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Set Phasers to funk

BioDriver

BioDriver

A Cinderella story
Supporting Member
Aug 29, 2008
5,045
3,362
Richmond, VA
#1
So I've become increasingly more interested in phasers as of late and have spent a good couple weeks listening to clips and asking myself the "what if?" question and how usable it would be in my live setting. And after numerous clip listenings I've narrowed it down to:

[del]Subdecay Baby Quasar[/del]
MXR Phase 90 Script, 74 Reissue
EBS DPhaser
Moog MF-103 - Reference point
Earthquaker Devices Grand Orbiter
Homebrew Electronics Psilocybe Phaser

In case you couldn't tell, I'm looking for warm, vintage phase tones that aren't over the top or super wet. I'm not a slapper and do mostly fingerstyle funk and rock (with jazz on the side) and I think phase would definitely help out quite a bit.

CONCERNS:
MXR: Lack of flexibility
EBS: Problem with all EBS pedals, namely "have they fixed their 'brick after a few years' issue?"
Moog: Steep price, large, bypass issues, power inconvenience - really here as a reference
Earthquaker Devices: Haven't found bass specific clips yet
HBE: Reverse polarity, admitting I was wrong :smug:

IMO the Moog sounds the best hands down but it's also the most expensive and has the most concerns in my book. As for other suggestions, I have precious little pedalboard space and don't want to go over $250 (The Moog is really there as a reference)

Any suggestions?
 
#5
I can't say enough good things about the EBS. It's extremely versatile thanks to the controls inside it. You can have 4, 6, 8, 10 or 18 stage phasing. It even has a volume control inside! I use it mostly in 4 stage mode for a warm and subtle effect.
 
#10
Love the Grand Orbiter but it wouldn't be my choice for funk. It has a very "pulse-like" character that makes it fantastic with dirt and in the vibrato mode it gives some eerie modulation but for funk I'd either want something that has a bit of an envelope filter feel (Keeley with the "edge" control turned up, EHX PolyPhase, Toadworks Phantasm or especially the Pigtronix EP-2) or one with some nice background coloration like the Mutron Phasor II, HBE Psilocybe or the standby Small Stone or Phase 90 (for which there are many good clones) both of which are fairly inexpensive.
 
#11
After giving it subsequent listens from competent players I've decided the HBE is definitely worth consideration. My only concern is the -9v requirement. As I have a T-Rex Fuel Tank Jr. en route, will its polarity converter cable work with the HBE?
 
#13
If you're considering the Phase 90, you should definitely check out the Retro-Sonic phaser. It's subtle at lower depths, but nails the classic MXR sound when cranked up. It also has a volume control, which I find really handy for matching levels between the bypassed and effected signals.
 
#14
I use an old Boss PH-1r. This is an updated version of the original PH-1. It has an additional "Resonance" knob (feedback control) to increase the tonal variations. This is a 4 stage phaser like the PH-1 as was its biggest competitor at the time, the MXR Phase 90. It is ACA though. But, that's easy to deal with. For me, it's not too "hard-core," but adds plenty of adjustable funk and other tones when needed. It's so much about individual taste AND what else you have going on on your board, your bass, amp, etc.

Speaking of which, I found I prefer phasers up front on my board (in my case right after the tuning pedal) as I feel they are more of frequency shifters (like a Wah) than modulators - like a chorus or flange - which I have much later in the chain. As always, best to play with as many settings/positions to see what works best for you.
 
#16
kenstee said:
I use an old Boss PH-1r. This is an updated version of the original PH-1. It has an additional "Resonance" knob (feedback control) to increase the tonal variations. This is a 4 stage phaser like the PH-1 as was its biggest competitor at the time, the MXR Phase 90. It is ACA though. But, that's easy to deal with. For me, it's not too "hard-core," but adds plenty of adjustable funk and other tones when needed. It's so much about individual taste AND what else you have going on on your board, your bass, amp, etc.

Speaking of which, I found I prefer phasers up front on my board (in my case right after the tuning pedal) as I feel they are more of frequency shifters (like a Wah) than modulators - like a chorus or flange - which I have much later in the chain. As always, best to play with as many settings/positions to see what works best for you.
Click to expand...

THAT is the phase tone I was looking for :bassist: If only it was PSA.... Know of anything close to that? All signs seem to point toward the MXR Reissue Script 90....

And I agree, phase next to filter = funky gooeyness.

Also, the Retro-Sonic is too subtle, IMO.
 
#17
I have tried quite a few, lastly I went from a Quasar Deluxe to an EBS Dbass and I am done. I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again! For all the flexibility and tone that LITTLE dude has, the Phaser is one pedal I am simply 110% happy with and could really care a less what else comes out! :cool:
 
#18
Are there more then one version of the Psilocybe because the one I have uses normal 9v power with no reverse polarity and it works perfectly with a daisy chained power supply. Its also incredibly bass friendly with a very smooth organic sounding sweep. It has hands down beat out the following phasers that I have owned:

1.Stock block logo MXR Phase 90 - a little bit dirty and adds a bit of volume when engaged. Not subtle at all but very bass friendly.
2. Retrosonic Phaser - Way too subtle on bass.
3. Keeley Phaser - not bass friendly, loses tons of low end when engaged. Expensive.
4. Script 74 re issue Phase90 - very good but just a tad too subtle with no tweakability. I kept this one though as I do really like it.
5. EVH Phase90 - thins out the sound too much and is a bit too subtle with some low end loss.
 

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