the CE-2w using the MN3007 chip.
@@middleagedgearjunkie great video , but imho, with the buffer on vintage mode , I guess you would recreate a more vintage chorus sound , like the CE-1 ...
Great video! - this is the first time I've come across anyone mentioning the CE-2 needs a boost to sound like the CE-1. So at this time (10/2024), out of all of the Chorus pedals (and CE-1 clones) that are available, which one do you think comes the closest to the original CE-1?
I own a Boss CE-1. They just sound older and got a kinda broken glass shatter sound to them. Your use of the preamp did make your tone sound more vintage and not so modern.
I Wish I'd known that about the CE-1 needing a pre-amp when I had one back in the mid 80s. I had one when no one cared and they were cheap. It never sounded like "Hemispheres" or the sound Steve Brand of Ten Hands got with his. I'd love to know how much you paid for yours. I don't expect they will ever sound the same. One minor quibble - when testing choruses, you *have* to apply Andy Summers' rule for the "classic" chorus sound, which is a strat in the second position with a compressor in front of the chorus. Other guitars can be used, but that 'strat test' is sort of the bench mark.
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CE - 1 still wins imo. Perfection. Great work at going all the way to compare with the Waza's.
I would agree, but I prefer it with the preamp in low mode.
Now that Warm Audio came out with a "faithful recreation" of the Boss CE-1, please make a comparison video.
Damn you I had avoided getting the BP 1w so far but now my CE2W seems incomplete without it 😂
It's a really great pedal, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for taking the time to do this! CE-3 is also worthy and cheaper competitor then trying to find an original CE-1/CE-2… The BP seems like a good addition to any pedal collection 👌 Cheers from the US!
Yeah, the BP-1w is great! 👍
CE--1 is iconic, and Boss first pedal! Genius work from the mind/hands of Ikutaro Kakehashi.
ce 2 uses higher voltage mn3007 and waza uses low voltage mn3207 the preamp of the ce1 runs off bipolar voltages
06:31 The CE-1 Intensity control does not actually control both rate & depth. This is a common misconception. It actually only controls rate (a.k.a. speed). The CE-1 has a fixed depth in chorus mode, just like the JC-120 chorus circuit that came before it. I've found setting the depth knob on the CE-2W to about 2:00 will get you pretty close to the original CE-1. That's the reason you're finding the need to drive the depth knob up to match the lower intensity knob settings on the original.
I have the BP-1w and really want the CE-2w, as well. I actually thought about combining the two for a CE-1 sound before seeing this video, cool to see it tried out.
I think that any booster before the CE2w (CE1 mode) will make it sound more similar to CE1. I've already tried with Fulltone Fat Boost and Boss GE7. They make the CE2w signal clip a bit and bring some of that CE1 feel, although not equal. The original one appears to sound "darker". If BP1w doesn't make CE2w sound like the original CE1, any booster will suit.
The reason it sounds darker is the pot needs to be changed from a 50k to a 500k..that's what guitar players twigged back in the 70s..makes a big difference
or maybe the buffer on BP1w is on standard mode not on vintage ....
Cmon Boss! Recreate the CE-1!
Have you checked out the Past FX Chorus Ensemble?
I want a CE-1 in a compact pedal.
I have OCD, and it doesn't match the rest of my Boss pedals.
Like, a CE-1c ("c" for compact)?
Excellent Demo with The Booster Preamp Pedal For A Better Comparisson with the CE-1.
Thanks
Fuller low end on the CE-1 and there is something about it's chorus warble that just hits the feels a little harder. It's more vulnerable and flawed than the Waza in all the right ways.
I think the smarter, cheaper and smaller footprint route to take would be to look at the PastFX Chorus Ensemble. Same MN3002 chip as the original CE-1 with built in pre-amp, same controls as the original etc. If anyone is thinking of buying these TWO newer Boss pedals to chase that CE-1 sound, seriously look into the PastFX version. I have one and it's amazing
I also have one, they're great 👍
I have OCD, all my pedals must match... so I stick with Boss or Boss clones (same design/size/shape, like PSK or Sound JS). It really sucks, but at least there are plenty of Boss pedals to collect.
or grobert …what do you think about their reissue?
Very very usefull comparison.Thank you very much.
I think there was a bit of a missed opportunity here to further experiment with tone matching the BP-1w to the vintage CE-1’s preamp using the two different buffer types offered (with the buffer switch in the back set to vintage in the BP-1w you get a noticeably warmer tone) and altering the levels/gain for each at different settings. Just from the controls being different, it seems unfair to say one is warmer than the other without addressing that. Perhaps a future video!
That's what I'm thinking , too ....with BP-1w in vintage mode buffer should sound more like the vintage CE-1 ...
The CE-2w in the middle setting is milder by design. Should've used the far right mode to better match the original unit. Also, the Waza combo has much higher headroom and lends itself much better to modern recordings.
Well-executed comparison. Appreciated.
VERY COOL COMPARISON! Thank you!
Going back to the review of the 80A Phaser, there seems to be quite a marked different with the old BBD chips and the newer ones. The old ones definitely have a 'sharper' more 'toppy' or trebly sound. The new ones sound alot 'warmer' and don't have that harshness that it seems, people want! But the bottom line is the Boss pedals just sound better than anything else, vintage or new, and TBH, you just need all the new Waza pedals, they have the 'vintage' and 'modern options' that just deliver what you need. That BP-1w is an instant classic, it went straight on my board as the perfect, end of chain 'mastering' pedal, blows away the EP-type boost and variants (Catalinbread 'epoch', the Chase Tone 'secret boost' etc..etc...) AND Boss Pedals are buffered as a default, so you get that Cornish 'secret sauce' as a default!
Great demo thanks for the hard work.
It seems I'm the only one that hears what is missing (my opinion, of course LOL). The original has a slight flanger aspect to it. I've just gotten into the CE-1 obsession yesterday, so I've yet to test my theory using my CE-5 and a flanger pedal. Should be interesting at least. The chorus swirling with the flanger might also recreate that extra marbly-round-glorious chorus sound of the CE-1.
The buffer on BP-1w is standard or vintage ? Cause this may change the sound ...I guess the buffer is in standard mode and that's what makes the BP + CE 2w sounding different , like more highs...am I wrong ?
@danionescu1014 yes I had it in standard mode.
6:49 6:58
7:05 7:24
I've watched this video again and you didn't talk about that rear switch on the BP1w (Buffer STD/VTG).
Yeah, I missed that. I must have forgotten to demonstrate it.
@ so what do you think? Does the vtg buffer make the ce2w sound more similar to the ce1?
Great video, really appreciated this one. The BP-1w hasn’t really been on my radar, so I’m looking into that one now. Just out of curiosity, which buffer mode did you have selected on the BP-1w? I also wonder if you could get even closer to a CE-1 by running BP-1w into CE-2w into an EQ pedal? I know that’s not the point of this video - just thinking out loud! Anyway, thanks again. Really enjoying your videos, especially your deeper dives into Boss gear. Regards, -Bern
The buffer was set to standard (I really like that option). I think they did a great job with the preamp, they sounded near identical. The biggest difference for me was the chorus, this might be down to the CE-1 using the high voltage MN3207 BBD chip and the CE-2w using the MN3007 chip.
@@middleagedgearjunkie great video , but imho, with the buffer on vintage mode , I guess you would recreate a more vintage chorus sound , like the CE-1 ...
Great video! - this is the first time I've come across anyone mentioning the CE-2 needs a boost to sound like the CE-1. So at this time (10/2024), out of all of the Chorus pedals (and CE-1 clones) that are available, which one do you think comes the closest to the original CE-1?
@jeffb5798 the Pastfx Chorus Ensemble (they have a few variations) is the closest to my CE-1
Wazas work for me!
@@Mold81 they're definitely good
I think the ce 1 has the wet effect not at 100% maybe 80-90%?
Would have been better if the speed/rate was better matched between those.
@middle aged gear junkie. Did u run the bp-1w through the fx loop with the ce-2w?
@@dewey7330 you could.
Or just buy the Past FX Chorus Ensemble CE1 clone with 5 switchable mods and be done with it.
I own a Boss CE-1. They just sound older and got a kinda broken glass shatter sound to them. Your use of the preamp did make your tone sound more vintage and not so modern.
I Wish I'd known that about the CE-1 needing a pre-amp when I had one back in the mid 80s. I had one when no one cared and they were cheap. It never sounded like "Hemispheres" or the sound Steve Brand of Ten Hands got with his. I'd love to know how much you paid for yours. I don't expect they will ever sound the same. One minor quibble - when testing choruses, you *have* to apply Andy Summers' rule for the "classic" chorus sound, which is a strat in the second position with a compressor in front of the chorus. Other guitars can be used, but that 'strat test' is sort of the bench mark.
The CE-1 doesn't "need" a pre-amp, it's built in. That's the purpose of this video
Andy summers used the electric mistress as far as I know starting off in the police
@@richardcray2919 Yes.
You owned a CE1 and you didn't realise it had an ALWAYS on pre amp built in?
🤘👍🏿
This video is pure corn cream
What does that even mean?