Keeley-modded CE-2 for Leslie sounds?

[guitelecaster]

How clodoes the Boss CE-2 with (or without) Keeley's mods get to a Leslie simulation? I had a Super Chorus, but couldn't really get what I wanted out of it. Anyone have any experience with this one? Or maybe a comparable suggestion?
Thanks!
Adam

[Deacon Blues]

The Keeley mods include a "speed mod" which improves the Leslie simulation dramatically. Still doesn't sound like a real Leslie (nothing does), but it does a reasonable facsimile and takes up less room.

[Reno Sepulveda]

I had a CS-2 with the standard Keeley Hi Fi mod, no speed mod. I got it because the pedal sounded too muddy with my Strat. It was nice and warm but I needed more definition on chords.

I don't know what Keeley does but it was just what I wanted in a chorus pedal. all for under $200.00 total. Plus you get that cool blue LED.

If you're just looking for a rotary speaker type sound there's better things out there.

[Tim Bowen]

If you seek faster rate *Leslie* tones, a stock CE-2 doesn't have enough speed to get there, and neither does the purple Ibanez CS-9, which is a very cool, "clangy" sounding box. I'm with Reno, CE-2's have always sounded muddy and congested to me. Among affordable, small box chorus stomps, I've always preferred the Arion (mine's a "Fat Chorus"). Arions have more speed and depth than either the BOSS or the Ibanez, and in my opinion, better grok the rotating speaker thing. Of the three, the CE-2 has the least interesting and most generic character, for my tastes. That said, the old CE-1 is among my very faves, and I call on an optimized circuit that's based on the CE-1, which is built by an independent builder. That pedal is called the Retro-Sonic Chorus Ensemble.

My only experience with Keeley mods is with the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, and in that case, Robert's mod turns a good sounding pedal into a great one. Based on that, I'd bet that his CE-2 mod might be a good call.

[Gopher-Broke]

I've got a Keeley modded CE-2, and absolutely dig the way it sounds, but it still sounds like a chorus, not a Leslie. I modded mine further by cramming in a 3PDT footswitch to the unit and a second "Rate" (not second-rate!!!) pot that the 3PDT switches to, allowing TWO preset speeds in the one pedal! It doesn't ramp up and down when you switch from one to the other, but it allows for doubling the effectiveness of the unit.

Keeley's mods are wonderful (I've had about 7 pedals done already), and this particular pedal does sound much better with the mod.

Regarding your question about Leslie effects, I have tried all of the major players in that market (H&K, Korg, Option 5, etc.) and currently have the Line 6 Roto Machine on my board. It does an O.K. simulation, but trying to get used to speed changes AND bypass on one pressure-sensitive footswitch is problematic for me. So far, NOTHING beats the Dynacord CLS-222 for simulating the leslie effect. There is a new pedal coming from Boss, but they have delayed shipping for more than 2 months from when promised, so who knows when it will show. It could be a real contender, though. The size (a Twin pedal series frame) and features appear to be right on line with what you'd hope for in a pedal unit. Regardless of pricing, Roland has the money and technology to R&D a product as good as anyone out there, so I can't imagine this offering will fall short of a spot in the top 3...but it still remains to be seen!

Best of luck on your search...g-b

[Rick Towne]

in church tomorrow morning in a Keeley looper with Keeley Boss trem and DM-2. There a real Ken Rich tweaked B-3 in the group so I'll compare. In the meantime, at full "speedy mod" it sounds close enough to the Danny Gatton Leslie sound for me and is small, cost-effective and indestructible.