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Does anyone have ANY INFO on moddifing a BOSS CHORUS ENSEMBLE,,,,the ce-5? I have looked hard for info and shematics with no luck! There must be some mods that can be done to these? I'll take anything you got!!!
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chorus mods
I have some CE-3 mods. Maybe these might get you in the ballpark. I havent messed with the CE-5 at all. If interested email me and I will send them out. -
Is there something you need it to do differently, or is this BUM syndrome? (blind urge to mod)
Actually, two of the classic mods I have been rcommending for years (effect mix level and bass cut)are already implemented, in the pedal whcih doesn't leave much. One thing you can try is to shift the range of time delay. You will likely see a chip on the board labelled MN3102 or BL3102. That is the clock chip which steps the delay chip through its paces. Snuggled up alongside it will be a small value cap, somewhere in the under-200pf range. reducing the value of the cap will shift the delay range closer to flanging, and increasing it will extend the delay time more, for some of that thick Pat Metheny type doubling chorus.
Because the on-board filtering is designed in anticipation of the delay range already selected, you probably don't want to move too far from the existing delay range or else risk noise. As a rule of thumb, try not to move more than maybe 50% away from the existing cap value (e.g., if its 120pf, don't go much higher than 180pf or lower than 68pf). Better quality plastic or mica caps will be preferred over ceramic in this instance.
If you can identify the solder pads where the current cap is, you can experiment with what increasing the cap value might do by simply touching the leads of a second parallel cap (e.g., a 22pf unit) to those pads. Note that increasing the delay time produces more pitch wobble, so you will likely need to reduce the depth setting below what you're used to.Comment
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I first modded the SD-1 , with a Keeley Mod + the switch for hard/soft clipping, and it turned out Georgous. Then the TC Chorus Dies 2 1/2 yrs ago, and the CE-5 was a cheap replacement. I have'nt been able to get any info to modd theses, as it is definately missing the lush full flavor or the tc. I was thinking of getting the Coral Flange from fulltone, but would like to see if this can get closer or different tones that Im used to. I also did mod the wah as well. Buffer removal, 2 metal film caps replaced, and a dpdt for the true bypass, but it isn't there yet. Staying on topic.......
There are 2 IC chips at the bottom right corner, labled mn 3007, mn3101. These chips have 4 prongs (legs) on each side. There is One cap (47k) ceramic next to the mn 3101. Following the path it gos to another cap labled 5D. Are these it?
The other 4 IC's are 8 prong in a line. Also there are about 10 ceramic caps in there. Are these worth replaceing with plastic or mica? I would like to get this thing sounding as best as it can. I also remember Buying 2 different chips for the SD-1 for a cleaner drive, and a classic drive. Are there other IC chips for this pedal to fiddle with, experiment?
These little buggers are amazing!! Intricate as hell!!
Thanks for helping too....Comment
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The MN3101 and BL3102 are functionally equivalent, so you are on the right track. The MN chip was out of production at least 4-5 years ago, while the BL is still in production. I guess Boss must have stockpiled the MN3xxx series while they had the chance. Goodness knows they have the money.
So, the 47pf cap beside the MN3101 is your target. replacing it with 39pf (the next common value below 47pf) will shift the delay range downward (i.e., shorter overall delays). Not quite flanging, but closer to it. A 56pf or 68pf cap will increase delay. Probably the easiest way to figure out what you want is to score a 10pf cap and/or 22pf cap, and touch the leads to the pads for the 47pf cap. You should be able to hear a difference without destroying anything in the process. If you like what you hear, then you can consider removing and changing parts.Comment
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