My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

[Cazmarzak]

Ok, This thread is more for guys who have actually heard \Played BOTH the Re-issue adn the original MXR flanger.

I'm ready to buy one and here is the reason for this thread. Yes I want the Original, bUT I dont want to shell oue around 200.00 for a pedal that is beat to death and may possibly die at any minute. The re- issues aren't as old,s o I'm thinking they will last longer.

Plus , I'm not sure if this is the case or not, but since the RE-issues are MAde by Dunlop and they are still in business, I;m thinking they may be easier to get fixed.

But as I said I want the original sound of the earlier ones So..........

How close to the original is or isn't the Re-issue?

I've heard that the orignals are very noisy due to the Ac cord, and I've heard taht the re- issues are quiet, but not as warm and I have hear d that the re- issue ievery bit as good as the original.

Basically I've hear d everything from everyone Rolling Eyes SO I wanna know from guys wh ohave heard both. Do I spend alo t of cash and take a chance with the original, or do I save some cash and gop with a newer one Question

ALL info and help are greatly appreciated ! Thanks!

 

[Cazmarzak]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

Common guys, I'm ready to pull the trigger here and jsut need to know which one to aim at, HAHAHAHA! :rocket: :rocket:

 

[rspst14]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

I know you asked for people who have played both, but I'll chime in anyway because I do have a lot of experience with original MXR pedals, and their reissue counterparts. Dunlop reissues are not the same as the originals, no matter what anyone tells you. That doesn't mean that you won't like the reissue, but if you're after the vintage MXR tone, you need to get the real thing. Don't cheap out and go with the reissue. The reissue Phase 90 circuit is nothing like the original, neither is the Distortion model. The newer ones can't be wired for true bypass either, as all components are soldered directly to the circuit board.

A three prong AC cord shouldn't be noisy, the noise comes from the design itself. A little noise is a side effect of vintage analog flanger circuitry. The reason the reissues are quieter is because they use different chips. The older BBD chips are no longer in production. They can be found without too much difficulty if you look in the right places, but they are expensive. As a result, Dunlop uses a cheaper, more commonly available chip. It works, but it definitely doesn't sound the same.

Do you know anyone who is good at fixing electronics? Broken MXR pedals show up on Ebay all the time, if you know how to fix them, you can get them for a steal. I got a vintage Phase 90 for $25 and a vintage analog delay for $45 because they weren't working. I was able to fix both with about $15 worth of parts.

Ryan

 

[elvhfan]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

I know you asked for people who have played both, but I'll chime in anyway because I do have a lot of experience with original MXR pedals, and their reissue counterparts. Dunlop reissues are not the same as the originals, no matter what anyone tells you. That doesn't mean that you won't like the reissue, but if you're after the vintage MXR tone, you need to get the real thing. Don't cheap out and go with the reissue. The reissue Phase 90 circuit is nothing like the original, neither is the Distortion model. The newer ones can't be wired for true bypass either, as all components are soldered directly to the circuit board.

A three prong AC cord shouldn't be noisy, the noise comes from the design itself. A little noise is a side effect of vintage analog flanger circuitry. The reason the reissues are quieter is because they use different chips. The older BBD chips are no longer in production. They can be found without too much difficulty if you look in the right places, but they are expensive. As a result, Dunlop uses a cheaper, more commonly available chip. It works, but it definitely doesn't sound the same.

Do you know anyone who is good at fixing electronics? Broken MXR pedals show up on Ebay all the time, if you know how to fix them, you can get them for a steal. I got a vintage Phase 90 for $25 and a vintage analog delay for $45 because they weren't working. I was able to fix both with about $15 worth of parts.

Ryan

get the evh model...to my ears it's just as good

 

[rspst14]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

get the evh model...to my ears it's just as good

Do they make an EVH model flanger now, or were you referring to the EVH model Phase 90?

Ryan

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

If you're gonna spend money on a new MXR, I think you should seek out used ADA or used boutique Flangers, since they'll be nearly the same amount of money.
I've never used an MXR for anything other than a hammer or a wedge to keep a desk from wobbling.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

I have a box of OLD MXR units (phase 90 and phase 100, flanger, Distortion +, analog delay, chorus) and I have also tried ALL the reissues except the EVH Phase 90...I hate them all...the Flanger is the worst IMO! It sounds NOTHING like an original. I'm with GJ on this one!!!

MRX units are built like tanks...I say look for an old one and get it...look hard, I got mine (and it looks KILLER) for less that $150.00...Ive had it for 6 or 7 years now and it still kicks ass!!!

 

[zak]

Re: My Last MXR Flanger thread ever!

Hi there
I have tried owned both the reissue and original mxr flanger. I bought a reissue on ebay about 2 years ago, then about 1 year ago i saw an original going cheap in a shop and decided to buy it, then sell the one i liked least on ebay.

Anyway, i spent hours comparing them and it wasnt an easy decision, but here are some of the things I found.
First, anyone that tells you that the original is soooo much better than the reissue is talking crap. There are some slight differences, but they are actually more similar than you would imagine, and i think most people would sweat in a blindfold test.
The original was noisier (slightly hissy and you could hear the pulse of the flange), but that may have just been my pedal. As far as tone went, the original was slightly warmer, slightly thinker. This worked better for clean sounds.A lso, the rate (speed) knob was a bit more flexible on the original (ie went to further extremes).
The reissue was very slightly thinner (i think it had a tiny bit less bass), and had a sheen/polished like quality over the sound (ie a bit more presence). It was a little smoother, and i prefered it for distortion, but for clean, it did sound very slightly less analog and more processed.

I have tried getting the sounds of 'unchained' and 'hear about it later' on both. They both do a good job, though personally i have to admit i never got a perfect unchained sound on either (and still havent on the original) though i can get close.

There are also cosmetic differences. The original comes with built in power chord, and unless it is a very late original, does not have an LED. The reissue has no power chord but still doesnt take batteries - it needed a 12volt or 16volt adaptor as far as i remember. As far as i remember, the input and output were on different sides on the reissue but are on the same side on the original. They both have the same good build quality on the outside, and i didnt open them up to see the inside. Neither was true bypass, and both seemed to affect tone quite a lot when not on.

I must stress that these differences were not that big. In the end, i kept the original, because i slightly preffered its tone and just because its an original. But a reissue at a good price would be a good deal, and would be far better than any modern non analog pedal like a boss or digitech.

feel free to ask more questions.

I've always hated this bias towards originals. One person somewhere on the net says the original of something is much better, then everyone and their dog repeats it without really knowing or having tried both versions.