Phaser with high headroom?

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Dear community, I need to tap into your experience with phasers.

I've been a long-time user of the Aguilar Grape Phaser, which I absolutely love and have used extensively with my previous basses. However, since making the switch to an active Sadowsky M5, I've been encountering issues with clipping due to the hot signal, especially on lower strings.

I'm reluctant to dial down my bass volume as I appreciate the way it drives my Darkglass stuff.

In search of alternatives, I tried the MXR Phase 90, Deep Phase, and Polyblue, all of which unfortunately clipped even worse. The MXR Phase 95 is acceptable and usable; it only clips slightly if I intentionally dig too hard. However, I'm not entirely enamored with its sound.

Regrettably, my options are limited locally. Before considering an international order, I would greatly appreciate hearing about your favorite phasers known for high headroom.

 

[Lammchop93]

I had the same problem. The spaceman explorer worked for me. You can run up to 18v too.

Not as simple as a phase 90, but I really like mine

 

[mouthmw]

I had both the standard Explorer and the Explorer Deluxe at the same time for comparison. I kept the Deluxe.

Deluxe is definitely the superior one IMO (other users on TGP forum had the same experience) - it has more clarity and better fidelity. I run mine at 18V and headroom is never an issue, no matter what I throw at it (octave, fuzz, overdrives, boost, envelope filter, or combination of any of these). It can be run up to 24V, but I found 18V to be more than enough. The standard version did seem to clip the original tone a bit, it had some coloration to it and not as much fidelity. Deluxe sounds more open, airier and cleaner. The standard Explorer is certainly not a bad phaser by any means, but the Explorer Deluxe is the king of phasers IMO.

 

[Inconnu]

I never played a Sadowsky, so I don’t know how hot they are, but my main bass is a G&L L-2500 since 1997 (USA). My trusted EHX Small Stone never seemed to have any problem with the hot signal of my G&L. It’s an older one, the first year they’ve made them in the smaller enclosure.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I never played a Sadowsky, so I don’t know how hot they are, but my main bass is a G&L L-2500 since 1997 (USA). My trusted EHX Small Stone never seemed to have any problem with the hot signal of my G&L. It’s an older one, the first year they’ve made them in the smaller enclosure.

Does the Small Stone work well both in active / passive modes? Did you have the chance to try the new Small Stone models; like the ones we can find in stores?

 

[JesterR]

Check EQD Grand Orbiter.
I did not tried it with active bass, but I used it on Moog synth, which has a relatively hot line-level output. No problems with clipping, and good bass response. It is basically Small Stone on steroids.

 

[Inconnu]

Does the Small Stone work well both in active / passive modes? Did you have the chance to try the new Small Stone models; like the ones we can find in stores?

In order to give you a more complete and accurate reply, I’ve tested the pedal with headphones this morning.

I use the L-2500 in active mode almost exclusively. I don’t know if your familiar with the electronics of that bass, but to be clear it has 2 tone controls, bass and treble, which are cut only. I would usually cut both, leaving the knobs at approximately 3/4 of a turn (sonI cut 25% of bass and treble to leave more room for mids). There’s also a series/parallel switch, on one side the sound gets louder, so I usually turn the volume slightly down to match the output of both modes (a decrease of approximately 10% of a turn). In those conditions, I don’t really hear the pedal peaking, aside from when I really dig in when the color switch is on (I usually turn it off, I prefer it that way in the mix with other instruments).

I did max everything out on the bass to hear how the pedal reacted and in those conditions, it peaked when I was digging in Geddy-style, but worked well enough when playing moderately.

I think the model they have in stores right now is the same that I have, only with a groovier looking esthetics… I can’t say if they sound different, but my bet is that it’s the same pedal.

It might be best to bring your bass to a store and try one out, those pedals are fairly common.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

In order to give you a more complete and accurate reply, I’ve tested the pedal with headphones this morning.

I sincerely appreciate your time and effort! I happen to own a G&L L-2500 in my collection, so I was able to mentally follow your test. If it could handle a full-on active L-2500, it can handle anything.

I checked my local stores, but it doesn't seem to be in stock at the moment. Bummer... I've made a note of it as an alternative. It appears to be widely available in Europe, and it's possible to acquire one through a friend. However, it seems risky without trying it first, considering the newer model may have different components that react differently.

On a different note, one pet peeve I have with EHX pedals is that they typically require 9.6V of power. In my past experience, they worked well and silently on batteries but were finicky about 9V power – I would hear a constant thin whistle on 9V. Using an isolator between the power supply and the pedal sometimes worked.

This issue doesn't occur with their 9.6V power supply or with power supplies that have a fully parametric V setting. However, in general, they can be a bit of a pain - especially in small and compact setups.

 

[henryjurstin13]

Look at page 15 - http://assets.empresseffects.com/manuals/phaser.pdf

I drug my feet way too long on the Empress Phaser, it's brilliant! And wildly versatile. I don't play hot/active basses, as I prefer passive... but, I've got a pair of phasers on my board & I've played quite a few different phase pedals. The Empress is top-shelf & there's not really anything it can't do. I have a feeling, it could handle the signal & hopefully retain your clean headroom. Maybe shoot Empress a message & see?

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I drug my feet way too long on the Empress Phaser, it's brilliant! And wildly versatile. I don't play hot/active basses, as I prefer passive... but, I've got a pair of phasers on my board & I've played quite a few different phase pedals. The Empress is top-shelf & there's not really anything it can't do. I have a feeling, it could handle the signal & hopefully retain your clean headroom. Maybe shoot Empress a message & see?

Thanks for bringing this pedal to my attention. Luckily, I've found a used unit available in my area. At 18V, it should handle a hot signal easily.

One question, though: How is the noise situation in your experience? I understand that this pedal has an analog path controlled with a digital circuit. My last pedal of that kind had a bad hiss, so I'm a bit reluctant.

 

[henryjurstin13]

Mine is literally dead quiet & it's around a lot of other pedals (long signal chain).