BOSS BF-2 Flanger (Serial 068200) – Early Made in Japan Vintage

Estimated May 1981 production lot
Very early Made in Japan black label period
Black screw
Black-top style control knobs
ACA specification
Carefully cleaned, serviced, inspected, and operation checked

Overview

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

The BF-2 was released in June 1980, and this particular unit, with serial number 068200, is estimated to be from the May 1981 production lot. This makes it a very early example from the Made in Japan black label period.

This unit features the black label, black screw, and black-top style control knobs associated with early BF-2 production.

The pedal has been carefully cleaned and serviced while preserving its original circuit and components as much as possible.

Based on the serial number, internal PCB markings, IC configuration, and component markings, this pedal is estimated to be from the May 1981 production lot.

Because BOSS serial numbers from this era are generally better treated as production-lot references rather than exact individual build dates, May 1981 should be considered an estimated production period rather than a definitive exact manufacturing date.

The deteriorated rubber bushing was replaced with a new one during servicing.

Other than this rubber bushing, the unit appears to retain its original components.

No visible signs of electronic component replacement were found.

Key Features & Condition

Model: BF-2 Flanger
Serial number: 068200
Made in Japan
Black label
Black screw
Black-top style control knobs
ACA specification
Estimated May 1981 production lot
Very early BF-2 unit
Original electronic components appear to be retained
Rubber bushing replaced with a new replacement during servicing
All four potentiometers disassembled and serviced
Input and output jack contacts polished
Carefully cleaned and inspected
Pedal only

The unit shows scratches, marks, dirt, oxidation, and other cosmetic wear consistent with vintage equipment of this age.

Overall cleaning has been performed, and while there are visible signs of age and use, the pedal has been carefully preserved rather than cosmetically restored.

Please refer to the photos for exact cosmetic condition details.

Maintenance / Cleaning Details

Before servicing, slight scratchiness was present in the DEPTH potentiometer.

All four potentiometers were therefore removed from the circuit as necessary and carefully disassembled for servicing.

The internal contact surfaces were cleaned using electronic cleaner, and contact conditioner was applied.

The potentiometer wiper contacts were also carefully polished.

This servicing was performed on all four potentiometers rather than only the DEPTH control.

Oxidation was also found on the jack contacts.

Both the INPUT and OUTPUT jack contacts were polished with compound to remove oxidation and improve the electrical contact surfaces.

The deteriorated rubber bushing was replaced with a new one.

Other than the rubber bushing, no components were intentionally replaced during this servicing.

The goal of the work was to improve reliability while preserving the original circuit and vintage components.

Serial Number / Estimated Production Period

Serial number: 068200

Estimated production lot: May 1981

Estimated period: around spring 1981

The BF-2 was released in June 1980.

Because this unit is estimated to be from May 1981, it can be considered a very early example from the Made in Japan black label period.

The dating estimate is primarily based on the BOSS 6-digit serial format used during this period.

Under the commonly used interpretation of this serial system, the “06” prefix corresponds to an estimated May 1981 production lot.

Because BOSS serial numbers from this period are generally understood to function more like production-lot numbers than exact individual manufacturing dates, this should be considered an estimated production period rather than an exact build date.

Production Dating Evidence

Primary evidence:

Serial number: 068200

Estimated production lot: May 1981

Internal PCB markings:

PCB front marking: ET5211-510A
PCB reverse marking: 2291030200

The PCB type is consistent with early BF-2 production.

A later early-production BF-2 documented with serial number 153600 also uses the ET5211-510A board, while its reverse board marking is 2291033200.

This chronological relationship does not conflict with the earlier estimated production period of this S/N 068200 unit.

The PCB reverse number is documented here as supporting information only and is not presented as a confirmed manufacturing date code.

Major IC Configuration

Operational amplifiers:

NEC C4558C ×2

IC1 marking:

NEC JAPAN C4558C
W12243

BBD:

MN3207
Marking: 13

Clock driver:

MN3102
Marking: 11

Additional operational amplifier:

TL022CP
J/05 AB

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

No component in the documented IC configuration clearly conflicts with the estimated May 1981 production period.

Component Date Code Support

Several internal components contain markings that may be consistent with parts manufactured shortly before the estimated May 1981 assembly period.

Multiple electrolytic capacitors have markings including:

13
14

A SANYO component is marked:

0.E.14

If the “13” and “14” markings represent early-1981 production codes, they could correspond to components manufactured shortly before final pedal assembly.

However, the exact manufacturer-specific marking systems have not been conclusively verified.

For this reason, these markings are treated only as supporting evidence and are not used as the primary basis for dating the pedal.

The same caution applies to the “13” marking on the MN3207, the “11” marking on the MN3102, and the NEC C4558C marking W12243.

None of the documented component markings currently presents a clear contradiction to an estimated May 1981 production period.

Taken together, the serial number, PCB type, PCB reverse marking, IC configuration, and component markings all point in a direction consistent with very early BF-2 production.

Originality / Preservation

The deteriorated rubber bushing was replaced with a new replacement during this servicing.

Other than the rubber bushing, the unit appears to retain its original components.

No visible signs of electronic component replacement were found.

The potentiometers and jack contacts were serviced rather than replaced.

This approach was chosen to preserve as much of the original early-production BF-2 hardware and circuitry as possible.

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 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 dramatic metallic and 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 shipped from Japan using Japan Post EMS (Express Mail Service).

EMS shipping is available only when the package meets the applicable size, weight, declared value, destination, customs, and service requirements.

If EMS is unavailable for the destination or cannot be used due to the package size, weight, declared value, customs requirements, service limitations, or other shipping conditions, we may contact the buyer for clarification, request an alternative address, or cancel the order.

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 destination and local delivery conditions, delivery may be completed without a recipient’s signature or through unattended delivery.

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

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Please refer to our full Shipping Policy for additional details.

About RETUNE WORKS

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

For this BF-2, the deteriorated rubber bushing was replaced with a new replacement.

Other than the rubber bushing, the unit appears to retain its original components, and no visible signs of electronic component replacement were found.

Rather than replacing the original potentiometers, all four were disassembled and carefully serviced. The jack contacts were also polished to remove oxidation.

The pedal has been carefully cleaned and inspected with the goal of maintaining the authenticity of this very early Made in Japan BF-2.

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