What's the best flanger and why

I don't think there is a "best". They all have different flavors. I would say the most famous are the ADA, MXR M117, and the BOSS BF2. I have an old MIJ black-label BF-2 I use a lot. It is very versatile. I also use a Moog Moogerfooger MF-108M Cluster Flux, which is the best flanger I have ever owned. I got the MOOG after getting frustrated with the MXR M117. The MXR has a volume drop when engaged, the MOOG has a knob for variable output level.

Like any piece of gear, it depends on what you are looking for sound wise and your budget.
 
I like the Electric Mistress. Not the best built pedals, but they sound great at what they do . . . everything from light chorus to heavy whooshing flangey feedback. I find it easy to get Police-y or Gilmore-y sounds which are most of what I use a flanger for.
 
I think the classic ones are the MXR, Electric Mistress, Boss and ADA. You can get an MXR used at a decent price and the Mooer E-Lady is a reproduction of the Electric Mistress.
 
Ibanez had a killer flanger back in the day. Paul Gilbert's Airplane Flanger was based off it. I'm partial to the Boss BF-2 and MXR, of which I have owned both at different times.
 
Here you guys go from ChatGPT


There are several flanger effect pedals on the market that are well-suited for guitar, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are a few examples of popular flanger pedals that are highly rated among guitarists:
  1. Boss BF-3: The Boss BF-3 is a versatile flanger pedal that offers a wide range of flanging sounds, from classic analog-style to more modern, complex textures. It features a two-dimensional control knob that allows you to adjust the depth and rate of the flange effect
  2. MXR M117R Flanger: The MXR M117R Flanger is a classic pedal that offers a wide range of flange sounds, from classic Jet flange to more modern, complex textures. It has a simple controls that make it easy to dial in the perfect sound, and it's known for its high-quality sound.
  3. Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress: The Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress is a classic flanger pedal that offers a wide range of flange sounds, from classic Jet flange to more modern, complex textures. It is known for its warm, analog-like sound and its easy-to-use controls.
  4. Strymon Timeline: The Strymon Timeline is a digital flanger pedal that offers a wide range of flange sounds, from classic Jet flange to more modern, complex textures. It features advanced controls that allow you to shape the sound in many different ways and it's known for its high-quality sound and versatility.
  5. Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl: The Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl is a versatile flanger pedal that offers a wide range of flange sounds, from classic Jet flange to more modern, complex textures. It features advanced controls that allow you to shape the sound in many different ways, and it's known for its warm, analog-like sound and its easy-to-use controls.
Please note that these are just a few examples, and there are many other flanger pedals available on the market. The most important thing is to do your research, and try out different pedals to find the one that works best for you and your style.
 
dave74 said:
I'm not too big on flangers anyways so for me that micro is perfect, and it also lends a boost instead of a drop when engaged. :headbang:
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If you are talking about the MXR Micro vs the MXR M11I totally agree. I have had both and prefer the micro because it doesn't have that drop.
 
The first flanger I have ever heard and tried in my life was the EHX Electric Mistress in the 1970's. That's what 'flange' was supposed to sound like, at the time; it being modeled on what happens when you vary the speed of a tape over the playback heads and mix it with the original signal. Personally, it was an interesting sound for about 5-10 minutes and I didn't find it useful after that.

The best flanger I have ever heard, used and owned is my ADA S1000 rack delay (hey, while posted in pedal room, no one specified it had to be a pedal; just said best flange...). The ADA S1000 rack delay has the widest, deepest jet engine sweep of anything I've ever heard, it even bested the ADA Digitizer 4 I also owned. In fact, I've kept the ADA S1000 all these years just for that one reason - the depth of the flange. I've tried Roland units, BOSS pedals, and others and many sound pretty good these days, but nothing came close to the effect I got out of the rack unit.
 
beaubrummels said:
The first flanger I have ever heard and tried in my life was the EHX Electric Mistress in the 1970's. That's what 'flange' was supposed to sound like, at the time; it being modeled on what happens when you vary the speed of a tape over the playback heads and mix it with the original signal. Personally, it was an interesting sound for about 5-10 minutes and I didn't find it useful after that.

The best flanger I have ever heard, used and owned is my ADA S1000 rack delay (hey, while posted in pedal room, no one specified it had to be a pedal; just said best flange...). The ADA S1000 rack delay has the widest, deepest jet engine sweep of anything I've ever heard, it even bested the ADA Digitizer 4 I also owned. In fact, I've kept the ADA S1000 all these years just for that one reason - the depth of the flange. I've tried Roland units, BOSS pedals, and others and many sound pretty good these days, but nothing came close to the effect I got out of the rack unit.
Click to expand...

At best they're only good for about 10 or 15 as a focus minutes of a session, the rest of the time I want to use it in the mix or just not use it.

I've had a strong desire to create a rack system for a while.
 
The best is the one you like the sound of.

For me - it is any Flanger with a momentary on/off as I tend to really only use it for brief passages in a song.

Examples:
Rock & Roll Fantasy - The intro riff
Ain't Talking Bout Lover - Da Da Da - Dun Uh
Down Boys - EABC# Arpeggios in very 1 & 3

And all things being equal, meaning you are not a particular Flanger Fanboy....Hard to argue with the BF3 in 2023.
 
I like a good flanger and the Boss BF3 and the Strymon Orbit. They both offer a lot of different but useful flanger sounds. I like a slightly thick flanger sound and these 2 can get really heavy jet flanger sound.
 
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