Boss · CE-1 · 1976–about 1984
The CE-1 is where the chorus pedal starts. Roland put a stereo chorus in its JC-120 Jazz Chorus amp in 1975, and in June 1976 Boss packaged that circuit in a big gray floor box as its very first effect pedal. It's nothing like a compact. It plugs straight into the wall, has two footswitches for on/off and chorus or vibrato, and carries a level knob, chorus intensity, vibrato depth and rate, and a High/Low input switch. Andy Summers of The Police is the famous user, on Message in a Bottle, Don't Stand So Close to Me and Walking on the Moon, and Tony Banks of Genesis used one in place of a Leslie. Sound On Sound says it sold slowly at first, partly because people ran it in mono and ignored the second output. Boss kept it in production until around 1984, alongside the CE-2. Its preamp has its own fans, enough that Boss copied it in the BP-1W. Buy a CE-1 for stereo chorus and that preamp. If you just want the sound, the CE-2W has CE-1 modes.
These are old mains-powered units, so the power cord, switches and jacks deserve a careful look. Analog Man notes the input is better suited to keyboard levels than guitar, and many have had input or bypass mods.
Buying guide
The one we'd buy is the US unit titled 117V, recapped and calibrated with its original MN3002, at $827 delivered, since it plugs into a US wall and the old parts are done. About 110 are for sale and most ask $725–1,100 delivered, nearly all from Japan, where these run on 100V and need a step-down transformer on US mains, and shipping this big floor box from Japan runs up to $305. It's mains-powered with a hardwired cord, so check the cord and plug in the photos, get the voltage from the label, and ask the seller to confirm both outputs work. Skip the 1979 unit at $525 whose seller's feedback isn't shown, and pass on the $1,640 tested one, where $255 of the ask is shipping.
$607.20est. delivered
The lowest delivered CE-1 from a seller we'd buy from, at $607, titled tested and already in the US. Ask for a photo of the voltage label, since a 100V Japan unit needs a step-down transformer on US mains.
BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble Guitar Effects Pedal Vintage Japan /Tested
$720.99est. delivered
Titled tested and working, at $721 delivered, just under the band. It ships from Japan, so check for 100V and budget for a step-down transformer, and ask the seller to confirm both outputs.
BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble Roland Vintage Pedal Tested Working From Japan
$826.65est. delivered
Titled recapped and calibrated with its original MN3002 chip, and it's a 117V unit in the US, so it plugs straight into a US wall. New caps mean it isn't stock inside, which matters more to a collector than a player.
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble c.1981 117V — Recapped & Calibrated, Original MN3002
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$607.20est. delivered
$590.00 + $17.20 shipping
Buy It Now$590.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Titled tested. In the US. Check the voltage label.
Seller: slappysvintage
99.7% positive
Used$720.99est. delivered
$658.01 + $62.98 shipping
Buy It Now$658.01
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Titled tested working. Ships from Japan, so check for 100V.
Seller: rikolife
99.2% positive
Serviced$826.65est. delivered
$799.00 + $27.65 shipping
Buy It Now$799.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled 117V, recapped and calibrated, original MN3002. In the US.
Seller: amhw
100% positive
Used$683.22est. delivered
$579.00 + $104.22 shipping
Buy It Now$579.00
Our take
Titled AC100V, so it needs a step-down transformer in the US. $104 shipping from Japan.
Seller: fuji-office
99.7% positive
Used$715.92est. delivered
$700.00 + $15.92 shipping
Buy It Now$700.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled EU plug, so check the voltage label before you plug it in. In the US.
Seller: daren.hz
100% positive
Used$1,500.00delivered
$1,500.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,500.00
Our take
Titled 100V, with box and manual. About $400 over the band, and the box adds collector value only.
Seller: lucky7jp
99.7% positive
Used$1,640.41est. delivered
$1,385.41 + $255.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,385.41
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled tested. $255 of the ask is shipping from Japan.
Seller: nyaarock
100% positive
Used$524.90est. delivered
$499.90 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$499.90
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller feedback isn't shown. Titled 1979 and working. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 10, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchPlenty of used pedals turn up without a power supply. Check the power line in the specs above, then match the voltage and plug before you buy one. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
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