1983 Boss BF-2 Flanger: Andy's Vintage Picks | Reverb Tone Report

[@rodgre]

Very versatile and great sounding flanger. Opening with a Blur riff was a great call!

[@davidkorteling263]

I’ve had my BF-2 for over 35 years and just now learned how to get the most out of it. Thanks Andy!

[@Davidwalls.]

Just getting one today,first vintage pedal (I’m only 15) only cost me £50 ($67)

[@jeromeakar2246]

@@Davidwalls. youre already 15 and dont have the bf2? This youth today ..

[@StratShredder69]

Most versatile pedal ever! One of my favourites and it sounds so great! So glad someone explained the controls properly. Now I can get even more out!

[@mfrican1127]

Holy shit, it's kinda weird to see Andy not being a total neutral pedal demo-er. He was so fucking great at presenting pedals with pro guitar shop without opinions or personal interjections, it's really cool to hear him talk about his personal preferences. Andy could probably open up a studio and he would be fucking booked solid for private students or even classes.

[@antonr.2101]

I’d sign up for that experience

[@DirtyDirkDiggler]

Andy reminds me of Dewey Finn from School of Rock. He just does his own thing with his own style and is all about the rock🤘

[@BossDD3]

This is going to be an amazing series.

[@patricethureau4276]

I own the same pedal since 1981 and I didn't know I could use it as a Leslie !!! Thank you so much Andy.

[@Nightbreed82]

YES!! These vintage gear reviews are pure gold! Love the BF-2, and looking forward to more. Andy seems more laid back since he joined Reverb, with possibly more creative freedom, and dare I say....happier?

[@Fsalas1958]

Great job as usual Andy. It was a pleasure to meet you at the Reverb/Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim Ca. Thanks.

[@PedalboardoftheDay]

awesome video. This was of the first pedals I ever owned. I was 16 and had no idea about effects. As you could imagine, I had no idea how to dial in a good flanger sound. Good times, brings back a lot of memories.

[@Official_Cyberwolf_Ledgic]

I love this Andy’s Vintage pick video. I hope this keeps up as a Video series. Excellent with Two thumbs up Andy.

[@ianblackmore-allen163]

Girls and Boys is one of my favourite uses of a flange!

[@Feede88]

I'm so damn happy about these new series, this guy is awesome!

[@bigduke6702]

Haven’t used mine much and was thinking of selling it. It’s an early Japanese model. Definitely going to play with it a little more having seen this wonderful video.

[@creamabdul-jabbar]

I have one of these and I never realized I needed the ACA adaptor, thanks Andy!

[@Dr_Satan]

Eh, you don't really. The pedal still runs on 9v, it just uses parts inside the pedal to do it, which are easily bypassed by more than one method. stinkfoot.se/archives/726 This explains it in great detail.

[@creamabdul-jabbar]

Thanks for the link dude, makes sense. I guess I've never not had it plugged into my daisy chain before, at least I know now just in case I ever try to use it without pedal friends.

[@DiegoApunto]

Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning the ACA adaptor!!! Now I understand why mine didn’t sound quite as fine as I wanted. Just changed the power supply to 12V and... WOW!!!

[@egorborisov4388]

Great!!! He always tels how to use fxs in a musical way! Will wait for the next Andy's Vintage Picks!

[@al271987]

Love my BF-2. I have a mint condition one made in 2000, it really does sound the same. No need for the MIJ vs MIT hype about this one. A good four knob flanger can do so much, which Andy shows off very well here. Don’t need a chorus, phaser or vibe pedal if you know how to dial in a flanger properly.

[@JonNewquist]

Nice workthrough of the controls. My first pedal in 1983 was an Aria FL-10. I still have it. The feedback control is more intense than the Boss. Now I need to go play with it again - haven't touched it in decades. Thanks, Andy!

[@kimwalker3449]

I have a 1983 BF-2 I purchased new. It is still on my board. A great box, built like a tank.

[@tysonbrinacombe]

It's always going to be good when Andy channels some Graham Coxon

[@rkharper]

Perfect demo for one of the most misunderstood pedals out there!

[@coolman4202]

Everything about this is wonderful, do whatever you want to do with these videos :)

[@stroopwafel6141]

Nice to show love for a good vintage pedal. I still have my BF-2 which I mainly use as a doubler for a 12-string impression.

[@yoyartube]

Back in the day we did flanging on two 1/4 inch tape decks. Sounded awesome.

[@markkirschenmann3925]

Great demo of a highly underrated flanger. I used a BF2 for years on trumpet and loved it. For some reason, I traded it away for a BF3 thinking that the stereo would be even better: wrong. It's not the same and I just can't make it sound as good as the 2. Great info here on the various settings and possibilities. I miss it!

[@Seanitude]

Love the Murder by Numbers, excellent chops, Andy!

[@atmafra1971]

So nice! The BF2 is part of my history too, but only recently I could properly understand its parameters. And its like Andy discovered a new continent of cool old pedals to explore! Looking forward for the next episode.

[@edadpops1709]

Its like hanging out with Andy, talkin shop!

[@quintinpace2627]

And then they all sold out and the price doubled

[@MrKite_]

your best demo andy,by far!

[@Geekman1118]

The Cure in a box! Love it!

[@mattgilbert7347]

This plus a TC Third Dimension or CE-2/CH-1, an SD-1, maybe a DD-3 for delays (any Boss DD will do, really) and you're Robert Smith. Just need a true bypass looper and/or a dedicated quality input buffer up front buffer to handle all the tone suck you get with too any Boss pedals. Wish!

[@CorbCorbin]

Matt Gilbert So, what buffer do you think they were using in the 70s and 80s, with multiple Boss, and older pedals?

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

@@mattgilbert7347 The Boss bypass modes are already buffered.

[@danyeo]

CorbCorbin All you need is a tuner like the Boss TU3. It will help with any tone loss.

[@dogmart]

Andy doing a little "Murder By Numbers" Police there!

[@mikee6666]

Thank you! 😁 You wouldn't believe how many demo's and reviews I had to trawl through to finally get a clear explanation of what the controls do and how to use them. Much appreciation for the vid!

[@elliotvernon7971]

I’ve had one since the 1980s - still going strong in 2020

[@jameswilkins4motion]

That’s boss pedals for you man. Bomb proof . Fucking rock on

[@zplapplap]

Outstanding. Such a great command of the pedal. This is as good a demo as we’re ever going to see for this.

[@strangequark420]

Love it, Andy! Hope to see many more of these videos!

[@davidnj2]

Koodos Andy. Not too many people understand the controls on a flanger.....you done good man

[@rockstarjazzcat]

My first guitar pedal! Chose it for versatility relative to the chorus pedals at the time, at the recommendation of a teacher. Fun!

[@Juddypoos]

Yesss!! More vintage picks!

[@connorkeogh5149]

Stoked to see Andy covering vintage!

[@jordancochrane3895]

Will definitely be stealing some of Andy's settings

[@DSPsWifesBF]

Those presets should be in the manual if they’re still making the flanger.

[@jayharper971]

Thanks Andy, excellent demo, very informative!

[@YanivZukerman]

Awsome, the leslie sound at the end was nice

[@chadgrov]

Blur?

[@jamescunningham3314]

Girls and Boys I believe.

[@elpadrino1128]

Did you go and search for the tab of the song and then compared it to what he is playing with his fingers? wasn´t enough just to ....listen to the song ? wtf dude

[@chadgrov]

James Cunningham that's it!

[@serfasleep]

El Padrino if you've never heard the song...

[@sikguy9939]

Yep

[@winterposies8420]

Streets like a jungllllllllllle... So call the poliiiiiceeeeee

[@axedoc2010]

One of my favourite pedals right there! Great series Andy 🤘

[@mrjoshuamccormack]

I started watching this and immediately was like “hey, I know that guitar riff!” It’s cool to hear it without the vocal line over it.

[@TauRiOneill]

Great video. I used to have one of these I bought in 85-86, sad I sold it to a buddy of mine. It’s still on his gigging board tho. Solid pedal.

[@orcabrain]

Another great series.

[@dionr1168]

How about the Swedish Chainsaw itself, the Boss HM-2?

[@al271987]

YES! Only show how it can be used for shoegaze tones in addition to the "all knobs on 10" trick that everyone knows about.

[@wanlanbiam1033]

@@al271987 ttttt

[@Cheeseboiga]

he recently did a comparison of it with the new Waza version

[@grayguitars7370]

Girls and Boys! Love it. Speak soon.....

[@douglasdog1]

I did the Fromel mod to mine and felt like I lost a lot of its range and abilities. This video confirmed that for me! Changing it back to stock ASAP!

[@Hradeck_1]

Thank you for explaining the manual control! You're a legend Andy!

[@lance134679]

Hey, new studio set! Looks great. For more vintage swirly goodness, the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser might be a good one to cover in a future video.

[@TVGrec]

Had one in 1980 and loved the strange grind when the battery started dying. Lasted briefly before it quit but wondered how a starved voltage would sound.

[@joe8124]

I’m very lucky to own one of these pedals. Such a good sounding pedal.

[@kalebaldwin5398]

It's the "Good & Plenty" pedal! That's what the color reminds me of...

[@BIZARBIES]

Loved when Prince used his...

[@peterliolis5482]

And Billy Duffy from The Cult

[@niqulusviii987]

A staple in Prince's stash, he racked up on Boss pedals man! I have BF-3

[@garethcole8416]

Great, simple review that does a fine job of explaining all the different knobs. At least this one won't dent the wallet because I have an old battered one in the cupboard a friend gave me back in 1990 :-)

[@Kdschaak]

I had that pedal, in about 1984, because of Robert Smith.

[@wesyates9780]

Yes! I have one, I feel good about having an Andy approved pick

[@jonathancant2031]

A bit of "Murder By Numbers" by The Police starting at 3:12!

[@Phoebedumplings]

That was a great demo, thanks...I have one but never tried these settings , superb!

[@Necroctulhu]

I was hoping for the series like that! I hope you will demo Tycobrahe Flanger one day!

[@wajobu]

Excellent and informative video, Andy--especially about the proper use of the Manual knob. Thank you.

[@mikes062]

I used to have a boss bf3, it was awesome! I want to get one again.

[@lennonfanKL]

Andy you saved me from selling my BF-2. It didn’t sound full and I didn’t know why. It’s because I’ve been powering it with a 9V.

[@mykhedelic6471]

Nobody sounds better than Andy, again.

[@pass_the_flask]

Got one of these recently, the best part is how easy this particular pedal is to mod to 9v, just add a jumper between number 4 and 5

[@jaersee]

Greetings from La Paz, Bolivia! The set for leslie like brings me to the memory an article of a magazine that speaks about Black Hole Sun, that pedal with the BOSS PN-2 can be used for make a very interesting leslie effect

[@MrWags33]

BF-2 is life

[@BarclayMagoo]

I just got this pedal! 😁 thanks for the demo!

[@vlixesispunk]

you got me at boys and girls riff

[@chrisjohnstone6164]

Love it Andy ... Always thought it was a good candidate for the waza treatment with a bf-1 switching

[@lance134679]

Hey, actually have one of these in the closet. Good point about using a 12 volt power source. I recently put an old Boss Overdrive/Distortion (OS-2?) on my board and it wouldn't work with a 9 volt supply, but the 12 supply did the trick and it sounds great. As for the flanger, I was never that crazy about it, although I used it for a while on a keyboard organ patch as a poor man's Leslie effect. Gee, those sounds are a flashback to my youth in the '80s :-) I was going to suggest the Boss CE-3, but there's already a video for that pedal. Same with the OS-2.

[@davidkronzek6305]

I've got one of those japanese ones, I picked it up last year for 90 bucks. It's great for playing The Cure stuff.

[@vlad_d._lein]

Mmm, Murdered By Numbers, sounds awesome as always

[@JSBroadcast]

Just bought one for 35ish euros here in Copenhagen. :-) Great pedal, still have to find where to incorporate it in my play

[@cruedevil71]

This is Adam Jones flanger of choice as well so that should tell you something.

[@garcos11]

Did anyone expect a Blur riff at the beginning of the video? Yeah, me neither Love it

[@alexharris1312]

sat here getting my britpop on

[@tothefinlandstation]

As time goes on, Andy is playing more and more generic classic rock sounding riffs. He used to play a lot more varied palette of riffs.

[@BrandonMobley614]

Awesome "Girls & Boys" to kick the video off.

[@isaacjohnson306]

Aaaaand now these just got real popular on Reverb

[@KENNA25]

Thanks Andy I just ordered one 83' black label 😅😅

[@johnw5734]

I have an old one of with a Formel mod. A hundred watt Marshall with a clean headroom tone and one of those is cool.

[@dww0902]

Are there any newer flangers that specifically go for this Boss BF-2 sound? This seems different to the Electric Mistress and MXR flangers.

[@edadpops1709]

I saw the Ibanez destroyer in the background

[@sowhat5150]

Like the new studio or is it new lighting? I light the split screen too. Kinda retro of the old Andy hands only demos.

[@spaceavenger54]

The only thing I ever wanted to flanager for was the imitate the effects that Van Halen had on his albums, the intro to ain't talking about love, the fx in mean Street, the intro to hear about it later and the breakdown in the light up the sky etc oh and obviously unchained. I couldn't seem to get those effects with my boss flanger it sounded too metallic, and knowing that it had used an mxr I just switched very quickly from the boss after getting rid of it to the mxr never had a problem since then. Now I know other people want to use the flange for a different stuff and that's fineit's all opinionated stuff, but I'm just curious is there a way to use the boss flanger to get the VH sound?

[@bernardolago]

This video e awesome!! Please do more of this

[@tomclarkfernandz5176]

Que tipo mas genial! me encantan tus reviews, muy bien explicado! gracias y sigue asi!!! un saludo!

[@KingfisherLtd]

Very nice and educating video. I own one of these Japan made BF-2's but I don't know the year of production. It is my very first guitar effect.

[@yurymiy]

Flanger: Love it or drop it.

[@zxrcam]

12v? Mind blown...

[@RotoSphere]

Cool demo and pick. This box is a treasure. You can squeeze a 1000 usable uber cool sounds out of this thing. And you need to spend some time with it in order to be able to do a proper demo.

[@natemendsen1629]

I have one of these.One setting gets you the steel drummer sound.Andy almost got it here.Fun pedal.

[@JF-em6hr]

Flanger was my first pedal too. At around the same time also. Now if I could only say I could play as good...

[@TheFrostyDealer]

Andy always sneaking in some Blur ;)

[@freeelectron8261]

Was that Murder by numbers at 3:10? Very cool! Andy does Andy :)

[@TripppleP13]

I love watching this guy play. Nearly as much as buckethead.

[@freecarver011]

Sound gorgeous and very intensive! Is set before or behind the overdrive?