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Description

The PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe (CED) is based upon the Holy Grail of Chorus pedals, The BOSS® CE-1. First released in 1976 it became famous for lush Chorus and Leslie effect Vibrato.

The CED is attractively priced and of compact size. It is approximately 1/3 of the size and weight of an original. At 40yrs of age, original units can develop reliability issues and require capacitor replacement and extensive servicing. Unmodified working originals are becoming harder to find and are expensive. The CED requires no fuses and is not powered by mains voltage. With today’s advancements in technology, the CED operates off the same bipolar voltages as The BOSS® CE-1, however it only requires standard 9vdc pedal power supply.

Product specs

Power 9V
Bypass true bypass
Analog/Digital analog
Big Riffs & Rigs

Big Riffs & Rigs

PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe vs Vintage Boss CE-1

Video thumbnail for PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe vs Vintage Boss CE-1 by Big Riffs & Rigs

PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe vs Vintage Boss CE-1

Big Riffs & Rigs

Big Riffs & Rigs

Video thumbnail for PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe Demo by Tri Pedal Reviews

PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe Demo

Tri Pedal Reviews

Tri Pedal Reviews

Video thumbnail for 🔈 Past FX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe 🇦🇺 Boss CE-1 Clone with BBD Chip from the 70s❗🥰 by Manuel Bastian

🔈 Past FX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe 🇦🇺 Boss CE-1 Clone with BBD Chip from the 70s❗🥰

Manuel Bastian

Manuel Bastian

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe.

Setup and maintenance

  • Clock noise issues are reported, especially with non-true bypass models and certain power supplies, suggesting sensitivity to power source quality.

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  • Users report distortion issues with T-top humbuckers, even in low sensitivity mode, suggesting challenges in maintaining a clean chorus tone.

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Comparisons

  • The PastFx Chorus is noted to have a rare chip in the Deluxe version, though sonically perceived as similar to the standard model.

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  • The PastFX Chorus is regarded as a closer replica of the original Boss CE-1 than the CE-2W, particularly due to its inclusion of the CE-1 preamp.

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  • The Retro-Sonic Chorus is noted for having a modified preamp for higher headroom, potentially offering a cleaner alternative to the PastFx Chorus.

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User experience

  • Users aiming for John Frusciante's tone suggest placing the Chorus Ensemble just before a Holy Grail Reverb in the pedal chain.

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  • One user praises the chorus tone as the best they've experienced, surpassing the Boss CE-2w, noting its warmth and lushness.

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  • Loud popping occurs when activating or deactivating the pedal in true bypass mode, making it impractical for some users.

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  • The pedal requires the bypass foot switch to be pressed twice upon power-up to pass the signal, due to relay complexity.

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Use cases and applications

  • The vibrato mode is highlighted for its ability to create unique sounds, particularly effective for solos and experimental song elements.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Switching to the 500k pot mod enhances the brightness, making the tone nearly as bright as a direct signal.

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  • Adding an external buffer does not resolve distortion for some users, indicating limited success in modifying the signal chain for cleaner tones.

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Features and functionality

  • The preamp stage can be adjusted to add crunch, with users finding optimal settings around 11 o'clock for clean tones.

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  • The mini version of the pedal shares distortion issues and clock noise, indicating consistency in design limitations across models.

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  • The PastFX Chorus Ensemble Deluxe includes a "500K Pot Mod" for better compatibility with guitar signals, which can be toggled on or off.

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  • Some owners experience volume drops when turning down the level knob to clean up distortion, indicating potential issues with maintaining unity gain.

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  • A "Depth mod" allows control over the depth of the chorus effect, unlike the stock CE-1 behavior.

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  • The pedal features an input buffer to reduce impedance, enhancing treble retention in the signal.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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labraschi

Legendary tone

The PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe (CED) is based upon the Holy Grail of Chorus pedals, The BOSS® CE-1. First released in 1976 it became famous for lush Chorus and Leslie effect Vibrato.

Artist usage

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See how Dave Simpson uses PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe

Dave Simpson

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In his YouTube video, Dave Simpson reviews and demonstrates the PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe, showcasing its features and sound capabilities.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

PastFx CE-1 preamp
PastFx CE-1 preamp Overdrive Effects Pedals
1

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Community setups

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Gear Guides

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    labraschi
    labraschi

    Gear IQ 225