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Chorus pedals for Bass

Geri O

Geri O

Supporting Member
Sep 6, 2013
11,194
27,338
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Florence, MS
#1
I want to get a chorus pedal to use with my fretless bass. I am WAY out of touch with what's popular these days with chorus pedals. The last time I used such a pedal was in the 80s and early 90s, when we used these things...

s-l225.jpg


I remember loving these things, especially with a Jazz bass and a lot of slap (we called it thumbing and popping then) and to the point of making myself turn it off.

Apparently, it's not made anymore and they are hideously expensive in the usual places. Its chorus effect was perfect with the knobs set around noon, not too deep or swirly and with a nice character.

I would love to have one of these at a decent price. Otherwise, what is popular with chorus pedals these days?

Thanx, G
 
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#2
Well I have got good news for you. Boss now make a special reissue of the CE-2 called the CE-2w. It's not particularly cheap, but used ones are relatively affordable and in my opinion it's the best sounding chorus pedal currently in production. It's special because it also contains the old Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble in addition to the CE-2 that you're familiar with. I have one and let me tell you it's a joy to play. The CE-1 mode is especially great for bass and worth the price of the pedal on its own.
 
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#3
The Sea Machine from Earthquaker Devices, while not designed specifically for bass, handles low end well and does chorus effects from mild to wild. I bought it specifically to get one guitar sound I heard in my head, but I have only scratched the surface of what this thing can do. Happy hunting!
 
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#7
The CE-2 is a go-to sound much like the OC-2 is for octave. Boss have a habit if inventing new sounds and getting it right first time...then everyone clones them 10 years later. Most digital modelers have pretty accurate CE-2 models. Zoom's MS-70 CDR has a lot of Chorus options, most of which are really very good (the corona is exceptional). The TC-e Corona Chorus is another great option, on the regular sized pedal there's three sound options (Corona, tri and tone print). The Tone Print option is a downloadable slot and the CE-2 option is again excellent.
Personally, I Strymon Mobius. But that's because I need a power house modulation. Other digital panels like the new Boss MD-500 could easily be the last modulation pedal you ever buy...albeit overkill for just a bit of top end wobbly stuff.
Then there's the myriad of analogue CE-2 clones and there's a plethora to choose from.
 
#8
Bolsyo said:
CE-2B, which is the bass version, only has 1 capacitor that differs from the original CE-2 to let more bass through + the addition of a blend knob. They are usually a lot cheaper than regular CE-2s.

CE-2w seems really nice too, but a bit expensive.
Click to expand...

I liked the brown one more than the blue one

I use a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus now

The booklet had a "Peter Hook" setting which is quite cool
 
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#13
ok so depends on budget the boss stuff is great! but im a bit biased there! however i use a Moog Clusterflux so thats right at the top end of price wise!

however for a cheaper solution the chowny chorus is great for the money
 
#16
TheSeagoats said:
I have a Digitech Bass Multi-Chorus that I really like, and it's looking like other people must be liking it too lately because the price is higher now than I've ever seen it (low price ones around $50 right now).
Click to expand...

Agreed. They're dirt cheap secondhand (...or were!) and offer a greater range of flexibility from subtle to truly bizarre / wet...I have one on my pedalboard. Another option would be something like the Zoom MS60B which offers any number of chorus models...delays, reverbs, phasers, etc. If you want something truly wet, consider a used Rocktron Tsunami.

Riis
 
#19
530A245F-588E-41C5-9F02-60261B024DBA.jpeg
Geri O said:
I want to get a chorus pedal to use with my fretless bass. I am WAY out of touch with what's popular these days with chorus pedals. The last time I used such a pedal was in the 80s and early 90s, when we used these things...

View attachment 3649296

I remember loving these things, especially with a Jazz bass and a lot of slap (we called it thumbing and popping then) and to the point of making myself turn it off.

Apparently, it's not made anymore and they are hideously expensive in the usual places. Its chorus effect was perfect with the knobs set around noon, not too deep or swirly and with a nice character.

I would love to have one of these at a decent price. Otherwise, what is popular with chorus pedals these days?

Thanx, G
Click to expand...
Here's mine- 1980s made in Japan model. Not too hard to find and they sound great.
 
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