#1
Boss BF-3
Digital stereo flanger · Stereo I/O, Rate/Depth/Resonance/Manual controls, Ultra mode for extreme sounds, Gate and Normal modes$70–$100 usedBest for: Versatile standard flanger, stereo output, ultra mode for extreme jet sounds, Boss durability
The Boss BF-3 is the most common flanger pedal in general use — Boss's digital flanger with four modes (Normal, Ultra, Gate, Special) covers everything from subtle chorus-like flanging to extreme jet-sound flanging. The stereo output creates wide, immersive flanger effects. Ultra mode produces the most dramatic, exaggerated flanger sounds. Used at $70–$100, it's the most versatile flanger at this price.
What to check used: The BF-3 is digital, which produces a slightly less 'warm' flanger than vintage analog BBD units but provides more consistency and control. The Ultra and Gate modes are useful but can be extreme for subtle applications — Normal mode is the starting point for most applications.
#2
MXR M117R
Analog BBD flanger · Analog bucket-brigade delay, Speed/Width/Regen/Manual controls, original vintage MXR circuit$120–$160 usedBest for: Vintage '70s analog flanger tone, Eddie Van Halen 'Unchained' sound, warm BBD character
The MXR M117R Flanger is the classic analog flanger — Eddie Van Halen used the original MXR Flanger on 'Unchained' and 'And the Cradle Will Rock.' The analog BBD circuit produces a warmer, more organic flanger than digital pedals, with the slight instability that gives vintage flanging its characteristic texture. Used at $120–$160, the M117R is the standard recommendation for players who want authentic analog flanger tone.
What to check used: The MXR M117R's Manual control (sets the delay time at the center point of the sweep) requires understanding to dial in — it's not self-explanatory. The Regen (regeneration/feedback) control at high settings produces self-oscillation. The analog BBD circuit produces more noise than digital flangers — some hiss is normal.
#3
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Analog flanger/chorus · Analog BBD circuit, Rate/Range/Color controls, Flanger Lock mode, vintage EHX design$80–$120 usedBest for: David Gilmour/Pink Floyd flanger and chorus tone, Flanger Lock feature, unique EHX character
The EHX Electric Mistress is the flanger used by David Gilmour on Pink Floyd recordings — 'Dogs,' 'Have a Cigar,' and 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' feature the Electric Mistress's distinctive swirling flanger-chorus sound. The Flanger Lock mode freezes the flanger at a single delay time, producing a fixed comb-filter effect. The Rate/Range/Color controls produce sounds between chorus and full jet flanger. Used at $80–$120.
What to check used: The Electric Mistress in current production is a revised circuit from the vintage original — some players prefer the vintage original (available used at higher prices) for its slightly different character. The current production model is a faithful interpretation that produces excellent results for most players.
#4
TC Electronic Vortex Mini
Compact digital flanger with TonePrint · Compact form factor, TonePrint artist presets, Rate/Depth/Feedback controls, true bypass$60–$90 usedBest for: Compact pedalboard flanger, TonePrint artist presets, small form factor, value-for-money
The TC Electronic Vortex Mini is the most compact flanger pedal with TonePrint technology — a small form factor that conserves pedalboard space while providing access to artist-designed flanger presets via the TC TonePrint app. For players who want a flanger without dedicating a large pedalboard footprint, the Vortex Mini provides TC Electronic's quality in minimal space. Used at $60–$90.
What to check used: TonePrint requires a smartphone for accessing artist presets — the stock controls operate a default mode. The compact format limits control accessibility compared to full-size flanger pedals.
#5
Maxon FL9
Analog flanger · Analog circuit (original Ibanez FL9 circuit), Rate/Width/Regen controls, compact housing$100–$140 usedBest for: Vintage Ibanez FL9 circuit (the '80s classic), compact analog flanger, collector-quality Japan-made
The Maxon FL9 is the original Ibanez FL9 flanger circuit made by Maxon (who actually made the original Ibanez effects in Japan during the 1980s). The FL9 circuit is one of the most respected analog flanger circuits — used by countless professional players in the 1980s for its musical, controllable flanger range. Maxon's current production faithfully reproduces the original circuit. Used at $100–$140.
What to check used: The Maxon FL9 is a specialist product for players who specifically want the original Ibanez FL9 circuit — it's not meaningfully different from the MXR M117R for players without the specific requirement for the FL9 circuit. The Maxon brand is less familiar to beginners; it's primarily for informed buyers.
#6
Boss BF-2
Vintage analog Boss flanger · Analog BBD, Rate/Manual/Depth/Resonance controls, vintage Boss design, Japan-made$100–$150 usedBest for: Vintage Boss analog flanger (the original Boss flanger), Japan-made quality, collector and tone enthusiasts
The Boss BF-2 is the original Boss analog flanger — produced from 1980 to 2001, the Japan-made versions are especially sought after for their warm analog BBD character. The BF-2 was used by countless rock and alternative players in the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike the current BF-3 (digital), the BF-2 is a pure analog circuit. Used at $100–$150, it's the tone-seeker's choice over the current BF-3 for analog character. Verify it's a Made-in-Japan version for peak collectibility.
What to check used: The BF-2 was made in both Japan and Taiwan at different periods — Japan-made versions are more sought after and typically priced slightly higher. Verify the label on the bottom of the pedal. Analog BBD circuits can develop noise issues after 40+ years — test thoroughly for any crackle or intermittent behavior.
#7
Strymon Mobius (Flanger mode)
Premium modulation (includes flanger algorithm) · 12 modulation algorithms including Flanger, tap tempo, MIDI, through-zero mode$280–$370 usedBest for: Through-zero flanger mode, premium modulation quality including flanger, MIDI control
The Strymon Mobius includes through-zero flanging — a technique that produces the most dramatic jet-sound flanging (the sound of two tape machines running in exact sync, then being pushed apart) that is impossible to achieve with standard flanger circuits. Through-zero flanging produces the original tape-based flanger sound that early recordings (specifically the original flanging on recordings by Les Paul and others) used. For players who want the most authentic and extreme flanger capability, the Mobius is the access point. Used at $280–$370.
What to check used: The Strymon Mobius is a comprehensive modulation unit that costs significantly more than a standalone flanger — it is worth its premium only if you use multiple modulation types. For a player who exclusively wants flanger, the BF-3 at $70–$100 provides 90% of the sonic territory at a fraction of the cost.
![TC Electronic Honey Pot Fuzz Pedal [USED]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Frvb-img.reverb.com%2Fi%2Fs--Ox1DN4jj--%2Fquality%3Dmedium-low%2Cheight%3D400%2Cwidth%3D400%2Cfit%3Dcover%2Cgravity%3Dbottom%2F109c4b37-d685-423d-943a-fc99f2299956.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
