Boss CS-2

The only compressors that get tricky to use are the ones with two many threshold, ratio, attack and release controls, most pedal comps are easy. If a comp has more than 3 knobs you are probably making life too complicated.

As with most boss pedals, easy way to start is set everything at 12 o'clock and make small adjustments from there to your preferences.

If not using batteries one thing to be careful is that you have a power supply with the correct voltage. I found this web page which explains all:

http://www.stinkfoot.se/andreas/diy/articles/bossadapt.htm

I power it off a 9V DC brick with common earth for all pedals and it works fine.

Great comp. Not at all noisy, smooth, not at all obtrusive. I use it with teles and strats, for clean sounds on a modderate setting so I don't squish the dynamics too much. I also use it to drive distortion and fuzz pedals sometimes, with more extreme compression.

I like it a lot. I have owned a CS-3 which was Ok and once tried a CS-1 which was very heavy compression - I like the CS-2 better, all round musically useful.

Dependable, yes. Bought 2nd hand and owned for several years, a mainstay of my board. Made in Japan, well built. No crackle from the knobs, everything works like new.

You can't go wrong with one of these. Nice thing is they are not anything expensive as a Keeley or whatever and easy to pick up 2nd hand.

Very easy, turn turn the sustain way up and adjust the level to your purposes. It may be hard for someone that doesn't know how a compressor works to understand the attack knob, that's why I didn't give it a 10.

I love what this pedal does to my sound, it does its job very well. I find myself basically turning the sustain to the max, level around 5 and attack at 3 or 4. This gives the guitar a loud even level no matter how hard you play and when you hold a note - wow. It just keeps going, then once the string stops it transitions into feedback. You can make cool sounds by tapping on the guitar body when the sustain is running out because it has the volume up so high that it makes any little thing audible. Then if you strike a loud chord suddenly it chops it right down to the same perfect level. The compression is very smooth and clean, which is important. My bassist has really picky ears and he considers it very transparent.

So far I've tried it with a strat and a cheap epi LP through my Laney 1x12 as well as my bassist's Fender Twin. I've read that it's meant to be first in line and that seems true. Putting it after a fuzz box makes the note turn clean as it gets to the end of the sustain, which is lame. As long as it's first it pretty much makes any combination of effects sound better. It's cool that it has a footswitch, but I never really want to turn it off.

This pedal will inhibit your ability to control distortion with your guitar's volume knob, unless you put the fuzz box before the CS-2 (which creates the problem mentioned above). That's just the nature of the beast the way I see it, so it still gets a 10.

Haven't had it long enough to gauge this. I would use it without a backup because I don't have a backup and these are hard to find. I don't bring a backup for anything except the guitar, in case a string breaks.

I have other Boss pedals that lead me to trust this one. They make 'em sturdy.

I've never need it on my other Boss stuff, probably won't for this one.

I try to be critical but there's just nothing wring with this thing. I was thinking about buying a Big Muff because I played one in the shop and fell in love with the sustain. Then I came across one of these and bought it based on it's reputation, hoping it could give me the big muff sustain with more versatility. It does that, so I'm completely satisfied with it.

I play heavy pop rock which ranges into psychedelia. I've always loved David Gilmour's guitar sound on Time and this pedal can help you get there. Apparently Gilmour used a CS-2 himself.

Quite easy to use.

Good sound. Sweet. Has a nice in the middle compressor i was looking for. Heard a few that sound too dramatic, though this is more a subtle compressor that i was looking for on bass and guitar. The sustain is sweet and not overpowering usually set about 12 sounds great! Only noisy when you set the sustain over 3 o'clock. But I dont use that much excessive sustain anyway. Makes the whole pedal chain in general sound sweet and my crap epiphone axe even sounds ok through it. For a compressor it does what it should, extra attack knob is good for tone shaping variety that many other comps dont get right.

Great pedal buy one.

as with compressors takes some time and basic knowledge, but not much confusing than to use a distrotion box. If you know what you want there wont be problem.

First of all, i wanted a compressor becouse i have seen many guitarists use it. First when i tried a compressor i couldnt hear much difference. Than i decided to buy this based on the rewievs and the fact that many out there still rather buy this than the newer ones. I am happy with it, adds sustain to my sound. Evens out the string levels, wich is good, if you play undistorted notes. I havent decided which attack setting i like the most. The pedal somehow makes my sound much... well nicer. I use many other effects in my chain, but recently when the others stayed at the collage and i brought only this one to home i recognized that even in bypassed mode (its not true bypass however) my sound is clearer, more defined. Those guys in the 80s must have known something... So i am very happy with it.

as usuall, its a boss!

I play mainly alternativ music, grunge, some pink floyd. It really helps. Its not a pedal to use all the time, but can balance the strings if you play clear notes. Can boost distrotion pedals, and makes my modulation effects sound greater. After my eq pedal and my proco rat probably this will my 3rd favorite pedal.

It didn't take long to find the exact tone I was looking for. That sweet plasma-like wave. I messed with the knobs for about half an hour until I realized how SWEET this thing sounded with the Sustain at 3 o'clock and really low Level and Attack. I bought it used so I never got a manual or anything...

This thing is amazing! Quality? First night I got it home I was bending out 5 minute solos during Scentless Apprentice; I was pulling down some incredible sounds with a 2006 MIM Strat.

Same construction as my DS-1. It'll probably outlive me.

Good luck finding one nowadays. I got lucky finding mine; and I looked for almost a month. These things are only going to go up in value. The CS-2 blows, the CS-3--which I played at Guitar Center first, before I bought the CS-2--sounds decent enough but isn't nearly as "organic" sounding as the CS-2.

three knobs, level, attack, sustain...

I like to use a compressor, it evens out the highs and lows and adds sustain and.. with the right amp and gear it's awesome... it's just become part of my rig.. i almost always use it, almost .. i've tried a few and i like the ibanez cp-9 .. simple straight forward but "just a bit" on the lite side and i like the dyna-comp but if you change anything around you'll spend alot more time making adjustments to the dyna-comp too- i don't want to spend the $'s on a boutique pedal. THIS CS-2 made in japan (not reissued) is straight forward like the CP-9 but stronger a little lighter than the dyna comp but sooo EZ to set it and forget it no fussing which i get enough of at home... i use tube amps, mostly fender, but imho you should get at least one of these on ebay while they can be had for less than c-note - it's a 10 for what it is.... a production pedal - not boutique - i've played the cs-3 too which are not bad in their own right i prefer these though IMHO

dependable

never needed em

great value

pretty easy to find a good sound. good head room to reach unity

its a one trick pony. sounds a lot like a ross but with an attack knob.
loads of sustain, plenty of squish, a hint of distortion. harmonics just pop out while notes and chords sustain.
also sounds cool on neck pick up doing jazzy stuff.

not my only boss from the 80s. still tickn....

who needs support? its so easy to use and never breaks. if you need support its not the pedals fault.

aka- user error

aka- riding the short buss

been playing 25 years owned and tested lots of comps.
this is the top comp; so slick and smooth.
i play rock; loud ear bleeding music.
great for punching out a solo with an over drive
no hum and hiss
i always come back to the cs2. why did boss ever stop making it?

little bit of tweaking but not rocket science

does great country tones and rock tones
david gilmour, vince gill, and the edge all use this pedal
its a classic

we should all know about boss' rep for reliability

would have to replace it if it were lost or stolen.
very little hum and hiss compared to other comps
lots of sustain and squish
gets a little bit gritty and colored, but in a good way
very musical. it really breaths with your playing

yup

perfect. expressive. smooth. great sustain. plenty of head room.

better then analogman comprossor or the keeley ross comps. true bypass makes really loud popping sounds with compressors. and for most people who put a comp first in thier pedal signal chain, a buffered pedal is better to start with because it charges your signal after having just travaled 15-20 feet. the cs2 buffer sounds great.

made in early 1980s

made in early 1980s... what do you want?

best comp out there.
tryed keely, analogman, dynacomp, soulpreacher, maxon, cs3, cs1, mxr super comp, t.c. electronics.
this is the best one.
no wonder so many pros use it.

Boss pedal that is easy to use and gives a lot for the money. Once you dial in your setting, you're all set.

I couple this with my Fasel Crybaby, 2005 LP Standard, modified Marshall AVT 150H full stack. It screams like a choking cat. The treble is awesome and it rips off riffs cleanly with the OD on the Marshall. Very happy with (all of) it.

I've heard some negative about the power supplies. I have a backup. I also carry batteries. I'll see, if one fails, to try to replace the cord with a shielded cable

A good suppression/ sustainer and a good guitar and amp is all you need. All the other effects just aren't necessary. Trust me. I've had the cheap amps, Ibanez, MIM Strat guitars and the only way you pull tone out of them is with an effects array. Trade it in and get what you really want.

Easy to use 3 dials etc....

I've read alot about Mars Volta's bassist using 2 of these on one pedal board and was getting a distortion out of them. So i Put it first Bass>CS-2>ODB-3>MXR Di>SWR Studio220.
Turned all nobs to 3 o'clock and played with a pick.
And there is was, focused, level, tight, funky.
The e string notes didn't get all boomy.
You do loose some bottem end but if you kick in the ODB-3 or EQ/disotrion everything fills out nicely.

Yes, it's 23 years old, MIJ and....i trust it.

NO

This pedal was sitting in my local secondhand dealers for 2 years before i though i'd give it a go. I play rock, R&B, funk, all styles with 15 years experience and this pedal will suit most styles. I wouldn't use it for jazz because you need dynamics. The tight focased sound i get through this pedal reminds me of Kim Deal from the Pixies. Great Pedal.

Even for controls as simple as this (3 knobs - level, attack, sustain), at least a working knowledge of compression is desirable. There are misconceptions around compression and what it can do/is meant to do which explains some of the feedback for this product.

Once you get the hang of it then the unit is easy to use and has a very wide range.

A very musical compressor when used properly which I rate alongside more expensive compressors I've tried. There are better ones, but for my money not that much better for live use.

It works well as a clean boost i.e. level up, sustain down. Sustain control works very well again if used properly - when not it will naturally add noise to the signal chain if the level is up too. Great for squashed funky/rocky rythymn a la John Frusciante if you want to experiment with it.

This unit was made around 1981 - I swear it plays as good as the day it was born in the factory. Who uses a backup for compression anyway?

I've yet to see a positive review of Boss customer service. Never needed their help so far. No opinion.

This pedal has been in my chain for 2 and a half years and I've never thought once about replacing it or selling it. It does it's job better than most compression pedals up to the ??80 or so price range and then just as good as some of those priced at the boutique end of the market. It is a keeper, and adds that certain something to my sound that I can't do without. Brilliant pedal.

Very easy to use. Three knobs, which I don't set and forget, but actually tweak during the night depending on if I'm going to play a clean solo (Sultans of Swing) or if I'm using it as a clean boost for my solo tones.

I've used it to mimic Gilmour's solo on "Comfortably Numb" as well as Robert Cray's sound on his "Strong Persuader" album. I like it first in the chain to add boost and smooth out my picking attack. My buddy picked up a CS-3 after hearing me use a compressor. I was excited since the CS-3 has a "tone" control, but after I messed with the CS-3 for a while I felt it just seemed a bit more cold and metallic than my CS-2 no matter how I set it.

I've used it for over 500+ gigs with no problems (not counting all the rehearsals for those gigs).

Never had an issue with any Boss pedals, even after 20+ years of continuous use.

I play mostly covers, anything from Steely Dan to Metallica to Tom Jones. It's been a very versatile pedal, for rhythym, clean leads and as a boost for my distortion channel.
Currently I'm using a Frankenstien Fender Lead II with a (S/S/H) pickup config through a developing pedal board (with the CS-2 second in line after my Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Special Wah) into an original Boogie Triaxis, a Boogie 50/50 poweramp, and two ADA split cabs.
Overall I give this pedal a 10, but then it's the only compressor I've ever used. This is my first product review, and I've chosen one of my oldest pedals. I picked up the guitar over 30 years ago, and have been playing in bars and clubs for 25. I started with MXR dist, Ibanez CS-505 and AD-80. Picked up my CS-2 in 1986 and it has never missed a gig since. Even when I moved from pedals to midi controlled multifx (Alesis Quadraverb), I've always kept the CS-2 and a wah pedal in my chain. I really believe this pedal has had a huge influence on my "unique" tone. In the 80's when all the bands were big hair and shred solos, I could play clean solos that cut through with great sustain thanks to this pedal. In addition this little box landed me some great gigs by giving my single coils a funk sound that none of the other local rockers could touch.
If it were stolen, somebody would pay, and then I'd have to get another CS-2.

No problems using it, just plug it in and change the knobs to suite your sound

Its a damm cool pedal, used by Gilmore, but mine hisses a little if you turn it up 2 full plast, it may me down to the crap amp, im not sure, so im giving it a nine.

Very reliable, no problems so far

Its a cool pedal, especially gud for soling or just makin a clearer sound to your perfromance. i rekonmend it

It don't get any easier...Just make sure you got a battery in it !

I have used this blue stomper for a very long time...Tightens up my 1973 Strat, It's my #1 pedal, first in the chain and first on tone.

I got this blue box so long ago...I think 1976 ?...It's been on tour thru the states and Europe...puked on...dropped...kicked...rained on...Everything that could happen to a pedal on the road you can think of except.........lost or stolen....if that were to happen, would immedently locate another...It's Bulletproof !

Never needed them...

I play Electric Blues, #1 geetar 1973 beat up Blonde Strat..CS2...Crybaby...Ibanez Tube Screamer...Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face...Echo Plex + 1969 Marshall Stack...The CS2 is a must have for me and my Music..It is my Sound !

Find a setting you like, leave it, have fun.
Its fairly easy to setup, though avoid any of the higher settings, keep it below the 12 position and you should be fine.

Brilliant. I had one of these in 1988 when i first started playing guitar. I always seemed to have a good tone back then, though i didnt appreciate it, people who were in bands with me used to comment on how smooth and warm my sound was. Unfortunately i fell for the hype (and ease of setup) of the multi-effects processors and sold all my pedals for an ME6 (then a few Zooms and Bosses right up to the GT6).
I've gone full circle now. However, something was missing with my new all pedal setup, i was using a Dynacomp, and good though it is, i found my tone needed more "juice", so i remembered the CS2 and decided to buy one again on Ebay.
I use it with a Strat, into a Twin Reverb, i have a load of effects.
It sounds very warm, it has real character, it smooths your tone and really makes the guitar song, i love this pedal.
Dave Gilmour used one for many years (though i think he uses a Demeter now) and for my money, the guitar tone on the Pulse album is the best i've ever heard.

The one i bought on Ebay is about 20 years old, looks and sounds as good as new.

No idea

I probably paid slightly over the odds for this, but it is a stunning example of this pedal, looks good as new, and sounds amazing.
I play a lot of fluid, smooth guitar lines, lots of Floyd stuff and other classic rock. I really like that warm, fat tone you get with good equipment and the right effects.
I use this with a Keeley modded Crybaby, Boss NS2, Big Muff, ReezaFRATzitz, Barber LTD, Boss GE7, Mojo Vibe, Electric Mistress, Phase 90, SPF Ego Booster, Boss DD3 and Ernie Ball volume pedal into either a Fender Twin REverb or a Peavey Classic 50.
I have a Dynacomp for backup.

I use this pedal all the time, it forms a huge part of my basic tone.
This is my favourite compressor (i've tried loads, including all those multi-effects) and really is fantastic.
It is a little noisy, and it can never be described as transparent.... but thats why i like it, plus, being a Boss it will buffer your signal and help boost the level on a long effects chain.

Have fun..... Enjoy you CS-2

No complications. Straingforward stomp box, the old school way. If you have ears and fingers, you'll be set. No editing, no patches, no firmware, no upgrades, no manual (unless a marketing brochure and a couple of stickers count as such).

Hard Specs: Not so true bypass / 3 Simple Controls (Level, Attack, Sustain) / Made in Japan (the real deal!).

The only interesting comment to share is that I have this pedal for more years than I can remember. At that time, I had a cheesy strat copy and no amp. Today I have more than 100 guitars and several top of the line amps, and this smurf is still here.

This little Blue Box was the very first effect I ever own. At that time (I must have 11 years old, actually) I was strongly disappointed, since I could hardly noticed the effect (I wanted a distortion box, go figure), but the box stuck anyway and I used every now and then for soloing. I remember asking to almost everybody back then ?do you really notice something when I press this?? And then my ears developed.

Anyway, this is unarguably the best compressor ever made for the electric guitar. Period. I do not want to have an argument with no one, but to my ears this is a simple fact. After a while, I became somewhat obsessed about compression and this pedal has been with me from scratch, hence becoming an integral part of my own sound. Like many of you,

I must have tried zillions of effect pedals, outboard stomp boxes, rack gear, boutique boxes, elite boxes, bizarre boxes? you get the picture. Way Huge Saffron Squeeze, Homebrew CPR, Roland AS1, DOD Milkbox FX84, DOD FX80, Guyatone ST2, Analogman Bi-Compressor, Ibanez CP9, MXR M102 Dynacomp, MXR M132, Demeter COMP1, Maxon CP101, Robert Keeley Compressor, EH Black Finger, Durham Mucho Boosto, Yamaha CO100, Ibanez CP830, DigiTech Main Squeeze, Presonus Bluemax, Boss CL-50, ToadWorks? Mr. Squishy, Line6 Constrictor, Marshall ED-1? thank you very much to you all. When it comes to compression, nothing comes even close to the CS2 . Some are cleaner, some are better, some are noisier, some are worse, some are mild, some are sharp? but the CS2 is second to none.

The CS2 manages to compress high-input signals boosting low-input signals, giving you smooth, creamy sustain without degrading the quality and tone of the original guitar sound or adding any kind of noise or hiss (I?m talking DEAD quiet here). This pedal was manufactured in Japan more than two decades ago (the CS1 dated back from 1979!) and I was unable to find a suitable replacement. At this point, I strongly doubt I ever will. Some 10 years ago I moved and forgot my trusty CS behind, so after trying to get another one in Paris (good luck with that) and meeting repeatedly with failure, I bought the CS3, marketed by Boss? as the successor of the CS2. Forget about that, since there?s nothing in comparison. Not long ago I was offered a CS1 in almost mint condition and that was an interesting choice, I admit, but less pronounced as an effect that the one in the CS2. In addition the ?tone? switch in the CS1 was too radical on the original tone.

As I said, I play with this with any guitar and amp imaginable over the years and the results were consistent. No unwanted noise, no failures, no weaknesses, nothing broke. I just love it.

Two decades behind and still delivers.

Tried an upgrade (CS3), rushed back instantly. I had some experience with the Boss team in Japan and they were incredibly cordial, yet that does not count as "customer support"...

Many times I recorded in high-end studios, being able to use high-end compressors. Every single time, I pulled my CS2. Some years ago I did get excited about the Pete Cornish SS-2 Soft Sustain. Some years back in London I tried a fantastic compressor made by David Eden. Went back to my CS2. Today, I?m very involved in my home studio project, and I use each and all plug-in under the sun. Most of them are impressive, although when I need some real attack in my soloing, I still reach for my CS2. As easy as that.

How much easier could it be? I got this pedal over ten years ago when I was 14. I did not have an impressive collection of great guitars and amps, but I noticed then how much this pedal seriously fills out your sound. Whether playing clean or through an overdriven amp, this pedal has several benefits.

I got this pedal over ten years ago when I was 14. I did not have an impressive collection of great guitars and amps, but I noticed then how much this pedal seriously fills out your sound. Whether playing clean or through an overdriven amp, this pedal has several benefits. When playing clean, this will make your chording sound more consistant, brilliant, and playing lead lines is effortless. When playing distorted through an overdriven valve amp is when I think this pedal truly shines. It can act as an additional stage of gain to really push your amplifier with almost endless gain. It really sweetens up your tone and provides endless sustain. Like the scene from "This Is Spinal Tap" when Nigel Tufnel speaks of the endless singing sustain of his '59 Les Paul, your notes go as long as you please. Set this before your distortion pedal or just in between you and a valve amp on high, you will be amazed.

I have had this pedal for more than ten years and it was not brand new then. It's a Made In Japan model with maybe half of the blue paint on it still. I've only ever replaced the batteries. Unlike other pedals I've owned, the sound timbre, clarity, everything tonal is exactly the same as it was when I first tried it out.

I've never had any negative issue with this specific product.

I play any style from jazz, rock, rockabilly, metal, whatever. I always use it whenever I record guitar or bass guitar tracks. This effect is priceless. I have tried the cs-3 just in case I may ever have to replace this one. I was not impressed at all. It's really invaluable to me. I can't imagine not having. It provides so much strength to your tone. It really drives a vavle amplifier in such a phenomenal manner. I have a 1968 50 watt Fender Bassman class AB, a 1992 100 watt Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb class AB, a Fender Blues Junior 15 watts class A, and those amps are all very different tonally. This pedal combined with any guitar and amp will give you impressive results. I can not stress how much better this can push an amp more than an Ibanez comp.

fairly easy to operate and for a guitarist not familar with compression. I've had two of them and I believe one still had the manual with it I don't recall there much there to look at or needing it to operate the pedal.

I used this with a vox ac-10 and a silver face champ and vibrochamp. I used mostly MIJ teles and strats-but also a ric v63 325 and 450 12 string. It is noisy. I would describe this compressor pedal more as an effect than good sounding compression.

had two never had problem with either

sure there fine

Well, at the same time I was using these I also had Ibanez cp-9 which seemed so much more natural and pleasing. The boss cs-2 made this sort of ice pick thing through my amps that gave me a headache after awhile. Still, I went with the boss instead of the Ibanez. Later, sold off both but then came back to Ibanez and bought 2 cp10 which seem identical in sound to cp9 to me. I would not buy again they sound sort of unnatural and I think the ibanez is a much better vintage compressor

simple pedal, basic compression techniques helpful to know. manual is satifactory.

sounds great, if you like hiss.
actually Im sure this is a fine pedal for country pickin or jazz or whatever.. I bought it to punch up my lead tones in full shred mode. I was able to get some very nice pick/string interaction things going, and I DID like the overall tone, but at high gain settings the thing just produced an awful lot of noise. I returned it for a store credit.
I have a rackmount tube compressor I was trying to avoid using because its a pain to set everything up for practicing... but unfortunately the little boss pedal wasnt in the same league. dont even know if its playing the same game actually....

boss pedals are hard to break.

my needs could not be met with the boss cs-2, but apparently many others find it to work great. I either expect too much for 80 bucks or it didnt play well with my BC Rich and Marshall. I wont say its a total POS, just that I dont want another one.

Three knobs Blah. blah. blah. Pretty easy to use.

I'm using this with a Ibanez GAX70, through alot of pedals to a Marshall 9004 preamp. it's kind of noisy but I'm using headphones so yeah it would be kind of noisy. Other than that it's a great pedal with a warmer more organic sound and it's not as harsh as the CS-3. I use it to even out string volume and get more sustain out of my relativly weak pickups, works like a charm. I give it a 9 begause of the noise.

Yup i can depend on it.

I play rock, metal, alt rock, and alot noodling. I've been playing for about four years. I would find another if lost or stolen.

As it's been said before... 3 Knobs, could it be any easier?

I've got a Japanese Black Label one, had a few issues with it occasionally giving off a crazy buzzing noise when you turned it on/off but after investigation it appeared someone had taken out the plastic sheet that seperates the circuit board from the metal backing plate and I think the fact they were touching was causing it to buzz.
Anyway, Sound wise this thing is far superior to the CS-3, much warmer in sound, and as I said, because it's only got 3 Knobs it's so easy to dial in a sound that suits your playing.

Well, Im not totally sure how old mine is but Im guessing early 80's, the paint work is chipped all over and it's rather tatty but it STILL WORKS after all this time. Also, Dave Gilmour still uses this thing on his pedal board...now, Im not a betting man, but if I was I'd put good money on that fact that Dave Gilmours CS-2 is the only CS-2 he's ever had... bearing in mind how many gigs Pink Floyd/Dave has done over the years I'd say you can't get much more reliable than a BOSS

Never had to deal with them...

It's very suited to my style and my musical influences... U2, RHCP, The Cure, Pink Floyd etc...It was stolen, I'd cry...'cause these things are so rare and If I did find one I'd end up paying way too much.
I wish there was some firm that would "refurbish" the paintwork for me, as It stands out amongst my other Boss pedals as being rather scruffy, yet the most important thing is the sound it makes.

I will spare you the "Duh it only has 3 knobs" talk. As if the amount of knobs has much to do with it at all. If you understand the concept of compressors, it is almost too easy. I find the CS-2 to be far easier than any other compression pedal in dialing in for great tone and not over squashing.

Custom Shop Strat/72 Tele Thinline -> BOSS CS-2 -> ProCo RAT 2 -> Maxon 808 -> BOSS CH-1 -> BOSS DD-6 -> Fender HR Deluxe. Low noise. The sustaining and enhancing characteristics of the pedal may bring some of the amps tube noise up front, but it is little to worry about. It certainly is not as "transparent" as other compressors, but I really like that about it. Texas Specials in the strat, played through the CS gets a really great percussion to it, very SRV. Fuzzing out the rat and and cascading the CS through other effects can give you some wild feedbacks.

Its a BOSS. This thing is at least 5 years old and still kicking just fine.

Never dealt with BOSS/Roland. I heard its no good though.

Wonderful for all the types of music I play (I at least try to play everything). 8 Yrs playing, and I consider myself to have a pretty good ear for nice tone. If it were stolen or lost I would certainly look for another. It's a shame these are discontinued, but if they were not I'm sure they would be made in Taiwan now anyway. Don't bother with the CS-3, its not worth the box it comes in. I put the new CS-3 and my used CS-2 (for about 35 dollars less might I add) next to each other at the shop and the results were very clear. Go Japan if you can.

Easy...levels are...

Adds a punchy,percussive,sound with more brilliance that does somewhat diminish your true tone. I use it for guitar,bass and vocals to add presence and clean up the stray decibels. Recording or live this is my all time favorite pedal. In this order I use boss cs-2,sansamp gt2,ibanez dfl flanger into anything with reverb. Helps to make me sound better than i am. It and the samsamp really punch up the bass and makes it stand out. On the guitar it does the chili pepper funky swatty thing pretty well. I dont think it sustains all that well which is ok with me. Nothing gets a 10.

Boss is beefy. no backup

not applicable

If i could only have one pedal this is it.

2 buttons! give me a break! haha
made in japan (just the BEST!)

i use several vintage fender guitars, with a Sound City 50+ head, a fender super twin reverb or my '74 marshall super lead.
pedal is quiet as a dream... sounds lush and soft.
stick it in front of your twin and you'll swear you're playing through a roland jazz chorus amp. sounds EXACTLY like the chorus on that amp, without having to buy one (they're great amps, anyway!)
i'm a lot into exerimental space rock (a la mogwai etc.), and of course, the old pink floyd stuff. this pedal fits my style perfectly, i leave it ON all the time, but very soft and sobtile, just to add some "space"...

oh man... if you can depend on one brand of pedals, it's the old BOSS!

haven't needed them yet...

i paid less than 40 bucks for it, a great deal for the price. jap boss peds are ALWAYS a great deal! i've seen the ce-2 on ebay selling for more than 100 bucks, get one if you can, they won't get cheaper!
basically, if you're looking for a roland jazz chorus sound, get one of these pedals! it's great sounding, cheap, and even nice to look at... haha