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boss PH-2 super phaser

sillyfabe

sillyfabe

keeping the low-end silly since '06
Mar 13, 2009
3,877
2,748
San Bernardino,CA
#1
i have scoured the internet, talkbass, the wiki and just about everywhere I can think of but was just wondering how this one compares to the PH-3? I used to own the PH-3 but it did terrible thing to my tone but have heard through the grapevine the older Boss phasers are pretty good on the bass. any advice?
 
#3
how does the-ph2 compare to the small stone or phase-90? i've used the small stone and not really my cup of tea. i digged the ph-3's metallic tone and actually prefer this. (i.e. i own a Boss BF-2 MIJ green label and its metallic compared to most flangers but sounds amazing to my ears). the reason i got rid of the ph-3 is b/c i didnt use many other modes besides the 10 and 12 step which the ph-2 does. the guitar clips sound WAY better to me the the ph-3 does. overall should I get it or just hold off based of this description?
 
#5
I've had two PH-2s over the years. I like them better for guitar than bass. Mode I was a little subtle and Mode II was too phasey for bass IME without a clean blend.

I prefer the Small Stone and the MXR Phase 90 EVH for bass. Small Stone is over the top in a good way--you're never unsure of whether it's on or not. Phase 90 has just enough whooshiness and sounds great on bass IMO.
 
#8
I am persuaded towards getting a Boss PH-2 for my guitar instead of a PH-3. However, I cannot find one with the box. I know I can download the instruction manual on the internet but need a box to protect it in and would prefer that it be the actual PH-2 box. Does anyone have one that they aren't using and that they would be willing to give or sell me? I'd appreciate it. Thanks a ton!
 
#12
5StringFool said:
I never thought I'd dig a phaser on bass, but last night at practice just for kicks I hooked up an old PH-2 and now I'm in love. :D
Click to expand...

I love phasers on bass. I am currently using a Homebrew Electronic Psilocybe and a Moog Phaser. The Moog is in a class of its own. There is nothing like a 12 stage phaser!

I also have a Roland Jet-Phaser which is an 8 stage phaser with a distortion. That pedal is scary too.

I might try a Boss PH-2 one of these days. I have found over the year that Boss did modulation effects really well before they went digital. The digital effects are very powerful (far more powerful than their analog counterparts) but their tone leaves me wanting some warmth.
 
#13
well I guess this is why I'm silly...getting a PH-2 after thinking my phaser quest was settled with my MSLP phaser but I just miss my old PH-2 sooooo much. My guitarist's friend grough one over and man I miss it so i scored one of TGP. Look forward to having 2 phasers...(18+12 stages = 30?) :hyper:
 
#14
sillyfabe said:
how does the-ph2 compare to the small stone or phase-90? i've used the small stone and not really my cup of tea. i digged the ph-3's metallic tone and actually prefer this.
Click to expand...

If a metallic tone is what you're after, then the phase-90 (at least the block one) won't be what you're looking for. It's more in the vein of the SS, but more organic, IMO.
 
#15
Since we're talking Boss phasers, I just wanted to add that I love my early production PH-1r. It's really warm and smooth. A tad noisy when not isolated and a little bashful on just 9v, but plug it into the 12v ACA on a PP2+ and it sounds amazing on bass. Resonance knob was a crucial upgrade from the original PH-1, especially for bass players.

Just thought someone doing some Boss phaser research would be interested to know.
 

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