A chorus in the same league as the Boss CE-1

[Jaredstepp]

I haven't found one yet, but I want to.

The CE-1 as far as I can tell just sounds extensively better than everything else out there, but I'm convinced that we shouldn't need a giant pedal that needs to be nursed to health all the time to get those tones.

The Retro-Sonic has a nice vibe, but it's it's own thing and does not do the CE-1 justice. What else is out there?

 

[Holzar1988]

The Vortex Blue Maiden from down under is supposed to be a CE-1 clone. Don't know if it's still in production.

EDIT: Just checked the website. Looks like it's still up. Hasn't been updated any time recently. http://www.vortexpedals.com/

Would love to know more about this one. Anyone got one?

 

[jdel77]

I own a Retrosonic Chorus and have had CE-1's in for repair.
With my eyes closed I can't tell which is which.

 

[Joe Porto]

Unfortunately the Retro-Sonic is out of production, and seems to be more rare on the used market than the original CE-1.

 

[Tim Bowen]

I like my Retro-Sonic but the last time I played a real CE-1 it was a new pedal. What are the sonic differences?

 

[jdel77]

None that I can tell.
If the OP is hearing any differences perhaps its in part variances, a mix of old components, a great CE-1 vs a lemon Retrosonic (hard as that is to imagine, all their stuff sounds killer).
Who knows.
Just IMHO but the Retrosonic nails the CE-1 for me at home and on stage.

 

[jdel77]

The Vortex Blue Maiden from down under is supposed to be a CE-1 clone. Don't know if it's still in production.

EDIT: Just checked the website. Looks like it's still up. Hasn't been updated any time recently. http://www.vortexpedals.com/

Would love to know more about this one. Anyone got one?

I think Burgs has one.
I'll ask him if I can pinch it for a while next time I see him.

 

[Tim Bowen]

None that I can tell.
If the OP is hearing any differences perhaps its in part variances, a mix of old components, a great CE-1 vs a lemon Retrosonic (hard as that is to imagine, all their stuff sounds killer).
Who knows.
Just IMHO but the Retrosonic nails the CE-1 for me at home and on stage.

Okay thanks. Sounds great for sure, only chorus I've kept.

 

[R.C.Moran]

The Rivera 3d shaman has remained my favorite chorus since I picked it up. It just sounds out of this world, and also has a great vibrato side.

 

[Iversen]

The Vahlbruch Chorus looks like a good option, at least for the Europeans among us.

 

[northstar6000]

I believe Voodoo Labs makes a chorus that is based on the CE-1. Cna't remember the name of it.

 

[whatdisay]

I don't see it mentioned on here much but I love my MXR analog chorus. Has treble and bass tweak knobs and great level dial. Nothing cheesy or brittle about it.

 

[cmath]

If it must be it exact-Retrosonic... of course but no longer made.

Other favorites of mine

TC CORONA
TC TCF
MXR MICRO
EH SMALL CLONE

 

[mcnabbanov]

I haven't found one yet, but I want to.

The CE-1 as far as I can tell just sounds extensively better than everything else out there, but I'm convinced that we shouldn't need a giant pedal that needs to be nursed to health all the time to get those tones.

The Retro-Sonic has a nice vibe, but it's it's own thing and does not do the CE-1 justice. What else is out there?

excuse me? i beg to differ.

my favorite chorus right now is the Greenhouse FX Stonefish. it's not quite the same as a CE-1 but it covers lots of ground and sounds great with its width, depth, and tone knobs.

a CE-2 maybe? or just splurge and get a Roland Jazz Chorus

 

[Joe Porto]

I've been thinking about checking out the Wampler Nirvana. Looks as versatile as the Retro-Sonic and can be had new for $230. From what I've heard in demos, it sounds like it can get the CE-1 tones, but I'd need to here it in person.

At one time, about 15 years ago, I had a Fullltone Choral Flange and a Boss CE-1. The Choral Flange was close enough that I sold the CE-1, as someone gave me an offer I just could not refuse. The CF is out of production as well though, and Fuller has talked about introducing a newer model for years, but nothing yet.

Unfortunately, it seems that the MN3002 chips used for the CE-1 and it's clones are just not available, and so just about every clone out there has been discontinued.

 

[Guitar Josh]

Yeah, I've a/'ed my Retro Sonic and real CE-1 extensively and in some ways I may actually prefer the RS, but they are virtually the same. So I'm not with the OP, I think his eyes are confusing his ears.

 

[Wolfboy1]

Not a huge chorus user but I have found the Digitech Hardwire chorus to be just a beautiful sounding pedal on both my electric and acoustic guitars. I was suprised how much I liked it. You might find a used one and give it a try. I have my share of boutique offerings but I still feel Digitech did a great job on the Hardwire line.

 

[paulvcarter]

I love the CE-1 but it's a tone sucker too. TC Electronics G Major is as good and about the same price with lots more features too as a rack mount. The TC has the ability to shape everything too -

That's my recommendation as a best alt/

 

[Joe Porto]

I love the CE-1 but it's a tone sucker too.

There is a pretty simple mod to reduce much of the high end roll off when bypassed. The CE-1 was actually designed for use with -10dB low impedance keyboards. You need to put a 10x higher resistance value level pot and lower the feedback resistor value by about 25% and it will play much nicer with a guitar rig when bypassed.

 

[RSRD]

I think his eyes are confusing his ears.

This happens but not as often as a price tag confusing the ears Ie: it's expensive and therefore better .