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Average Price: $126
Standard/Professional
$60
$201+
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Description
Unleash your creative side with the Boss BF-2 Flanger, a versatile tool to shape your sound. Known for its wide-ranging flanging effects, this pedal can generate anything from a subtle chorus to the dramatic swoosh of an airplane. With its intuitive controls for Manual, Depth, Rate, and Resonance, you can easily fine-tune your sound to achieve the perfect balance. Whether you're a beginner or a professional musician, the BF-2 Flanger offers an excellent way to enhance your music and experiment with various soundscapes.
Key Features:
- Provides vast flanging effects, from mild chorus to dramatic airplane wooshes
- Features intuitive controls for Manual, Depth, Rate, and Resonance
- Suitable for both beginners and professional musicians
- Ideal for enhancing music and experimenting with various soundscapes
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | BF-2 Flanger |
| Finish | Purple |
| Year | 1990 - 2001 |
| Made In | Taiwan |
| Categories | Flanger Pedals |
FAQs
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Is the Boss BF-2 Flanger an analog pedal?
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Yes, the Boss BF-2 Flanger uses analog circuitry, specifically BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) technology, to create its distinctive flanging effect.
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What type of power supply does the Boss BF-2 Flanger require?
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The Boss BF-2 Flanger requires a 9V power supply, which can be either a 9V battery or a standard Boss PSA adapter for consistent power during performances.
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Is the Boss BF-2 Flanger suitable for both guitar and bass?
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Yes, the Boss BF-2 Flanger is versatile and can be used with both electric guitar and bass, providing rich and dynamic flanging effects across a wide frequency range.
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How does the Boss BF-2 Flanger differ from other flanger pedals?
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The Boss BF-2 Flanger is known for its classic analog sound and robust build quality, offering a wide range of flanging effects from subtle to extreme, making it a favorite among musicians for its reliability and tonal versatility.
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What are the control options on the Boss BF-2 Flanger?
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The Boss BF-2 Flanger features four control knobs: Manual, Depth, Rate, and Resonance, allowing users to precisely shape the flanging effect to their preference.
Videos
Reverb
1983 Boss BF-2 Flanger: Andy's Vintage Picks | Reverb Tone Report
Reviews
PROS
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Classic 80s flanger tones perfect for post-punk and alternative music
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Built like a tank; exceptionally durable construction
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Versatile sound range from subtle chorus to extreme flange
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Compact design allows for easy integration into pedalboards
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Easily modifiable for personalized sound tweaks
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Works well with both guitar and bass, offering a wide sonic palette
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Responsive controls with significant impact on sound
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Warm, lush analog circuit with a natural depth
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Affordable pricing for a high-quality pedal
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Renowned for its unique "jet plane" and "sitar-like" sounds
CONS
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Not a true bypass pedal; can add unwanted high frequencies when off
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Limited sweet spots; may not suit all musical styles
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Can clip with certain distortion pedals in the signal chain
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Lacks stereo output; not ideal for all setups
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Some users find its sound too lo-fi compared to vintage alternatives
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss BF-2 Flanger.
Use cases and applications
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The BF-2 complements light dirt or compression, creating atmospheric post-punk and shoegaze tones.
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The BF-2 is reported as excellent for riffs but can be overwhelming for chords due to its untamed sound.
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Using the BF-3's bass input limits the manual knob range, simplifying dialing in settings for subtle effects.
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The BF-2 is favored for its analog warmth, popular in 1980s music, while the BF-3 is versatile with additional effects like slicer and stereo compatibility.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the BF-2's versatility, achieving sounds from chorus to rotary and phase without frequent adjustments.
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The BF-3's versatility makes it popular for bass, with users appreciating the additional features for bass applications.
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Users find the BF-3's unintuitive tap tempo function difficult for live rhythmic adjustments, unlike more straightforward models like the PH-5.
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Some owners note that the BF-2 can be noisy, while the BF-3 offers similar functionality with additional features and reduced noise.
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Comparisons
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The BF-2 is described as "sweeter" and more versatile for creating usable flanger sounds compared to the BF-3's harsher tone.
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The BF-2 is described as the opposite of more static modulation pedals like the CE-2W, offering dynamic sound tweaking opportunities.
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The TC Electronic Thunderstorm is a cheaper clone of the BF-2, with modern design preferences like top jacks and true bypass.
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The BF-3 is a digital recreation of the BF-2's circuitry, eliminating noise and offering a wider frequency response, but some find the BF-2 warmer.
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Setup and maintenance
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Internal trimpots may be adjusted by previous owners, affecting sound; ensuring original positions can restore intended tone.
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Build quality
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Some users report no significant difference between Japanese and Taiwanese BF-2 models, despite perceived value differences.
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Value and pricing
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BF-2 pedals are regularly available under $100 used, making them a classic yet affordable choice in the used market.
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Features and functionality
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The BF-3 includes a momentary setting and gate/pan mode, offering versatility with a square wave tremolo sound in stereo output.
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The BF-3 starts its sweep from the bottom when engaged, ideal for slow sweep effects but may not suit Van Halen-style punch-ins.
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The BF-3 can create chorus effects, making it a versatile alternative to more expensive pedals like the DC Waza.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 24 Reviews and 153 Ratings
135
Great, affordable flanger
Great sounding flanger that doesn't break the bank. Goes from jet to warbly very nicely.
130
A classic flanger
What more can I say that hasn't been said about the BF-2? Classic flanger sound with Boss durability.
1963
BF-2
When recording a switch around gear a lot. Trying different pedals on different instruments. Ive used it on Drums a lot lately.
235
517
"California Bound" and "Alone, Leave Me"
Used in the bridge of "California Bound" as well as the solo of "Alone, Leave Me".
fuck it up
a good pedal to use for anything else than what its made for. best way to use it is to open it and turn the knobs to turn it into something else
41029
you don't like the stock BF-2? but it gets the basic flange job done with aplomb
thanks for replying, Jim :). I expressed myself poorly, I see now. I have acquired it for another purpose which is to use it as an oscilator and auto theremin (if we can call it something). I saw a video that shows how to turn this pedal into something else and I went after it because of that particular treat. As for the flanger function I must admit I haven´t evaluated the pedal in comparisson to other flanger pedals. But the effect in itself and the parameters are not to my taste(which, truly doesn´t mean the pedal is not good overall) I really like crazy sounds and the possibility of endless experimentation and knob tampering so I only acquired the pedal because of what it can turn into. I´m sorry for not making this clear and thank you for pointing it out with your question :)
192
Amazing
Im strictly Boss pedals with some exceptions like whammy pedals. This along with every Boss pedal I've ever bought has been amazing.
285
Artist usage
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"The first pedal I bought at that time, which was the late 70s, was the purple BF-2 flanger. I’ve been thinking about that recently: I imagine The Cure wouldn’t exist without that little pedal. Like all great effects it can’t really be duplicated. It’s got such a cool distinctive sound that really reminds me of the time, you know? But the problem was every single riff I had was just going woooosshhhh!!! It was the only pedal I could afford at the time!"
According to the 1996 rig diagram from Guitar Geek, Smith used the Boss BF-2 flanger pedal.
2:13 on this YouTube video for DunlopTV, featuring Adam Jones's tech, Chris Leahey showing that part of Adam's distorted tone, seen in the pan of his board comes from one of the pedals that includes the Boss BF-2.
According to Gear Secrets of the Guitar Legends: How to Sound Like Your Favorite Players, Satriani used a BF-2.
Mark Knopfler used a Boss BF-2 Flanger pedal during his 1985/86 tour with Dire Straits, as documented by Mk-guitar on their "Mark Knopfler's Guitar Effects" page.
Prince has used the Boss BF-2 Flanger pedal in many of his concerts and performances for several years. He has used the Boss BF- 2 Flanger pedal on Jay Leno's Tonight show and the 21 Nights in London concerts. The Boss BF-2 Flanger pedal can be spotted on the left side of Prince's effects pedal board after the Boss VB-2 Vibrato and Boss DD-3 Digital Delay pedals.
This video from DunlopTV features the guitar tech of TOOL's longest acting bassist, Justin Chancellor. As he runs through some of the pedals within Chancellor's pedal board, we see that the over-all board is in 3 sections. On the far left of the middle section is a bright purple pedal with chrome topped knobs. This pedal is the BOSS BF-2 Flanger Pedal.
As you can see from this picture, on Tom's instagram, he owns/uses the Boss BF-2 Flanger.
You can see what looks to be a Boss BF-2 on Josh's pedalboard for his performance w/ Jane's Addiction.
Album Usage
The Boss BF-2 Flanger has been featured on the following albums:
Silver Bleeds the Black Sun...
AFI (2025)
Holy Visions
AFI (2025)
Arches
Illiterate Light (2024)
Fear Inoculum
Tool (2019)
SEP7IMO DIA
Soda Stereo (2017)
ひきずるビート/まで。
Mass of the Fermenting Dregs (2010)
Desolation Row [From "Watchmen"]
My Chemical Romance (2009)
10,000 Days
Tool (2006)
The W.A.N.D.
The Flaming Lips (2006)
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
My Chemical Romance (2004)
Lateralus
Tool (2001)
Ænima
Tool (1996)
Undertow
Tool (1993)
Sanctuary 1993 Mixes
The Cult (1993)
Fire Woman
The Cult (1989)
Stop Making Sense (Live)
Talking Heads (1984)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss BF-2 Flanger, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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