MXR Phase 90

How difficult can it be? One knob to control the amount of phase. There is no manual included, but to be fair, there is no need for one. Just plug it in, turn the knob to your desired setting and go. I first got into MXR when I bought a Micro Amp as a lead boost in the effects chain. The phase 90 follows the same principle with a neat rubber cover over the dial so you can adjust the phase as you play, just fantastic. You can ease the control back or forward with your big toe while playing to select your intensity. Truly versatile, whilst simple at the same time.

I first tried the pedal in the effects loop of my Cornford Hurricane and was a little disappionted. The pedal seemed to mush up and get lost in the drive of the amps high gain setting. The added distortion of the pedal contributed alot to the degrading of the sound. Instead of sending the pedal back, I did 2 crucial things. 1, - I did the R28 mod, to clean up the sound and 2,-I put the pedal out front of the amp, instead of through the effects loop - WOW! A monumental change for the better. The pedal reacts to the dynamics of your playing and interacts with the volume control of your guitar. Guitar flat out, gives a sweet phase sound, with an attack not too dissimilar to a compressor picking out every note you play. Back off the guitar volume and the subtleness of the pedal adds nuance to your clean chords. I work the pedal from around 8 o'clock for subtle chorus-like clean work, through 9-11 o'clock for chunky/funky rhythm chords up to 12-1 o'clock for Hendrix like phased distortion. All done through the roll of the dial with the foot. The pedal is a little noisy when engaged but I am running my amp at high gain with the volume rolled back for cleaner tones. I have tried the pedal with the amp running full clean and it is almost noiseless. There is a click when you engage the pedal at high gain, but in the midst of a stage environment it will nerver be heard.

The unit looks very robust. Having taken it apart to do the R28 mod, the circuit board is housed snugly within the metal casing without any chance of coming loose. The on switch is connected directly to the circuit board, but I don't see this as being a problem due to the tank like design. Haven't had it long enough to test the durability, but it is the same as the Micro Amp and that has lasted no probs.

Had no need to get in touch

I am not an effects freak with mountains of boxes on my board. I recently chucked my flanger & chorus pedal in favour of this one. The phaser sounds much better than both of these and I can go from subtle to intense without having to stop playing. I read various reviews and pondered on whether to do the R28* mod (Taking out the R28 resistor to give a less distorted sound) and I must admit the pedal works better for me that way. I have seen the various comments flying back and forth on who thinks which option is best, but I think whatever works for your sound is what you go for. For me the R28 mod gives fantastic clarity, and played out front of the amp takes on new dimension depending on how much signal you put through it.

For those who want to try the R28 mod, it is very easy to do. Access the main circuit board by removing it from the metal casing. Cut the horizontal resistor directly above the jack output. It is best to just cut one side and leave the resistor attached but with the signal broken. This way you can easily solder the point back if you don't like the result.

One knob? However, new, in the box, it comes with a rubber protector over the Pot that is a pain to get off.

Hmmm... Set-up?

Guitars:

Gibson Les Paul LE; Fender American Series Telecaster; PRS Custom 24 Brazilian LE; Rickenbacker 360 20/12; and Gibson Chet Atkins SST

Effects:

Guitar -> Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner -> Budda Bud-Wah -> Big Muff Pi -> MXR Phase 90 -> Dunlop Rotovibe -> Amp

Amps:

Marshall JCM-2000 DSL (w/1960A Cab); Marshall AVT-20; and Marshall AS-50R

I've been playing for 11 years and always try to buy quality instruments and accessories. The (Dunlop) MXR Phase 90 is no exception. It's very versatile and seems to add a little something to most of the music I play, but use it sparingly. I don't see why anyone would need to turn the dial completely, the effect starts to sound silly past the 1 o'clock position. I keep it at around 9 o'clock and its great for playing all kinds of alternative music, as well as some heavier blues and classic rock. Spend a few hours with it, and you'll begin to recognize it in a lot of your favorite music. I must say, however, when you've got the gain way-up and you're playing on a humbuckered guitar, the distortion becomes to sharp and it's easy to end on a bad note if you lose tempo. I understand that some people modify the effect by cutting loose a transitor to correct this issue. I won't bother, every effect has its limits. Besides, if you have the gain up that high, you might want to reconsider before adding another level of distortion to your sound. It sounds interesting with an acoustic as well--very liquid--but I don't go there.

Built solid!

Makes me think I should consider other MXR pedals.

Easy to use 1 knob !

Strat with EMG's + mid boost (Gilmore set)/ Teles - pedals - Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 Reissue (with Hot Plate). The amp set to 5 across the board......

A tip for new Phase 90 purchases...... Snip the R28 resistor, its true what the reviewers below are saying. Once this simple mod is completed you will hear the classic smooth, full sounding phase tone - think Gilmore / Police / Van Halen.....I cannot understand why Dunlop do not make them with this mod as standard. A fantastically fat dimensional tone that works great with my strat & Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue / Hot Plat combination....

MXR - solid

A wonderful phase tone - best I have heard (after R28 mod), better than my old Jap Boss PH1 phaser (which was pretty speacial !), my chain as follows:

Jeckyll & Hyde - Hot Cake Dist - Phase 90 - TU2 Tuner - Jap Boss BF2 Flanger - Boss DD20 delay (with ext tempo pedal) - 1965 Reissue Fender Deluxe Reverb / THD Hot Plate.

Cheers

MXR Phase 90 effect pedal:

1. very easy to use - only one knob to control speed

Phase 90 is very classic sounding phase effect, very similar to the small stone by electro harmonix. However, this doesn't sound like the phase from Ibanez that is very linear and up and down...the phase 90 sound a little more up and down and side to side

I'm using this with either my rock rig: 2 Fender twin reverbs , stereo, or with 2 roland cube 30's stereo

I use the phase 90 with alot of other modulation effects , plus a original TS-808 tubescreamer from Ibanez

Of course this is the effect on Van Halen 1 and 2...I don't really care for the effect with distortion, I prefer using the effect clean...this is the same effect as the mid 70's Nazereth tune "love hurts"

MXR , metal housing , nice solid switch

I've got a artist in residence with dunlop co. They have been very good to me and I'm grateful to have relationship with Dunlop/MXR

I'm contemplating get the R28 modification which was invented by Jayson Ocampo at Dunlop co.

Great classic effect, nice size, great reliability, I would replace this effect if stolen. MXR are some of the best effects on the market.

Everyone else has said it all, really. With just the one knob you can just let your ears be the guide as to how you want it to sound. Less definitely is more when it comes to the layout of this pedal because the design and the circuit is so good.

I play a Gordon Smith through a Fender Princeton 65. Effects vary as the mood takes me, but I normally have Boss CS3 then Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus and Danelectro Dan Echo. If I use a drive pedal it'd be a Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 or a Boss Hm 2. Most often I just end up leaving these at home and using the amp's overdrive. Now I've got the MXR I'm putting it after the compressor. It might take over from the Cool Cat, but think of the sounds I'd get with both on! It's already added so much more tonal variety and quality to my set up.
One of my favourite tones is the Jimmy Page phased sound (like Achilles' Last Stand). This pedal has that sound in it, but playing clean it's got some lovely funky sounds too. The pedal's also encouraging me to slow down more and to hold onto single notes and chords more. This definitely lets the pedal's tone just snake right out.
I've seen some manufacturers claim that their phaser pedals will get close to a Leslie sound. It's not too big a leap of the imagination with the Phase 90 to hear what they mean by that.

Haven't had it for long, but seems robust enough to me. Jim Dunlop's reputation is high anyway, and the design is superb.

I play all sorts of music. I'm happiest just acting the sideman, moving and pushing songs along. It's nice to take the lead once in while, though, and to really let rip. This really is a fantastic pedal which'll add a new dimension to rhythm parts and solos alike. I'd been thinking about getting a phaser for ages and there was only ever one choice. This thing hasn't got such a high reputation for nothing. If you're thinking of getting a phaser but think it's a bit of a luxury on the pedal board, try the Phase 90 for a while and then imagine living without it! It's not the chepest option but you really do get what you've paid for.

One knob. One switch.

First: Do the R28 Mod. Despite what others say, do the Mod. This gives you a much cleaner, non intrusive phase effect. Without the mod, there is a sharp edge or slight distortion to the sound. In other words, the box becomes a phase/distortion. If you need a phase distortion, use a separate distortion and let the phase just give you that vintage phase tone. The tone is a beautiful, full phase that does not take over your sound. The box is not noisy at all. Easy on batteries if you want to avoid the wall warts.

I'm primarily playing one of 2 setups:
American Strat > Ibanez WD7 Wah > Phase 90 > Digitech Bad Monkey > Amp

or

Strat > WD7 > Magicstomp > Amp

Amps are either Tech21 Trademark 60, Fender HotRod Deluxe, or 68Super Reverb.

I use a Digital Delay in the effects loop.

I have used it for years on the gig. No backup. Built very solid. However, I take good care of my stuff. If it goes out, I just don't phase until I hook up the MagicStomp at the next gig.

No idea.

This box does exactly what I need it to do and that is a full, beautiful sweeping phase. Do the mod. It's easy to do.

I have gigged regularly since seeing the Beatles live in 1966. Looked like a pretty good job to have. Playing rock, blues, classic rock, and jazz (solo and ensemble) ever since.

Response to Chris

The reason people are modding their reissue Phase 90 is due to the fact that the Reissue distorts your sound when we don't want it to. I buy a Phaser for a phasing effect, not for distortion. Try it. Set your amp to clean and play with and without the Phase 90. It boosts the mids and causes overdrive.

Chris

Sounds great for old-school phaser effects like Jimi would've used. You don't need anything fancy when it comes to a phaser - just a great sound, right? I play it through a tube amp and it breaks up nicely, makes me feel all crazy inside. Then I do bad things. Use it early in your effects chain for maximum satisfaction.

Made a little cheap. I don't know how you would break it, but I can tell the footswitch is directly connected to the circuit board like others have said. Don't let the nut unscrew from that baby!

For rock and roll this is just a must-have. Specifically I would like to comment on the modification that everyone makes on this pedal. Do not just cut the resistor, because you can just heat up the soldering point and pull the baby out, then resolder later when you realize that all these techies are full of shit and can't play guitar in the first place - and that's why they modded it. I did the mod out of curiosity and was not impressed by the difference. The reality is that when you play live (which most of the people on here don't do more than once a month) a lot of high-end is lost in the crowd and sound doesn't cut the same way. The harshness of the pedal cuts througb the crowd, and I know this because I have listened to recordings of my performances and can tell my sound sits fine in the mix. With the mod you have a weaker phaser (although not discernable to the drunk groupies that you should have by now), and I don't see why people are doing this other than the fact that it sounds more like the script logo pedal. Why do you think MXR would just add a resistor to their design, even though it was already popular? It wasn't to cut costs or ruin their reputation. It was to make the pedal sound better, you idiots! Stop messing with your pedals and learn to play better. 'Nuf said.

Give me a break--there's only one knob.

I use this effect mostly with a maple-neck vintage-style Fender Tele w/switch modifications to make it an Esquire (vintage single coil in bridge) and also use it with a 1940's Astatic microphone to play harp. The signal then goes into a '63RI Fender Vibroverb. Always a great sound--no matter what the speed setting. When set to a high speed (turn the knob up all the way and then back off about an eighth of an inch) you have a reasonable Leslie cabinet effect--with a lot less strain on the back and wallet! At those high speeds with some overdrive, it assumes an "airy" quality that really adds to the faux Leslie quality. At slower settings, you get a sweet atmospheric texture for rhythm playing. Only noisy when too much overdrive or distortion is cranked at the same time.

I've never had any problem with this unit. I bought it used for $25 at a pawn shop in 1996 (it is a late 70's/early 80's block logo unit without an indicator LED) and it had the original box and user's manual! I always use it without a backup.

Never dealt with the company on this unit, but I've had to contact them for other effects pedals (Jim Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Classic Fuzz and Original Crybaby) and they were good.

I play Texas Roadhouse music (combine blues/rock/outlaw country in varying amounts) and this unit is great for everything. I use the high-speed Leslie feature for blues and slow the sweep down for a Waylon Jennings-style phase ("Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?") sound. If I had to replace this unit, another Phase 90 would be the only one I would consider-period.

very easy to use because there are only 2 buttons!

Excellent. Great if you have a guitar w/ a single coil pickup. Don't use humbuckers though. You can nail the Gilmore parts on "breathe" and anything else you want. This pedal couldn't sound any better in my opinion. I'v got a marshall jcm 2000 tsl head and a 1960 av cab, a '57 reissue, a '62 reissue strat, a gobson '67 Flying V Reissue, and a Martin D28

I bought this pedal 3 years ago brand new from Musicians Friend (2001), it NEVER left the house and after 3 years it broke! Only 3 years! I took great care of it just like all my effects. What a POS! They really don't make things like they used to.

i'm getting this pedal fixed locally