Boss BP-1w & CE-2w Vs Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- The Boss Booster/Preamp is the newest of their famous Waza Craft line. It recreates the preamp tones of the RE 201 Space Echo and the Boss CE-1. This got me to thinking, could I replicate my original Boss Chorus Ensemble by combining the BP-1w and CE-2w?
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Boss BP-1w Product info:
The vintage BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble and RE-201 Space Echo are legendary for their inspiring and influential effect sounds. But they’re also loved for their variable analog preamp circuitry, which instantly infuses any guitar tone with character, body, and richness. With the BP-1W, you can now access these two classic preamp tones in a premium Waza Craft pedal, along with a natural, clear voice that functions as a standard clean boost.
For generations, savvy guitarists have relied on key pieces of analog gear to enhance their core tone. Though discontinued over 30 years ago, the CE-1 and RE-201 remain widely used by many players for their characterful preamps as much as their famous analog effect sounds. These “secret weapons” make the sound richer, fuller, and more satisfying to play, even when their effect processing is bypassed. The BP-1W lets you integrate the magical tone-shaping properties of these legends into your own rig-without having to seek out rare and expensive vintage originals.
The BP-1W is one of the most flexible boost pedals available, offering three unique operation modes in a single compact stomp. Along with CE and RE vintage modes, a third mode provides a pristine clean boost when you want to pump the volume without added colour. The Gain knob allows you to dial in a range of saturation and drive tones unique to each mode, while the Level knob lets you balance the effect/bypass sound or push downstream pedal and amp inputs for further tonal enhancement.
CE-This mode reproduces the CE-1 preamp tone, known for its bright, bell-like character and tight low-end response. Tweak the Gain knob to conjure an array of pleasing tones, from mild to aggressive. RE-This mode reproduces the unique colour and response of the RE-201 preamp circuitry. It adds fatness and warmth even at the lowest Gain settings, with increasing saturation as the knob is turned up. You can achieve powerful driven sounds with rich analog compression characteristics, providing foundational vintage colour to feed pedals and amps. NAT-Produces a punchy, natural voice with minimal coloration. The modern analog Waza Craft circuitry provides a wide boost range, delivering top performance for any standard clean boost application.
The BP-1W features high-quality buffer circuitry with two selectable types. Slide the rear panel switch to choose between the pure signal of a standard buffer or a vintage buffer with lower input impedance. The vintage type produces a warmer tone and a smooth dynamic response, with maximum benefits achieved by connecting a guitar with passive pickups directly to the BP-1W’s input. The standard buffer is always engaged for signal conditioning when the pedal is bypassed, regardless of the buffer switch setting.
Since the beginning, the engineers at BOSS have been committed to achieving the finest guitar tones using any technology necessary, from old-school analog circuits to high-tech DSP. This enthusiastic spirit continues with the Waza Craft series, bringing you exceptional tone and touch response through carefully selected analog components, refined circuitry, and meticulous attention to detail. In Japan, “Waza” is the term for art and technique, and these special edition pedals proudly carry the Waza symbol to represent the pinnacle of BOSS design and craftsmanship.
Features
Waza Craft innovation for a premium analog tone experience
Premium booster and preamp pedal with analog circuitry derived from legendary BOSS and Roland effects
Versatile design with three selectable modes
CE mode reproduces the bright, bell-like preamp sound of the BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
RE mode reproduces the fat, warm preamp sound of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo
NAT mode provides a natural clean boost with minimal sound coloration
Gain knob controls the amount of saturation introduced into the signal
Level knob for controlling the overall volume and driving the inputs of amps and other pedals
Selectable standard or vintage input buffer with different tone and response characteristics
Made in Japan
I have the BP-1w and really want the CE-2w, as well. I actually thought about combining the two for a CE-1 sound before seeing this video, cool to see it tried out.
CE - 1 still wins imo. Perfection. Great work at going all the way to compare with the Waza's.
I would agree, but I prefer it with the preamp in low mode.
Damn you I had avoided getting the BP 1w so far but now my CE2W seems incomplete without it 😂
It's a really great pedal, I highly recommend it.
Cmon Boss! Recreate the CE-1!
Have you checked out the Past FX Chorus Ensemble?
I want a CE-1 in a compact pedal.
I have OCD, and it doesn't match the rest of my Boss pedals.
Like, a CE-1c ("c" for compact)?
CE--1 is iconic, and Boss first pedal! Genius work from the mind/hands of Ikutaro Kakehashi.
Thanks for taking the time to do this! CE-3 is also worthy and cheaper competitor then trying to find an original CE-1/CE-2… The BP seems like a good addition to any pedal collection 👌 Cheers from the US!
Yeah, the BP-1w is great! 👍
I think there was a bit of a missed opportunity here to further experiment with tone matching the BP-1w to the vintage CE-1’s preamp using the two different buffer types offered (with the buffer switch in the back set to vintage in the BP-1w you get a noticeably warmer tone) and altering the levels/gain for each at different settings. Just from the controls being different, it seems unfair to say one is warmer than the other without addressing that. Perhaps a future video!
Fuller low end on the CE-1 and there is something about it's chorus warble that just hits the feels a little harder. It's more vulnerable and flawed than the Waza in all the right ways.
I've watched this video again and you didn't talk about that rear switch on the BP1w (Buffer STD/VTG).
Well-executed comparison. Appreciated.
Excellent Demo with The Booster Preamp Pedal For A Better Comparisson with the CE-1.
Thanks
I think that any booster before the CE2w (CE1 mode) will make it sound more similar to CE1. I've already tried with Fulltone Fat Boost and Boss GE7. They make the CE2w signal clip a bit and bring some of that CE1 feel, although not equal. The original one appears to sound "darker". If BP1w doesn't make CE2w sound like the original CE1, any booster will suit.
The reason it sounds darker is the pot needs to be changed from a 50k to a 500k..that's what guitar players twigged back in the 70s..makes a big difference
The CE-2w in the middle setting is milder by design. Should've used the far right mode to better match the original unit. Also, the Waza combo has much higher headroom and lends itself much better to modern recordings.
Great demo thanks for the hard work.
VERY COOL COMPARISON! Thank you!
ce 2 uses higher voltage mn3007 and waza uses low voltage mn3207 the preamp of the ce1 runs off bipolar voltages
🤘👍🏿
Going back to the review of the 80A Phaser, there seems to be quite a marked different with the old BBD chips and the newer ones. The old ones definitely have a 'sharper' more 'toppy' or trebly sound. The new ones sound alot 'warmer' and don't have that harshness that it seems, people want! But the bottom line is the Boss pedals just sound better than anything else, vintage or new, and TBH, you just need all the new Waza pedals, they have the 'vintage' and 'modern options' that just deliver what you need. That BP-1w is an instant classic, it went straight on my board as the perfect, end of chain 'mastering' pedal, blows away the EP-type boost and variants (Catalinbread 'epoch', the Chase Tone 'secret boost' etc..etc...) AND Boss Pedals are buffered as a default, so you get that Cornish 'secret sauce' as a default!
I think the smarter, cheaper and smaller footprint route to take would be to look at the PastFX Chorus Ensemble. Same MN3002 chip as the original CE-1 with built in pre-amp, same controls as the original etc. If anyone is thinking of buying these TWO newer Boss pedals to chase that CE-1 sound, seriously look into the PastFX version. I have one and it's amazing
I also have one, they're great 👍
I have OCD, all my pedals must match... so I stick with Boss or Boss clones (same design/size/shape, like PSK or Sound JS). It really sucks, but at least there are plenty of Boss pedals to collect.
It seems I'm the only one that hears what is missing (my opinion, of course LOL). The original has a slight flanger aspect to it. I've just gotten into the CE-1 obsession yesterday, so I've yet to test my theory using my CE-5 and a flanger pedal. Should be interesting at least. The chorus swirling with the flanger might also recreate that extra marbly-round-glorious chorus sound of the CE-1.
Great video, really appreciated this one. The BP-1w hasn’t really been on my radar, so I’m looking into that one now. Just out of curiosity, which buffer mode did you have selected on the BP-1w? I also wonder if you could get even closer to a CE-1 by running BP-1w into CE-2w into an EQ pedal? I know that’s not the point of this video - just thinking out loud! Anyway, thanks again. Really enjoying your videos, especially your deeper dives into Boss gear. Regards, -Bern
The buffer was set to standard (I really like that option). I think they did a great job with the preamp, they sounded near identical. The biggest difference for me was the chorus, this might be down to the CE-1 using the high voltage MN3207 BBD chip and the CE-2w using the MN3007 chip.
Wazas work for me!
@@Mold81 they're definitely good
Or just buy the Past FX Chorus Ensemble CE1 clone with 5 switchable mods and be done with it.
I think the ce 1 has the wet effect not at 100% maybe 80-90%?
Would have been better if the speed/rate was better matched between those.
I own a Boss CE-1. They just sound older and got a kinda broken glass shatter sound to them. Your use of the preamp did make your tone sound more vintage and not so modern.
I Wish I'd known that about the CE-1 needing a pre-amp when I had one back in the mid 80s. I had one when no one cared and they were cheap. It never sounded like "Hemispheres" or the sound Steve Brand of Ten Hands got with his. I'd love to know how much you paid for yours. I don't expect they will ever sound the same. One minor quibble - when testing choruses, you *have* to apply Andy Summers' rule for the "classic" chorus sound, which is a strat in the second position with a compressor in front of the chorus. Other guitars can be used, but that 'strat test' is sort of the bench mark.
The CE-1 doesn't "need" a pre-amp, it's built in. That's the purpose of this video
Andy summers used the electric mistress as far as I know starting off in the police
@@richardcray2919 Yes.
You owned a CE1 and you didn't realise it had an ALWAYS on pre amp built in?
This video is pure corn cream
What does that even mean?