Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress

This is an update to my previous review: I got the pedal back from my tech last week, and it had benne broken since september.
The reason: I used it by mistake with the adapter and the batteries at the same time, so it took double voltage (instead of what happens on modern units, where the adapter switches the batteries off).
The result: a mixed frying pan of IC, op-amps, transistors and so on.
Thought I'd have to dump it.
Took eight months to find on ebay an SAD1024 (which is out of production) to get the pedal back to life.
This was the second time it happened: the first one, I fed it for a couple seconds with a reversed polarity, all fried.
Modern units simply don't turn on when bad polarity is given.
So, I learned a lesson: you can't treat vintage gear as if it was new.
You have to pay more than twice as much attention when using this stuff: a pinch for a new Boss unit can be a lethal stroke.
Other than that, it's still the best flanger I've ever heard.

Getting numerous classic sounds ranging from the borderline-cliched "jet plane" sound to a ton of useable things from chorus to what sounds like a gentle tremelo was not really tough at all. It's an original from the 70s; the knobs and a screw or two have been replaced. I got it off Ebay (a total steal i might add!) and no manual showed up at my door with it.

I use the EM inline; my setup goes American Std. Tele/Mexican Strat=>Dunlop Original Cry-Baby(blargh...)=>Beat-up old Green Sovtek Big Muff (Yay!)=> Boss Ds-1 => Reissue Fuzz-Face=>Mistress=>Dano Cool Cat(shamefully underrated box)=>Dano Reel Echo=>Fender HR Deluxe 1X12.
This unit features crackley pots, out of control flying-saucer feedback whenever you crank the color knob all the way up, and a "rate" pot that seems to be wired backwards. And it still produces sounds and textures that could only come out of a wet dream. The Mistress can do nearly anything; from "Nobody's Fault but Mine" to a beautiful mimic of the phaser on "Breathe." You can even squeeze some Kurt Cobain out of it if you're so inclined. In the end, you can ooh and ahh at this kind of stuff all you want but the real reward is in finding what you can use for your own material, and when you find it you'll never want to switch it off. When mixed with some smooth distortion and EQ'd correctly, the sound has been known to induce orgasms in most women standing within 500 yards. I can't really comment on the "filter matrix" mode, I just haven't found a real reason to use it yet. The only thing keeping this effect from a perfect rating in this category is the tear-jerking volume drop. I know there's mods and all to fix this but i'm sorta wary of tearing a vintage pedal apart, so the best cure for now is to just deal with it. The sound i get out of this effect makes it all worth it.

EHX has been manufacturing these tin-foil boxes of their's for the past few decades, and the number of vintage units still around and performing well speaks volumes for their construction quality. I don't stomp on my pedals, but they're going to get stepped on by accident now and then and this one hasn't croaked on me yet. My only bitch here is the fact that it uses two batteries and features a weird DC adapter input. Annoying for me, yet brilliant on the part of EHX for cornering the market in that way.

Can't say, never dealt with them but they seem like nice guys, I guess. They haven't tried to steal anything from me....?_? yet.

I've played for around 7 years and I'm 17 years old. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Doors, Black Sabbath....I love just about anything that isn't currently making the rounds on alternative rock radio, except for maybe Nirvana if I just feel like making noise. I like music. I'll leave it at that. And if you like this "music" concept I speak of you'll probably like the EM. One thing though: if you like Incubus and Creed flange sounds (aka BOSS/Digitech flanging), stay the hell away; you'll be disappointed to no end. What I love about it is the fact that it's a flange first and foremost, and beyond that, you can push it into being a pretty useful chorus or just about any other modulation effect. Some people might not like how watery and chorus-ey this effect is; to me it's what made it worth seeking out in the first place.

It takes some extended tinkering to fully explore all the tonal options.

In my world nothing gets a 10. I have tried out numerous chorus and flangers over the years and I keep coming back to my EM. I have been playing rock in its many variations since the early 60's through guitars and amps to numerous to name here. Now I am down to a Strat, a Tele and a LP through a Deville (my Marshall is finally put away) with a few variable stomp boxes. I decent chorus/flange is a staple for live work and my Electric Mistress has been at my feet for some 25 or so yrs. It has been modified several times though never repaired. It has that crackling chime and shimmer that seems to jump off the speakers. The new digital versions seem thin and flat by comparison. My only problem is that it is literally wearing out. You can only stomp, step on, trip over, plug-unplug and otherwise abuse any piece of equipment just so many times. At some point it just falls apart. So, I am in search of a replacement. Possibly the new version of same.

This thing has been under my feet, on stages, in suitcases, dropped on concrete floors, spilled on (or worse), left out in the weather and put away for long periods of time and still works like the day it was bought some time in the 70's. Tough? Ya think?

Never needed to use it.

I bought this when my band was doing a lot of Police covers. It really nailed that sound. But then I discovered all the other things this unit can do. The range of sweeps and rates is far beyond what other units have come up with. I have tried to find something better without success. I'm still looking for that perfect chorus tone that I only hear in my head, and still trying out new stompers, but till then the EM is still on my pedal board. When (not if ) this one goes I shall be forced to replace it with the new model or another brand. Not looking forward to that. If you are having a hard time finding a chorus that cuts thru and sparkles try to find an old Electric Mistress.

three knobs and filter matrix switch (on the back, someone should explain that), very clear apparent
when moving a knob just a little bit,so it takes a little tweaking to find suitable sounds, but this is the price to pay for versatility. requires either two 9v batteries (unscrewing needed for replacement) or a 12,5 AC adapter: of course I chose this second option.
and I almost forgot, it has no led.

this unit is original from the 70's, and sounds terribly good
and clearly defined: it reproduces an incredible range of modulations, from thin chorus to metallic robot sounds, from standard clean rhythm flanger (this is what I use it for the most) to the classic jet w/ distortion. at first you might think "what did I buy this for?", but when you get into it, it becomes your favourite.
don't listen to those who say it's noisy: if you want no noise at all, go get some digital and stay away from these analog babies, there will more left for us analog freaks.
Anyway, EH has always made absolutely great stuff, this is an apparent example. This device makes my '94 Strat sound as if it was from the Good Old Days (i.e. 70's): sometimes it reminds me of Pink Floyd in Animals, which I love.

As I said, it's from the 70's, period. But I won't say anything else: last time I did it, for a Guyatone PS005 Overdrive, it broke up one week later.

Never dealt.

I play a sort of psychedelic rock, very very 70's influenced, and this thing suits SOOOOOOO FINE with the sounds I want to achieve.
I own two more pedals from EH (Smallstone and Bigmuff), plus a Danelectro Daddy-O (which I think I'll sell quite soon: wanna move to a Vox Valvetone, or a Rat)a Danelectro Dan Echo (really nice instead) and a Boss Tr-2 (the warmest pedal among modern Boss, I think), running to a Fender 112 deluxe: EM is absolutely fantastic with the amp drive channel set at 11o'clock gain, it's really swooshing and it blows me away; incredibly spacey with delay.
I didn't compare it w/ anything else, this was too beautiful and cheap(such devices on the internet go for no less than 150 euros): as soon as I heard it at my trusty retailer in Bologna,Italy (www.scolopendra.it go there,it's a great place for vintage effects), I had to toss a coin with my friend I had gone there with, since we had both fallen for this unit,and fortunately I won.
There's no place I could be without you, honestly, my Electric Mistress...

This is a vintage model with the sweep cut-out on the front with 3 knobs and on/off on the top. 2 9V batteries or an 18 V adapter. Disassemble to change batteries. Seen an 18V on a pedal board lately? Kind of archiac design, not gig friendly. Had some trouble trying to dial in useable sounds. OK, it's vintage but a pain nonetheless. Plan on bending over alot. Has tuners on the inside, that's worth an extra point.

Not sure what sound I intended to get out of this effect. Gilmour? I think a CC2 is a better bet but I think it's correct that he used one of these. Flanger is cool, with sweep off its like dialing into different Wah positions. There are tuners on the inside and I look forward to playing with those - maybe there's magic hidden in those adjusters - kinda reminds me of a McCoy Wah Pedal. Put in line with delay and phaser and can achieve a unique sound. Very cool with drop tuning or baritone tuning. Sweeps OK, very 60s, 70s sound. Again, not sure where I'd use that. Agree with previous review you can get a nice chorus effect - though thin and compressed but with interesting chime almost an octave effect. And, in my set-up it is damn noisey. I guess it does sound very distinctive and it's analog. Maybe over time it works into my sound.

Mine looks 30 years old, works fine. The whole battery / adapter / noise thing makes me wonder if I'd ever gig with it.

I like analog effects so had to try this pedal. Right now I'd say this is least favorite on my pedal board - if it fit on my board. I'll admit I've got less than 4 hours experience with it. I think working in combination with a phaser and pitch pedal you can get a distinct and useable sound, but I don't know if it's worth the effort. Figure you've got to invest some experimental time with this thing, maybe play with it before and after your effects line and looped to find the sweet spot. The 18V pin adapter and control layout will continue to be an annoyance. A good toy. If I upgrade my opinion after more experience and adjustments I'll repost.

It's very simple and easy. This pedal have 3 knobs to control totally the flange.

1) Strat(single coil) or Les Paul(humb) > Electric Mistress > Clean Tube Amp
It's BEAUTIFUL with the strat, and little muddy with Humbuckers !!! This is the true vintage flanger. But pay attention: There is a little bit of noise, if your cables, power supplies and pick ups are suck, the noise is bigger.

2)Strat(single coil) or Les Paul(humb)> Fulltone 69 > Electric Mistress > Clean Tube Amp

It's GREAT, but the fuzz makes much noise, but with the right regulation this can be better.

ATTENTION: THIS FLANGER IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, BUT NOT TRUE BYPASS. WHEN YOU TURN ON THE FLANGER YOU LOST SIGNAL AND VOLUME. ELECTRIC MISTRESS IS NOT A "CLEAN" PEDAL, THIS BOX MAKES NOISE, BUT IN MY OPPINION, IS NOT MUCH, AND I LIKE IT. FOR IS A CHARM THAT ONLY THE OLDIES HAVE !!!

If you really care about noise and the lost of signal, but like the sound of this flanger... forget it... but you can make some adjustments that make this pedal the ulimate flanger. (makes a true bypass and correct the lost of signal and noise)

I correct the lost of signal with a friend who makes and fixes pedals, and the result is very nice !!! I'm living in Brazil, and the costumer support is not very helpfull!!!

I play rock 70's. This pedal is very cool. Works better with single coils, or decent humbuckers. Make the right adjustments in this box and you have a good surprise. (If you are a seriuos person in make adjustments in vintage pedals, forge it the little problems and enjoy it)

Great sound- easy to get, 3 knobs- note: tweaking these knobs just a little makes a BIG difference-

No Manual

Somewhat noisy- When activated the signal is slightly cut- but just a small fraction. The sound is always wonderful! I'm using this witha lot of other vintage and modern gear. This is THE flange sound of Alex Lifeson- the original Electric Mistress. I am an avid Alex Lifeson fanatic (I played in Rush tribute bands (Rushour and 2112)for years) You can also get the old Van Halen flange sounds- a la Cradle Will Rock, Unchained, etc.

Reliable so far- No backup

No need for support yet

I play Jazz/Prog Rock Fusion:

http://www.guitar9.com/fusia.html

The EH Electric Mistress is a great effect- and is part of "my sound".
I love everything about it.
(especially since it's the flanger Alex Lifeson used for years)
This box helps inspire me to keep playing!

Takes a little playing w/ and tweaking, but has sounds you don't get anywhere else. I guess Mr.Barr was it? thinks David Gilmore sux also. What a Maroon! Must be a TEXAS ATM grad. GO RED RAIDERS!

Sounds great w/ a good distortion in front of it ala TS-9. I like it w/ every amp I have, Boogies, Fenders, and Marshalls. If you like Gilmore, you'll love this pedal.

I shielded this sucker big time and it is pretty quiet now. Before it really did that sweeping thing, whether or not you were playing. As far as reliability goes, it looks rather questionable, but it's always worked for me (go figure).

NA

I'd give it an overall rating of 8, just because I had to do some stuff to it to make it more user friendly. Kicks the crap out of my old first run BF-2. Looks terrible, sounds great. It and the Deluxe EM are the only flangers I would have, thus far anyway.

Takes a little playing w/ and tweaking, but has sounds you don't get anywhere else. I guess Mr. Burns was it? thinks David Gilmore sux also. What a Maroon! Must be a TEXAS ATM grad. GO RED RAIDERS!

Sounds great w/ a good distortion in front of it ala TS-9. I like it w/ every amp I have, Boogies, Fenders, and Marshalls. If you like Gilmore, you'll love this pedal.

I shielded this sucker big time and it is pretty quiet now. Before it really did that sweeping thing, whether or not you were playing. As far as reliability goes, it looks rather questionable, but it's always worked for me (go figure).

NA

I'd give it an overall rating of 8, just because I had to do some stuff to it to make it more user friendly. Kicks the crap out of my old first run BF-2. Looks terrible, sounds great. It and the Deluxe EM are the only flangers I would have, thus far anyway.

Ok, so it takes a little while to work out the full range of sound available, but hey thats what makes it a great pedal, there's alwasys something new to explore.

A great flange tone. Ok some might find it a litle trebbley but it's vintage flange at it's finest. Combine it with a Big Muff and it sounds like your amps about to take off. You can seriously go over the top, but the subtle tones are also really useful. Overall a beautiful pedal, although some might want something a little more modern.

Hasn't broken yet, but Electro-Harmonix build their pedals to vintage specification so things can go wrong.

I play trippy seventies rock and this pedal is majorly important to my sound. When you really want to lose it then just press this on and dial everything to max, and if you want some more spaced out sounds, then just experiment. Possible one of the most important additions to my sound, and definitely the one that I have the most fun with. Electro-Harmonix have done it again. Eventually I'm going to get my Memory Man and then there's no stopping me.