Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger
This is it, this is the main pedal that helps Andy Summers get his signature sounds- an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger. This is a very special flanger that has been hailed around the world as one of the top flangers (along with the ADA and MXR Flangers.)
Flanging is almost like phasing except more sophisticated. The signal speed can be changed from a slight waver to an extreme flutter, like phasing, but now the two signals can be delayed, so a pitch change will occur between the two signals.
For example, listen to "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" and notice that the guitar sounds very "warbly". This is because Andy set the delay to a higher lever, so it can be "detuned." "Don't Stand So Close To Me" is a good example of how flanging can also be used to make one guitar sound rich and full. "Driven To Tears" is, in my opinion, the greatest example of flangers in use.
Flangers also have a "feedback" control which sets the strength that the signal has. With this all the way up, your guitar sounds like a jet plane flying by. Check out the solo to "Omegaman" to hear this in effect.
Flangers also have different waveform shapes. Since this is an analog flanger, it's sound is warmer than digital ones, and only has one waveform- but the Electric Mistress is set to have a "triangle" wavefrom instead of a logarithmic- so it can get detuning sounds easier.
This pedal is also famous because of it's "filter matrix." What it does is it disables the flange sweep . . . so you can position it ANYWHERE YOU WANT. That's how Andy Summers got that dry, thirsty guitar sound on "How Stupid Mr. Bates."
If you love the Police (who doesn't?) and play a guitar, get this pedal - actually, get the newer, more reliable Deluxe Electric Mistress. Turn the rate to about 9 o'clock, Range and Color both to 11 o'clock, and you have Andy Summers in a box.