CE-2 Speedy mod

I liked the sound of the CE-2 before, but I wanted to be able to do the faux Leslie sound, as the rate on the stock pedal wasn't fast enough, and my attempts to tweak the inside knob were disastrous.  After the mod it goes much faster, actually sounds like a cross between the stock CE-2 and the Ibanez CE-9 due to the more "shimmery" sound it now has as well as the faster speed. Very clean sounding (I actually liked some of the clutter of the stock sound) but not glassy, more transparent and plays very well with other effects. Turn everything up and it's space alien shootout time!!!

ummmmm...yeah!

Simple-two dials, yet with the mod there is more flexibility and more shaping options.  The depth control becomes more important with the mod, and works best straight up.  The rate goes slower and faster than on the stock version, which was my pre-mod beef with the unit, so a little time with the unit is suggested to get used to the larger widths.

I called one afternoon and got RK on the line.  There were some questions and concerns I had about the mod, which he answered and refuted.  Then Robert started asking me about what gear I used, what I liked to play-"geartalk." He's a good man who believes in his product and cares about his clients.

I play electric and acoustic guitars through tube amps in many styles and have a large pedalboard, though I'm just as likely to not use the pedals.  I have recently put away my dislike of chorus pedals and gotten re-acquainted with their charms.  I use it for accents as well as the Scofield-esque fake Leslie/Vibe sound and occasionally as a featured color.  The Keeley CE-2 mod gives one the best features of Boss, Ibanez and EH chorus pedals and is worth having done if your picky about this effect.  

Wow, I'm kinda stuck here.  I've A/B'ed this thing with the TC Electronics SCF, an Ibanez CS-505, and an MXR 134 (the new model), plus a few others that just aren't in the running.  I did not, however, get to compare this to the Analogman Clone Chorus - so I can't comment in that regard.  This modded chorus sounds fantastic.  It's somewhere in between the TC and the CS-505.  The Keely CE-2 and the MXR 134 are neck and neck.  For ease of use, pedal size, and the 9V/18V dilemma of the MXR 134, I'd go for the Keeley CE-2.  I have to give it a 10.  All the frequencies are there when you step on the pedal.  No mush, no hi-cut, no funny stuff, no ridiculous signal boost.  There is a very slight boost - about 1 or 2 dB maybe.  The sound of the guitar is there along with a beautiful, rich, thick chorus.  I can't ask for much more, except maybe a record deal (where you don't owe the record company your soul) and an island in the Carribean. 

Looks pretty solid, it's a Boss pedal to start with, and Robert Keeley's work is dynamite.  So yea, I'd use it without a backup...and I have been, too.

Pretty durn easy.  Two knobs, a DC power plug (or battery), then step on it.  Extremely easy to get a great sound out of it.  That's not always the case with some pedals, even with just a couple of knobs.

The best.  I called a few times, once before ordering the CE-2 mod, and then a couple more times before ordering the TS-808 mod plus.  Always helpful, and received great advice about which TS-9/TS808 mod I'd probably like the most.  They were right.  Thanks guys!

The CE-2 Speedy mod fits with just about any style I need to play.  I can't say I really use the super fast speed this pedal can do, but it's there if I want to get spastic.  I've been playing for about 25 years or so.  I own a ton of other gear - amps, stomp boxes, guitars - from cheapo stuff to expensive boutique gear.  They all have a place/sound in what I do.  I compared it to several other chorus pedals (listed in sound quality), and it kicked some butt.  I'm getting another CE-2 mod, the HI-Fi type this time so I can have a little better control of the slow to medium speed chorus sounds.  The only real problem here is finding a CE-2 pedal to send to Keeley and Company.  Luckily, they're showing up on eBay often enough.