Boss BF-2 Flanger Mod Kit

I primarily use my effects with Bass Guitar. Here's the deal: I originally had a Boss BF-2 and Modded it with pedalhacker's kit... It was tons better- less noisy and a deeper/lush flange... there was something muddy with the Bass Hz's on the lower end of the spectrum I didn't like (sounded great through my Stratocaster though). I picked up a used Boss HF-2 (High Frequency: it Flanges only the upper Hz's and leaves the bottom end signal intact) I spoke with Pedalhacker (Mike Richards) and after studying the schematics, he assured me that his BF-2 Mod kit would also work in the HF-2 (the circuit is very similar and all the component #'s to be changed were all corresponding the same as the BF-2) Again, I can't emphasize enough about the Burr Brown OP amps (not included in the standard Mod Kit but pedalhacker can easily add them for just a tad bit more $) After the Mod OMG!!! it was the "itch" I couldn't scratch for Bass Guitar. Silky smooth and glassy-like sweeps but bottom end is left full and intact (the best of both worlds). I don't even think there is an over-priced Boutique pedal out there that will give you this capable sound and performance. I give it an eleven!

Boss pedals are built like tanks... I have so much confidence in my Modded HF-2 that I sold off my modded BF-2. Plus pedalhacker gave me an awesome high-intensity Ultra-pink LED (to replace the boring stock red one- everyone knows the stock LED's are nearly impossible to see onstage at an outdoor show)- Which almost perfectly matches the Light Magenta HF-2 pedal color! (and bright as hell- could see the dam thing through San Fran fog now.....)

If any of you reading this are familiar with Mod Kits and Pedal Mod Service, you'll see that pedalhacker (Mike Richards) has not only the most modest prices out there, but some of his Mods are superior to Keeley, Analog man, and Monte Alums (IMHO anyway, and I make a "choice" what I throw on my pedal board) Mike does pro quality work stands behind his workmanship and engineering designs. (plus he is one of the nicest/coolest guys out there... people like this that you'd like to see your $$ go to... and he is a part-time working musician on top of it, so he really has a good grasp in what you are looking for if you want him to do some "custom mod work" for ya)

Now you can pick up a used Boss BF-2 on ebay pretty cheap and they are plentiful, but the Boss HF-2 (80's Vintage and no re-issue that I'm aware of) are kinda rare and much harder to find. I just hope now after submitting this review, the prices on available HF-2's don't skyrocket through the roof (the only reason I'd care cause if mine got lost/stolen, I'd definitely need another one.. and then I would have to hope there are still Burr Brown chips available or I'd have to yank the ones out of one of my Boss CE-2's or CE-3's)... Check out pedalhackers reviews on his Boss Chorus MOD's they are just as awesome. Tell your friends www.pedalhackermods.com just please don't tell the ebay rapist's or the cost of used pedals will just go up :-)

I was a little disappointed in some ways. It seems like the depth of the flanger sound is weakened. It sounds almost like a silky smooth sound with most settings. Luckily, a lot of the noise went away with this pedal.

It's about as reliable as you can make it.

This was a really easy kit to install. Even as unexperienced as I am with soldering, this was a lot easier than it looked. Pedalhacker offers a manual and tips for their kit.

Pedalhacker is great with communication! They answer emails immediately and resolve any problems as soon as they can.

It's a great kit if you'd like to alter the sound of your flanger.

Before I was kinda bored with this pedal, it just didn't have much life to it.  Just a dull flange, now with the mod it's a much deeper effect and you can crank the controls on it without any unwanted noise.  As I was replacing components and testing, just after putting in the first couple items you can tell the difference.  The flange is way smoother, and holds your actual tone way better.  For $20 you can't go wrong with this mod.  It only adds to your sound without taking anything away!

Reliability really depends on your soldering, there's no reason the parts should give out.

If you know how to use a soldering iron this mod should be no problem.  Very clear instructions with a detailed picture are provided.  Any questions and Pedalhacker will help you out and respond very quickly.

Customer support cannot be beat.  I had to email Pedalhacker a few times and always got a response immediatly!  Very helpful with any questions you might have!!

If you have a BF-2 you should do this mod, it makes it sound like a whole new pedal, for very low cost.  Much deeper, smoother flange than the original pedal.  Before I did the mod, I was contemplating selling this pedal and picking up a different flanger, but now I love it.  I also use a Lexicon MX200 for effects on my guitar and my modded BF-2 beats the hell out of the flanger on that!