• 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.

decent flanger for bass

N-Bass84

N-Bass84

Sep 20, 2015
80
189
Germany
#1
hi!I`m lookin for a good Flanger for my pedalboard. I owned a BF-2, but it gave me some humming issues (as other old Boss pedals did). The only really specs I want are: true bypass and a dry/blend knob and no loss of bass. It should sound nice analog/ organic (I don`t know how to put this better, sorry).

Only thing I could find was the MXR Deluxe. Maybe someone can help me out with some alternatives that work good for bass.

THX!
 
Last edited:
#2
I think know the sound you're after, and after some experimenting with the MXR M117R (reissue) and then the TC Electronic Vortex [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
, I settled on the TC. I really liked the MXR- it can cover some bizarre sounds to mild flanging with analog warmth, but it had a higher level of noise than the TC. In addition, I had trouble using the MXR on battery power, as it created a constant thumping noise once the voltage of the batteries dipped a little low.

The Vortex, in conjunction with the Toneprint software can be tweaked quite a bit. If anything, I found the factory default for the flange to thicken up the low mids naturally, and with no loss of bass. peace!
R
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roberto Nunez and RickyT
#8
Thanks for all the suggestions! You`re really helping me out.

BassinCT said:
Vortex Flanger | TC Electronic
Click to expand...

I`ll give it a try. Theres a store around 40km away from here. They got that pedal in stock. I`m not really into toneprints at this point, but I think with the flanger it`s different than with my other pedals. I have to tweak alot, to get the flanging sound, that I´m looking for.

BassinCT said:
MXR- it can cover some bizarre sounds to mild flanging with analog warmth, but it had a higher level of noise than the TC
Click to expand...

I love MXR Pedals, but i really hate noisy ones. Its a bit pricey, too. I need the flanger for only one or two specific sounds.

Racermech said:
Mercury Flanger from Source Audio.
Click to expand...
I´ll check that out in the store, too

LSMFT6 said:
ADA PBF
Click to expand...
DDXdesign said:
ADA
Click to expand...

never heard of this one, but from what I can read, it sounds like an really good analog pedal that delivers an warm oldschool vibe. At this point, I`m not sure how much money I`d like to spend on a flanger. This could be a good option if I don`t like the TC.
 
#9
Sunset Shalom said:
I can't even think of any flangers with a blend, could be worth getting a blender pedal so you can mix in some clean signal with any flanger.
Click to expand...

I wonder why...I also wonder why there are no specific flanger pedals for bass, except for the Boss. I feel like theres an absolute flooding of peadals for the last 7-8 years, but no modulaton pedals for bass except chorus.

A blender pedal can be a solution, but it`s also more complicated than just having a blend/dry knob...which I always like for bass pedals;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunset Shalom
#11
I say Source Auido as well. I don't have to much experience with modulation, but have been happy with the Lunar Phaser. The problem with trying it at a store is that you can't really use all the functions that it has. Besides Different Flangers, you can program it to be a phaser, chorus, and vibe along with a lot of options to play with. Problem is you need your phone to tap into it all.
 
#14
Same here, I've own several Boss BF-2 and never had any issue with them. They sound great.

Alternatives are the MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe and the Electro Harmonix Bass Clone Chorus. That last pedal is inexpensive and very musical.
 
#15
davegt666 said:
Never had a problem with the BF-2 or any other boss pedals with humming.
Click to expand...
Laurent said:
Same here, I've own several Boss BF-2
Click to expand...

Many Bassists are quiet happy with the BF-2. Maybe I`ll give it a second try. I liked the sound, but it gave me a strange boost..it just changed my sound in a way i don`t liked. Even when it was not engaged. Soon as I took it of the board, the problems dissapeared. Things like that happen sometimes...just kind of bad luck.

Anyway..I`ll give the Vortex the first try!
 
#16
N-Bass84 said:
Many Bassists are quiet happy with the BF-2. Maybe I`ll give it a second try. I liked the sound, but it gave me a strange boost..it just changed my sound in a way i don`t liked. Even when it was not engaged. Soon as I took it of the board, the problems dissapeared. Things like that happen sometimes...just kind of bad luck.

Anyway..I`ll give the Vortex the first try!
Click to expand...

That being said we all have different taste and equipment. Your pedal have to work on both accounts.
It's a good pedal, generally not noisy and even Justin Chancellor (Tool) has been using it for a long time. It's got that 80's somewhat cold (think the Cure) but oh so pretty tone.
 
#17
Laurent said:
even Justin Chancellor (Tool) has been using it for a long time
Click to expand...

that was the main reason I got it. 46&2! I also like some of Jason Newsteds flanged parts. For example the little bass break/ solo on the helpless cover on the garage days recorings. You get a feeling, that the tone is "raining" down slowly on you (I don`t know how to put this better). Of course the rate is pretty low on this example, but it gave me some troubles to imitate that sound with the BF-2.
 
#18
You might also have a defective unit. The BF-2 have not been produced for a while.
I don't believe they have any internal trim but it's worth a look or a research on the net. If you have an internal trim that might help with the noise level. Again, I don't remember if this is the case for this pedal.
 
#19
I think you`re right. I sold my old BF-2 2 years ago, so I`m not able to check it out again. In no way there has been a trim pot inside the pedal ( like the ones in a MXR Bass Octave for ex.). I opened it 2/3 times.
I´ll look out for another one and compare it to the Vortex.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back