BOSS BF-2 Flanger (Serial 153600) – Japan Vintage

Estimated February 1982 production lot
Early Made in Japan black label period
ACA specification
Serviced and fully tested

Overview

This listing is for a BOSS BF-2 Flanger from the Japanese vintage era.

The BF-2 was released in June 1980 and remained in production for many years, making it one of BOSS’s long-running classic compact pedals.

This particular unit, with serial number 153600, is estimated to be from a relatively early production period.

Carefully cleaned, inspected, serviced, and fully tested, this BF-2 retains the classic analog flanger sound that made the model one of BOSS’s most iconic compact modulation pedals.

Based on the serial number, internal PCB markings, IC configuration, and component markings, this pedal is estimated to be from the February 1982 production lot. Since BOSS serial numbers from this era function more like lot numbers than strict individual date codes, the safest production estimate is around early 1982.

All electronic components appear to remain original.
No visible signs of electronic component replacement were found.

Key Features & Condition

Model: BF-2 Flanger
Serial number: 153600
Made in Japan
Black label
Black screw
ACA specification
Estimated February 1982 production lot
Relatively early BF-2 unit
All electronic components appear original
Fully cleaned, carefully inspected, and serviced
Tested and confirmed working properly with both ACA adapter and 9V battery
Operation is very good
New replacement rubber bushing installed, as the original was missing
No accessories included
Pedal only

The unit shows scratches, marks, dirt, and some rust consistent with vintage gear.

Overall cleaning has been performed, and while there are cosmetic signs of age and use, the pedal is in clean condition for its age.

Please refer to the photos for exact cosmetic condition details.

Maintenance / Cleaning Details

The jack contacts were removed and polished with compound to remove oxidation.

The MANUAL and DEPTH pots had slight scratchiness before servicing. For this reason, all potentiometers were serviced: oxidation was removed from the wiper areas, the carbon tracks were cleaned with electronic cleaner, and contact conditioner was applied.

After cleaning and servicing, all pots were checked and no scratchiness was present.

The original rubber bushing was missing, so a new replacement rubber bushing has been installed.

The pedal has been tested with both an ACA adapter and a 9V battery, and operation is good.

Serial Number / Estimated Production Period

Serial number: 153600

Estimated production lot: February 1982
Estimated range: early 1982

The BF-2 was released in June 1980 and remained in production for many years.

Because this unit is estimated to be from February 1982, it can be considered a relatively early example from the Made in Japan black label period.

The dating estimate is primarily based on the BOSS 6-digit serial format from this era. When the first two digits “15” are interpreted as the production month code, the result points to February 1982.

Because BOSS serial numbers from this period are generally understood as lot-based numbers, this date should be considered an estimated production lot rather than an exact individual build date.

Production Dating Evidence

Primary evidence:

Serial number: 153600

The first two digits “15” correspond to an estimated February 1982 production lot when interpreted using the common BOSS 6-digit serial dating method for this period.

PCB markings:

PCB reverse marking: BF-2 2291033200
PCB front marking: BF-2 / ET-54A / ET5211-510A

These board markings are consistent with an early to earlier-period BF-2 circuit layout.

Major IC configuration:

JRC 4558D ×2
MN3207 BBD
MN3102 clock driver
TL022CP
78L05AV voltage regulator

This IC configuration is consistent with the early Japanese BF-2 analog BBD circuit design.

Component Date Code Support

Several internal components show markings that are consistent with parts manufactured around 1981, which supports the estimated February 1982 assembly period.

Notable examples include:

JRC 4558D marking: 1478
78L05AV marking: 8122
MN3102 marking: 1D
Multiple electrolytic capacitors with markings such as 1N, 1D, 10, and 14
Small-signal transistor markings such as 1C, 1L, P11ZC, and P119A
ALPS potentiometers marked 214N

The JRC 4558D “1478” markings are consistent with a late-1981 component lot, and the 78L05AV “8122” marking is consistent with a 1981 week-code style marking.

These parts do not provide a single exact build date on their own, but together they strongly support an assembly period around early 1982.

Other Major Components Documented for Transparency

Operational amplifiers:

JRC 4558D 1478 ×2
TL022CP Malaysia

BBD / clock ICs:

MN3207
MN3102 1D

Voltage regulator:

F 78L05AV 8122

Potentiometers:

ALPS 214N 50KB
ALPS 214N 250KC
ALPS 214N 50KC

Transistors:

C732 GR
C945
K30A
A733

All major electronic components appear original, and no electronic component replacement work was observed.

Please note that the rubber bushing was missing and has been replaced with a new one.

About the BOSS BF-2 Flanger

The BOSS BF-2 Flanger is one of the classic analog compact pedals from BOSS’s early Japanese production era.

Released in June 1980, the BF-2 became one of BOSS’s most recognizable and long-running analog modulation pedals.

Using an analog BBD circuit, the BF-2 delivers a wide range of flanging tones, from subtle movement and chorus-like modulation to metallic jet-style sweep sounds.

Controls:

MANUAL
DEPTH
RATE
RES

Power:

9V battery or ACA-type adapter

Note: Battery and ACA adapter are not included.

Included

None. Pedal only.

Battery and ACA adapter are not included.

Shipping / Import Duties / Address Restrictions

Shipping costs and delivery conditions are determined according to the individual listing, destination, package size, declared value, and current customs and shipping requirements.

International orders are generally shipped using Japan Post services.

EMS will normally be used when the item meets the applicable size, weight, destination, and shipping requirements.

If EMS is unavailable or unsuitable due to the package size, weight, value, destination, customs requirements, or other shipping conditions, we may use UGX, UGX Prime, or the UGX Cross-Border E-Commerce Delivery Service.

Another suitable carrier may be used only when Japan Post services are unavailable or inappropriate for the shipment.

If free shipping is offered, it normally applies to outbound shipping charges only.

Shipments to the United States are generally sent under DDP conditions in accordance with current U.S. customs and Japan Post requirements.

For qualifying U.S. shipments, the customs duties covered by the DDP declaration are prepaid by the seller before shipment.

However, DDP shipping does not guarantee that the buyer will have no additional charges.

Additional duties, taxes, customs reassessments, customs clearance fees, brokerage fees, carrier handling fees, storage charges, or other expenses not included in the original DDP declaration may still be imposed by U.S. customs authorities or the delivery carrier.

Any such additional charges are the buyer’s responsibility.

Taxes or fees collected separately by Reverb are not included in the Japan Post DDP customs prepayment.

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VAT or taxes collected by Reverb at checkout may not include customs duties, clearance fees, postal handling fees, or carrier charges.

Please note:

We cannot normally ship to P.O. Box, POB, APO, or FPO addresses.

Depending on the Japan Post service selected and the destination, delivery may be completed without a recipient’s signature or through unattended delivery.

Shipping eligibility may vary depending on the destination country, address type, package size, declared value, and local customs regulations.

Certain countries or shipping services may restrict delivery to private individuals, registered businesses, specific postal codes, or eligible service areas.

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Orders that do not meet the applicable shipping conditions may be cancelled.

Please refer to our full Shipping Policy for additional details.

About RETUNE WORKS

RETUNE WORKS specializes in careful inspection, cleaning, and preservation of musical equipment while respecting original circuits, tone, and historical integrity.

For this BF-2, all electronic components appear to remain original.
No visible signs of electronic component replacement were found.

The original rubber bushing was missing, so a new replacement rubber bushing has been installed.

The pedal has been thoroughly cleaned, serviced, inspected, and tested to ensure reliable operation while maintaining authenticity.

Our mission is to ensure that quality vintage gear continues to be played, enjoyed, and passed on to the next generation.