All Time Most Bestest Favoritest Flanger?

[rwl]

I thought the other similar thread was great for learning about chorus options. Now I'm wondering what kinds of flangers people like.

Perhaps I will ask for two categories:

1. Best-sounding overall
2. Best "bang for your buck"

The second being the DIY pedal that gives you the most flange relative to component count/board size - if you want to make that distinction.

Context: I received a request from someone who wanted me to make a DIY flanger pedal, and it might make a good Christmas gift. The recipient is not that picky. I've only built the BYOC flanger myself, and just ordered a Byzantium - but that might be overkill.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

This one is the most versatile. It is an epic build with lots of challenges, but really satisfying to make.

Xenotron Modulation Machine / Lovetone ? Flanger

Based on the Lovetone “?” Flange With No Name, a unique effect with synth-like controls, regeneration and self-oscillation for otherworldly sounds.

aionfx.com

This may be my best sounding flanger (MBP Collosalus- MXR 117). I like the Electric Mistress, but don't love the metallic component to the sound. This one is like a Mistress, minus the metallic component.

https://madbeanpedals.com/projects/_folders/FilterMod/pdf/Collosalus24.pdf

 

[DeadAirMD]

I agreed with the MBP Collosalus. I also built the Electric Mistress and put both in an enclosure and I barely use the EM.

 

[Gordo]

Most versatile for me is the LectricFX Flintlock (A/DA). Crazy flexible without being fiddly. I'm a big fan of anything BF-2 based and my current fave is the recently completed HF-2. It's the best I have for very subtle stuff.

 

[drgonzo1969]

madbean current lover is my go to

 

[jcpst]

I built two BF-2s early on. I was initially intimidated by the stacked boards, but it’s really not bad. I haven’t explored beyond it. It sounds good, and I just wanted ‘a’ flanger- it’s a versatile time-based modulation effect and I didn’t have one.

I ordered the Xenotron yesterday. I like maximalist designs, and I always ogled over Lovetone’s website back in the early 2000s. The current 20% off helps too.

 

[Diynot]

The LectricFx Old Chap is delicious, but runs on 18v if that is a detraction also kind of prone to picking up and amplifying noise from charge pumps in pedals up steam from it. Prefer it to my Byzantium for sure. There also exists the ElectricDruid Flangelicious project. I have not built it, but hear good murmurs ab it on occasion. I have the Xenotron in process, but just haven’t puckered up my asshole to undertake the wiring of it yet.

 

[Feral Feline]

ALL of THEM

FLANGER’s the best effect everrrrrrr.

 

[spi]

I don't have a lot of flanger experience, but building the effectslayout pocket comb (based on Ibanez FL9) was very satisfying.

 

[drgonzo1969]

ALL of THEM

FLANGER’s the best effect everrrrrrr.

wrong. ringmod is the best effect ever.

 

[Feral Feline]

Ohhh, I didn’t realise you were into that sort of thing…. Hey, whatever you say, I’m not here to pass judgement.

I love ringmod, two, as in it comes second after flanger. Ideally, it’s a ménage a trois: flange ringer and fuzz.

Ringer is a close millisecond to flanger, but still second.

 

[Stickman393]

Mutron Flanger, anybody?

Fucking Larry, bro.

Ain't a cheap build.

 

[Feral Feline]

I’m still laying in wait, in the depths, by the ocean floor, waiting for an unsuspecting Larry-suitable-enclosure to swim past…




and when it does…

 

[jimilee]

wrong. ringmod is the best effect ever.

I beg to differ, phasers are the best effect evar!!!!

 

[Stickman393]

I beg to differ, phasers are the best effect evar!!!!

Glitch/freeze/stutter FTW.

 

[jcpst]

wrong. ringmod is the best effect ever.

I think this is the most accurate statement here.

 

[Feral Feline]

Let’s see…
Flanger flanges, of course…
Flanger can cop chorus…
Flanger well feigns phaser…
Flanger (some) vibes vibrato…
Flanger wrangles ringmod-like tones (I discovered this when I was 14, turning everything on my friend’s Boss flanger down but the feedback, which I cranked).


Chorus cannot cop flanging.
Phasers can’t fake flanging.
Vibratos can’t vibe flanging.
Ringmods fail to wrangle flanging.
Only a flanger can do flanging.

FLANGER FOR FULL WIN!

That’s FLANGER with upraised hand; still KING of the mound of modulation — no democracy here, just ruling over everything though its sheer awesomeness.


My EHX Electric Mistress still rules my personal Flanger-roost, though my Boss BF-1 is cool, too — both SAD1024. Alas, I’ve missed out on the few opportunities fo snag an ADA.

 

[drgonzo1969]

I’m still laying in wait, in the depths, by the ocean floor, waiting for an unsuspecting Larry-suitable-enclosure to swim past…




and when it does…

https://reverb.com/item/56249904-morley-silver-volume-xv0

 

[Aentons]

PhaSer, PhaSer, PhaSer...

 

[Bucksears]

Ibanez FL99 Classic Flange - can do subtle, jet plane or filtered for that vocal, Eric Johnson 'High Landrons'-ish sweep.
I'm working on the work-alike from DeadEndFX now.