Best phaser under $250

Shish · #1 01-30-2011, 06:12 PM

I'm selling my M9 and I want to get a good phaser because I use this effect more than any other modulation.
I tried once Moog Phaser and I really liked it but it's huge and can't be fed by my Gator power supply.
So now I'm considering following pedals:
1) Subdecay Quasar DLX - pure madness, I'm not sure I'd get classic phaser though. And it's the most expensive.
2) T-Rex Tremonti - can be found for $180 new. Although I've never seen it in any board. I like its features like 4/8 stages and Bite knob.
3) Blackout Effectors Whetstone - pretty versatile as demos show.
4) Subdecay Baby Quasar - I heard it's too subtle. The cheapest option.
5) Subdecay Quasar (old version I guess)

Never heard anything about it as well.
6) Earthquaker Devices Grand Orbiter

Can you give me any advise about these phasers? I need deep slow phase tone and some room for experiments.

Crabby · #2 01-30-2011, 09:44 PM

I have been through a bunch but never got to try the Subdecay. I did settle on the Homebrew Electronics Psilocybe as it works so well on bass with no loss of low end, no clipping, no drop in volume, its not too subtle and has just the right amount if tweakability.

RCCollins · #3 01-30-2011, 09:50 PM

how about the pigtronix EP-2?

NortyFiner · #4 01-31-2011, 04:54 AM

If you want "classic phaser" then you're probably talking MXR Phase 90 (what RGB used on "Stranglehold") or EHX Small Stone. But neither of those pedals has all the knobs and tweaks of the pedals you've listed. YMMV.

spufman · #5 01-31-2011, 06:31 AM

I've been very happy with my SIB! Mr. Fazeadelic. The two switchable rates are great to have and it goes from a nice modest phase to pretty dang crazy. Low end stays deep and it adds no noise.

Matt Dean · #6 01-31-2011, 09:50 AM

I'm another happy Homebrew Electronics Psilocybe user... sounds great with or without dirt.

rob_thebassman · #7 01-31-2011, 10:46 AM

mxr phase 100 looks good for bass

Jared Lash · #8 01-31-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shish

1Can you give me any advise about these phasers? I need deep slow phase tone and some room for experiments.

Here's my experience (for what it's worth)

1) Subdecay Quasar DLX

Yes, it brings the crazy. But as a straight phaser it's still one of the most versatile ever made. The "normal" waveshapes are limited to sine and triangle but considering that most phasers don't have any options as far as waveshape it's hard to complain. Does everything the baby quasar does and adds the switch between 4/6/8 stages which is a huge bonus to me.

Only real downsides are price (hard to complain with all the features though), the huge number of controls making it a bit hard to find exact tones used previously and some LFO noise. But it's a marvelous feat of pedal building really.

2) T-Rex Tremonti

The only one on your list I haven't tried. Sorry. If it had a six stage option (my favorite phasers are six stagers) I probably would have checked it out by now.

3) Blackout Effectors Whetstone

Basically a souped up Small Stone. In fact, while my guitarist at the time loved it, I'd actually probably go with the simpler Nano Small Stone as I didn't get much out of most of the additional features. For example, I find 2 stage phasers too subtle on bass, and the high speed "ring mod" like sounds were too noisy to be usable. The asymmetric switch was very cool though.

4) Subdecay Baby Quasar

Very cool phaser. The frequency knob is the most genious control here. I just tried this one out to see how it compared to the Dlx and the original model. It really is the foundation for the Dlx. I wish it had the 6/8 stage switch and a simple waveshape selector and then I'd absolutely own it. That said, if you want a 4 stage phaser this one is great sounding and tweakable.

5) Subdecay Quasar

Didn't A/B this one with the Baby Quasar (or the Dlx) so it's hard to say how much difference there really is. For whatever reason I liked the Baby Quasar more than the old version.

6) Earthquaker Devices Grand Orbiter

Very thick and pulselike phasing. Not clean and sparkling like a lot of high phasers. This one is dark and thick. The dry kill is cool for seasick like modulation. The Orbiter sounds fantastic with dirt.

Also, I agree with the recommedations of the Psilocybe. Great 4 stage phaser with it's own character that sounds good with dirt.

Matt Dean · #9 01-31-2011, 11:08 AM

Where are you located Shish? If Northern California is your locale, you should attend the TB GTG in Oakland next Sunday... among other things, there will be a gathering of the pedals, so you might be able to try a number of devices including phasers before you buy.

BTW, Jared is more or less the last word on phasers on TB, as he's tried and commented on them all (search).

iualum · #10 01-31-2011, 04:28 PM

...if you can find one (they're discontinued) that someone will part with for $250 or less, the Maxon PH-350 Rotary Phaser...simply fantastic...

Valerus · #11 01-31-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

I'm another happy Homebrew Electronics Psilocybe user... sounds great with or without dirt.

hmm.

Shish · #12 01-31-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

Where are you located Shish? If Northern California is your locale, you should attend the TB GTG in Oakland next Sunday... among other things, there will be a gathering of the pedals, so you might be able to try a number of devices including phasers before you buy.

Unfortunately I'm in Milwaukee.
I really like an option of switching stages so T-Rex currently on the top of my list. At least I will tell other people whether it's good or not

warwick.hoy · #13 01-31-2011, 05:35 PM

Toadworks Barracuda will come in just over your price when you figure in tax and/or shipping.

Hmmm,...I wonder where he got the name from.

Can't comment on how good it is on bass though as I've never played one.

Matt Dean · #14 01-31-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shish

Unfortunately I'm in Milwaukee.
I really like an option of switching stages so T-Rex currently on the top of my list. At least I will tell other people whether it's good or not

Yes, you buy it and do a review for us!

Jared Lash · #15 01-31-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Toadworks Barracuda will come in just over your price when you figure in tax and/or shipping.

Hmmm,...I wonder where he got the name from.

Can't comment on how good it is on bass though as I've never played one.

It's great on bass (nad posted some clips at one point) but the Barracuda is a flanger. The Phantasm is Toadworks' phaser.

Laurent · #16 01-31-2011, 10:25 PM

I use an MXR Phase 100 and I have been thrilled with it. It offers a lot of tone options.

groooooove · #17 01-31-2011, 10:29 PM

red witch moon phaser is my favorite phase in any price range.. you can probably get one fairly easily under $250.

it is a bit subtle, but to me "less is more" applies here. a phaser that takes over and is really resonant, is a cool effect- but i love the red witch for the way it just adds a bit of warm liquidy sounding phasing. i really love mine, but it doesent get much love around here.

**colcifer** · #18 01-31-2011, 10:30 PM

The BYOC Phase Royal is worth considering...

Shish · #19 02-01-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iualum

...if you can find one (they're discontinued) that someone will part with for $250 or less, the Maxon PH-350 Rotary Phaser...simply fantastic...

thank you! i didn't know about ph350 and it seems fitting perfectly my requirements.

wdinc01 · #20 02-02-2011, 05:29 PM

I have the Grand Orbiter, and I really like it. I haven't had much experience testing out different phasers though, but I bought it based on soundclips and reviews of it, as it seemed to fit my description (which sounds similar to your description).

If you like, I could make a couple of soundclips.