Best affordable phaser?

D

DonP

New member
I think I'm looking between the MXR Phase 95, and a Boss PH-2. I don't know the first thing about phasers, so any help is appreciated. I just know it is the last pedal I don't have.

I like the MXR because of it's history, popular reviews, and multiple mode. I don't care for the small form factor or price.

I have many Boss pedals so a PH-2 seems like a good choice, and is cheaper. But MXR may have the better tone?

And if it matters, I only play metal or hard rock mostly into Marshalls.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

I was similarly stuck between an MXR and a Boss phaser. So I bought both.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

I always liked the EH Small Stone better. The Nano version can be had very cheap.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

IMO, the MXR, Boss and Electro Harmonix all sound different. I’d listen to a bunch of clips of all three and decide on sound. As Rex mentions, there are cheaper versions of the Phase 90, if that’s your choice.

The Phase 95 is nice having script and block versions of the 45 and 90 tones, it really helps you dial it into your rig and the sound you expect.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

DOD 201 is a no brainer if you like the subtle two stage phasers like the MXR 45 IMHO.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

Boss ph-3 can do a lot and can be had very cheap used. It doesn't excel at the 4-stage setting (maybe just not for me), but from there on up it's great.
10-stage is my favorite for leads and the step-mode is really trippy for cleans.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

The current standard MXR Phase 90 is not expensive if you want a cheap one. But one knob only.

The Phase 95 seems an excellent option for versatility as PFDarkside said.

(I only have the Script 90).

If you want very cheap ones, the chinese Mooer offer many copies of classic pedals (small size), never tried them though...
 
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Best affordable phaser?

Condemned soul said:
Any fans of the TC Electronic Helix?
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If I had to go digital jack of all trades I would personally go for a used Hardwire SP-7 or the Digitech equivalent. I personally don't see the toneprint as valuable here as in a reverb or delay. I've never owned one so YMMV.
 
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Re: Best affordable phaser?

I bought the MXR Phase 95 recently and I love it. Classic 70s-style phase tones and you get four in one - you can switch between Phase 90 and Phase 45 and between Script mode and Block mode. Really rich full sounds.

Considering what you get I think it's great value for money, but if you don't like the small form factor I see how that could be a deal breaker.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

I actually have a Behringer that has a vintage/modern switch, kind of like the EVH MXR, that I like a lot.

I say go with the MXR95 - you get Standard 90 and 45 tones for subtle phase. Those are basically the two that everyone seems to be just happy with. Or, get the EVH I mentioned.

Can't say I've ever seen a Boss being used anywhere????
 
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Re: Best affordable phaser?

Mincer said:
Never did that. What's it entail?
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Not sure on the Small Stone, but on the Phase 45 it involves changing 2 capacitors. It makes it more Vibe-like by making the phasing assymetrical, it's still not the same as a real optical vibe. FWIW, an original Univibe is basically an optically controlled phaser.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

This thread kind of suggests that there is an "unaffordable" phaser pedal. -which I'd like to know what all an expensive one does -because Phaser is a pretty easy effect to build and really good used phaser pedals can be had for 25-40 bucks

also in the history of music Dean (Mickey) Ween is the best utilizer of the Phase effect for guitar.
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

NegativeEase said:
This thread kind of suggests that there is an "unaffordable" phaser pedal. -which I'd like to know what all an expensive one does -because Phaser is a pretty easy effect to build and really good used phaser pedals can be had for 25-40 bucks
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I think it’s mostly scarcity like for many other pedals. Mutron, Flying Pan, Spaceman Explorer etc. then you have the fancy modulation machines by Strymon, Eventide etc
 
Re: Best affordable phaser?

NegativeEase said:
This thread kind of suggests that there is an "unaffordable" phaser pedal. -which I'd like to know what all an expensive one does -because Phaser is a pretty easy effect to build and really good used phaser pedals can be had for 25-40 bucks

also in the history of music Dean (Mickey) Ween is the best utilizer of the Phase effect for guitar.
Click to expand...

Well, in my acquisition phase when I was buying every fuzz, Phaser and analog delay I could find, three of my crazy ones were the Red Witch Moon Phaser, Modmax Phaser and the piece de resistance, the Prophecysound Infinitphase. The Red Witch sounds better than the standard ones, the Modmax is more versatile and the Prophecysound has a crazier LFO
than a Chase Bliss, and it’s all Analog...
 
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Re: Best affordable phaser?

NegativeEase said:
This thread kind of suggests that there is an "unaffordable" phaser pedal. -which I'd like to know what all an expensive one does -
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vfe-enterprise.jpg


MANY EXTRA CONTROLS
The Enterprise packs in every control you could want in a phaser. With SPEED, DEPTH, positive & negative FEEDBACK, and MIX controls, the Enterprise can produce a subtle phase sweep all the way to an over-the- top feedback freakout. Put the MIX control at noon to create greater resonance, or mix in more wet phase signal for a stronger pitch modulation.
2, 3, OR 4 STAGES OF PHASING
What’s the difference between the Phase 90 & Phase 45? The number of phase stages, that’s it. The Enterprise puts this classic circuits on a switch, and then adds a third option. The STAGE switch selects between 2, 3 or 4 phase stages. The 3-stage position is unique in that it also inverts the phase signal relative to the dry signal, creating a different sweep & resonant character.
TWO PHASE MODES
The classic Univibe circuit is actually a phaser circuiit, but its phase stages do not work in perfect sync. The result is a less- focused, warbled phase tone. The P-V switch selects between matched phase stages (P) for a more focus & direct phase sweep, or uneven phase stages (V) for a watery, vibe-style modulation.
VFE PEDALS ENTERPRISE - 4-STAGE PHASER WITH ALL THE EXTRAS
The Enterprise is a compact 4-stage phaser using hand-matched JFETS, decked out with all the
extras. Speed, Depth, Mix, and positive/negative Feedback controls provide a wide arrange of phase tones. Add in the phase/vibe & a 3-way stage toggle switch, and this phaser goes where no compact phaser has gone before!
 
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