The MXR Flanger is an MXR flanger pedal. Close alternatives include the Ibanez FL Mini and the Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II. It pairs well with the Marshall Super Bass and the Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass.
MXR Flanger
MXR · pedal
The MXR M117R Flanger is a reissue of the original MXR Flanger from the late 1970s, producing a wide range of modulation effects from subtle chorus-like shimmer to extreme jet-plane sweeps. Its four controls — Speed, Width, Regen, and Manual — allow precise tuning of the flange depth and sweep rate. It is closely associated with the flanged guitar sounds of Eddie Van Halen, particularly on tracks from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The M117R is considered warmer and fuller-sounding than most competing flanger pedals, with a musical, full-spectrum character that reviewers consistently rank above budget alternatives. It suits rock and hard rock guitar rigs.
- flanger
- chorus
- subtle
- analog
- warmth
- shimmer
- resonant
- noise
Genres the MXR Flanger is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the MXR Flanger
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
29% matchThe Super Bass is voiced as a pedal platform, and the Flanger's subtle analog sweep rides on top of that warmth instead of getting buried.
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
26% matchThe Flanger's subtle analog sweep rides well on the SuperBeetle Bass's own compressed, warm low end without getting swallowed by it.
Blackstar Unity 500
Blackstar
19% matchThe MXR Flanger adds a subtle analog swirl on top of the Unity 500's midrange grind, not extra gain.
ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature v2
Engl
16% matchKeep MXR Flanger after ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature v2 in the signal chain, clear of ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature v2's own gain stage
Ampeg 50th Anniversary SVT Head
Ampeg
14% matchRun the MXR Flanger's subtle, warm sweep after the SVT's own tube attack settles, so the modulation moves a defined tone.
Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650
Engl
14% matchPut MXR Flanger after Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650 in the signal chain, clear of Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650's own gain stage
Crate - VC 5212
amplifier
13% matchKeep MXR Flanger after Crate - VC 5212 in the signal chain, clear of Crate - VC 5212's own gain stage
Blackstar HT Stage 100H MK III Snakeskin
Blackstar
tonal matchInto a low gain tone, Blackstar HT Stage 100H MK III Snakeskin brings the high gain it's missing
Pedals that stack with the MXR Flanger
Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz
Wren And Cuff
30% matchRun the Flanger after the Box of War's Big Muff-style fuzz so the sweep has thick sustain to work through instead of a thin clean signal.
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix
29% matchRun the Big Muff's thick, creamy fuzz after the MXR Flanger's warm analog sweep so the saturation picks up that shimmer instead of masking it.
NuX Atlantic
Nux
22% matchMXR Flanger's low gain voice goes after NuX Atlantic in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with NuX Atlantic's own analog warmth character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini
Dunlop
22% matchKeep MXR Flanger after Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini's own gain stage
Strymon NightSky
Strymon
21% matchKeep MXR Flanger after Strymon NightSky in the signal chain, clear of Strymon NightSky's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Catalinbread Silver Kiss MK2 2007 Reissue
Catalinbread
20% matchPut MXR Flanger after Catalinbread Silver Kiss MK2 2007 Reissue in the signal chain, clear of Catalinbread Silver Kiss MK2 2007 Reissue's own gain stage
Dawner Prince Boonar
Dawner Prince
19% matchThe MXR Flanger's subtle, shimmering sweep trails into the Boonar's vintage studio delay with a warm, modulated signal to echo. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost
Friedman
16% matchMXR Flanger's low gain voice goes after Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost's own bright character
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Ibanez FL Mini
Ibanez
74% similarityShared character: wide_range, extreme_settings, flanger
Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II
Catalinbread
74% similarityShared character: vibrato, rich, chorus
Electro-Harmonix Andy Summers Walking on the Moon
Electro-Harmonix
74% similarityShared character: extreme_settings, flanger, resonant
Ibanez FL-9 Flanger
Ibanez
73% similarityShared character: pedal, wide_range, reissue
TC Electronic Stereo Chorus Flanger
TC Electronic
73% similarityShared character: modulation, rich, extreme_settings
Alexander Dynaflanger
Alexander Pedals
73% similarityShared character: pedal, flanger, chorus
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
73% similarity“This flanger is OK, but compared to my vingate MXR Flanger it sounds too lo fi and midrangy”
Keeley Seafoam Plus Chorus/Vibrato
Keeley
73% similarityShared character: extreme_settings, vibrato, chorus
JHS 3 Series Flanger
JHS Pedals
72% similarityShared character: extreme_settings, warm, effect
MXR EVH117 Flanger
MXR
72% similarityShared character: digital, flanger, chorus
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Flat Flange Shifter Device
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
72% similarityShared character: noise, flanger, resonant
BLAXX BX -Flanger
Blaxx
72% similarityShared character: effect, flanger, chorus
See all alternatives to the MXR Flanger (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Flanger?+
The closest matches in character are the Ibanez FL Mini, the Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II, the Electro-Harmonix Andy Summers Walking on the Moon.
What pairs well with the MXR Flanger?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Super Bass, Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass, Blackstar Unity 500 — The Super Bass is voiced as a pedal platform, and the Flanger's subtle analog sweep rides on top of that warmth instead of getting buried..
Compare
- vs Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
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- vs Artec SE-VPH Vintage Phase Shifter