NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

[ErikH]

Last week I scored a Whirlwind Orange Box for cheap on eBay. It arrived on Friday and I had a chance to get it on the pedalboard and play with it yesterday. I've had my share of MXR Phase 90's, but I have to say that without shelling out coin to get a true vintage Phase 90, this is it. The sound is amazing. It's not overpowering like the modern block logo can be. It's a nice balance. Components on the board are the traditional thru-hole components, not SMT, and the board is even wrapped in a nice cloth similar to the originals. For those that don't know, the guys at Whirlwind started MXR back in the day.

Here's my revised pedalboard.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

Yep, love mine too. Awesome pedal, congrats.

 

[jeremy]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

a few friends have them and they are really nice sounding pedals

 

[Aceman]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

Those are AWESOME pedals….

 

[Aceman]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

And I'm digging the "CUisinart" pedal board. Bet it really helps the sound cut through….

 

[LLL]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

Yep - if you want a new MXR Phase 90... but want it to sound like the script logo originals (used by Ed, for ex.), get one of these.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

I'd been through all the mxr modern stuff trying to find one that sounds like the old script logo I used in the 80s...tried the new block, evh, 74ri. The 74 wasnt bad, but the Orange Box was it. And its troobypass, has an led, and 9v wallwart power. Win.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

I have a RI '74 Script that I true-bypassed, but didn't add an LED so it still has "the look". I'd be interested to compare the Orange Box.

I've been on a Bowie kick lately, and listened a lot to the "David Live" album. Earl Slick played an SG into a Phase 90 into a Marshall 1/2 stack and left the Phase 90 on for pretty much the whole show. Love that sound!

 

[ErikH]

Re: NPD: Whirlwind Orange Box

The added features of an LED, DC jack and true bypass are great. I'm not one to get only true bypass pedals, and it's not a major selling point for me, but there a few pedals that need it. The Phase 90's I had before needed it badly. I'd done the TB mods and even added an internal buffer at one point. I'm glad I don't have to do anything to this one. It's perfect right out of the box.

The other thing I forgot to mention, with other phasers it seemed to thin out the sound a bit. Not the case here.

And I'm digging the "CUisinart" pedal board. Bet it really helps the sound cut through….

Hmm, I probably should be using pedals like the Pork Loin and Swollen Pickle on this board.

It was a complete accident that I did this. I was using a small black shelf piece for a pedalboard when I stumbled across this while the wife and I were out and about.