The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble is a Boss amplifier. Close alternatives include the Acus One Forstrings 4 Ferdi and the Blackstar Unity 120. It pairs well with the ProCo RAT 2 and the Beetronics Swarm.
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble
Boss · amplifier
The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble is a stereo chorus pedal designed specifically for bass guitar, featuring a Low Filter control that restricts the chorus modulation to upper frequencies while leaving the bass fundamental unaffected. This preserves low-end solidity while adding warmth and width in the midrange and treble frequencies. Two independent outputs allow stereo amplification setups. The CEB-3 has been a standard choice for bass players who want chorus effect without muddying the low end that underpins a band mix.
What stands out
“The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble is a stereo chorus pedal designed specifically for bass guitar, featuring a Low Filter control that restricts the chorus modulation to upper frequencies while leaving the bass fundamental unaffected”
— from the listing
“two independent outputs allow stereo amplification setups”
— from the listing
“The CEB-3 has been a standard choice for bass players who want chorus effect”
— from the listing
“The stereo output is a bonus feature for those using dual-amp setups”
— from the community notes
“The stereo separation is wide and usable in dual-amp setups”
— from the reviews
- bass
- fundamental
- stereo
- filter
- chorus
- modulation
- low end punch
- stereo chorus
Genres the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble is commonly used in
- Funk
- Jazz
- Post Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Ambient
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
35% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (transparent → low gain)
Push the CEB-3's stereo bass chorus with the RAT 2's bright, cutting distortion and it opens up into real dirt.
Goes in front of the amp
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
33% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (transparent → fuzzy)
Stack the Swarm's own modulated fuzz on the CEB-3's stereo bass chorus and the two modulation sources compound into something strange.
Goes in front of the amp
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
32% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (transparent → fuzzy)
The CEB-3's stereo bass chorus gives the LSTR's scooped, sludgy fuzz a swirling amp platform instead of a static one.
Goes in front of the amp
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
31% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Put Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward modulated
Goes in front of the amp
Roger Mayer Octavia
Roger Mayer
27% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble's own modulated character is the real reason this is worth trying
Goes in front of the amp
Electronic Audio Experiments Eldritch Blast V2
Electronic Audio Experiments
25% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Goes in front of the amp
Greer Amps Gorilla Warfare MkII
Greer
24% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Goes in front of the amp
Walrus Audio Eons
Walrus Audio
24% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Run fuzzy into Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble for more modulated on top
Goes in front of the amp
See all 76 pedals that pair with the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble →
Alternatives
Acus One Forstrings 4 Ferdi
Acus
45% similarityShared character: chorus, clean
Blackstar Unity 120
Blackstar
42% similarityShared character: chorus, warm, clean
Swart Star-Base 1
Swart
41% similarityShared character: bass, warm
Peavey MAX 250 250W 1x15 Bass Combo
Peavey
40% similarityShared character: treble, bass
Blackstar Unity Bass U30
Blackstar
40% similarityShared character: bass, chorus, warm
See all alternatives to the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble?+
The closest matches in character are the Acus One Forstrings 4 Ferdi, the Blackstar Unity 120, the Swart Star-Base 1.
What pairs well with the Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Ensemble?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: ProCo RAT 2, Beetronics Swarm, Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz — Push the CEB-3's stereo bass chorus with the RAT 2's bright, cutting distortion and it opens up into real dirt..