• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Boss Flanger Comparison

B

Bass>Guitar

Oct 1, 2005
52
0
36
K-W Ontario, Canada
#1
Hi guys, my birthday's coming up and the parents are asking for some ideas. I tried out the BF-3 in my local music shop and I was pretty impressed. I was wondering why so many of you guys on here use the BF-2 over the BF-3. If anyone has done a direct comparison I'd really appreciate it if you chimed in.:help:
 
#3
I see you don't visit much, Bass>Guitar... :D

We've seen quite a bit of BF-2 vs. BF-3 threads in the past. While the BF-3 has the advantage of extra modes, the BF-2 is generally thought to sound better.

Of course, if you'll be making use of those extra modes, then the BF-3 is a great choice. If you just need quality flanging, the BF-2 is cheaper and thought to be better sounding by most of us on TB.

Use the search function to find more info, if you're interested. Try using terms like "boss flanger", "bf-2", "bf-3", etc.
 
#7
bobbydiaz98 said:
any idea what site can i hear the BF's demo?

tnx guys!
Click to expand...

For the BF-2:
http://www.bossus.com/
Go to the "Interactive" tab, and click on the "Compact Pedal Test Drive". The "Compact Pedal Demo" is the newer sample area, with the BF-3 (see below).

For the BF-3:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com
http://www.bossus.com/interactive/compact_pedal_demo/

All of them are on guitar, I believe.

And if you search here on TB, you'll find that some of us posted samples, too, but we use a bass. :p
 
#8
I get the impression there's a difference between a "vintage" bf-2 and a... well, not "vintage" version? How would an effect noob who was looking to snag one from Ebay tell? I ran down to most of the local used/trade in type shops around town and none had either...
 
#9
brothernewt said:
I get the impression there's a difference between a "vintage" bf-2 and a... well, not "vintage" version? How would an effect noob who was looking to snag one from Ebay tell? I ran down to most of the local used/trade in type shops around town and none had either...
Click to expand...

...if you mean the Japanese and Taiwanese versions, yeah, there's supposedly some minor sound differences. I had the Taiwanese one, and it sounded good enough to me. I doubt the differences are really all that significant, although others may disagree.

The Japanese is older, the knobs were black on top. The Taiwanese is the newer one (before it was discontinued) and has white-capped knobs. I believe there were some differences in the color of the screws on the back, too.

There's threads on those versions. I'd search for them and double-check my descriptons that way.
 
#10
There were a ton of them made as the BF-2 is one of the most popular Boss pedals ever. I don't know if there is a difference in sound between the Japanese and Taiwanese versions but I just love my old MIJ unit.

This is one "guitar" pedal that works wonderfully well on bass. Not sure why they ever bothered with a bass version. Mine actually adds a bit of depth and deepness to the sound. Its not true bypass but the Boss bypass is actually pretty good. No noise at all, will last forwever and I dont think you can get a much nicer sounding flanger for the money.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back