DeArmond 1900 Phaser

I think this thing is great, I got it in a pawn shop for fifty bucks. I didn't like the lack of a true bypass so I replaced the stitch so I could wire that it, I also added a DC adapter jack and an LED so I can tell when it's on, that all makes a huge improvement in the convience of using this thing on stage. the effect had tons of personality. The only pain is a variable resistor in the PC board that vibates to different possitions, and when it's too far to either side the effect is gone, I'ld duct taped it at the spot I liked but that only worked for so long, now it's got a spot of glue in it to keep it where it should be.

I use it with an old musicman amp and in Ibanez artist. There's not much to tweak on this effect, turn it on and pick a speed.

I reversed biased it by accident when modifying it, don't do this our you'll be in the market for a couple new op amps (the two integrated circuits on the PC board)

I doubt anybody would know anything there now.

These things are awesome and hard to comeby, if you want to know how to improve it give me a shout at toomanyslurpees@hotmail.com

I already posted a review of this over a couple years ago...just wanted to add some things: found the recipt, I paid $15 for it, since then a freind paid $100 for a less-than-functioning specimen in a Hollywood music store...

I still think it sounds good for what it is, but I don't regularly use it anymore...

it only broke on me once, at a gig (of course), in of all places, it's birthplace of Toledo, Ohio. I got pissed & threw it, which did not cause any further damage. It turned out to be a broken wire...

This is the funny part, why I re-posted; The DeArmond company of today has nothing, other than maybe some patents & pickup designs, to do with the Toledo based DeArmond-Rowe of yore. Today's DeArmond is a name owned by Fender & used on imported budget versions of Guild guitars ( most of them are pretty cool, but I digress...). The staffers of DeArmond were probably kids if even born when this pedal was made. Incidentally, the old DeArmond plant in Toledo sits abandoned...

Like I said, it's cool, but the lack of true bypass makes it a pain in the ass...I'm more into the effects that are built into my amps ( reverb & tremolo), not to mention my hands, these days. If it were stolen, I'd be bummed 'cause they probably got everything else too...

This '70's pedal is housed in a rock-solid die-cast enclosure big enough for my size 10 1/2's. Identical in design to DeArmond's wah & volume pedals, it has an on/off switch at the toe & a manual/auto switch at the heel, allowing for real-time control of phase speed or manual sweeping. There are no other controls

In typical auto-sweep mode it's sound would be best described as a less intense & more transparent Small Stone. In manual mode, when left in one position, it's effect is rather subtle ( w/a clean tone that is) When some fuzz is rammed into the inst. jack ( vintage Big Muff or Fuzz Ace, please!) the fun really begins. Much like a wah-wah, it can be used like a moveable filter once you find the fuzz-soaked sweet spots.( you can also tune in or out resonant feedback frequencies) Add Space Echo for maximum effect. Fans of Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev even Zappa's more tweeked solos, you will appreciate this.

Let's put it this way; I'm no ballerina & my effects break when they're in storage, but i've used this thing consistantly for a couple years with no trouble. If I had a backup it would stay at home.

DeArmond-Rowe folded many moons ago, but my drummer did go to school with Mr.DeArmond's daughter (as if that would be any help)

As I favor the sicker depths of psych/space/experimental rock ( & effects of a similar description) this pedal suits me fine. Although one need not be a sonic pervert to find this devise useful as any one could appreciate a decent sounding phaser so easy to adjust. Anything else out there with this capacity? If anyone stole this, I would probobly bend over & pay some dealer jerk top dollar for another, if I were unable to catch & beat the perp.