Top quality Phaser?

A_E_A · #1 08-23-2010, 02:19 AM

Ive been searching for a phaser recently and seem to be getting nowhere with my search. I am not looking for a cheap fix. I want to get the best phaser so I won't be GASing for another one. I know best is subjective and there will be differing opinions but there should be a consensus on which are the highest quality.

I am looking for something that has the best tone not necessarily the most options or the most bells and whistles.

I have searched google and talkbass to try get some other posts but i am still kind of going around in circles. If there is a thread already i would be happy with just a link that i may have missed.

Cheers

Jake of Bass · #2 08-23-2010, 03:26 AM

A lot of people rave on about the MXR Phase 90, most notably the vintage one.
These are pretty hard to get these days and cost a lot of $$ usually but the reissue is pretty good after a simple mod.

The other option if you wanted that same sound is to get a BYOC pedal (Build Your Own Clone) of the Phase 90. It comes unassembled and you put it together yourself. The components are exactly the same as the original, except with an improved chip, or so it says on their website. You also get to paint it any way you like, check it out:

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/phaser.html

The other one that seems to be popular is the EHX Small Stone. It's a bit different, but again a lot of people love it. It really depends what you're after in terms of tone. The Phase 90 is meant to be more transparent, whereas the Small Stone can be more lush.

N.B: I don't own either, but I was really keen on one a while back and did a lot of reading up on both phasers.

Plays_For_Dog · #3 08-23-2010, 04:20 AM

I have an MXR Phase 100. It won't leave my pedal board. It's incredibly simple to use with only 2 knobs. IMO, it has fantastic tone and the thing is built like a tank. I don't notice any loss of low end and the swirlies can be dialed in pretty tight for whatever mood you want the phaser to project. I HIGHLY recommend you try one out.

bobulibobium · #4 08-23-2010, 04:31 AM

it depends what you like. i personally prefer the boss ph3 - i've gone through an ehx small stone and mxr phase 90

**Captain Bob** · #5 08-23-2010, 04:56 AM

Hopefully, Jared Lash will chime in, as he most likely has experimented with more phasers than anyone else here on this forum. I suggest you do some searching for some of his former postings....maybe by manufacturer. Jared has the insight and ability to list the comparitive nuances of upwards of a hundred models.
I have the A/DA Final Phase, but could not begin to intelligently explain the differences with other units.

bigchiefbc · #6 08-23-2010, 05:53 AM

Yeah, this is a REALLY subjective question. Both the Phase 90 and the EHX Small Stone are 4-stage phasers, so although I can tell them apart, I would still call their sounds "similar". Moog makes a phaser that can be run in 6-stage or 12-stage mode, and it sounds VERY different. I always liked the Moog. This is probably going to be a lengthy search for you. I tried at least a half-dozen phasers over a couple years. I'm now running a Morley Deluxe Phaser, which is an old optical 6-stage phaser from the early 80s. I totally love its sound; to me it is so much more lush than the Phase 90 or Small Stone, and my search is basically over.

RCCollins · #7 08-23-2010, 05:57 AM

IMO, the best version of the MXR phase 90 circuit is the Maxon PT-999. It distorts less than other phase90 types, is virtually noiseless (rare in analog modulation), and has a useful internat frequency center trimpot so you can add throbbing bass or just have the phase effect sweep the higher range

Bassmike62 · #8 08-23-2010, 06:10 AM

I have little experience with phasers. I did try a Boss, but went for the EHX Nano Small Stone 'cause it felt "warmer". Don't really see it as top quality, but it does what it does adequately.

A_E_A · #9 08-23-2010, 06:19 AM

Hey thanks for the replies. Looks like i have a few to check out.
checked out some jared lash posts and that just added more phasers to my search haha
might have to try a few now. just what i need more things to spend money on haha.
hopefully find some good clips for each of them.

Crazyeelboy · #10 08-23-2010, 06:30 AM

I'm a big Small Stone fan - if I were allowed only one effect, it would be the Small Stone Phase Shifter.

Jake of Bass · #11 08-23-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_E_A

Hey thanks for the replies. Looks like i have a few to check out.
checked out some jared lash posts and that just added more phasers to my search haha
might have to try a few now. just what i need more things to spend money on haha.
hopefully find some good clips for each of them.

There's some great youtube vids on the Phase 90 and the Small Stone, including a few good ones A/B'ing them. That much at least I know.

Jim C · #12 08-23-2010, 07:13 AM

I too am searching for a high fidelity phasor and a 1 trick pony is fine assuming it sounds great. I have owned and sold the following:

MXR phase 90 and phase 100 - murky and high end loss
EH Small Stone - (older orange and then red graphic) - a little too heavy a phase and not clear enough
Boss PH-1 and PH-2; like the PH-1 one the best although it has been out of production for years and there is a bit of high end loss; decent phase though

Have read that the Pigtronix is a good choice; there are brand new - last years models for for sale on eBay at a significant discount

WaldoNova · #13 08-23-2010, 07:28 AM

There is a Subdecay quaser in the TB classifieds that I've heard good things about
FS: Subdecay Quasar Phase Shifter
I have the EP-2 by Pigtronix which I really like but it has a lot of bells and whistles, check it out you may like it!

Franz Jr. · #14 08-23-2010, 07:31 AM

Wait for the NEW Subdecay Phaser!!!!!!

Jared Lash · #15 08-23-2010, 09:11 AM

Well, the first thing to check out is whether you like the Phase 90 tone. It's not an exaggeration to say that likely 2/3 of the phasers on the market use that circuit. If you do, and you use active basses with a hot output you'll need to be careful as the "script circuit" can be prone to clipping/distorting. Even with passive basses it can happen with aggressive playing. As RCCollins pointed out, there are some that are much better about this than others.

The other major 4 stage phaser is the EHX Small Stone which has a darker character to it. There's a very hot rodded version from Blackout Effectors called the Whetstone. There are many cool 4 stage phasers such as the Subdecay Baby Quasar, HBE Psilocybe, Roland AP-2 and others. If you want something more thick and "pulse-like" you can try an old DOD 490 or Earthquaker Grand Orbiter.

If you like the Phase 90 but want something more subtle, there's always the Phase 45 (a two stage phaser) or it's derivatives like the DOD 201, lovepedal vibe or Tone Factor Nebula.

Of course there's also six stage phasers (DOD 595, Keeley), 8 stage phasers (Jet Phaser), 10 stage phasers (MXR Phase 100, Maxon PT-9) and ones that can switch the number of stages (Moog, new Subdecay Quasar Deluxe, TC Electronic, Maxon PH-350)

Not to mention Univibe pedals and envelope phasers like the Pigtronix, Polyphase and Phantasm (which has some Phase 90 character to it)

And one more layer of complexity there are also some digital phasers (Digitech, Boss, Source Audio - I think, EBS and others) if you want to go that route.

It's impossible to say what will sound best to you. Personally I like shimmery 6 stage phasers that have a prominent sound in the mix and work well with an envelope filter. So I've ended up with the Keeley Phaser.

But others might one with a slow sweep that sounds good with dirt pedals or a subtle, watery tone, a high stage and electronica sounding phaser, a classic tone (Thin Lizzy, Stranglehold, For the Love of Money),a funky and rubbery envelope phaser or a completely crazy sound making machine like the Deluxe Quasar or Infinitphase.

It really depends on what you want. FWIW, my stock answer (for my prefereces) is usually to recommend the EHX Nano Small Stone. It's small, cheap and (IMO) sounds great. But if you have more specific preferences I could give a more specific recommendation.

Hope that helps.

Don Dude · #16 08-23-2010, 09:16 AM

I own a Phase 90 and in my personal experience the tone is very nice warm, not so bright, affordable price and it's build like a tank

stiles72 · #17 08-23-2010, 09:23 AM

My favorite Phaser of all time is a fairly inexpensive DOD FX-20B from the early 90's. It sounds richer to my ears than the MXR or the Boss pedals, and has more "warble" and "swishiness". The foot switch in mine started crapping out after 16 years of use, so I went looking for a replacement. The only Phaser I found in current production which I liked is the Electro Harmonix Small Stone Phaser. It's not quite as dramatic as the DOD, but it has the same kind of Phaser sound I did. Plus it's a well built pedal, and made right here in the USA.

FromTheBassMent · #18 08-23-2010, 09:31 AM

I have the Subdecay Baby Quasar, and I love it. It replaced a vintage Phase 90 on my board. The BQ sounds far better, and is tunable in ways that make it especially usable with bass.

Subdecay is coming out with a new phaser that is supposedly going to trump every other phaser on the market. But I don't use a phaser enough to spend that kind of money or give up that much real estate on my pedal board. Phaseaholics are going to love it, I imagine.

Valerus · #19 08-23-2010, 09:54 AM

If you want tweakability and are willing to pay a bit more, try the Blackout Effectors Whetstone. It's based on the Small Stone and it rocks.

Wyrm74 · #20 08-23-2010, 10:31 AM

Gotta chime in for the Subdecay Quasar. I've never tried the Baby Quasar, but the original just sounds fantastic. I'm sure the new one will be great too, but if you want to save a few bucks see if you can find a used Quasar. If you don't like it, you should be able to turn it around with little or no loss. I didn't care for the Small Stone, and I thought the Phase 90 was good but not great. Good luck to you!