Author Topic: Phaser pedals. Opinions needed! (Read 4449 times)

Brow · « **on:** October 13, 2006, 12:20:53 PM »

Hey guys.

I'm currently looking to buy a Phaser pedal (and and Ebow, but that's another thread :d), but aside from the obvious 1's (BOSS, MXR, EH etc) I don't really know what my options are or which 1 would be best for me.

I know alot of people will probably say 'get a Phase 90' straight away, but I hear alot of things about the input of them distorting when used with guitars with humbuckers. Can anyone shed any light on how true this is? Does the script mod reduce this distortion at all?

I've also heard alot of good things about the EH Small Stone USA re-issues, but due to the sheer size of them, it's not really an option.

Marshall also do a Modulation pedal (the RG1 Regenerator) that has 2 types of Phaser, 2 types of Chorus, Flanger and Univibe on it. This is a digital pedal (whereas the others I've mentioned are Analogue) but just wondered if anyone had any dealing with this pedal at all?

Ibanez also do a Tone-Lok Phaser (the PH7) but again, I've never played this 1 myself either!

Basically, i'm just looking for opinions/advice on what would be a good Phaser for me to get.

Thanks.

Craig

cjpmmd · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2006, 01:12:53 PM »

My favorite phase shifter of all time is my Mu-Tron II. It's always given a really good sound, distorted or clean. Not certain if it would meet your size requirements (it's kind of a battleship compared to the sleek frigates that most modern pedals are) but it sure sounds great! I bought mine because of Robin Trower; he used one on the Victims Of The Fury album/tour, and I thought it gave a lot more depth and color to the sound than the EH Small Stone I had at the time.

Twinfan · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2006, 01:44:44 PM »

I've got an EVH Phase 90 which has both the Script/Block Phase 90 sounds available. It's small and sounds good on both settings with both single coils and humbuckers - what more do you need?

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2006, 02:00:57 PM »

This one looks good - lots of options

Skybone · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2006, 04:46:41 PM »

I'm a huge fan of the EHX Small Stone, it depends on what sort of "phase" you're after. I tried a Phase 90 after it was recommended by a load of people, but it didn't have enough "sweep" for what I wanted. It only seems to sweep through about 90º, where the Small Stone seems to sweep through around 180º, much better for that "spacey" 70's style phaser sound. ;)

I'd love to get my grubby mitts on the MoogerFooger 12 Stage Phaser pedal (designed by Bob Moog) , but I think I'll wait until I win the lottery or something... :(

Brow · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2006, 05:06:54 PM »

Thanks for the posts guys :)

The 2 current 'front runners' are either an MXR Phase 90 (on Ebay new for £52 + postage) or an Electro Harmonix Small Stone nano (£48 plus postage).

The main concern I'm having is that the Phase 90 may distort when i play with humbuckers or play heavier.

I may just buy both and keep whichever I like the best :)

Kilby · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2006, 11:25:19 PM »

I'm assuming that you want what is described as a 'thick' sounding phaser. Anyway heres what I have played with in the past as I love phasers.

I have the Ibanez and it's OK, but for me it's lacking depth (but cheap), which is also the same with the current boss version (the boss absolutely devours batterys).

The berhinger vintage phaser is supposed to be a clone of the EH.

MXR I would suggest the phase 100 as having a wider range (of better sounds). Don't pay extra for the script phaser the mod only costs about two quid (don't start me about the EVH models).

Jonathons suggestion is an excellent phaser, as is the pigtronix or the Moon phaser http://www.redwitchanalogpedals.com/deluxemoonphaser.html or any of the EH phasers (though the EH are a bit noisey). The Moogs are amazing, but feckin expensive.

Old Small Stones also have that 'hollow' sound which the current ones seem to lack (if you know what I mean)

Rob...

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2006, 04:32:17 PM »

Another vote for the EH Small Stone - I've got an old one that is my fave phaser.

Not a big fan of the MXR Phase90, the Phase45 is much nicer.

:twisted:

PhilKing · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2006, 04:37:25 PM »

I have an old Phase 90 and pahse 100. I tend to use the 100 more, but the 90 still sounds good. I have also used a Small Stone in the past, and for the price I think they are great

I used to have a Korg phase in a pedal, and if ever I could find another I would be very tempted to get one.

Tonight I will be seeing 'Mr Phaser' (Robin Trower), he uses the Deja Vibe, and gets a great sound from it, but they are expensive.

Brow · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2006, 05:01:35 PM »

Thanks for the posts guys :)

I went to a shop in Nottingham today that's an MXR and EH dealer and tried both the Phase 90 and the new Small Stone Nano.

In the shop, with the gear I was using, I preferred the Nano Small Clone, so I bought that. I'm also considering buying the Phase 90 on Ebay that I mentioned above, testing both with my own gear and then keeping the 1 that I like the best :)