PastFX's Perfect Vintage-inspired Analog Flanger Trifecta gets even further evolved and improved
The original trio of PastFX Flangers (below) was already nigh perfect, while now the Trifecta is wholly beyond compare - with improvements across the range and a standardisation of the pricing. Moreover each now has at least 7 surface controls for unprecedented versatility, usability and practicality, while the Elastic Mattress is even further evolved to Stereo Output.
These 3 Flangers are all distinct and all brilliant really - 3 core classic legendary Flanger Modulation textures with the maximum of shapability! Everything about this trilogy is just supreme now - including the compact form factor.
It’s quite incredible that all 3 are now powered by the same MN3007 BBD’s as they all sound so different. If anyone is the slightest bit interested in Flanging Modulation Pedals then this Trifecta is surely the ideal stating point, and I understand Verlie is nowhere near done yet - and we will surely have even more classic Flanger varieties before long.
I don’t feel it’s necessary to go into all the minutiae all over again - please refer to the original Flanger Trifecta article for those details.
Here follow brief summaries on each :
Elastic Mattress Flanger V2 (based on Vintage 70's EHX Electric Mistress) [MN3007 BBD] - $299 AUD / $210 USD
Original Controls - Rate, Filter (LFO Off), Range (Flange Sweep), Blend (Dry-Wet Mix), Bright, Color (Intensity), Internal Volume and Treble Trimmer.
New Features : Stereo Output, New External Mini Level Knob
The Bright & Sparky Electric Mistress variety now comes with Stereo Output and External Mini Level Knob - taking a superb flanger even further forward. This is surely the ultimate of this genre now - and there really is no other direct equivalent - it's the Electric Mistress evolved to its ultimate format.
Reticon Flanger V2 (based on 2020 Buffalo FX Reticon Flanger) [MN3007 BBD] - $299 AUD / $210 USD
Original Controls - Rate, Range (Flange Sweep), Color (Intensity), Matrix / Filter (LFO Off), Level, Treble, Blend (Dry-Wet Mix), Internal Mod Switch : Stock / Bright.
New Features : MN3007 BBD in place of RD5106 BBD, lower price
This Bold & Searing Flanger is now re-made and optimised on the MN3007 BBD - with all the existing features and textures fully intact - just at a keener price point - now standardised with the other PastFX Flangers.
Hot for Flanger V2 (based on Vintage 70's MXR M117 Flanger) [MN3007 BBD] - $299 AUD / $210 USD
Original Controls - Sweep (LFO Speed / Rate), Waldo / EVH Switch (Ups Clock Capacitance Timing), Width (Time Delay Intensity per Sweep setting), Manual (Degree of Phase-Shifting), Blend (Dry-Wet Mix), Regen (Overall Effect Intensity).
New Features : External Mini Level and Regen Knobs
And as predicted - the Hot for Flanger gains an External Mini Level Knob as well as an External Regen / Feedback push-button which further ramps up the textured output - for that especially Thick & Greasy profile.
Final Thoughts
I of course feel that you should acquire every one of these superior Flangers. Where originally the Reticon was the strongest overall in format and function, while right now possibly the Elastic Mattress has pipped that as the most special one in the Trifecta - with its now Stereo Output - and if you like your Flanger a little grungier - then the Hot for Flanger should be your first look-in. I'm still trying to decide which of these I love the most - and which will become by principal mainstay Flanger - it's a real struggle!
This wave of supreme PastFX Flangers has hit us so fast and so hard that it has pretty much washed everything else aside. If You want vintage components - you're covered here, - if you want superior textures, with expansive granular hands-on control and shapability - again you are covered on al fronts with some of the neatest and most potent Flanger Pedals to date.
I ambitiously stated that 2022 would be my 'Year of the Flanger' and these 3 alone pretty much justify that - while I've gathered most of the other pertinent ones that I had yet to acquire - throughout this year, and am just waiting on a handful more fairly imminent releases - which should happen within the next couple of months or so - before I declare and share my Full Flanger Capsule Collection - which will likely be nigh 20 pedals by then.
We may even have Verlie's A/DA variety out be then 0 where those dates aren't firmed up quite yet - so not sure when that I mos likely to land!
I genuinely feel that everything about these 3 Flangers featured here - is about spot-on - you could say it would be nice to see top-mounted jacks, but considering everything else we have going on here - it would be somewhat churlish and nonsensical nit-picking.
These 3 Flangers Reign Supreme as far as I'm concerned!
Are any of you Flange-fanatics like me?
