MXR M 117 Flanger (Jim Dunlop Re-Issue)

An excellent re-issue of the old MXR mains flanger; I had TWO of those but couldn't live with the massive 'pop' when switching on or off. This is much better. The manual describes the funtions not very well and suggests a few settings; but it's got a good sound from the get-go. How easy should it be?

It's mono; I tend to use a Japanese strat with either a Twin II or a modded Vibrochamp. There is very little noise from the unit unless you dial in a lot of re-generation, of course! My own opinion is that this unit goes 99% of the way to an exact recreation of the original mains flanger, and is a lot better as far as noise/hum/switch 'pop' and all that goes. Same thick tones, same 'comb filter' effects, same vibrato; if there is any difference at all it is because the components (all the same value as the originals) are now miniaturised onto a circuit board and are far better in terms of tolerance. The sound of the original was always a warm, thick, dark, middley sound and this is too. It is also capable of subtleties you won't get out of a Boss flanger. It's a no-brainer to give this a '10' for sound quality.

Yes I think you can depend upon it and yes you can gig without a backup (who on earth buys 2 of every effect?). It is not quite as heavily-built as the original, the steel of the case being a little thinner, and because of miniaturisation there is a lot of room inside the unit - for 2x 9v batteries. I won't be using batteries as it will eat them in a set, and anyway the unit ships with its own 18v PSU. I don't anticipate it going wrong.

No Comment - if I had a problem i'd return it to the dealer. I would point out that I bought this mail-order and the PSU was missing when I opened the box; a phone-call and email sorted this out quickly enough, and yes they did apologize!

As noted above, I had (one after the other)2 of the original mains units. While those may be highly rated and sought-after, this is better in terms of noise and the jacks are either end of the unit, not side-by-side which was a pain. I loved the sound of the originals and this is a worthy and well thought-out, well-built re-issue. An unique sound which should be auditioned if you're in the market for a flanger.

Very easy to use. However it takes 18v adapter or 2 9V batterys

I dont like to give 10's cause nothin is perfect.BUT I used to own the vintage MXR flanger from the late 70's, but it died. and I thought I would give the reissue a try. IF I didn't like it I could ebay it.I have to say after owning both old and reissue that The reissue is just as good as the vintage and it dosen't have that big old power cord hangin out of it. If you want to nail the Van HAlen sound. Or motley Crue then this little jewel will do it. VERY THICK and meaty flange.

So far no problems. Most MXR stuff is dependable. I've had my dyna comp for 10 years

never dealt

$179 is a bit pricy but I got this on ebay in new condition with box and all paperwork for $100 Im pleased

If you've ever used a Flanger, there are no surprises with this one; the same knob configuration as the classic Boss BF-2 of the Ibanez FL9. I don't know why some people think Flangers are hard to use; it's pretty much like using a Phaser, with a little Delay built in.

No editing, not much of a manual. If you only got the Crybaby manual in your box, there's a one-sheet manual you can download. The first thing the manual suggests is setting all your knobs to 12 o'clock, and tweak from there. It's not bad advice, at least you'll start out with a basic Flanging effect.

My standard rig is a mahogany plank (SG or LP Special; I'm not into the carved maple tops) through a JC-90, with a pile of effects in between. I've been an MXR fan ever since I got my first Phase 90, back in 1974, and I had one of the original MXR Flangers, with the mongo AC cord.

No noise, but if you have the effect on, you'll probably hear the LFO running; if you run a chunky Dist/OD in front of it, it sounds pretty extreme. But a Big Muff in front of it, and it's like playing a chain saw.

The Flanger always sounds great, whether I'm going for a subtle "swooshing" sound or a brutal grinding sound. I think that the extra power (18 volts instead of 9) adds something to the sound; one of the coolest vintage flangers I've ever heard was an Ibanez FL-303, with two 9-volt batteries for power. Of course, when the batteries started to die, the effect wasn't so cool anymore; it sounded like a motor boat, stuck in a sea of jello.

The MXR Flanger also lets you get one of the coolest Flanger sounds of all time; turn down the Speed and Width, and you can get the "Filter" sound of the EHX Electric Mistress by turning the Manual knob.

With all respect to EVH, I'm not trying to copy anyone's sound, although I'm always interested in how different musicians get their sounds.

No idea. Traditionally, MXR pedals are tough. I can't see any reason not to trust this one.

I play strange, highly processed music. Imagine a mash-up of King Crimson and the Residents, and you're getting close. Other than Delay/Loopers and Ring Modulators, Flangers are my favorite effect pedals. I have a BF-2 (one of the older Japanese ones, with the black knobs), an original Ibanez FL9 (kind of thin sounding), an Ibanez FL99 (90's vintage-style pedal with a big footprint), a Guyatone FL3 (really sick sounds at high Regeneration settings) and a couple of Multi-Effects with digital Flanging. For years, the BF-2 was my go-to Flanger, and I was actually looking for a second BF-2 when I found the MXR at a great used price, with the Dunlop power supply. For $75, there was no way I could pass up the MXR. Musician's Fiend has them for $170, and the EVH Flanger goes for about $20 more. With what I saved, I can buy another pedal, or a really good power supply.

Manual, speed, width, and regen controls. Twist away and get some cool sounds. It's quite easy to dial in what you're looking for, whether it be a slow flange or a chorus-type sound.

I generally use this in the effects loop of a Peavey Ranger 212 (a tube combo that's really got a Twin Reverb vibe).

I'm not trying to sound like anyone, but if your hero uses a flanger, you can get that sound with this pedal. I know that Van Halen used this pedal, so if that's what you're looking for, it's here. This pedal sounds great either clean or distorted, and its sounds great on almost all settings. It's not harsh or too subtle - it's just right.

Solid build. They're made by Dunlop, and I've had a Crybaby for 11 years that I've positively abused. It's still going strong. I expect this thing to do the same.

They respond to emails quickly, intelligently, and politely. A phone conversation is similarly helpful. What more do you want?

I've been at it for twelve years, and I like to play alternative, classic rock, and jam band types of music. If you want a flanger, I'd buy this one. Boss flangers sound good, but this is far superior. You'll be happy.

Its not too hard to use. 4 adjustable controls and a footswitch. The one thing that would bring this down in my opinion is the power supply. The flanger runs off of 18VDC, which is double what most compact pedals require. This isnt really a big deal because they supply with you the DC adapter, which is the same size as a 9V one. The only problem is if you're using multiple pedals and you have a central power supply, which puts out the standard 9VDC, you may have to give the MXR its own dedicated adapter, unless you can wire something up in series to get the 18V. Like I said its no big deal, its just how they designed their circuit.

This is the best flanger I've heard. Ive played most of the modern stuff from Boss, DOD/Digitech etc....and theres really no comparison. I havent tried flangers from A/DA and EH though, which I hear are quite good. With the MXR you're not just limited to just one good tone. I use it for a basic flange sound. If you're into Van Halen, the sound I was able to get is just like the one on Aftershock/Balance. I basically have the Speed and Width set how I like them, and I'll play around with the Manual and Regen to get different tones. Its got a nice and warm tone to it. Not tinny at all. Like other users have said, it is a pretty quiet pedal. I'd say, overall...really good tone.

I just recieved it a couple days ago. From what I've seen and felt though.......its a durable pedal. I like the MXR switch vs. the Boss type. A switch is mechanical device and it is going to wear out with enough use. The metal type in an MXR seems a lot more durable to me, and its easier to replace.

No comment here....I just recieved it a couple days ago.

I would say overall this is a great flanger. I mean all you have to do is listen to Van Halen tunes such as Unchained and you can make the judgement. I play mostly hard rock and classic rock and this piece of gear will now be a permanant part of my rig, for me its not something I use like every song, but I kick it in from time to time. Ive been looking into getting this pedal for a few years...and Im glad I did.

I found this pedal easy to use after playing with it for a while. At first it was kind of complicated, but playing with the knobs and reading some suggestions on these reviews helped me out and now I'm pretty good with it. It has four knobs: Manual, Width, Speed, and Regen and the different combinations can give you really varied sounds.

My set-up is either my Epiphone Dot 335 or Rickenbacker 360 into a whole slew of pedals: MXR DynaComp>Ibanez Tubescreamer>Vox Wah>Dunlop Trem>MXR Stereo Chorus>Dunlop Univibe>MXR Phase 90>MXR Flanger>Ibanez Delay>MXR Auto-Q, all into Vox amps. This pedal is not noisy unless the gain is cranked on the guitar or tubescreamer (you can then hear the flanging in the background before you start playing) but this is minor. This sounds AMAZING on the "Jet Plane" setting, which along with the UFO Invasion sound, is my favorite. The flanger on that setting along with the distortion and compression is out of this world.

As with every MXR pedal, this thing is a brick. This pedal in particular is heavy as a stone. MXR's are built like a tank with the all metal housing. I'll use this without hesitation for as long as I'm alive. I own lots of other MXR stuff and it's all durable as hell.

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I play rock music, a hybrid of my influences (Cream/Hendrix/Who/Zeppelin to Beatles/Mansun/Suede/Blur and everything in between). I've been playing for almost 16 years now and this is the first (and LAST) Flanger pedal I've ever owned. This is perfect. I preferred it to the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress (which I tried out)...I just felt the MXR *sounded* better (I found the same thing when buying the MXR Auto-Q over the Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron, although EHX kick major ass, especially the English Muff'n). If you are looking for an awesome flanger, get this one!

This Flanger gives nothing but good tone, there is nothing really to complain about. Technically all the settings you can pull out of it are nothing short of musical, but some settings (like the afformentioned 'Jet' setting of a previous poster) really didn't do much for me.

FINALLY Dunlop started putting manuals in thier product (instead of the crybaby manual!) and it can be a great start for people who have never used a Flanger pedal before. Could have used more suggested settings though.

Came with an Adapter too! So there should be very little complaning about using it as it comes with the $20 AC that is pretty much manditory!

Gets an 8 because it's still a flanger, which in my eyes is on of the hardest effects to use!

My rig is nothing less than 'complicated'. Pretty much I run stereo, a wet amp and a dry amp. The Flanger goes into a Fender Bassman '59 reissue, and is found in the following position: Marshall Guvnor -> Phase 90 -> M117 Flanger -> Voodoo Labs Tremolo -> Danelectro Reel Echo.

There is also a ABY box, MXR 6 band, and Hotcake found before this... I also run wireless so there is a lot of things to effect my tone.

Everything is powered by a Dunlop Brick, and a TU2 Tuner. (tuner out of my ABY so it is not in line with my signal)

Surprisingly this setup yeilds very little hum outside of typical ground hum. (its not louder than plugging straight it!) I do get a bit of harmonic loss of highs, but other than that its great. My board is silent when everythings off, which is nice considering that everyone else has complaind about 'hiss' or 'swirling'.

The Effect can be a little overpowering if used without my 'dry amp'.

With overdrive this pedal really shines, especially with the manual knob around 11'clock where it delivers a really throughty bassy sounding tone. Even with Phase or Trem this thing just gives off amazing tones! What a great mix of sound!

I've never had a problem with anything MXR builds. Everything by them has been whisper quiet when bypassed, and gives off the best sounds when active!

It's more metal than a Boss pedal... it's indestructable!


However, upon poping the shell open, it's all surface mount, tiny little components. YOU CANT FIX IT! The solder joints are just too tiny and close together... this would require a replacement if it died. Thank god for Dunlops warranty! Gets a 9 for this.

I've never had to deal with Dunlop on any of their products. So no opinion.

I play mostly hard rock music with a strong blues/classic rock influence. I'm mostly a rhythm player, and use it for nice typical 'flange' sounds (see the recomended setting in the manual. Mines not far off!)

I've tried MANY flangers, the Boss's HF2, BF2, BF3, Danelectros Phyco Flange and thier 2 other small pedal flangers, the Ibanez FL9, the Maxon FL9, Ibanez FL7, Digitech Turbo Flange (my second fav flange), and even the Line 6 MM4's Flanger. The MXR Flange is the only one I'll use now! Everything else (but the Turbo Flange) is completly useless in my books. This is the only flanger worth using!

Don't think about it, JUST BUY IT!

Looked Esay Enough and was indeed easy to get going

Considering the fact that I just put it in my pedalboard and used it for all of about 90 seconds before it froze up on me I can say that the 90 seconds it did work it was the best flanger I ever heard.
I use a Marshall TSL 100 Head and Marshall 4/12 Celestion G12T-75 Cabinet. My Furnam pedalboard houses all Dunlop and MXR Products exclusively except for my delay pedal. The front of the amp has the Wylde Wah, a Rotovibe, a Wylde Wah, the EVH Phase 90 and then the flanger and the loop sees the MXR 134a Stereo Chorus, a Maxon AD999 Full Second Analog Delay and that's it. For the little time it worked like I said it was truly awesome

Well lets see, in all my years I have never had a problem with not even one piece of gear I have ever owned. I put this in my pedalboard just this past Friday night at rehersal, gave it a quick 20 second test drive and fell in love. Our band covers Just A Girl by No Doubt and thought the flanger would add a cool effect to the opening riff and verses. I began with the intro and first verse and it sounded phenominal. Shut it off for the chorus and when I went to kick it in for the second verse I heard the effect turn on but the sweep of the flange just froze soild and the effect pedal died out and the pedal fried just like that.
I have e mailed Dunlop tech support but have heard nothing the past 2 days. I need for it to be fixed or better yet replaced witgh a new one ASAP!

It's been 2 days and I have not heard from or seen a return e mail from Dunlop Tech Support.

I play in a rock cover band and this is the best I have heard in a flanger period. If it were lost or stolen I'd buy another in a heartbeat. I just think it was my turn to be dealt a bit of bad luck since I was dealt this lemon of a pedal and only hope I get a replacement or get mine fixed pronto. I still can't believe it. It lasted all of 90 seconds and it stopped working just like that. I'm a little heartbroken because I really looked forward to using this pedal for this weeks upcoming gigs. Oh well, such is life huh??

Easy to use if you have experience with flangers in general. If not, fiddle with the knobs and see what they do to your sound. Manual adjusts the center flange frequency; width adjusts how deep it flanges; speed adjusts the rate or quickness of flanging; regeneration adjusts the feedback of the flanger effect into itself (maxing out makes it more "metallic" sounding). I like to use different settings for different songs. Obviously, the more knobs you have, the more difficult it is to do it on the fly. I like how MXR puts a white line on their knobs so you can see what you are dialing in on a dark stage. Since it's bigger than most stomp boxes it takes up more room on your pedal board. Also, you have to use an 18V adapter, not the usual 9V that other pedals use. I use Voodoo Lab's Pedal Power 2 - had to order a custom Y-cable to power it ($15). The size and 18V requirements force me to give it a lower "ease of use" rating.

I love this flanger! The sound you get makes up for the size of it and the fact that it requires 18V to run it. Effects pedals must prove their worth live for me - this one does. It's very warm sounding but not over-powering and annoying. It's smooth but definitely there and not very noisy for a flanger. You can get a nice pseudo-chorus sound if you turn the man. and regen. all the way down and play with the width and speed knobs. Here's my favorite "typical" flanger setting: Man. at 1 o'clock, Width at 1 o'clock, Speed at 11 o'clock, Regen. at 3 o'clock.

Here's the flangers I've had and compared it to: Boss BF-2, BF-3, HF-2 (high band flanger), Ibanez FL-9 (reissue). Until I bought the MXR, the Ibanez was my favorite but comparing the two, the Ibanez is very noisy. I did get a good sound from the FL-9 but I had to adjust the internal trim pots. The new BF-3 was too tinny and metallic sounding for me and too many useless/silly features. The HF-2 didn't give a thick enough flange effect. The BF-2 was decent.

So far, so good. Dunlop builds 'em to last.

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I play rock in a cover band - been playing guitar for 24 years. I only review products I've used and gigged with. This has a great natural, typical, flange sound that most of us are used to. Try this before you buy the other brands. I'm sure you'll be pleased.

Easy.

Got that deep wooshing flange.Great for VH Songs. But don't expect sounding like Eddie on "Ain`t talking about love".You get only closer to this sound.
I sended this pedal back because if you place the flanger in the fx loop you will get a volume and treble loss if you switch the pedal on. I could not live with that problem.

If you place the flanger in front of the amp there is no volume loss.

The flange itself is very deep and cool, better then the Fl 9 Ibanez model.But sounds a bit muddy too.

Very very well built!tank bla bla.

I emailed them once and they responded quickly.Might be very good.

I think that this unit is overpriced ( in Europe up to 230 $). I would pay only 100 $ .

It s a reissue but they could adjust something (treble and volume loss).