Questions about some phaser pedals

[John Poston]

I have 70s outlaw phaser on the brain. Used to love the Session 500 but that's long gone. Did not like the Phase 90 because of the breakup/distortion when laying into it, even after the volume pedal.

1. I have the Zoom MS50G multi-effects but haven't really dialed anything on their 2 phaser models I like. Would be interested to see people's preferred settings if anyone is using this.

2. Maybe I'm picky enough to a need dedicated pedal and looking at a few options. I'm specifically wondering about cleanness of sound with pedal steel pickups of small stone, MXR 45 and Boss PH1.

[Michael Brebes]

The Mutron Phaser and Phaser II both run off wall power and will take line level signals without breakup. They are not cheap but they will do the job.

[Donny Hinson]

I have 70s outlaw phaser on the brain. Used to love the Session 500 but that's long gone. Did not like the Phase 90 because of the breakup/distortion when laying into it, even after the volume pedal.

I think that distortion you're hearing is really more of a technique problem. If you'll just turn the amp up (which forces you to use less volume pedal), you'll find that that distortion goes away. Many complaints I hear from players about distortion and poor sustain could be reduced or eliminated by just turning up the amp, and controlling overall volume with the volume pedal.

Even when I'm playing softly at home, my amp volume controls are always turned all the way up!

[Bobby Snell]

The (newer)MXR's distort for me as well; it's not an amp issue.

[K Maul]

I had the same problem with a newer MXR. The cheaper JOYO Vintage Phase didn’t distort. It has a metal housing and works well for the Sneaky Pete or Waylon phase sound.

[Jack Stanton]

What K Maul said.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Here's a recent observation concerning the Behringer VP-1 Phaser. This is just like the old EH Small Stone I used to have from the 70s. It's the sound I want for everything from Waylon on. It can be found several shops online for about $35 cheap. As stated below, I've only used it with guitar and not yet with the steel.

The Behringer came today. I haven't hooked up to the steel yet so my evaluation may have to be amended.

I have it connected to guitar though, and I'm happy.

Running a S/C Tele through the MosValve/GP100 rack rig and a 9v apapter, I hear no noise at all. As others have noted, it does attenuate the volume a bit, but I don't notice any tone degradation and it sounds and operates as I remember the old Small Stone Phaser from the 70s, 80s.

It's the old familiar phaser sound I like and I believe it will suit my purpose perfectly.

I use a buffer anyway or a Hilton pedal with steel, so I don't anticipate anything negative.

Thanks again for the tip Karl.

seeVP1here

[Charley Paul]

The chewy distortion that you find on the mxr phasers is what makes them sought after. It’s part of their signature sound.

If you want something cleaner, and more transparent, I might suggest something digital, especially with a dry blend. The one that comes to mind is the Strymon Zelzah

[Scott Swartz]

Another choice for digital is Source Audio Lunar/Gemini/Mercury. Any of these can be programmed for 3 algorithms including phaser, chorus, flanger, and vibe. I have a Gemini that I programmed for phase, chorus, vibe, all 3 effects are very clear sounding. There is a 3 position switch to move between the presets. If you are the programming type its a great deal 3 pedals for the price of 1.

[Bobby Snell]

Just got an Earthquaker Grand Orbiter at South Austin Music. I'll see how it works and post here what my impressions are. It is a more expensive option.

[Asa Brosius]

I've been eyeing the little mxr phase 95 due to it's tiny size and tonal options, but currently, the visual sound garage tone has beat everything else I've tried.

[David Gertschen]

I had distortion with the MXR phaser as well. I think the BL705 pickup in my guitar is just too hot for it. I now use a TC Electronics Helix with no problems. It also has a lot more versatility than the old MXR.

[Karl Paulsen]

Here's a recent observation concerning the Behringer VP-1 Phaser. This is just like the old EH Small Stone I used to have from the 70s. It's the sound I want for everything from Waylon on. It can be found several shops online for about $35 cheap. As stated below, I've only used it with guitar and not yet with the steel.

The Behringer came today. I haven't hooked up to the steel yet so my evaluation may have to be amended.

I have it connected to guitar though, and I'm happy.

Running a S/C Tele through the MosValve/GP100 rack rig and a 9v apapter, I hear no noise at all. As others have noted, it does attenuate the volume a bit, but I don't notice any tone degradation and it sounds and operates as I remember the old Small Stone Phaser from the 70s, 80s.

It's the old familiar phaser sound I like and I believe it will suit my purpose perfectly.

I use a buffer anyway or a Hilton pedal with steel, so I don't anticipate anything negative.

Thanks again for the tip Karl.

seeVP1here

I continue to vouch for the Behringer VP1 Vintage Phaser. A really musical, classic phaser tone with zero breakup. It's almost hard to find a bad tone.

If you don't want Behringer on your board and don't mind spending three times as much buy the Small Stone.

[John Poston]

Thanks for all of the feedback, everybody!!

I am trying out a Joyo vintage phaser for awhile. No breakup and has a pretty good sound for me. I think I may save up for one of the pedals with more advanced options.

[b0b]

I used a Roland Phase II for many years and was quite happy with it. There's a trim pot inside that I had to adjust to get the sound I wanted. Also, I replaced the push button switch with a toggle. Here's a photo I grabbed off the internet.



But that was long ago. About a decade ago I used the Behringer VP1 on a few gigs. It was good on stage but didn't record well. Now I mostly use the one in my Line6 Pod XT which is fine but very generic, or the TC Electronics Helix which is the best, most versatile phaser I've tried.

That said, I don't use the effect nearly so much as I did back in the day. I still like it, though.