Boss BF-2, EHX Stereo Electric Mistress, or Other

jufros · #1 05-26-2009, 11:07 AM

I currently own the EHX Stereo Electric Mistress but am digging the chorus on my Boss CE-5 much more than the SEM chorus. I'd still like to have a flanger but was wondering if I'd be better off keeping the SEM or switching to a more traditional flanger with more control like the BF-2. I'd also be interested in any other recommendations.

I'd like to have something that is flexible enough to do either metallic or swirly effects, but if I had to choose, I'd go with a fatter but vaguely metallic flanger.

gnasher1993 · #2 05-26-2009, 11:43 AM

There's some nice phasers about. I prefer phase to flange on bass. To each their own I guess.

jufros · #3 05-26-2009, 11:49 AM

I too prefer phasers but am completely satisfied with my nano small stone at the moment. I'm definitely looking for a flanger.

bigchiefbc · #4 05-26-2009, 01:50 PM

I love my SEM, but its a very unique sounding flanger. For some of the bread-and-butter flanger tones, I use a DOD FX72, which I personally think is way warmer and thicker than the Boss. IMHO of course

fishtx · #5 05-26-2009, 01:58 PM

I like the MXR M-117R.... May be the quietest Flanger I've tried...

RickenBoogie · #6 05-26-2009, 07:08 PM

I too prefer phaser to flanger, but for the metallic swirl you're after, the Boss BF-3 ain't bad. Good color, too. Use the guitar input, rather than the bass input.

Crystalman85 · #7 05-27-2009, 02:37 AM

I always thought the electro-harmonix stereo electric mistress sounds awesome on bass. mysticboo has sound samples of that pedal on bass on his soundclick website.

jufros · #8 05-27-2009, 03:43 AM

To reiterate, I actually own the SEM and while it's not really the sound I'm going for, I do like it. I'm just wondering if I'd be better off with the BF-2 or an MXR.

JanusZarate · #9 05-27-2009, 01:48 PM

IMO, the Boss BF-2 really nails the classic metallic flanging sound. It does have a thicker but "drier" tone than the SEM. I haven't used the MXR, so I'm not sure how it compares.

jufros · #10 05-27-2009, 11:09 PM

I think I just sealed the deal here after reorganizing my board today. I have room for a boss or mxr sized pedal and I'm not currently running a flanger.

As of today, my setup is this:

Bottom Row (normal rock effects):
Sparkle Drive -> LS-2 ->Gemini Drive -> MessDrive -> Nano Small Stone -> CE-5

The LS-2 works as a looper/blender for my synth effects (top row) so I can blend them with my clean tone and trigger multiple pedals simultaneously.

Top Row (modular synth fun): Devi Ever Bit Fuzz -> Micro POG -> Subdecay Flying Tomato -> Micro Q-Tron -> Empty Space

I'm pretty satisfied with my synth stuff. A second envelope filter wouldn't be practical since I have to adjust the LS-2 to accommodate the Micro Q-Tron's volume spike.

Options I'm considering:
Extend the "bottom row" into the empty space with a BF-2.
Get an OC-2 and put it before the micro POG.
Something else? The BF-2 is sounding pretty good to me at this point.

Either way, I can't really afford to keep the SEM so I guess I'll try to trade it or sell it.