Best Flanger?

[Pure_Intension]

I searched and found a few threads about flangers but nothing really satisfying. I'm thinking about either the MXR flanger or the Electro-Harmonix XO because it also has chorus in it. Any tips?

- Cole.

 

[James Hart]

play them (or listen to A LOT of clips) and see which sounds best for you. I'm pretty happy with my new Maxon FL9

 

[Bassenstien]

Well I will say that I do like my XO Electric Mistress alot and I do use the chorus on it alot as well. James is right though, just try different ones and find out which your ears like the most.

 

[Jared Lash]

Best? Really depends on what you want and what your budget is. I'm not a big flanger guy, but here are my two favorites:

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The DOD can be found in the $100-$150 range but the A/DA will be a lot more expensive, though I heard a new reissue is coming.

The Boss BF-2 gets a lot of love around here, but I don't care for it.

The new EHX Electric Mistress also gets a lot of support on TB but I haven't played one myself.

 

[perk45]

I have an EHX Stereo Electric Mistress (XO) and I really like it, although it really isn't a traditional, jet plane sounding flanger. It's more metallic/cold sounding, but the chorus is good for adding warmth to it. I like it more on my guitar though, and really only use it with my bass when I'm creating feedback for its filter matrix mode. Sweet pedal though!

 

[short_steve277]

i played a ibanez DFL Flanger yesterday.... it was a very nice flanger and very versitile.

but this is the only flanger i have ever tried but i want to try more

 

[bigchiefbc]

The flanger that sparks the most creativity in me: EHX Stereo Electric Mistress

The flanger that I use when I want to sound like I'm using a flanger: DOD FX72 Bass Stereo Flanger

 

[excane]

On the least expensive side, this little guy right here:

On the more expensive side of the spectrum, the Fulltone Choralflange, Maxon FL9, and the George Dennis Chorus/Flanger are all contenders I own and love.


I still choose the DOD, I have not found a thicker, warmer flanger for bass.

 

[Jared Lash]

On the more expensive side of the spectrum, the Fulltone Choralflange, Maxon FL9, and the George Dennis Chorus/Flanger are all contenders I own and love.

I still choose the DOD, I have not found a thicker, warmer flanger for bass.

I like my George Dennis a lot, though as I said, I'm not a big flanger guy to begin with. I generally don't recommend it unless someone is looking for something warm and organic, as it is far from the cold, metallic, jet-taking-off flangers that most bass players seem to like.

As a flanger, I put it on the other side of the spectrum from the BF-2

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I have a BF-2 and although it is warmer than the subsequent BF-3, it is still pretty "meh."

The EHX XO Mistress -what the hell, the exact name is eluding me now...so much for getting old- was interesting, but still not my cup of tea.

The Hartman Flanger, which is based on the original Mistress sounds amazing and very organic.

 

[excane]

I like my George Dennis a lot, though as I said, I'm not a big flanger guy to begin with. I generally don't recommend it unless someone is looking for something warm and organic, as it is far from the cold, metallic, jet-taking-off flangers that most bass players seem to like.

As a flanger, I put it on the other side of the spectrum from the BF-2

Agreed. I have not been able to get the George Dennis to sound "metallic" even at the highest settings and that's exactly what I love about it.

 

[RDUB]

Depends entirely on personal tastes. I currently use a Fulltone Choral Flange on my pedal board. It does the job quite nicely, but I only use a real flange sound on a couple of tunes. I also have a late 70's vintage MXR kicking around that I keep pulling out of the tangle of cables, wires, connectors and miscellaneous electronics junk piled up on my bench. It's a little bit noisier, but it has a really sweet sound.

 

[fightthepower]

I love the flanger in my polychorus. I also have a MIJ bf2 and a bf-2b, and they are much different that the polychorus- The BF's have a lot more jet swirl to them, and more noise in general. They polychorus is very quite, and at mild settings sounds great on bass as it provides a nice bass boost with some subtle modulation going on.

 

[markjazzbassist]

i've had ehx and maxon. i liked the maxon fl-9 the best.

 

[burno70]

I have an MXR Flanger, which I'm really happy with. It's rather subtle on it's own but with a bit of grind it comes to life. But I'm thinking of getting an Ibanez FL9, purely because it's smaller and I want to squash an extra pedal onto my board.

Does anyone know if the Ibanez FL9 is the same as the Maxon? Whether it me an original Ibanez or a re-issue? (sorry for hijacking the thread here).

Although FWIW, I've tried the Electric Mistress and really didn't like it. It produces quite a cold, metallic tone and I'm a more warm/organic kind of guy.

Have a look in the Effects section of the WIKI before you buy.

 

[Chronicle]

I like my MIJ BOSS BF-2 a lot. Not Subtle at all. You know when it's on. Clips in my Chronicle of Effects thread

 

[bassteban]

I liked the FX72 but don't use a lot of flanger. I've also used the non-bass specific FX75(B or C; can't recall)w/good results. I'll probably scoop another one up when money allows.

 

[Bassin' 'Round]

The Line 6 Liquaflange is a tremendously overlooked/under-appreciated box. Capable of lots of usable tones & also does through-zero. All for around $90 or less for used in "mint" shape including box and instructions. One of the most no-brainer deals around.

 

[RCCollins]

I don't like the noise of most analog flangers, which is why I found the Maxon FL9 to be the best. Not only is it the least noisy of compact stompbox flangers, I find that it offered a very wide range of sounds and was thick, warm and comby, like a flanger should be. It's a darn good flanger.

 

[burno70]

RC, is there much difference between the Ibanez and the Maxon?