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New to effects, talk to me about phasers

bolophonic

bolophonic

Supporting Member
Dec 10, 2009
9,731
18,461
Durham, NC
www.brendanlove.com
#1
In an attempt to break out of a long rut with my approach to bass guitar, I bought myself a pedal for the first time that I can remember. It is a Subdecay Baby Quasar. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it.

So I’m trying to gain a little perspective and understanding of this particular effect before I get a chance to plug it in tomorrow. I want to hear things like:

Why phaser pedals rule.
How did getting your first phaser pedal help your sound evolve?
What are your favorite examples of phasers on bass?

I am not particularly interested in hearing a list of other phaser pedals that I should try out, because I probably won’t. Technical information about what makes them different is much appreciated, though. I am interested in all genres, but bonus points if someone throws down some metal phaser!
 
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#5
4B448D23-75E5-4A1A-B4C8-510EB069399C.jpeg
 
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#6
never-enough said:
I’m curious, what made you select a phaser in order to approach your instrument differently?

compared to an overdrive, fuzz, comp, or delay?
Click to expand...

I randomly stumbled upon a video of a dude jamming out on a bass through a phaser pedal and it sounded cool. I have a bass fuzz pedal laying around somewhere that I fiddled around with a couple of times, but it never really captured my interest. I’ve been a clean player for 30 years, just trying to step out of my comfort zone while I’m writing some new tunes.
 
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#8
cusar5 said:
Some examples of classic phaser tones on bass (leaning towards slow, psychedelic sweeps, which is the phaser sound I go for):

O'Jays - For The Love Of Money
Pink Floyd - Have A Cigar
Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
Thin Lizzy - Dancing In The Moonlight
Click to expand...

I think the slow psychedelic sweeps is kind of what I’m going for. Thanks for the list! I always love that slinky little bass run right as the O’Jays go off not the first verse of that song.
 
#10
My favorite phase tone is off of this song


I’ve heard varying opinions on the pedal he uses, but I’m thinking it’s an EQD Grand orbiter over a small stone because the orbiter can get such a slow rate. Something to try is parallel processing of your phaser with your clean tone. If you have the means to do it you might find some tones you really enjoy, I find that putting the phaser in parallel can help keep your natural attack present while still keeping a throbby phase sound
 
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#12
220_Hz said:
My favorite phase tone is off of this song


I’ve heard varying opinions on the pedal he uses, but I’m thinking it’s an EQD Grand orbiter over a small stone because the orbiter can get such a slow rate. Something to try is parallel processing of your phaser with your clean tone. If you have the means to do it you might find some tones you really enjoy, I find that putting the phaser in parallel can help keep your natural attack present while still keeping a throbby phase sound
Click to expand...


Oh man... that is SWEET! Thanks for posting that.
 
#14
I love phase on bass. It can be used as a pseudo envelope filter if you set the rate similar to the tempo of the song. I also enjoy setting it on a really slow sweep with a low depth (if you have that control). It creates a little more interest on exposed lines, especially if the line isn't that harmonically or rhythmically interesting. Also if you have an ambient delay and reverb, try sticking it AFTER. You'll thank me.
 
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#15
TheLowDown33 said:
I love phase on bass. It can be used as a pseudo envelope filter if you set the rate similar to the tempo of the song. I also enjoy setting it on a really slow sweep with a low depth (if you have that control). It creates a little more interest on exposed lines, especially if the line isn't that harmonically or rhythmically interesting. Also if you have an ambient delay and reverb, try sticking it AFTER. You'll thank me.
Click to expand...

Can you go into any detail about the delay/reverb order that you mentioned? I actually went into this assuming that I could potentially achieve a faux-envelope filter effect out of it, so I’m glad to hear that is in the realm of possibility.
 
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#16
Sub’d - thanks Bolo for starting this thread. I’ve been gigging clean for 25+ years as well but looking for something fun for my cover gigs (should they ever return!)

Been eyeing up the Aguilar Grape phaser. Seems to have a mellow goodness on the lower range and plenty of funk when dialed up. I like the simple two knob design and supposed retention of low end.

Thinking about eventually adding a warm overdrive and should probably have a chorus for the obligatory 80’s rock, but hoping something like a phaser could be a decent stand-in for the chorus.
 
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#18
Phaser is my favourite modulation, especially on bass. It seems that chorus is the standard modulation effect for bass, but I really don't like chorus on bass, and sounds like instant '80s. Phaser is funky, where as flanger is more trippy.

I have the TCs Bloodmoon, which is good analog phsaer and pretty cheap. It's worth cheking out.

A while ago another poster was recommended a 2 pole phaser. There are 2 pole and 4 pole, and 2 pole isn't as strong. I can't recall his recommendation.

I also like phasers after fuzz and overdrive in a chain.
 
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#19
La Faro said:
Phaser is my favourite modulation, especially on bass. It seems that chorus is the standard modulation effect for bass, but I really don't like chorus on bass, and sounds like instant '80s. Phaser is funky, where as flanger is more trippy.

I have the TCs Bloodmoon, which is good analog phsaer and pretty cheap. It's worth cheking out.

A while ago another poster was recommended a 2 pole phaser. There are 2 pole and 4 pole, and 2 pole isn't as strong. I can't recall his recommendation.

I also like phasers after fuzz and overdrive in a chain.
Click to expand...

I recall having a chorus pedal for a brief period in the 80’s, for no other reason than the ubiquitousness of chorus on everything. I’m sure I sounded more awful than I even remember.

Your comment on “funky” vs “trippy” is intriguing to me. I’ll have to dig out my Blower Box and try hooking it up before and after the phaser to see what the difference is. Thanks for the advice!
 
#20
Phaser and delay



More phaser on bass



I've owned 30+ phasers over the years. It's my favorite modulation effect. There are certain things that I personally look for but really it only matters what sounds good to you.

The vast majority that are available are based on the MXR Phase 90 so that's a good place to start to see if you like that flavor of phasing.

While I like it on guitar, it's not what I like on bass.
 
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