Boss CE-5 vs CEB-3 ??

MrBassItUp · #1 07-31-2009, 02:29 AM

I'm looking into getting a chorus pedal, something solid but affordable so I turned towards Boss, heard good things about the CE-5 but was wondering how it matched up vs the bass specific CEB-3. Any opinions from owners of either pedal?

geribassist · #2 07-31-2009, 03:51 AM

I really like my CE-5. You can get everything from a subtle chorus to a crazy vibrato and on lower rate settings it sounds kinda like a phaser to me.
I have never tried the bass version, so I can not say if it is better or not.

tapp01 · #3 07-31-2009, 03:58 AM

The CE-5 is an awesome pedal. Like geribassist said, it is very versatile. The high/low filter stacked knob is what makes it uber-friendly for bass. I use a multi now (Boss, BTW) but I still have my CE-5 somewhere.

RCCollins · #4 07-31-2009, 06:09 AM

The CE-5 has long been pretty popular on bass. I think the tone controls make it MORE useful on bass than the CEB-3.

want an example of CE-5 on bass? listen to pretty much everything recorded by the Cure with Simon Gallup playing

theFALLEN · #5 07-31-2009, 06:38 AM

Hi there,

I tried both the CEB 3 and the CE5 and was impressed with them both.

I then however tried out a "lesser" (can't actually remember the name and I use it every day!!) brand make and despite the aesthetic quality not being as good, I honestly could tell no difference in sound quality whilst playing my Music Man stingray through an Ampeg 610 stack or through a PA at large gigs.

If price isn't an issue I'd go for Boss as to be honest, they look "boss"...but if you can try out a lesser brand.

Hope that helps.

Thanks.

RickenBoogie · #6 07-31-2009, 07:58 AM

CE-5 is a better pedal than CEB-3, imo.

Din Of Win · #7 07-31-2009, 08:02 AM

Man... where have i been

I've been using my CEB-3 for quite a while now and i LOVE it... thanks to you all i'm gonna have to go look at a CE-5 now...

RCCollins · #8 07-31-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Man... where have i been

I've been using my CEB-3 for quite a while now and i LOVE it... thanks to you all i'm gonna have to go look at a CE-5 now...

fortunately they are CHEAP

CE-5 is a multichorus. decide for yourself which you dig more

Din Of Win · #9 07-31-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

fortunately they are CHEAP

CE-5 is a multichorus. decide for yourself which you dig more

Ohhh it IS the multi chorus isn't it... I have heard good things, i just don't see them too often. I suck at remembering pedal codes

I thought the CE-5 was just some "guitar chorus".

I do use two choruses currently, I have my CEB-3... but i have been very impressed with my $15 Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus i picked up a few weeks back... It's nice to throw out there as a REALLY cheap alternative.

jufros · #10 07-31-2009, 02:02 PM

CE-5 no doubt. Not only are the filters extremely useful for bass, but it really fattens up any dirt or synth pedals that you run in front of it. I've tried some more expensive chorus pedals and vastly preferred the CE-5 over them all.

FeuerFrei · #11 07-31-2009, 02:17 PM

So I love my CEB-3, never played with a CE-5, but I put a ODB-3 in front of it, and it sounds sick.

bigchiefbc · #12 07-31-2009, 02:27 PM

I'm gonna go ahead and be the contrarian jerk about this, and say that I have played both the CEB-3 AND the CE-5, and I preferred the CEB-3.

I personally found the CE-5 to be too extreme on all but the absolute minimum settings. Maybe its just my tastes in chorus, but I don't want the insane pitch-bending seasick sound that I found the CE-5 gave you whenever the depth setting was above the minimum.

Also, the low filter on the CEB-3 seemed to work better than the low-filter on the CE-5. With the CEB-3, when the low-filter is set to maximum cut, the low strings have no audible chorusing going on at all. IME, the CE-5 never fully cuts the chorus on the lower strings.

BassMonstrum · #13 07-31-2009, 06:54 PM

I tested both of them and ended up with the CEB-3. I felt it had more warmth, while the CE-5 was kinda "twangy". Apples and oranges, really...

*insertcoolname · #14 07-31-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I'm gonna go ahead and be the contrarian jerk about this, and say that I have played both the CEB-3 AND the CE-5, and I preferred the CEB-3.

I personally found the CE-5 to be too extreme on all but the absolute minimum settings. Maybe its just my tastes in chorus, but I don't want the insane pitch-bending seasick sound that I found the CE-5 gave you whenever the depth setting was above the minimum.

Also, the low filter on the CEB-3 seemed to work better than the low-filter on the CE-5. With the CEB-3, when the low-filter is set to maximum cut, the low strings have no audible chorusing going on at all. IME, the CE-5 never fully cuts the chorus on the lower strings.

Totally opposite for me. The CEB-3 was much too subtle. It was almost like I hadn't stepped on a pedal at all. I haven't tried the CE-5 extensively, but I do recommend the BBE Mind Bender. 100% USDA approved analogue juicyness. It's got vibrato as well. It's the chorus on my board.

RedCoatMonster · #15 07-31-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I'm gonna go ahead and be the contrarian jerk about this, and say that I have played both the CEB-3 AND the CE-5, and I preferred the CEB-3.

I personally found the CE-5 to be too extreme on all but the absolute minimum settings. Maybe its just my tastes in chorus, but I don't want the insane pitch-bending seasick sound that I found the CE-5 gave you whenever the depth setting was above the minimum.

Also, the low filter on the CEB-3 seemed to work better than the low-filter on the CE-5. With the CEB-3, when the low-filter is set to maximum cut, the low strings have no audible chorusing going on at all. IME, the CE-5 never fully cuts the chorus on the lower strings.

I will agree that the CE-5 doesnt full cut the chorus on the lower strings, but it is subtle enogh to me when I play with my stereo that I dont hear it on my E string.

I own the CE-5 and havent tested the CEB-3 but from what Ive heard the CEB-3 is generally liked by most users. Ive also heard people that like the Danelectro chorus as well and its cheaper Someone on TB has a whole Danelectro pedal board IIRC.

RCCollins · #16 07-31-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I'm gonna go ahead and be the contrarian jerk about this, and say that I have played both the CEB-3 AND the CE-5, and I preferred the CEB-3.

I personally found the CE-5 to be too extreme on all but the absolute minimum settings. Maybe its just my tastes in chorus, but I don't want the insane pitch-bending seasick sound that I found the CE-5 gave you whenever the depth setting was above the minimum.

Also, the low filter on the CEB-3 seemed to work better than the low-filter on the CE-5. With the CEB-3, when the low-filter is set to maximum cut, the low strings have no audible chorusing going on at all. IME, the CE-5 never fully cuts the chorus on the lower strings.

they're different, that's for sure. Myself, I like to EMPHASIZE the deep side, which the "bass chorus", ironically, doesn't allow you to do. But of course the CE-5 is the "chorus ensemble" - a much more "intense" effect all around.

What about the CE-3?

p5string · #17 08-01-2009, 07:34 AM

I have both & the CEB-3 is my choice for bass

jgroh · #18 08-01-2009, 07:40 AM

I just bought a mint condition CEB-3 used here on TB for $40. Its very nice and I only use chorus for a few songs so I didnt want to pay alot for a pedal. It IS on the subtle side though. I had to really jack up the settings to get a noticeable effect. For me it works great. I have an old Ibanez multi effects that has a chorus/flanger built in and that sounds great too, but the input jacks are glitchy so thats why I bought the CEB-3. If you want a more subtle chorus, then go for the CEB-3.