Over the past few months I’ve been spending a bit of time trying to create a replica of the original vintage MXR Flanger that unlike the reissue, featured an analogue SAD 1024 Bucket Brigade Delay chip. Most people who have tried both the original version and the reissue allege that the first version sounded better, hence why I’ve gone to so much trouble to try and replicate it instead of buying a new version. Besides, the new MXR Flangers are actually quite expensive here, the pricey sum of £125 and over which is much more than a scratch built vintage replica would cost. Some people are deterred from building a clone of this effects pedal due to the scarcity and thus relatively high cost of buying the SAD 1024 BBD chip, however, they can still be purchased online from Small Bear Electronics or Banzai Electronics.

In my searches around the internet I’ve managed to track down quite a lot of various pictures, diagrams,  schematics and information for the MXR Flanger. In addition to the schematic by Stellan that’s commonly seen on the internet, I also found the original factory schematic and layout diagram from MXR. Instead of the 120v to 15v mains supply circuit for the original MXR Flanger, I decided that it would be much more practical to incorporate a 9v to 17v step up circuit coupled with a low dropout 15v voltage regulator. This meant that I could either use the typical 9v batteries used with effects pedals, or my preferred choice, the 240v to 9v UK power adaptor that has an adaptor enabling up to 5 pedals to be run from the same mains transformer.

Vintage MXR Flanger PCB layout by Massimo Ceresa, which he drew up after we sent each other a few emails regarding the MXR Flanger schematics available. This is not the same layout as the original MXR, it’s a bit smaller, but the parts and circuit used are exactly the same so it should sound exactly the same as the original. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Here’s the component layout diagram for the above MXR Flanger PCB layout to show you where to put the parts. Click the
thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Extensive parts list, including optional substitutes needed where original parts are unavailable or hard to find. Substitutes should not change the tone or operation of the Flanger in any way. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

MXR M-117 Flanger factory schematic. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

MXR M-117 Flanger factory layout diagram. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Vintage MXR Flanger photograph courtesy of modezero.com. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Vintage MXR Flanger photograph showing the rear of the original MXR Flanger’s printed circuit board, courtesy of Massimo Ceresa. Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Coming soon: photographs of vintage MXR Flangers, schematic for 9v > 15v external power supply and more!

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