Need something better than Boss Flange

lex666

lex666

New member
Hey guys,

I'm getting pretty tired of my Boss Flange BF3.

Its always just been "ok" with me. I always had trouble dialing in the right "swoosh".

Anyways, I'm looking for something better than the Boss. I'm looking for a thick Flanger sound with a nice "swirl" to it if you know what I mean... I like it to sound like a jet engine taking off... Something easier to dial in the right "rise and fall"... I'm using it to cover RATM songs if that helps...

I've tried the Ibanex flange and that wasn't thick enough...

Thanks!
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

Which Ibanez Flanger? Morello's was the Ibanez DFL, and I can nail his tone with it. For major swoosh I also like the original MXR (not the reissue). Unfortunately the DFL is going up in price because not only is it Morello's Flanger, it's also Adam Jones'.

I'm also a fan of the Boss HF-2 (Hi Band Flanger), the EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress and I've heard the ADA is the ultimate Flanger. But for your use, try one of the first two.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

I tried the Ibanez FL9:
http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-FL9-Flanger-Reissue-150342-i1124275.Music123

I didn't find its tone thick enuff.

I've also tried the Digitech Turbo Flange, but that was too digital or artificial sounding to me. The Boss sounded the best out of the 3, so I kind of just "settled" for that...

I'm thinking about the MXR EVH Flanger. Anyone tried that yet? I wonder if its thick enuff to nail Tom Morello type flange sound...
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

I you really don't like your Boss, send it to me. I need a spare.

Unfortunately, I can't give you much advice. When I bought my first flanger circa 1981, I was shooting for two sounds: Pats Travers and Thrall (ADA) and Andy Summers (Electric Mistress, I think). All I could afford was the Boss BF-2. It got me close enough to both sounds, so I haven't given flangers and other thought since. I'm on my third or fourth Boss (due to changing tastes and GAS, no reliability issues). The latest is an MIJ BF-2 from eBay. I don't even know how different the BF-2 and BF-3 are. If you can find a -2, try it. They aren't terribly expensive.

If money were no object, I'd have an ADA and/or an MXR, but the Boss does me just fine.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

Where the old BF-2's were analog, the BF-3 is digital. I agree, I'm not a fan. The only difference between the MXR reissue and the EVH is a paintjob and an EVH setting button. Supposedly, the internal circuitry is the same. The good thing is, almost every guitar store carries both, so try one out. If you find it's not quite doing it for you, scope out an original or the Ibanez. (I was going to get the reissue until I saw you can get an original in good shape on ebay for LESS than a new EVH!)
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

I forgot to mention, with a new MXR you do get a better switch (not sure if it's TB), and indicator LED and battery/detachable adapter, instead of the hard wired plug on the original.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

A Boss HF-2 Hi Band Flanger is too subtle for what you're looking for.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

Well here's a BUMP for myself.

I picked up a EVH Flanger on friday and played with it all weekend. Unfortunately, it wasn't the tone I was looking for. It wasn't as thick sounding as I was hoping for. It had nice tone and worked just fine, but was too subtle for my application. My EVH Phase 90 actually creates a thicker flanger effect than the EVH Flanger. Too bad, cuz it looked real cool and was built with superb quality. Oh well, I guess I'm gonna have to return it.

For kicks, I even tried it thru my effects loop. Once again, I was reminded why I never use it... The effects loop always seems to rob me of some serious tone.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

Wow, the MXR was too subtle? Even with the regen maxed out? Can you give a song example or two of what you are looking for?
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

Well the best advise I can give is to have CS9 before, there is a reason TS9, FL9, CS9, AD9 were put out together, I've tried mine CS9 before the FL9 and I looked over my shoulder to see where Ronie James Dio was, I thought I was Blackmore playing through echoplex ....
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

FL-9 is way too chorus like....
Either dig up and old Yamaha FL-100 or FL-10, or Ibanez FL-301.
Those are fat flangers, or if you wanna spend some money...Foxrox TZF.
ADA is also a real classic...but not easy to find!
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

PFDarkside said:
Wow, the MXR was too subtle? Even with the regen maxed out? Can you give a song example or two of what you are looking for?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the EVH Flanger was real subtle IMO. I tried various settings, including maxed Regen, and with all the controls at various levels around 75% to 100%. With the EVH button on, it was still not very thick. I thought this big, 18v box would be like an atom bomb of flange, but it wasn't. Dissapointing tho, cuz I thought the asthetics of the pedal were very cool. But for $189, it gotta be perfect...

I still found that the EVH Phase 90 had a better, louder flange effect.

I'm looking for a flange sound similar to the beginning of "killing in the name" or better yet, at 3:05 of "township rebellion".
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

What's your amp and guitar, and what are you using for gain? (amp or what pedal)

I'll see if I can do it with the DFL. Maybe the other Ibanez's that Rid mentioned also might work. Let me give it a try...
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

PFDarkside said:
What's your amp and guitar, and what are you using for gain? (amp or what pedal)

I'll see if I can do it with the DFL. Maybe the other Ibanez's that Rid mentioned also might work. Let me give it a try...
Click to expand...

I'm using my MIM SSS strat into my Marshall TSL602 combo with 2x12 cab. I'm using amp distortion. no other effects are on when the flange is on except for maybe some amp reverb.

Let me know your results. I'm curious to find out...

Thanks!
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

PFDarkside said:
......Unfortunately the DFL is going up in price........it's also Adam Jones'.
Click to expand...

Jones uses a BOSS. BF-2 or BF-3. Ill put my left nut on it.



Personally, I like my Ibanez CF7. I know that the 7 series ToneLok pedals dont get reviewed great, but the DE7 and CF7 are awesome. And I hear that the FZ7 fuzz is good too.
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

I know he uses the Boss now, I thought he used an Ibanez in the past? Anyway...

I think I understand what you mean about the MXR now. You can crank the regen and get EVH for days, but that's not the Morello sound. His is a deep, quasi-think flange with not much regeneration. When you set the MXR up for that, it's not lush enough.

I went through my Flangers, the Boss HF-2 is way too subtle, the Dano Psycho Flange is so resonant it sounds techno, the Ibanez CF-7 is interesting, but similar to the MXR it's not deep enough, getting closer though. The Deluxe Electric Mistress is prett deep, but it's got a wierd sweep pattern. In typical EHX fashion it can get wild, and depending on the settings it can get close. Finally, the Ibanez DFL gets the closest (it is Morello's afterall) but I still couldn't nail it. I think the problem is that a Flanger relies on mids to modulate, and that single coil tone (almost hollow) doesn't have much mids to modulate. I'll keep playing with these two to see if I can come up with some settings.

(I was using a Tele Texas Special neck pickup to try to get the tones, btw)
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

I say build one.

Im with you. I hate looking for an effect, and everyting comes close, but nothing nails it. Thats how I was with reverb pedals....until I found the Verbzilla, that is :love:
 
Re: Need something better than Boss Flange

if flange requires mids to modulate, your single coils are what's ruining it for you. Tom's gotta hot rails in his SOUL POWER strat...that'll give you more mids to modulate than you need.

'mids to modulate' is fun to say, by the way.
 
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