Top Shelf Phasers

[Dudeman7]

For decades I used my ancient but dependable old Maestro Phaser.... Had a couple mods done to it to adjust the center frequency so I could use it for bass or guitar.


When it finally croaked I bought an MXR Phase 90 that served me well.
If you want to talk pedals, I had a BOSS flanger and an Ibanez Bi-Chorus (2 in one pedal) that I loved and only recently sold.

The old Maestro phasers were funky! In a good way too. I'm not aware of any other company that made a Maestro-sounding phaser, unless they were a direct clone. Heptode made one and the MojoHand Mister-O (see what they did with the name there?) are both pretty accurate representations of the models that only had the three switches for changing the effect parameters.

I have a Mister-O and it definitely is unlike any Phase 90 or Small Stone "classic" phase tone. Mine is mostly used with bass since it can do an almost auto-wah type thing for slapping and popping. Sounds great for that.

Lately, I've been selling off some pedals that I don't use. I'm sure that I'll regret letting some of them go (I'm looking at you, Boss DM-2 from 1981), but some of them aren't doing me any good just sitting on a shelf in my basement. I sold my DOD Phasor 201 this morning too.

 

[Mr. 80's]

My favorite is the regular MXR Phase 90 box logo.

 

[Dudeman7]

My favorite is the regular MXR Phase 90 box logo.

The current version?

 

[Mincer]

My favorite is the regular MXR Phase 90 box logo.

I don't think I could tell all the Phase 90s apart.

 

[Dudeman7]

I don't think I could tell all the Phase 90s apart.

It is pretty shocking how different they sound from each other when you line them all up. Some are mid-boosted and grainy, some are very clear with a vocal quality, some are deep and thick, some are chewy like a Uni-Vibe...... It goes on from there.

In all of my collecting and experimenting I have found that some phasers are better for clean and others are better for dirt. Also, some of them, (like the current block logo MXR), sound like an effect that sits on top of your guitar tone while others, (like the Retro-Sonic Phaser) blend with your guitar signal and are less obviously in your face.

I hope that makes sense!

 

[Mr. 80's]

The current version?

I'm not anal about them. I haven't used one of the newest ones yet but so far anything from the 80's to about 2008 (haven't played anything newer) are all great and IMHO the same sounding. They are all going to sound a little different form one another anyways even from the same batch. I don't compare new to vintage since time does its own thing with electronics and what the vintage one sounded like new is different to how it will sound today. I only like Phase with OD/distortion and don't use them clean at all. I lost my Phase 90 with a few other things about 5-6 years ago during a big cross country move so I need to get a new one someday. I guess it got donated accidently is the only thing I can figure. I will get a brand new one since I don't buy used effects or amps.

 

[Aceman]

I just received a VFE Enterprise and I currently have on my boards:

Welcome aboard Captain!

For Phasers I have a Behringer PH( (Vintage/Modern switch) which is more than enough has efor me, a Block Phase 90, and the Enterprise. I totally dig the 3 stage personally. That thing is 10x the Phase I'll ever need.


I feel you man - I'm the same way except with Tremolos.

 

[Dudeman7]

Welcome aboard Captain!

For Phasers I have a Behringer PH( (Vintage/Modern switch) which is more than enough has efor me, a Block Phase 90, and the Enterprise. I totally dig the 3 stage personally. That thing is 10x the Phase I'll ever need.


I feel you man - I'm the same way except with Tremolos.

That VFE Enterprise is something else! I didn't quite know what to expect from it and I just stumbled upon a great deal for one. The 3-stage mode and P/V settings are super cool.

It took some messing around with the controls for me to dial this one in. The Mix knob at noon seems to provide the deepest effect, which is counter to how most of them work. The VFE is incredible with bass too.

It's not the most vocal or transparent phaser I own but it is definitely fun! It might be the most thick and deep phaser in my collection.

 

[1neeto]

I love my phase 90, but sometimes I’d like to have something with mix control.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NegativeEase]

Question -does the top top shelf phaser sit on the bottom shelf of all other effects aside from Flangers?

 

[Dudeman7]

Question -does the top top shelf phaser sit on the bottom shelf of all other effects aside from Flangers?

Ha! Not for me. I'd take a stock Phase 90 or Small Stone over the most high dollar, boutique flanger on the market.

Pretty much any other effect type too. I put phaser right behind dirt pedals in my order of importance for my guitar tone.

 

[Securb]

I can never jive with a phase I can't get into rhythm with the modulation. If I use the phase on my H9 and I can control the speed as I play with the EXP pedal and I tend to enjoy it more. I use slower sweeps when I am playing fast and increase the intensity when i am holding longer notes. I find the effect to be cool and dramatic.

 

[Aceman]

cool and dramatic.

That's because YOU are cool and dramatic. Excellent approach. I tend to think set & forget with phase on the very very rare occasion I use them.

 

[dave74]

I favor slower deep phasing for cleans and melodic leads. Faster speeds are ok for faster shred stuff.
For higher gain power chords I like chorus or flangers much better.

 

[stevie_bees]

I'm looking forward to finally firing up my big board again tomorrow, now that I've got the Polaron on it. Looking forward to all the sounds that has to offer.

 

[jeremy]

my old phase90 does all the phasing i need, which admittedly isnt much at all, but it does the trick