What Flanger??

[SirJackdeFuzz]

I have a massive soft spot for the allmighty EHX Flanger Hoax . . .

. . . but that is usually too much pedal power for most !

[GregJr]

Go with a Boss . Easy to get on Flea-bay or Gregslist. BF2 or BF3. Can't go wrong.

[d1dsj]

Ibanez FL9 fan here but I understand the earlier 3 knob ones (FL305??) is better still.

[RayBarbeeMusic]

I went through that about 18 months ago and tried a lot of different things. Ended up being the most happy with the Maxon FL-9. It could get all the sounds I wanted, excellent tone quality, true bypass, and small footprint. I liked some of the others I tried but they were just way too big for my pedal board, and none of the other small footprint ones came close to the Maxon. The TC one was particularly disappointing.

Maxon makes great stuff. It isn't cheap either. Usually you can find a good deal used if you are patient.

[SlyFoxx]

Sound wise the Mistress is my fave flange but I've had reliability issues with them. So now I'm rolling with this.



It's replica of the original EM. The thing seems tough as nails and it's footprint is a lot less than the current EM....about the size of two Boss units but not quite as tall.

[kjrocks]

I love the MXR micro too. I find it can be subtle and doesn't cut the low end. It also doesn't give me that annoying whoosh that gets old fast. I keep both knobs pretty low and that works for rhythm,leads, dirty or clean. Love it !

[Inkstained]

MXR Micro is hereby seconded. And an MXR EVH 117 will make your toes curl.

[ParameterMan]

I've heard three flangers that I'd like to own:

The Hartman Electronics Analog Flanger for that sort of chimy swirling almost phase-shifted sound.

The Toadworks Barracuda, which is simultaneously silvery and almost talkbox growly.

And, the MXR EVH117, which is just that classic super dry swoosh that blends into distortion well.

They all seem to have a sound that colors and shifts your tone around rather than overwhelming it with a plastic sort of ringing noise.

[James Rock]

Try a BF-2 (as people have said) if it is your first standalone flanger. Heaps of different kinds of tones and while it doesn't do the jet thing as well as MXR and doesn't do the chorus thing as well as EHX it is cheaper then both by a fair bit and has both chorus like and jet like sounds. For a more simple thing look at the MXR Micro Flanger sounds pretty cool.
if price doesn't matter some of the nicer ones listed here are better but for a first flanger something cheap you can turn over easy would be what I reccomend.

[JOEBACCA]

MXR Micro Flanger.

1- Two Knobs, Rate & Regen, Simple

2- Is NOT a Pedal Board Hog

3- Relatively Inexpensive yet Built Tough

Works for me!!!

[Aceman]

Try a BF-2 (as people have said) if it is your first standalone flanger. Heaps of different kinds of tones and while it doesn't do the jet thing as well as MXR and doesn't do the chorus thing as well as EHX it is cheaper then both by a fair bit and has both chorus like and jet like sounds. For a more simple thing look at the MXR Micro Flanger sounds pretty cool.
if price doesn't matter some of the nicer ones listed here are better but for a first flanger something cheap you can turn over easy would be what I reccomend.

It's a standard/classic for a reason. Cheap on the Bay.

[stevie_bees]

Well, I've just won a MXR M-117 Flanger on eBay, so I'll let you know how I get on...

[d1dsj]

Nice one Stevie!

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Nice.....

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Since people have mentioned the BF-2, I'll say this:

I had a BF-2 since they were new in the 80s and loved the tones but the tone sucking when it was off didn't cut it. It did great flange, great doubling effect, etc.

The Maxon FL-9 (don't confuse it with the Ibanez, they aren't the same circuit or quality) did everything that BF-2 did and more, plus it was a lot more refined and had true bypass.

So if you like the BF-2 and want to upgrade to something that will do all those things but is more professional level, try the Maxon.

[BloodRose]

congrats stevie!!

I have an MXR but am AWEFUL enticed by the ADA reissue

[Low_fidelity2100]

I suggest an old Boss hi-band Flanger...On my gigging board, it covers both flange sounds, and chorus sounds (got two)...Nothing better for my needs. Leaves your core tone intact, and adds a thick jet flange on top, or a shimmery chorus in the mix...

beyond that...Ibanez FL-9 (reissue, not original) is a great subtle Flange, that can double as a Chorus depending on settings.
Boss BF-2 works great for a deep thick Flange, but doesn't do a good subtle chorus (imo).
And Obviously ADA for a jet Flange, and a pretty good chorus too.

[saladin]

Since people have mentioned the BF-2, I'll say this:

I had a BF-2 since they were new in the 80s and loved the tones but the tone sucking when it was off didn't cut it. It did great flange, great doubling effect, etc.

I agree + it has an annoying metallic overtone that is hard to deal with. The BF-3 doesn't get much love due to it being digital but it totally blows the BF-2 out of the running + with a lot of different modes and tap tempo, it's hard to beat!!

[stevie_bees]

congrats stevie!!

I have an MXR but am AWEFUL enticed by the ADA reissue

Yeah, the ADA Reissue looks and sounds really cool, but slightly over my budget and takes up quite a bit of pedalboard real estate. Fingers crossed on the incoming MXR...

[ratherdashing]

Did you get an M-117R (reissue), or the old one with the AC cord?