| PRICE: | $70, new |
| KEY FEATURES: | E. LEVEL, output volume; RATE, oscillation speed; DEPTH, oscillation intensity; FILTER, parametric bass and treble equalization; stereo output |
| SOUND SAMPLE: | N/A |
| HIGHS: | many chorus sounds possible, useful for EQ and boost effects as well |
| LOWS: | has a "processed sound" in general, no one sound is outstaning |
| SHORT TAKE: | This has many nice features, but most should look elsewhere for a chorus pedal. |
The Boss CE-5 is an example of a guitar effect that has great features but doesn't quite come together in the end. It has several cool knobs: The standard rate and depth, a master effect level, and a bass/treble filter. It also features two outputs, allowing for stereo chorus. This gives the CE-5 some interesting ancillary effects: It can serve as a signal splitter for any instrument or filter high and low frequencies. For example, I use the pedal with both outputs when I want to play through two amps simultaneously. I can also add treble via the filter knob and increase output for a boost during solos.
In spite of these cool uses for the CE-5, the chorus it produces could be much better. The effect sounds too digitally processed; I hear an annoying clicking sound each time the oscillation repeats. For many, this defeats the purpose of a chorus pedal, so most of you should try other stomp boxes instead.
