Huge sounding phaser

wdinc01 · #1 07-17-2008, 09:45 PM

I want to add a phaser to my pedal board, but I'm not sure where to look. At the moment I'm really considering the Maxon PH-350, but that's a bit pricey for me, especially if it's not something I'm going to utilize intensely.

Basically, I want to get a huge sounding phaser. And based on clips I've heard of the Maxon, I'm thinking a ten-stage one would be what I want. And if it can cock a good Leslie tone, then that's a huge plus.

Really, I think I want a Roland Jet Phaser. But then, so does everyone else. Has there been anything released that comes close to it that I can still get a hold of, or should I just search for one on eBay? And should I worry about using an active bass with it?

That's about it. If it has some kind of blend knob as well, then that'd be good, but really I just want it to sound huge and menacing.

SpankyPants · #2 07-17-2008, 09:46 PM

Stages have proven to mean absolutely nothing.

Each manufacturer defines them differently.

wdinc01 · #3 07-17-2008, 09:48 PM

Really? I thought that the more stages there are, the more pronounced the effect is? Or something to do with upper harmonics or something.

James Hart · #4 07-17-2008, 09:58 PM

My Maxon PT-9 pro+ has a permanent place on my board! That PH-350 is a killer pedal too. Too many good tones, I'd never make up my mind how to set it

SpankyPants · #5 07-17-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

Really? I thought that the more stages there are, the more pronounced the effect is? Or something to do with upper harmonics or something.

That's how it's supposed to be, but everyone defines "stage" differently. It'd probably be comparable within manuf's but not across. So it means nothing.

wdinc01 · #6 07-17-2008, 10:09 PM

Oh I see. Well then whatever has a huge sound.

James, I'll definitely have to check that pedal out. I agree that, based on clips (which are made with guitar but I'm hoping will translate equally to bass) that it can get a lot of really good tones. But really, I'm just looking for something I can set to one really great sound and forget about it, maybe adjust the tempo.

fretlessman71 · #7 07-17-2008, 10:10 PM

Allow me to put in a good word for my favorite phaser on the planet - my 30 year old Maestro Phaser. It sounds absolutely HUGE - it was so big that I had to have it modded to take some of the low frequencies OUT to save my amp! Now THAT'S a pedal!

SpankyPants · #8 07-17-2008, 10:27 PM

That's awesome.

Is that the one with all of the foot controls?

Malekko · #9 07-17-2008, 10:38 PM

i really enjoy a THICK THICK phaser, something Ween would be proud of...
my favorites are the maestro stage phaser and the moogerfooger...the old EH small stones are pretty darn nifty too

fretlessman71 · #10 07-17-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpankyPants

That's awesome.

Is that the one with all of the foot controls?

The Stage Phaser has more controls than mine (just a Phaser). But you can control the Speed and Balls (depth) with your feet, via two huge wheels on either side of the unit.

I wish I had reason to break this pedal out more often... it is indeed the coolest.

SpankyPants · #11 07-17-2008, 10:48 PM

Yeah, that's the one. I've always wanted one of those.

bkbirge · #12 07-17-2008, 10:52 PM

I'd agree with the Maestro, I've got the PS-1A, not the pedal version and it is a mainstay for me. I also just picked up the HBE Psilocybe and it is very juicy too.

Jared Lash · #13 07-17-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

I want to add a phaser to my pedal board, but I'm not sure where to look. At the moment I'm really considering the Maxon PH-350, but that's a bit pricey for me, especially if it's not something I'm going to utilize intensely.

That's about it. If it has some kind of blend knob as well, then that'd be good, but really I just want it to sound huge and menacing.

This question really comes down to what "huge sounding" actually means to you. Huge sounding to some bassists would mean not cutting any lows. To others it means a strong sweep through the bass frequencies.

I currently have 4 phasers. They are: Boss PH-3, Pigtronix EP-1, Subdecay Quasar and as of yesterday, a Maxon PH-350. I've also owned a EHX Nano Small Stone and a MXR Phase 90.

I don't think the MXR, Boss or Subdecay fit the "huge sounding" tag in any way. The MXR and Quasar sound great but are somewhat subtle, at least to me and the Boss is very thin and digital sounding though it has a ton of modes that are useful for ambient sounds.

The Maxon is very cool, but it has a built in wet/dry mix. When not using it in stereo, it blends your original tone with the phasing. I wish there was a way to control this, but it doesn't make the phase too subtle as I feared before it arrived. As for the 6 and 10 stage modes, they seem to effect the high end much more than the low end, so again, I'm not sure that fits what you'd consider "huge sounding".

On the other hand, both the EP-1 and the Small Stone were plenty thick in the low end. The Resonance knob on the Pigtronix actually goes further than any other phaser I've had giving it the most prominent "pulsing" phase I've ever heard. So much that I have to back it WAY down when changing over from the filter mode (where resonance is near max) and it is warm, chewy and full sounding.

The Small Stone has a very dark quality and with simple controls, may fit your needs best of all since you just set the rate and it won't cost you an arm and a leg for a pedal that you don't use all that often.

But if the Maxon really is catching your eye/ear I can vouch for the fact that it's a really nice phaser.

wdinc01 · #14 07-17-2008, 11:08 PM

Good point, BigO. I should probably describe what I meant. I would like a big sweep, although probably not too much in the high end. But also, I don't really want a liquidy sounding phaser. I know that sounds like a flange, but I don't want one that sounds close to a flanger either. So not just deep sounding, but maybe gritty too, although I guess I would need an overdrive/fuzz to achieve this.

You're right about the Phase 90. I borrowed one from a friend of mine, and I think it's a little too subtle for my tastes. And it's pretty basic, too. I'm sure I'd be thrilled if that's what I was looking for, but it's not.

Like I said, I'm basing this off of a Jet Phaser. Specifically, the video of Larry Graham showing off his Jet Phase and does some little jam with Phantom of the Opera in it. I guess the fuzz had a factor in it as well, but damn did it sound good! So yeah, I'm looking to get a sound like that.

Jared Lash · #15 07-17-2008, 11:22 PM

You know, it certainly sounds like what you want is a Jet Phaser. Maybe the best thing to do is to just save up and keep your eyes peeled for one. After all, it can be frustrating if you know exactly what sound you want and you keep looking for things that "almost" get you there.

On the other hand, if you are flexible about it, there are plenty of phasers that will give you a somewhat similar tone when matched with a fuzz. The Moog certainly would work, though it's expensive, big and has the infamous Moog bypass. But on the plus side it's a super tweakable 12 stage phaser.

But I still say the best budget choice for what you've described is the Nano Small Stone. It's a normal four stage phaser, but I've paired it with a Tech 21 XXLB, a Big Muff and an Electronix Mess Drive, all with very good results. Not exactly a Jet Phaser, but certainly something I was happy with. I currently don't have a Fuzz to pair the Maxon with (or even a heavy distortion at the moment) so I can't comment on it in this regard. And honestly, the fuzz doesn't seem to matter all that much. Truth be told, the fuzz on the actual Jet Phaser doesn't seem to be anything to write home about. So find a phaser that you dig and pair it with a dirt box you like and you should have a cool sound, even if it doesn't recreate the Jet Phaser exactly.

Again, if you really want the exact Jet Phaser sound, then get it. If you're flexible then there's plenty of options.

Hope that helps.

Malekko · #16 07-18-2008, 12:02 AM

yeah, i used to have a regular one and i lent it to someone and never saw it again..i missed it for years...it truly is the best phaser out there, designed by bob moogs help. i found my stage version at a good deal so i got it, but id rather the regular one. best phaser in the planet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

The Stage Phaser has more controls than mine (just a Phaser). But you can control the Speed and Balls (depth) with your feet, via two huge wheels on either side of the unit.

I wish I had reason to break this pedal out more often... it is indeed the coolest.

wdinc01 · #17 07-18-2008, 12:24 PM

Isn't that a flanger though?

And does anyone have any information about the Maestro Stage Phaser (I'm looking at you, Josh). Fretlessman was nice enough to tell me about his, which isn't the exact same. Basically I was wondering if there's a way of thinking this thing on and off, or if you have to kick it like Fretlessman does to his.

And of course, sound clips are always nice.

chicago_mike · #18 07-18-2008, 01:27 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=dm_mu_dp_trk2

Off of Miguel Migs "Those things" remixed cd..

is this kind of like the phase sound you are looking for?

wdinc01 · #19 07-18-2008, 09:05 PM

I uh...couldn't even hear any phaser on there. Was it in the bass? Because the line was a little too funky to be able to tell.

Malekko · #20 07-18-2008, 09:25 PM

Hmm, maybe if i get a couple of spare seconds at Malekko tomorrow i'll record a clip or two of the sweep on the Maestro phaser...nothin fancy just a few sweeps