Phaser or Equalizer?

Phaser or Equalizer?

  • MXR '74 Reissue Phase 90

    Votes: 12 44.4%
  • MXR 10-Band EQ

    Votes: 15 55.6%

  • Total voters
    27
  • Poll closed .

T-HO

New member
I am having a very hard time deciding which to get. I can only get one right now and would like for some insight on which to get. It's either going to be a MXR CSP-026 74 RReissue Phase 90 or a MXR M-108 10 Band EQ. Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

MXR '74 Reissue Phase 90 is one of the best modulation pedals I've used...
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

Depends on your setup. If you need to boost or remove some ranges from your sound then get an eq if not get the phaser. Both are great pedals. I've played through the phaser and I have the eq, still in the box that it came in. I have a Peavey Valveking that I had a terrible time getting a good sound out of and I was using it in the effects loop to help it out. Good luck.
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

Phaser! I recently purchased a phaser and I'm having a lot of fun playing with it.
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

You know - I don't mean to be an a-hole, so don't take this that way:

Do you SERIOUSLY mean you can't decide which you need more, an EQ or a Phaser? Really, do you want to change your tone curve on the fly/boost leads/scoop beyond the amps eq, compensate for something, or do you want to add chewy/swirly sound to your tone for cleans or thicker leads or whatever? If you can't make this decision do you think you'll be able to set the knobs correctly?

Or are you just throwing a hundred bucks away on our whim? That said - I say EQ. Always the more useful pedal and you can do a lot with it.

At least tell us what other gear - fx/amp that it is going into....

This is like me posting " I can only afford one short. Should i get the Green polo with a pocket, or the dress shirt without a pocket?" How TF can we answer that?????
 
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Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

The EQ will give you a range from simple frequency cut/boost to complete reshaping of your tone. You can use it to kick up the ultra-low-end, or notch out feedback, or make different guitars with different pickups/tones work better with a "set and forget" amp tone. If you like your amp's dirt channel but not the clean channel, the EQ will help you like the clean channel.
If you want a lo-fi tone for effect (the clean tone starting at 4:57 in Metallica's 'To Live Is To Die'), then the EQ will give you that.

You can also run to two amps at once for two different sounds by working the EQ of each amp.

The phaser will give you a specific notched effect (open/cocked wah tone), the normal swirly effect (from slow to fast), or an old amp-style tremolo effect, or a pulsing volume swell effect. If it's a stereo phaser, you can get a stereo panning effect with swirl.


Which one you get is up to you, based on your needs/wants.

Personally I'd save up to get both at once if I was strapped for cash, but if I had to get just one, I'd go with the EQ for the greater versatility.
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

Ya know, it really depends on what you really want. I have the 10 band EQ, and I really love it. However, I'd probably go for the Phase just because it's more of an "effect" per se.
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

I never understood the importance of the EQ till I got one. I figured I can eq on my amp. right? yeah. With the pedal you get a nice lead boost/ tone shaper to make lines pop out.

The phase 90 is a fun effect and a good simple version of that effect.
So its really what would benefit you more. If you are an ambiant (sp) player for like mazzy star stuff, then the 90 may be more fun. If you play leads, eq.


I do have a side question tho. What is the difference between the 74 reissue than the 90s of last say 10 yrs?
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

I'm a big Phase 90 fan. But I'm gonna go with Aceman on this. Those are two very different pedals that serve completely different functions. There's really no logical reason to own or purchase one before the other. I don't use an EQ pedal, but I do use a Phaser. What I love about the Phase 90 is that it's so simple, but with twists of the knob it can be used for soooo many different applications. It can do a very good vibe pedal simulation. It can be set very low to add color to leads, EVH style. And you can turn up the speed knob for those crazy whacked out sounds, like a ring modulator.

So, I guess: Phase 90 - Fun
10 band - Useful
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

If it's pure-effect you're after, then the EQ can do that as well, kinda. By setting it up so you have a drastic notch, say a mid-range boost/cut, then tapping the switch on/off repeatedly to a beat, you get a sort-of step filter effect, or "wah-on/wah-off" effect.

You'll prbably kill the switch doing that, but still...
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

If it's pure-effect you're after, then the EQ can do that as well, kinda. By setting it up so you have a drastic notch, say a mid-range boost/cut, then tapping the switch on/off repeatedly to a beat, you get a sort-of step filter effect, or "wah-on/wah-off" effect.

You'll prbably kill the switch doing that, but still...

That is weak.

Let's say i want to do some Freebird intro arpeggios. EQ is useless.

Or how about some VH solo thickening, again, EQ useless.

Disco? Need me some phase.

A little 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond"? Better have a little phase.

EQ really does little for any of these.

I still say the EQ though....
 
Re: Phaser or Equalizer?

With certain setups, an eq is essential to a good sound. When I had G12T-75 speakers in my combo for instance, I could not dial in a cutting midrange to my taste without my 6 band MXR or the EQ in the Rocktron Replifex I used at the time. On the other hand, when I replaced to speakers with Eminence Governors, I didn't really need the EQ at all.
 
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