Need help in my search for a new phaser :)

[Inconnu]

Hi there!

I'm thinking about getting a new phaser pedal. Budget of $150 and less, no need to be expensive. New (because I wanna be able to order online and return it if I'm not happy).

I currently use a Small Stone. While I like the texture of the sound, I feel the controls are quite limited. In brief, the colour switch gives me either too much or not enough "swoosh" and the absence of a depth knob is also limiting. I was feeling similarly about the Small Clone until the Bass Clone was released, solving all the issues I had.

So I'd like to find a pedal that would give me more flexibility, with a warm analog tone, good on bass.

suggestions?

 

[eriky4003]

MXR M95? It has a switch for older and new tones. I believe the price would be in your ballpark. It's also a small pedal, if that helps.

 

[Inconnu]

I'd like ad something.

I usually pretty much use just a few different settings on a pedal, so I don't need complicated switching and options...

but...

I noticed 2 phaser pedals that look interesting:

TC Electronic Helix : though it's digital, the clean blend is an idea... but I don't think I need all the sound options it has, it's almost like a multi effects phaser.

Fender Lost Highway : maybe because it shares the name of my favorite movie, but it as interesting features... haven't heard a bass demo yet though

 

[GMC]

I went for a Source Audio Lunar. It's the most analogue sounding digital phaser that I've tried and it sounds great. It's got a bass retain control that blends only the lower frequencies. It's also compatible with any of the Source Audio modulation models so I can download any of the hundreds of available Chorus, rotaries, flanger etc and replace the 6 stock patches.
I've also bought a set of 4 after market knobs from Amazon and really pimped it out:

 

[Chamber]

MXR Phase 90 Script. Fantastic on bass. Sounds way better than the block logo version IMO. Even though it only has one knob, I don't feel limited at all, it just sounds good but ymmv.

Edit: I've not tried it but the Retro-Sonic Phaser intrigues me, it's supposedly based on the Phase 90 Script but with four knobs. May be worth looking into.

 

[bassboysam]

a used EQD Grand Orbiter, similar to the small stone in texture but with more control. i added a volume control on mine too.

 

[Snaxster]

MXR Phase 90 Script. Fantastic on bass. Sounds way better than the block logo version IMO. Even though it only has one knob, I don't feel limited at all, it just sounds good but ymmv.

And to go further down that path, choose the MXR® '74 VINTAGE PHASE 90 (aka CSP026). Its sound straddles phase shifter and Univibe territories. There is no other pedal quite like it, in my experience.

 

[Skybone]

I'd stick with the Small Stone.

 

[Inconnu]

I'd stick with the Small Stone.

You think so?
The "problem" I have with it is that either it remains a bit too subtle or way too dramatic. I'd like an in between...

 

[soundsupport1]

Hmm.
The phaser I have - and which seems to fit all your needs - is the Crazy Tube Circuits Cyclone:

Cyclone — Crazy Tube Circuits
Crazy Tube Circuits Cyclone Phaser - Rogue Guitar Shop

Features full control set, tap tempo, and a rotary switch to choose between phase 45, phase 90, Small Stone, and LoveTone Doppelgänger circuits. It is over your budget, but it´s the one I´d recommend.

Alternatively, if you´re looking for an EHX Small Stone with more control, what about the one EHX themselves offer: the Bad Stone?

EHX.com | Bad Stone - Phase Shifter | Electro-Harmonix

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[vvvmmm]

I like the new EHX Small Stone, but my live board has the Pigtronix Bass Envelope Phaser because it's just a little different ...

 

[Strung_Low]

I use this one, sounds really good in the mix

 

[Charley Umbria]

Give the Retro-Sonic phaser a try. I had the three-knob version, and it was excellent. It gives you "that" classic sound, but the level is a very useful addition.

 

[roller]

+1 on the Boss. I like boutique pedals just like the rest of the folks on this site... but Boss has always made a great phaser.

 

[hennessybass]

MXR Phase 90 Script. Fantastic on bass. Sounds way better than the block logo version IMO. Even though it only has one knob, I don't feel limited at all, it just sounds good but ymmv.

Edit: I've not tried it but the Retro-Sonic Phaser intrigues me, it's supposedly based on the Phase 90 Script but with four knobs. May be worth looking into.

do you feel that the Script has the volume boost like the Block version does?

 

[vlsndgrdn]

The Source Audio Lunar, the boss PH-3 are among the best digital ones.

The Small Stone, The Block MXR
Phase 90 are hard to beat analog classics.

The Seymour Duncan Polaron its amazing but expensive.

I went Boss PH3. There is not much love for it but most complains about it are just user mistakes or plain BS. (no volume issue if you keep the depht above 12 on the 4 stage mode).

 

[dByron]

Twice your budget, but you're getting 10x the effects: Wampler Terraform. Awesome phaser, and just about every other modulation effect in that box is solid. Trem, rotary, univibe, envelope...it all all sounds great.

You can get a MuTron Phaser III for $260. That's my favorite phaser of all time.
The Boss is really good.

 

[Chamber]

do you feel that the Script has the volume boost like the Block version does?

Hmm can't say that I've noticed a boost.

 

[hotrodjohn]

Found this on eBay

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I tried many phasers and heartily recommend Aguilar Grape Phaser for the bass. Analog, preserves unity gain, flexible & phases the (subjectively) correct frequencies.

Here is a humble comparison of phasers I tried: Bass Phaser Comparison