The Boss CE-2B Bass Chorus is a bass chorus pedal that, as Fromel Electronics puts it, "voices the classic Boss CE-2 chorus circuit for bass and adds a mix control to dial in exactly how much chorus you want"1. It belongs to the same family as Boss's other bass-voiced compact pedals, such as the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus, and sits in the broader field of chorus pedals and bass pedals.
The CE-2 chorus, voiced for bass
The pedal the CE-2B is built around has its own history. The Boss CE-2 Chorus was produced from 1979 to 1982, according to TONEHOME, and is a mono design with what that source calls "a remarkable mid-boost"41. Pedal of the Day's 2014 review of a modded CE-2 describes "a smooth, natural-sounding chorus effect" and lists its controls as Rate and Depth, with Input, Output and AC Adaptor connectors3.
The CE-2B carries that circuit over for bass and adds the mix control, letting a player set how much of the chorused signal is blended against the dry bass1. Fromel also notes that the stock CE-2B can be subtle at maximum depth, which is one reason players turn to modification kits1.
Fromel modification kits for the CE-2B
Fromel Electronics sells a range of modification kits for the CE-2B, described by the maker as "an easy project with basic soldering skills"1. The options are:
- Hi-Fidelity Mod: a high-quality audio-grade op-amp plus upgraded input/output caps for better tone retention and lower noise, and new power-supply caps to run at up to 18V for more clean headroom1
- Deep Mod: increases maximum depth, since the stock CE-2B can be subtle, without losing the shallower settings1
- Leslie Swirl Mod: raises the maximum speed for a convincing fast Leslie tone while keeping all the slower speeds1
- CE-2 Conversion: turns the bass-voiced CE-2B into a standard CE-2 while keeping the mix control, which Fromel calls "the best of both"1
- Supreme Kit: all the parts plus full-color photo instructions1
The 18V option applies only to a CE-2B with the Hi-Fidelity Mod installed. The mod's new power-supply caps are what allow running at up to 18V for more clean headroom1.
Fromel also offers an installation service: you send your pedal in and they install the kit for you1.
Videos
The Bass Channel
TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow
Jesse Clair
Questions
What is the difference between the Boss CE-2B and the CE-2?
The CE-2B voices the classic Boss CE-2 chorus circuit for bass and adds a mix control to dial in exactly how much chorus you want. The original CE-2 has only Rate and Depth controls and no mix knob, and TONEHOME notes it is mono with a remarkable mid-boost. Fromel's CE-2 Conversion mod can turn a bass-voiced CE-2B back into a standard CE-2 while keeping the mix control.
Does the Boss CE-2B have a mix control?
Yes. According to Fromel Electronics, the CE-2B adds a mix control to the CE-2 circuit so you can dial in exactly how much chorus you want, something the original two-knob CE-2 did not offer.
Can the CE-2B run on 18V?
Not as stock, but with Fromel's Hi-Fidelity Mod installed it can. The mod fits new power-supply caps that let the pedal run at up to 18V for more clean headroom, alongside an audio-grade op-amp and upgraded input and output caps.
What does the Fromel Hi-Fidelity Mod change on the CE-2B?
The Hi-Fidelity Mod adds a high-quality audio-grade op-amp plus upgraded input and output caps for better tone retention and lower noise, and new power-supply caps that let the pedal run at up to 18V for more clean headroom.
Is the Boss CE-2 chorus mono or stereo?
The Boss CE-2 is mono. TONEHOME describes it as mono, with what they call a remarkable mid-boost. Its connectors are a single Input, a single Output and an AC Adaptor jack, so there is no stereo output.
Sources (4)
- Boss CE-2B Bass Chorus Modifications, Fromel Electronics
- Fromel Supreme Mod Kit for Boss BF-2 Flanger Pedal, Fromel Electronics
- Boss CE-2 Chorus (Modest Mike modded), Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2014-08-14
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
