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Recommend a Phaser

Mr. Papa

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Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
1,418
Are there any devoted phaser users out there who could recommend a good one for use with humbucker guitars? I'm looking at PT-9 Ibanez but maybe there are others better? Preferably Boss / Ibanez size to fit in a BCB pedalboard.
Thanks!
 

The Shifter

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
I used to live by the Mu-Tron Phasor II, but they all died.:dang

My fave for years has been the Boss PH-1r. Made in Japan and they made a ton of them so they aren't exactly through the roof. It's my favorite of all the Boss iterations of their Phaser.
 

B Ingram

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2016
Messages
730
Are there any devoted phaser users out there who could recommend a good one for use with humbucker guitars? I'm looking at PT-9 Ibanez but maybe there are others better? Preferably Boss / Ibanez size to fit in a BCB pedalboard.
Thanks!

"Better" is tough issue. There are somewhat different sounds available among all the vintage/new phasers, mostly due to number of stages in the circuit and/or the type of circuit element used to create the phasing effect.

I'd like to get a Mu-Tron some time, but they're bulky and expensive (and many may be broken at this point). I've been using the Ibanez PT-909 and really enjoy it. I like the flexibility of changing the effect via the Feedback control, as compared to the old MXR phase circuits. It's easy to dial up the Feedback to keep your sound from being too thick with humbuckers.

(DISCLAIMER: My opinion is somewhat self-serving because I'm selling one of my two PT-909's)
 

Stephens

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Joined
Dec 30, 2001
Messages
438
I really like the MXR Phase 45. It's not as intense as some of the others and sounds great with my R9.
 

sonar

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Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
Whirlwind Orange Box or MXR Script Logo Phase 90 with a TB mod.
 

Stephens

Active member
Joined
Dec 30, 2001
Messages
438
That pedal set at just past 1:00. I could play for hours with that.:jim

Agreed- one of my favorite settings, almost half phasing and half univibe. I like the typical Phase 90 sound when others use them, but for me I really prefer the subtleties of the Phase 45.
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Particularly the very early ones.....killer pedal.

I have an early script and an early block Phase 90, damn if I could hear a difference. We used them as references when we made the Whirlwind Orange Box, (which I think sounds a little better and is quieter). The closer tolerance and better matched components win the day. If I gotta buy a new one, it's the Whirlwind hands down, while they are still available that is.

IMO the Phase 100 is my all time favorite. None of the Dunlop MXR stuff sounds like the originals, they sound good, but are different in a side by side test, and I prefer the original or Whirlwind flavor of phase.
 

F-Hole

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Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
2,171
Al, I agree that the new (reissue) script logo don't sound like the originals.

Of the old ones, those from late 73 are different to the later script versions. How, I'm not sure, but they weight almost twice as much. I have two of those, and half a dozen later script versions. FWIW, those early and heavy ones are much better sounding to my ears at least.
 

Ken Fortunato

Administrator
Staff member
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Feb 26, 2006
Messages
2,742
I have an early script and an early block Phase 90, damn if I could hear a difference. We used them as references when we made the Whirlwind Orange Box, (which I think sounds a little better and is quieter). The closer tolerance and better matched components win the day. If I gotta buy a new one, it's the Whirlwind hands down, while they are still available that is.

IMO the Phase 100 is my all time favorite. None of the Dunlop MXR stuff sounds like the originals, they sound good, but are different in a side by side test, and I prefer the original or Whirlwind flavor of phase.

This thread just cost me a hundred and forty bucks... A Whirlwind Orange Box is on the way... :peace2
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Al, I agree that the new (reissue) script logo don't sound like the originals.

Of the old ones, those from late 73 are different to the later script versions. How, I'm not sure, but they weight almost twice as much. I have two of those, and half a dozen later script versions. FWIW, those early and heavy ones are much better sounding to my ears at least.

Yep! The biggest thing I found is that the actual components used in the originals were not sorted and matched. The tolerance range was greater too, as with everything at that time. Some go together with a magical combination of parts that just sound better, some not so much, but ALL sound good. That classic early MXR stuff is just killer. I bought mine new at the time and wore out quite a few, I also suffered a loss at a gig when some thieving magpie stole my case with all my effects, cables and microphones and I had to replace everything.

We did a lot of research on the Whirlwind Rochester Series and used the specs from a particularly good sounding early script model. I spent days going through boxes of resistors and capacitors sorting out by hand the closest matching examples. The close match also seems to reduce the noise.

I still get moist over the old Phase 100's and that awesome big ass yellow Stereo Chorus Pedal, AC cord and all it is hands down the best sounding chorus I've used. In stereo thru two amplifies it is GLORIOUS!!!! True 180 degree out of phase stereo not a wet and dry type most others use. The Dunlop reissue is nice but does not really come close, IMO and they missed something. I know the bucket brigade is out of production so that may be a factor. I'd love to find a good clone or clean original, mine is roadwork but still has the magic and at the time was the most expensive effect pedal I ever bought. Over $300 in the 70's was expensive!!!

Still, I love them, hometown heroes and all aside, they just were so damn musical. I still have my Distortion+, Phase 90, Phase 100, Stereo Chorous, Flanger, Analog Delay, Envelope Filter, Noise Gates, Micro Amp, Dyna Comp, Limiter, 6 band and 10 Band EQ's and some I might have forgot. Most still have original Boxes and paperwork.
 

F-Hole

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
2,171
Dynacomp I love, but that's a whole other conversation......
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Yep! The biggest thing I found is that the actual components used in the originals were not sorted and matched. The tolerance range was greater too, as with everything at that time. Some go together with a magical combination of parts that just sound better, some not so much, but ALL sound good. That classic early MXR stuff is just killer. I bought mine new at the time and wore out quite a few, I also suffered a loss at a gig when some thieving magpie stole my case with all my effects, cables and microphones and I had to replace everything.

We did a lot of research on the Whirlwind Rochester Series and used the specs from a particularly good sounding early script model. I spent days going through boxes of resistors and capacitors sorting out by hand the closest matching examples. The close match also seems to reduce the noise.

I still get moist over the old Phase 100's and that awesome big ass yellow Stereo Chorus Pedal, AC cord and all it is hands down the best sounding chorus I've used. In stereo thru two amplifies it is GLORIOUS!!!! True 180 degree out of phase stereo not a wet and dry type most others use. The Dunlop reissue is nice but does not really come close, IMO and they missed something. I know the bucket brigade is out of production so that may be a factor. I'd love to find a good clone or clean original, mine is roadwork but still has the magic and at the time was the most expensive effect pedal I ever bought. Over $300 in the 70's was expensive!!!

Still, I love them, hometown heroes and all aside, they just were so damn musical. I still have my Distortion+, Phase 90, Phase 100, Stereo Chorous, Flanger, Analog Delay, Envelope Filter, Noise Gates, Micro Amp, Dyna Comp, Limiter, 6 band and 10 Band EQ's and some I might have forgot. Most still have original Boxes and paperwork.

Probably the same di*Khead that stole my first 2 in upstate NY. I have another around unless my daughter's worthless boyfriend a few years back was indeed that same magpie son of a bit...
 

ntotoro

New member
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
569
Depends on how subtle or aggressive a phase you want.

Absolutely love my '74 reissue Phase 90. It has a couple Analogman mods (true bypass, 9V adapter and a pilot LED), but nothing affecting the actual tone. Very subtle phase that doesn't totally drench my tone.

Nick
 
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