Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

[BloodRose]

So, to anyone thats played both, which is more flangtastic? I have an MXR, and have never had the opp to play a ADA. For years, Ive always heard the ADA is the grail of all things flangeness.. So with the reissues out, Im thinking I need to sell bodily fluids or an organ or two to get one..
Am I in the zone already, or am I missing the ideal ride to flangetown??

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

Flangers are all different...I tend to lump flangers into 4 basic groups....

MXR-This is THE EVH flange and is great for lots of other classic flanging needs.

Electro Harmonix-I think of these more like a heavy chorus-Andy Summers used an EH Flanger and it was mistaken for chorus all the time, these are also the flangers that were HUGE in the 90's with bands like Nirvana, the Pumpkins, etc

ADA-These are the wackiest of all flangers IMO...good for ray gun type sounds and stuff like Paul Gilbert is famous for pulling out of a flanger.

OTHER...this covers everything else for me...Boss, DOD, etc

The only other thing I might add these days are TZF flangers but there are so few of them and they are really sort of their own thing.

The ADA is a cool flanger but I get more use form either the EH or MXR...and in fact the only 2 flangers I have left are an early Deluxe Electric Mistress reissue and an MXR Micro Flange.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

We're lucky A/DA came back to reissue the Flanger and Final Phase. If you want one, do it now. It's probably the world's last chance to grab a rare and cool pedal. The new one is probably even more dialed in.

There's internal mini pots all over the board, so I'd imagine ones like my 78 aren't even factory spec anymore. I should even Email them and send them mine, if they can restore all the settings. Years ago, I figured out what each mini switch does in relation to the sound, and dialed it in to how I wanted it. I have no idea if it's far off from factory settings at this point.

And the Final Phase is something I've always wanted.....also the ADA expression pedal.
Now that you mentioned it, I really should sell my vintage Flanger, and go out and buy the two new ones. I don't care about the vintage value of mine, I just want the new Flanger, Final Phase, and expression pedal. A/DA made some really good stuff, and who knows how long they'll be around.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

Gearjoneser, Its rare that reissues measure up to the vintage stuff. Main reason Im posting this thread is that the reissues are drying up QUICK, so Im worried about getting one in time if I decide I need one.. So, you think they are pretty superior to an mxr?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

From what I've heard, the reissues are the same as the old ones, except in cases where some components were no longer obtainable....they used what's available now.
I think they also modernized the power supply and made the new ones true or buffered bypass.

All flangers sound different, so you won't find an MXR that sounds like an ADA, and visa versa.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

Ive been watching these dissapear really fast off of evilbay.. there were dozens and now there are only about 3 dealers selling new ones.. dangit.. Funny the guys selling old beat to death ones for a mint..

 

[erksin]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

I think the A/DA is the best sounding and most versatile of any flanger I've owned or played.

I don't think it's only use is for the non-trad flanging sounds at all - it does killer straight up flanging as good or better than the rest. And it's faux Leslie sounds are fantastic as well. If you've ever heard The Pat Travers Band 'Live! Go For What You Know' it's the best A/DA demo you'll ever hear. Truly an incredible pedal IMO.

I've also owned the old '80s grey box version of the Arion SFL-1 and this one has the coolest vocal-like 'water down the drain' sweep - almost sounds like a talk box.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Flangelicious, MXR vs ADA?

incidently, since the ADAs are starting to get thin on ebay, I grabbed one. It came stock with all the dials at like 11 oclock. So far thats my fav setting. recommend some others please!!