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MXR Phase 90

Summary
Price New MXR Phase 90 @ Musician's Friend
Manufacturer URL http://www.jimdunlop.com/
Ease of Use 9.7 (189 responses)
Sound Quality 8.7 (190 responses)
Reliability 8.8 (166 responses)
Customer Support 6.4 (40 responses)
Overall Rating 8.8 (185 responses)
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Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 09/16/2002 at 02:20pm by RD
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
One control, Speed. If you can't figure it out you are probably not a human.

Sound Quality : 9
Nice sound, works GREAT with keyboards or anything with a little more trebly sound. The effect can sometimes be buried in a mix, but this may be desireable. Note my review is of the ORIGINAL not the re-issue. I hear the original MXRs are all better than the re-issues. The effect does not color the sound too much (well it IS a phase shifter) and the level is balaced when it kicks in, can't even tell you turned it on, really. I use it sparingly on guitar because it takes over the sound, but it does do a great pseudo-Leslie-type effect a la Pink Floyd "Echoes" or track One of Beck's "Mutations" (though I think that's a wah, but you'll get the idea). The Phase 100 had more control I think but too bad there is no way to control the amount of phase. Again I really think this thing is MADE for keys; absolutely fabulous with my Rhodes (killer! - Don Fagen uses one live with his Wurlitzer - listen to Steely Dan "Royal Scam" or "Katy Lied" or see "Two Against Nature" live DVD), amazing with my Clavinet, and just phenomenal with any synthesizer, especially strings; makes any synth sound like an ARP. The slowest speed is like a slow whooosshhhh and the fast like a tremelo on the older Fender amps. Try varying the effect in real time for expressive vibrato effects on a solo (first add some white noise to your patch). Also works well with drum machines (remember to take the bass drum out of the mix). Not so good with vocals IMO as the effect is a little too wide I think. On the down side, when there is no signal and it is left on it will generate swish-swish noise, also the switch has a slight pop when activated, but nothing serious. Minus one for that.

Reliability : 10
MXRs pedals always kick ass for reliability. Does tend to eat batteries if you use it a lot.

Customer Support : No Opinion
no idea

Overall Rating : No Opinion
Very useable and musical sounding pedal. I think for a better pedal you should try the Boss PH-2 Super Phaser (green). I hope to get one soon. I think I paid around $40 CDN originally, but I don't recall. Anyway it was in the early 80's.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $50 used
Submitted 09/12/2002 at 07:41pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Easy, one knob, well said below,

Sound Quality : 10
Running carvin guitars, morley bad horsey wah, digitech whammy2, phase 90, boss ph2, boss od3, into a fender deville, with a boomerang and digitech delay in the loop. I use this pedal for the vibe type phasing.

Reliability : 9
Looks good enough

Customer Support : 1

Overall Rating : 10
I saw a local guitarist who had one of these, and he had turned the internal trim pot down so the crest of the phase was only barely above the bottom, and he had it going very slow, just enough to add a subtle vibe to his sound. I bought one the next day, and I think it's the key to that early fusion tone. I love it!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $60
Submitted 09/03/2002 at 11:46pm by J.Meeker
Email: jmeeker at ameritech<dot>net

Ease of Use : 10
One knob. Pedal placement is everything--put it pre-distortion if you want a tone swirl, post distortion if you want a more or less typical phaser sound.

Sound Quality : 9
This is *THE* phaser that all other phasers sought to copy. It is more organic than anything else out there, although if you want really deep phasing go with the EH Small Stone.

I am running the following setup: guitar (Brian Moore i2) > Whirlwind Selector > Lab Series L5; channel A thru the selector is to a Small Clone Chorus, channel B runs to the Phase 90 and then to a DS-1. Simple setup, but good tone.

Reliability : 8
Solid chassis, but the on/off button is directly on the circuit board. Not too smart, but I'm sure a great cost cutting move.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
A total classic. I love soloing thru this box, it makes everything just chaotic. Best phaser ever--period.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $55.00 used
Submitted 08/02/2002 at 08:45pm by Eric
Email: ejvphd at aol<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
Very simple to use, no manual needed, many, many good sounds in it, despite only 1 knob!!

Sound Quality : 10
Using it with a Fender Strat, and Yamaha AES800, along with a Fender Silverface Fender Reverb, a Fender Champ, and an Epiphone Electar 10 (tube). It is not noisy at all, the effects are tremendous, warm, compelling, and usable. Very smooth phasing, I'm in love with this orange thing.

Reliability : 10
Seems very solidly built, thick metal casting, strong switch, solid knob, from reading about it, these things last for years, even with heavy usage.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Have no idea, haven't dealt with them.

Overall Rating : 10
Great pedal. I love this thing. Solidly built. Great, great tone. Really helps me be more creative in my playing. I have played on and off for about 5 years at this point. It made me wanna pick up my electrics again, after acoustic only for about a year. I thought of getting an Electro-Harmonix Small Stone, but this seems more solidly built; reviews of it were better than other phase pedals. I tried the Danelectro mini-phaser, and wasn't impressed. I highly, highly recommend this pedal. I don't remember thinking a pedal was this cool since I got my Big Muff, which also is tremendous.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $79
Submitted 07/12/2002 at 08:29am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
1 knob, how hard could it be? Mine is the original late '70s Block logo, still in mint condition with box and stickers.

Sound Quality : 10
My set-up consist of the ffg-
PRS McCarty Rosewood>Teese RMC3 wah> Whirlwind A/B>Boss TU-12H(1)>Fulltone FD2 TR100/Klon Centaur>Crowther Hotcake/MXR Distortion+('70s>Phase 90/P.E. Vibe unit>Boss DD-5>Boss CE-5> Matchless Chieftain. Not noisy at all in all settings. The Phasing is the best
I've heard. Compared to the Dunlop Reissues, it's lush and thick sounding, without being harsh and thin. Similar to the original Script logo without the exorbitant price. Running it with the Distortion +, conjures up images of Eddie Van Halen. All settings are
very useable. Very easy to tweak.

Reliability : 8
It's from the '70s and it's now 2002, so I think it'll hold up for a few more years. The foam inside is still in good shape but it's getting there. My only worry is that the input/output jacks might get
static over the years just as in my Distortion +, but that is easily
fixed.

Customer Support : 1
If you run into trouble with this thing, you better have some know-how
in Electronics, 'coz MXR, the company , is no longer in business.

Overall Rating : 10
I play anything from SRV-based blues to Classic '60s-'80s Rock. Been
doing so since I was 15. This pedal seems to complement some of my
early heroes like Hendrix, SRV, and most notably, EVH. I included the
first two artist, 'coz the effect you get with this pedal is similar
to a Univibe. In fact it is. I tried comparing it with my Vibeunit, which in itself is a great univibe clone, it reminds me of Hendrix
playing the Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock. The sound is that close. And coupled with the Distortion+, you can get a sound reminiscent of Robin Trower. Did you say, Bridge of Sighs? At least,
that's what I hear when I play it through my Mesa Boogie or Matchless.
If this was lost or stolen, I'd be pretty bumbed out, 'coz I know I'll
have to shell out a couple of dollars to replace it. I love this pedal for what's it is intended for, classic 4-stage phasing. Compared
to its' two other brothers, the Phase 45 and the Phase 100, this is
what Phasing should sound like without going overboard.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $50 used
Submitted 07/12/2002 at 05:18am by Mustafa Bonerabi

Ease of Use : 10
Nothing to it - one knob twist it till it sounds good.

Sound Quality : 9
Very cool. It is very warm and chunky sounding. I run a Jackson Soloist through a boss compressor into a Line 6 Flextone head. The Phase 90 adds a little high end when you turn it on, but it sounds so damn cool you can't argue with it. The effect seems to be stronger when played on lower strings, while subtle on higher registers.

Reliability : No Opinion
I wouldn't worry about it. It is a little brick house.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealt with them

Overall Rating : 10
I play rock and metal with a bit of jazz. This pedal sounds good with a dirty sound playing jazz chords (reminds me of Steely Dan) and also for solos (think Dave Murray from Iron Maiden). Very warm sounding, simple to use, and versatile. Go get one. It is a great investment for any style.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70
Submitted 05/20/2002 at 02:33pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Take a look at the picture-- one knob. And it's ALL YOU NEED. You don't need a manual.

Sound Quality : 10
Les Paul Standard/ Fender Telecaster/ Fender Mustang/ Fender Reissue Jaguar->MXR Dyna Comp->Thomas Organ Wah->Phase 90->Ibanez Tube Screamer->ProCo Rat->Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi->Danelectro DanEcho->Reissue Fender Twin Reverb. It is somewhat noisy when on(makes swishing noise constantly), but if you don't like the noise, switch it off. Doesn't take away a lot of clarity at all. Sounds great with all the effects I'm using. Allows you to get a really cool psychadelic sound a la Hendrix (Machine Gun) and Page (Dazed and Confused). The warmest phaser out there-- sounds like there's a tube inside it. I was paranoid about what I thought would be a lack of flexibility, but you can actually get a lot of sounds out of it. If you want less intensity, you can just turn the volume on your guitar down and the amp volume up, or re-locate it in your effects chain.

Reliability : 10
Built like a tank. MXR pedals can take a beating and keep rocking.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
I play blues and rock and hard indie and stuff. Been playing for five years now. Own a lot of pedals, this is one of my favorites. I'd definitely buy this pedal again if I lost it or it was stolen. I love the warmth. I tried my friend's boss phaser, and this is SO much better. Boss pedals just sound so cold and digital. Their phaser is really hard to get a good sound out of, and it doesn't even sound as good as this pedal. Go out and buy one.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $67.00
Submitted 05/03/2002 at 05:39pm by matt
Email: BlueTwillight<at>hotmail dot com

Ease of Use : 10
oh my god i cant believe im anwsering this question

Sound Quality : 8
i am going thru a strat to : boss cromatic tuner -> morley a/b switch -> (channel A) boss noise supressor(send) ->j.everman fuzz drive -> tech 21 sansamp classic -> vintage ibanez eq (return) -> dunlop univibe -> phase 90 -> 2nd morley a/b....(channel b) boss turbo distortion -> boss eq -> 2nd morley a/b and out to a marshall vs100 head rocking a crate 4x12

this is a sweet pedal ,a must have

Reliability : 10
totally

Customer Support : No Opinion
never had to deal with the company

Overall Rating : 8


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $69.99
Submitted 04/24/2002 at 06:11pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Piece of cake!

Sound Quality : 5
This was a Reissue which boosts the signal and distorts the sound. Therefore i sent it back for a Small Stone USA Reissue so we will see which is better. Its got to be better than this thing. It has a nice phase sound but the problems with it i cant overlook. I also have a Pt-999 Maxon Phase Tone Reissue and it kicks this pedals butt! I am going to buy a vintage Script Phase 90 soon and i sure i wont be disapointed and wont have these distortion and level boost problems. I would say BUY A VINTAGE ONE!!!!!!!!

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 5
Just look at the sound quality review. I tell no lie!!!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $110
Submitted 04/23/2002 at 03:43pm by Jon Nelson
Email: the_vorpal at yahoo<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
Simple as can be, a one-knob stomp box.

Sound Quality : 9
As has been noted, this is a very retro-sounding effect that has a lot of use in the experimentations of the blues-based so-called psychedelic guitar players from Britain and the US in the 1970s. Consequently, it has a bit of a period-based sound. Since the effect is mostly there to generate that sort of feel anyway, I give it a 9 since it does its job very well. Overall, it's quiet and cool. I use older Ibanez guitars or a Cort hollow-body and a Crate amplification setup (other effects vary greatly). Sound is pleasing.

Reliability : 5
I must be really hard on my stomp boxes; either that, or I got a bum model. After two months' use, the switch stopped working inexplicably. Being an engineer, I preferred taking it apart myself and fixing it to attempting to wrangle with customer support/warranty hassles. The switch was easy enough to fix, and might have just been a bad one. However, no less than a week later, the knob breaks off. I'm really starting to wonder about how "tough" these things are, though to be honest there was an accident involving stumbling around in the dark after a power outage which involved trampling the pedal in a slightly unusual manner (apparently, I stepped right on the knob part and broke it). Since a stomp box is intended to be, well, STOMPED, this annoyed me. Determining that the pot was broken, I obtained a new pot and put it in. Nothing. Zip, zilch, nada. In fact, the pedal sits, broken and lifeless, in my "spare parts" box. Maybe some day I'll attempt to fix it again, though for the life of me I can't imagine what happened. It was completely re-assembled in the precise way it was, but to no avail.

Customer Support : 6
They tried to help me, but ultimately were unable to do so. It takes a while to filter through the multiple layers of sales people they use for customer support to get to a knowledgeable person, but once you get one they try hard to help. Given that they still couldn't fix it (their suggestion was to buy a new one, since I hadn't registered a warranty or anything and, in fact, had opened it once before, I must have broken it myself). I might eventually buy a new one, but I'm still bitter about losing this one after less than two months' performance.

Overall Rating : 7
Loved the effect and sound, hated its ultra-short lifetime. Might replace it and use the warranty card this time. Stomp boxes ain't really stomp-able like they used to be.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 04/03/2002 at 08:57am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : No Opinion
CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS POST:

As stated below, this thing has an internal trim pot. I do not recommend that you mess with it. It took me a long time to find it's original setting, and I had to A/B it with another one to get it perfect.

Also, I looked into a newsgroup to find possible mods to make the effect mellower. I found three mods in the newsgroup. I contacted Dunlop to confirm the mods and was told by them that they were accurate. Here are the mods:


To: customerservice@jimdunlop.com
Subject: Reissue Phase 90

Hi I was wondering if you could help me with a small problem I'm having with
my Phase 90. It seems to slightly boost my volume when switched on and also
seems to distort slightly at certain frequencies of it's phase cycle. Namely
the midrange tones. What can I do to "turn it down"?


There are few things you could try. First off, I do not know you technical
skills, therefore I hope the following maybe be helpful to you.

1) Removing the Pre and De-emphasis will result in a slightly higher noise
floor while raising the headroom at 1.3Khz +3dB and 7.2Khz +12dB. Procedure:
Remove C11 (.01MF) and C12 (680PF).
2) Removing the feedback around the Phaser circuit will diminish
regeneration. This will result in a mellower effect, reduce the midrange
frequency response, and sound more like the earlier SCRIPT MXR Phase 90s.
Procedure: Remove R28 (24K).
3) For lowering the overall effect output change R7 from 150K to a 100K
or -3dB reduction, R7 150K to a for -2dB reduction. This modification
should only be done in conjunction with modification #1.

Modifications #1 and #2 can be done separately or together.



I was only interested in the second mod, and could not find the resistor since it was so closely soldered to the board, and here was Dunlop's response:

Hello,

The resistor (R28) is the bottom resistor on top of the output jack to the left of
the stacked capacitors. This is if you're looking down at the board (top
view).

Contact Dunlop if you have any questions. Hope this helps.





Sound Quality : No Opinion

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70
Submitted 03/26/2002 at 07:45am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 9
One knob, but also a trim pot internal, so if you want to mess with that, it's a bit tricky.

Sound Quality : 10
Classic phase sound. Far better than the boss, which is metallic sounding, and doesn't work right with leads. Not noisy in my chain Strat >5 stompboxes >Super Reverb.

Originally bought a MXR Phase 100, but I didn't like the way it sounded. Not very natural and warm to my ears. This one is 10 times better.

Reliability : 10
No problems

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
Here's the scoop:

1. There is a trimpot internal to this effect. It's located at the top of the board covered in epoxy. I took the board out and was able to get to the pot from the other side. I was then able to remove the epoxy, reassemble and adjust to see what it did. Basically it kind of acts as a bias adjustment. If you turn it all the way to the left or right, there is no phase. Within the middle is where the phase is, and it's a very small portion of that middle, so any mild adjustment will have extreme results. The results are not one of effect level like some people think. What the pot does is make the phase wave inconsistent in its peak. Example, low peak, low peak, high peak, etc. Until you reach that sweet spot where the phase is consistent. Not having it set right also makes the effect sound rather thin and metallic, so after all of this fiddling, in my opinion, it's best to LEAVE IT ALONE (Hence, the epoxy, duh...). If you must tinker, be sure to mark where it was to begin with, because it will be very difficult to find since you don't have much room to play with.

2. Part of the reason why I messed with the pot was to determine if it had to do with level. EVH's phase always sounds subtle to me, and that's what I was going for -- one that I can use for leads that doesn't make people annoyed everytime I kick it on. After fiddling and that not working, I started searching the net on his setup to see if he had it modded in any way. I found a diagram of his setup, and noticed that he used it BEFORE his dummy load (back in the old VH), which was essentially providing his distortion. So, I put it before my overdrive pedal in the effects chain, and there you have it! A subtle sounding phase that works great for leads! Plus, it doesn't boost the overall volume in the chain either with it in front of overdrive. Having it after the overdrive allows for an overall boost, and the effect is much more dramatic and noticable, even at the lowest setting, so for whatever sound you are after, it is very important where you put this in the chain.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $75 used
Submitted 03/17/2002 at 07:59pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Its pretty confusing with all the knobs!!

Sound Quality : 10
I use les pauls and marshalls and some various old fuzz boxes and such. This pedal is perfect, Mine is a 1978 model right after the script logos. Kicks the shitty dunlop reissues right in the ass. Dunlop sucks eversince my crybaby stoped working, but thats another review. Anyway its real nice warm swooshy phasing and can sound good with any of the settings. To hear what it sounds like take a good listen to my god Jimmy Page's work on Physical Graffiti and Presence.
Especially "Nobodys fault but mine" and "In my time of dying". I think Dave Gilmour from Floyd uses one. I guess if I had to think of something bad to say it would be that it could maybe use a level knob.

Reliability : 10
This thing fells like a brick and I dont think it could break if you wanted it to!

Customer Support : 2
I think MXR went belly up in the 80's so no comment but I will give a review for Dunlops shitty service. No one at that company gives a shit or knows a shit, which I experienced when I bought a crybaby.

Overall Rating : 10
Probably one of the best and most useful effect boxes ever. I play classic rock like Led zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Rush(by the way very useful in 2112)and its awesome. I would buy a new one in a matter of days. You should buy one!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $47 used
Submitted 03/08/2002 at 08:41am by Raul
Email: Mvnkykee at hotmail<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
Two words: ONE KNOB. Yup, my dog has been able to work this pedal with his paw.

Sound Quality : 10
one word: BEAUTIFUL. Gorgeous phasing, makes me want to spin in circles like a little girl.

Reliability : 10
Looks like it could take some hardcore stomps on it and still be okay.

Customer Support : 1
I've actually dealt with Dunlop's Customer Support. SUCKS! They are quite quick on responding e-mails, but they tend to not answer much, and just send you a number to call. When you call, there is an infinite hold time, only to get a receptionist to answer, and LIE to you. I asked for a manual for my PHASE 90, just to have it, and the girl tells me "Suuuuure, what is your address so we can send you one". I give her my address and think, great, that was easy. I wait a month, I e-mail them, and they tell me there IS NO SUCH THING. They have NO manuals, they won't get done until SUMMER, they NEVER HAD manuals. Great huh? It's not a big deal, I just wanted a Manual, I have this thing where I need the Manual for everything just because it makes the product feel more complete. I just don't think it was good to lie to a customer like that, and for that, they get a 1.

Overall Rating : 9
This is a MUST have pedal for any guitarist, it just sounds pretty. Only two things suck, CUSTOMER SUPPORT, and the fact that it uses a 3.5mm ac adapter, which makes it pretty much impossible to add it on to a daisy chain for all your effects. If anybody knows of a way to save myself 15 bucks for ANOTHER AC adapter, please email me at Mvnkykee@hotmail.com. Other than that, sound is great. And you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars on it. Only getting a 9 because of Cust. Support.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 02/22/2002 at 10:19am by Rocky
Email: tlewisguitarist at hotmail<dot>com

Ease of Use : No Opinion

Sound Quality : No Opinion
This may be the wrong place for me to be writing this but, when I first got my Phase 90 I was using it with a strat type Pacifica with Seymour Duncan single coils and the sound was excellent.

Since then I have bought a Yamaha SG 700 with Seymour humbuckers and have had a real bad problem with distortion when the Phase 90 is on. So much so that I have to change guitar whenever I want to use the effect.

I have tried to rectifiy this by using coil taps on the pickups and even placing a compressor in front of the Phase 90. These solutions didn't work, the comp helped a bit but the Boss CS-3 I used seemed to suck too much tone from the guitar for me to use it.

Anyone else had this prob or know how to resolve it? i noticed another reviewer (tinebiter ) had experienced a distorion problem and maybe if he tried a different guitar it may solve his problem.


Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion
besides from this, with a strat type guitar I found the tone of the pedal to be very pleasing and it is so simple a child could use it.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $80
Submitted 02/21/2002 at 08:28pm by Christopher Gloria
Email: vikingwizardeyes<at>blink182mail dot com

Ease of Use : 10
DERRRR! One Knob come on!

Sound Quality : 10
Perfect! this pedal gives a slight increase in output so it adds a little distortion which works for this pedal. I feel the best way to use this pedal is with the speed knob at about 10 to 11 o'clock, here is where you will fin the sweet spot where it gives nice swooshing sound. the only song i can really imagine you would use this knob all the way up or almost all the way up is the beginning of "Nobody's Fault But Mine" by led zeppelin. Heres my setup.
Gibson Les Paul-->Phase 90---->Boss Chorus ensemble--->Maestro Echoplex--->Modified Mesa/Boogie Triple rectifier with Mesa cab loaded with Celestion vintage 30's.

Reliability : 10
There shouldnt be any problems with this pedal at all. I would trust it through a gig. It is very heavy for a little pedal so if it is dropped or something it should be pretty resilient.

Customer Support : No Opinion
never needed

Overall Rating : 10
If you play classics why would you buy any other pedal if this is the one they used? This should be the only pedal for phase it is perfect.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: 870 French Francs
Submitted 02/21/2002 at 03:32pm by Red_Fish
Email: red<dot>fish at freesurf<dot>fr

Ease of Use : 10
1 knob, couldn't be easier ... anual is useless (ahaha and in a box there was a Crybaby manual !).
Here's my setup: Fender American Tele std. -> Boss dd3 -> ProCo Turbo Rat -> Marshall Guv'Nor (MKI) -> Phase 90 -> Fender HRD.

Sound Quality : 9
Very nice sound, classic phase ... very low noise when turned on.
It's the sound i was searching: Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, Incubus ... they all use this pedal.
I can get very interessant sounds when i use it with my delay.
BUT this reissue boosts the volume when you use it ... so when i use it with a Rat it's ok, but with the Guv' there is a big volume boost which is very annoying.
Without this boost i would give it a 10 ...


Reliability : No Opinion
Mine is only 3 months old ... but seems very reliable.

Customer Support : No Opinion
no idea.

Overall Rating : 8
I mainly play rock/alternatif/experimental music and this pedal feets me well.
I really like the sound, the ease of use and the true bipass.
If it were stolen, i think i would buy it again, but not necassary brand new.
I only give it a 8 beacause of the price: here in France those things are really expensive ... without this and the slight volume boost i would have give it a 9.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $69.95
Submitted 02/05/2002 at 09:15am by Jason Kerkezi

Ease of Use : 10
Bonehead simple. Come on people, ONE KNOB?!? I think the real test is where to put it in your signal chain. Mine goes first, because if I put it after anything else, I get a very non-musical phase sound, which hurts my ears. My signal chain goes like this: Parker Nitefly-M > Phase 90 > Akai Shred-O-Matic > Guyatone HD-2 Harmonic Distortion > Prescription Electronics Yardbox > Line 6 DL-4 Delay Modeler > Reverend Hellhound.

Sound Quality : 9
Okay, there is the good and there is the bad. First of all, I'll start with the good. This pedal provides THE classic phase sound. It is also ultra quiet. I am not sure if it is true bypass, but it doesn't seem to degrade signal quality to any noticable extent. Now, as far as the sound quality goes, it is very good. Phase is a unique effect, and the Phase 90 is no exception. This is not a jet-type phaser, it's a more of a musical, tremolo-type phase that blends in very well with most guitar sounds. It is almost like a traditional tremolo pedal being run through a wah-wah, but not too dramatic sounding. Sprinkle on a little bit of swoosh and wobble, and there you go. Interestingly, I find myself keeping the Phase 90 on about 75% of the time at the very lowest setting. This setting gives me the phase effect without the noticable tremolo dip. The volume swell and loss of the tremolo part of the phase can be a little bit distracting, and at extreme settings the Phase 90 sounds a lot more like a traditional tremolo pedal. Now for the bad....not so much when at the lowest setting, but anything with the speed dial at 50% or more, whenever I play heavy strumming, I tend to get a muddy gain sound out of my Phase 90. I've posted this on some other boards and have been told that this is not typical of all Phase 90 pedals. But it can be very distracting, not to mention a bit disappointing. It seems most apparent when I have the gain on my Hellhound anywhere above 3. Other than that, I'm pretty pleased. I don't have any qualms about the lack of an output or depth knobs, I take effects for what the are, not what I think they should be. It's not terribly versatile, but what it does it does well. It's got the market on that clean, musical phase thing cornered. Again, I really love this thing with a clean guitar tone with the speed knob at the very lowest setting. Reminiscent of Siamese Dream Pumpkins, a la Rocket. Used sparingly and tastefully, this pedal would make a valuable addition to any setup.

Reliability : 10
Like all MXR pedals, this baby is built to last. I love the 'grainy' orange paint texture and the rubber knob that came with the Phase 90, to put on the knob for foot use. I'm currently using a battery, which is a small hassle to change out, but not unlike a ton of other pedals out there. Granted, it's actually better to have the battery secured in the actual box itself, keeps it nice and safe.

Customer Support : No Opinion
no idea.

Overall Rating : 9
As you could guess, I'm a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan. I also dig Weezer, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, the whole early 90's alt.rock scene. I also have a flair for psychadelic surf music, a la The Mermen. Check them out if you love good surf guitar with a melodic twist. I've been playing for 11 years, and I'm very happy with my setup as it is, but I've still got a lot to go. I had to pawn my old set up, which showcased a Fender Custom Shop Vibro-King amp with A Stratocaster Plus with Lace Sensor pickups. Now I play a Parker Nitefly-M thru a Reverend Hellhound. The Phase 90 is a good pedal. Not spectacular, not life-changing, just a good pedal. It is the epitome of a single-effect pedal, it does one effect superbly, not a dozen variation of one effect adequately. It has its time and its place in any genre of music, and that is tits purpose. Not as a panacea, all-purpose device. If that is what you expect out of all your pedals, good luck. But the Phase 90 is one flavor of one effect. Nothing more, nothing less. And it does that flavor quietly, musically, with much tone and quality. Cool.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 01/08/2002 at 07:27am by guitarmaniac_ph

Ease of Use : 10

Sound Quality : No Opinion

This is my second review for this pedal, and i must say that I get to love it more and more the longer I use it.

It's funny, I remember the first night I used it, I felt kinda 'seasick' just listening to the sound with the speed knob at the higher settings (i.e. 3 oclock and beyond).

But as the months went on, I dunno, I guess I've sort of gotten accustomed to that 'swirl,' which I've realized is that sort of quality that you can't find in other phasers or 'vibey' effects.

I have a friend who has a Voodoo Labs Microvibe and wasn't too impressed with its sound quality. As most of the reviewers on this site mentioned, the 'tone' quality varies from pedal to pedal. And my friend's vibe was not an exception. It kinda lacked treble.

Anyways, my fondness for the Phase 90 stems from that 'throbby,' pulsating swirl. When you develop tolerance to that 'seasicky' effect,you'll soon start hearing that effect in most of today's songs. Listening to most of the Motown and 70s records also made me more sensitive to that 'sound,' which I think this Phase 90 nails pretty well.

Now that I've heard Boss's VB-2 Vibrato pedal, I realized that the phase 90 actually has quite a variety of vibrato speeds crammed into that '3 o clock' to its maximum setting, so much so that the slightest turn of the knob makes a big difference in the speed!

Amazing! Really amazing! With a really good reverb unit, the phase 90 can stand alone as your sole 'modulation' pedal, and the different speed settings make it a gem!

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $80 bucks
Submitted 11/27/2001 at 07:15pm by Ian

Ease of Use : 9
This pedal i svery easy to use, i didint get a manual with mine but amonkey could wor it, i usually set it at 11 o clock to get a good swirl that wont make people dizzy

Sound Quality : 10
My main weapons are a gibson epiphone Les Paul and a Standard Telecaster >Vox Wah Wah >BOSS Chorus ensamble>MXR Phase 90> BOSS DD-% Delay> Marshall Amp. My favorite Bands are Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Stones,Guns n Roses,Bad Company, Hendrix etc etc.
I can get a perfect Jimmy Page sound with the mxr....well page sound circa physical graffiti and after, this little pedal was all over those albums.

Reliability : 10
There are 3 things i can depend on in my life...Taxes,Death,AC/DC never selling out, and this pedal not braking, its great

Customer Support : 7
i get the pedal right away...never had to deal with the company so they get a 7

Overall Rating : 10
I play mainly classic rock or blues based hard rock, but i can play anything from folk to reggea to eastern influenced stuff.If this was lost id buy a new one... if it was stolen id hunt whoever stole and beat the crap out of them and make them buy me a new one because they use my old one, heh


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $80
Submitted 11/18/2001 at 08:26am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Terrifically easy to use. One knob that affects the speed, but I think it also affects the depth as to always give a pleasing tone. I guess rather than to say it affects "speed" alone, I would say it should be called the "character" knob.

Sound Quality : 9
I play bass in an "alternative-metal" band. I'm using a Warwick Thumb 5 Neck - Through with an Ampeg SVT-III Pro head into a Genz - Benz 4x10 cab. One of my guitarists left and I needed to help thicken up the sound, since I wasn't using pedals before. My effects consist of Ibanez PD7-->Boss Bass Synth--->MXR Phase 90--->Boss DD3 Delay. The sound from this box is very good. I use a lot of boost from the preamp on the bass itself, so the high end is a bit overbearing at times. So I play pretty light, and focus on making the lows stand out.

Reliability : 9
Very dependable. Gigging without a backup is not a concern for me. Although, if you use batteries in it be cautios. It's not like a Boss pedal where it's easy to get the the battery area. That's right, it's screwdriver time...

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealt with them

Overall Rating : 9
The phase sounds are just what I was looking for. I like not having to tweak knobs to get the right tone. It's already there. Just match up the rate of the sweep with the song, or just make it close or whatever.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $60.00
Submitted 10/29/2001 at 10:31pm by RJ

Ease of Use : 10
Yes, it's easy to use.

Sound Quality : 8
Okay, I'm using an American Tele into a Twin Reverb. I use this pedal with a Boss DD-5 and an Ernie Ball Volume. Well, this pedal sounds exactly as I thought it would...it's a very lo-fi phaser, but that's the basis of its appeal. When switched on, this pedal boosts the volume and has a tendency to distort your signal, and I think that's wonderful. It's not high tech, but at least there's no background noise when it's switched off. I think that the effect is kind of subtle when its set to slower speeds...it's kind of mellow when it's set that low. When you put the knob at 11 o'clock, you start to get that uni-vibe sound. At 3 o'clock, you get the underwater sound. These are all sounds that you've heard before, but people are always finding new ways to use this thing.

Reliability : 8
I have a Dunlop reissue, and I've had no problems at all.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
You can use this pedal with pretty much any style of music imaginable. I play alternative/indie rock, jazz, and funk, among others, and this pedal is on constantly. It's simply an integral part of any guitarists rig. I do wish that the phase 90 had a depth control, because I would like to have the option to switch from smooth and mellow phasing to ridiculously intense swooshing (is that a word?). Overall, the phase 90 adds some very nice sounds to my setup, and sometimes it adds some unexpected ones (like distortion). You gotta love this quirky bastard!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $100
Submitted 10/23/2001 at 11:25am by Gertjan Hensens, the Netherlands

Ease of Use : 10
This nice orange stomp box just has an on/off switch and a control knob for "speed". So, switch it on and turn the speed control up or down. For me the 10 o'clock position gave the best sound, a warm, slow deep phasing effect. If you want to, it can get very extreme, but with the deep control beyond the 3 o'clock position I got sea sick.

Sound Quality : 9
The sound quality is very good. I used it with my Carvin MTS3210 combo and a Charvel 475 Lefty. The effect sound is warm and is very clearly present, even with high gain settings on my amp. The only other phaser I used and can compare the Phase 90 with, is the one in my Boss GX700 effects processor. The Boss is no match for this stomp box. I tried to get some early Van Halen sounds with it and I must see I wasn't disappointed.

Reliability : 9
This thing is very reliable, it simply always works. And though it's small, the Phase 90 is built like a tank. No problem to use this one gig after gig.

Customer Support : No Opinion
I haven't had any problems with my MXR, so I can't tell wether they deliver good customer support or not.

Overall Rating : 9
Like some 99% of all guitar players my main styles are rock, blues and pop. Think Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore and a little Satriani. I've been playing for 12 years now. Besides the Phase 90 I use a Boss DD5 delay, a Boss CE5 chorus, a Boss BF2 flanger, a Morley Pro Series II wah, a Boss BD2 overdrive and a Boss GE7 equalizer. My guitar is a lefthanded Charvel 475, my amp a Carvin MTS3210 combo. The MXR is part of a setup with I can use to create every sound I want to, though it's not necessary to get "my sound" (for that, I rely on my hands, guitar and amp mostly). But if it got stolen, I think I'd buy another one.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $55
Submitted 09/28/2001 at 12:54pm by John

Ease of Use : 10
There's just one knob for speed so it's pretty easy to find the sound you want. Didn't get a manual, but i can't imagine what it would have to say.

Sound Quality : 8
I play a fender standard strat with various lace sensors, and i use lots of different effects at different times. My amp right now is an old Peavey 15 watt, so the sound isn't going to be pristine no matter what I play. Still this pedal is pretty cool. You can get anything from slow, swirling phase to rapid machine gun phase and everything in between. I especially like using this on the clean channel. It really sounds warm, my first thought was "fake plastic trees' by radiohead. Especially when you use distortion there's a noticeable volume boost. This is cool for solos and stuff, but overall it's just annoying, and the one thing i really don't like about this pedal. I'm not an expert on true bypass, but i can definately hear a difference in tone when using it. just get a sonic maximizer or a boss enhancer off ebay. though it does boost your signal, the sound you get with distortion is pretty good as well. i'll usually run a big muff or a creamy dreamer through it, and it sounds cool. the tone coming out of it is very dirty sounding in my opinion, but that's just part of its character

Reliability : 10
these mxr boxes are tough. i wouldn't worry

Customer Support : No Opinion
never dealt with em

Overall Rating : 9
I like Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Weezer, At the Drive In, Cocteau Twins. This pedal can do great things with the clean signal, especially when combined with a chorus and/or delay. As far as the electric sound, I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a dirtier type phase. if you want machina era pumpkins sound get the small stone instead. It sounds much cleaner and more polished than the phase 90. if you want the sonic youth sound get the phase 90. I know thurston uses one cause i saw it when they played in atlanta, and it makes sense. the sound from the pedal (when distorted) is very scratchy (that's the only word i cand think of to describe it) and it matches their sound to a T. if it were stolen or lost, i'd probably buy a phase 100 just cause those give you a few more options with your sound. for the price i paid i'm happy with it


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $78.95
Submitted 08/31/2001 at 05:17am by Steve

Ease of Use : 10
It has one knob. If you have a problem with this then you need stronger medication.

Sound Quality : 8
At last, something to rival the Small Stone. That great 4-stage phase sound is just great for rhythm guitar and electric piano. I've used it on my Rhodes and Wurlitzer pianos, and on my strat too. It doesn't have the background noise thet a smallstone does and sounds every bit as warm and deep. It does seem to threaten to overdrive a bit when the sweep goes right down, there's a definite hint of distortion even with a clean strat. This happens through both a clean tube amp and solid state PA system. It's not really a problem, it just part of the character of the thing.

Reliability : 10
It's built like a brick shithouse. Dunno wether I'd gig it without an AC adapter though, I don't really trust batteries.

Customer Support : No Opinion
I live in the UK. If it breaks it'd be cheaper to buy a new one than arse about sending it back to the states for repair I should think. I ordered the thing on the net from the US anyway and it saved me about #30 on the UK price I would have paid here.

Overall Rating : 8
It's a great little pedal, easily used and quite versatile. It's great for that '70s warbling noise that's popular again. A good substitute for people who can't afford a univibe. It would be more versatile if it had a depth knob but I get by just fine with it as it is. Anyone who wants to use effects just HAS to have a phase 90 anyway, don't they?


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 07/18/2001 at 02:22pm by Andy
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
It just cant be simpler! No rocket science needed here.

Sound Quality : 10
I currently use a mesa boogie solo 50 head, and musicman axis guitar.
I plug this straight in and thats it! Just leave it around 10 o clock.
Unlike modern pedals, these things have a real depth and warmth, excellent performer live and in the studio.

Reliability : 10
Since I spilled beer on it, the switch is a little sticky(hey it's rock 'n roll) but besides my human error this thing is bombproof!!
Who carries back-up pedals anyway?

Customer Support : No Opinion
Hopefully no need.

Overall Rating : 10
When I got this thing about a year ago, I used it sparingly, and now I cant stop stamping on the thing, I use it way too much!!
A little noisy when recording, but it's one small concession. This little box rocks. A real talent booster.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $65
Submitted 07/16/2001 at 10:58am by Chris Sadlers

Ease of Use : 10
simplest pedal to use. Step on it and turn the one and only knob to get what sound you want.

Sound Quality : 9
I am using a Ampeg Big Stud BASS and Cort Five String Fretless Bass into a Gallien Krueger 800 into a Bag End 4x10 and it sounds excellent. It does give off some background noise but all modulation effects give that sweep. Its nothing to noticable and if anything gives a pretty cool spacey background effect. This is the best phaser ive heard and handles most notes on bass just fine. Its great down to a low E but loses the phase sound below that, but I still think this has to be the best phaser out there for bass. I use a lot of effects on bass and though i dont like to mix it with many of my other effects (most are modulations or overdrives) i think it would work well with the right effects (light chorus).

Reliability : No Opinion
I have never had a problem with it. Seems like a small metal brick and dont think i could possible break it. I would give without it.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
I play in a rock/metal/funk band and i think it works great with the other weird effects i use on bass. I would buy another if it was stolen. This is the best phaser ive heard for bass and also for guitar and would recommend it for anyone.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: (1,200 philippine pesos)
Submitted 07/12/2001 at 11:18am by Anonymous
Email: guitarmaniac_ph<at>yahoo dot com

Ease of Use : No Opinion
Very easy. Just plug in and tweak the speed knob.

Sound Quality : 10
Amazing!!! I've finally nailed that 70s jazz fusion sound popularized by the studio guys like Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Steve Khan. At the 11 0 clock setting, it gives you that lush sound found in most of the late 70s jazz fusion albums.


Reliability : No Opinion
Had it for only a month now. Seems sturdy.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
Thanks to the rave reviews here, I've decided to give it a try.

Unlike most of the guys who seem to like this for its rock applications (and I definitely agree with most of them), I loved it for its jazz potential.

I've long been a fan of Grant Geissman, and loved his solo in Chuck Mangione's late 70s album, 'Feels So Good.' Well, the phase 90, with the speed set to 10:30-11 o clock nails that Geissman sound!!! As I said, it's a very deep, lush, swirly effect that makes it perfect also for funk. At times, it could even simulate a wah-wah effect.

Speed set to 3 o clock gives you that univibe effect, which so far I haven't really exploited yet. Tried the Van Halen thingie too on the Eruption solo, and this does it pretty well.

I can't say this is better than the other brands, since I haven't really heard all of 'em. But for its 'vintage' vibe, I just felt that it's a welcome addition to my bag of tricks. This one and the MXR Dynacomp make a good addition to anyone's arsenal.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $69.95
Submitted 07/04/2001 at 10:27am by Drew
Email: Musician14 at aol<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
Excellent pedal, very easy to use, one knob for speed.

Sound Quality : 10
I use this with a fender deluxe strat > mxr phase 90 > fulltone fulldrive > crybaby wah > into a fender hot rod deville 4 10". There is no noise at all besides the actual effect. I read about a distortion at certain frequencies and I have found out it works best before a dist./ overdrive pedal. You can get the sounds from Dark Side of the Moon from Pink Floyd, Silverchair's "Abuse Me", SRV's "Cold Shot", and more. It sounds good with my fulldrive and sounds cool with a wah on.

Reliability : 10
It is built like a tank. I would gig without a backup. Works best in my opinion with a ac adapter.

Customer Support : No Opinion
never dealt with them

Overall Rating : 10
I play blues, classic rock, alternative, funk, and pretty much anything with a guitar. This pedal is really benificial. I wouldn't have to buy it again.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $25.00 used
Submitted 06/16/2001 at 09:42pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 8
One knob for speed. It can't get easier. Replacing the battery however is kind of a pain.

Sound Quality : 10
I bought my Phase 90 used in 1985. It is the best pedal deal I have ever made. The sound is perfect. If you want to replicate the rhythm guitar on Rolling Stone's 'Shattered', the Phase 90 and a little distortion is all you need.

Reliability : 10
Never had a problem.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never needed customer support.

Overall Rating : 10
If you want THE phase pedal, do not look any further.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $55
Submitted 06/08/2001 at 12:07am by tinebiter

Ease of Use : 4
very easy to get alot of intermodulation disTrortion-YUCK! WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT GREAT PHASE 90 SOUND I ASK?

Sound Quality : 3
MY BUD BOX,BLOCK,AND 93 RE ISSUE DONT DISTORT LIKE THIS WHATS UP?

Reliability : 2
THEY ARE GETTING WORSE! NOT BETTER! COME ON JIMMY!(I LOVE PHASE 90'S)

Customer Support : 7
JASON JASON JASON!

Overall Rating : 3
tHEY NEED TO GET RID OF THAT DISTORTION IN THE PHASE SWEEP! TOO MUCH FOR A rhodes piano. Its a classic Jim, dont let go down hill!!!!!!I mean it dam it!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $69.99
Submitted 06/04/2001 at 12:02pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Very easy to use, one knob

Sound Quality : 10
Excellent sound, by far the best of all the phasers I tested. I use a Strat through vibrato/chorus, wah, phaser, delay, TS-9. I can recreate the phase sounds of evrything from Pink Floyd, to Eddie Van Halen, to Mike McCready. allround great quality of sound just find the setting you prefer and go!

Reliability : 10
very sturdy, very depenable, battery or adapter

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never had to call Dunlop

Overall Rating : 10
Overall great pedal, I play rock just about everything from SRV to STP anything really, Great effect, would definitely get another if anything ever happened to it, Easy to use and great sound. Would recommend to anyone looking for a phaser!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 06/02/2001 at 12:28pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
I think you can figure it out.

Sound Quality : 9
I have a newer model and like everyone else says, it puts out some distortion in the middle of the sweep. I only use it when I'm playing distorted, so it doesn't matter to me. Besides that, it's the best phaser I've heard. Their reputation is well deserved.

Reliability : No Opinion
Haven't had it long enough to know.

Customer Support : No Opinion
I dunno

Overall Rating : 9
I play blues, rock, metal, whatever. This is a great pedal, I like to use it when I'm playing leads sometimes. I just love the dynamics it adds. I have compared it to the boss, and the phase 100. Tthe boss pedal sucked and is worthless. As for the phase100, its not bad but I really could't tell much of a difference in the different wave patterns. And honestly, anyone who is not a musician won't know either.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: 125 (Cdn)
Submitted 05/11/2001 at 10:09am by Chris Gunter

Ease of Use : 10
This pedal is very easy to use as it has one knob! Speed.

Sound Quality : 7
This pedal sounds good from a slow phase to a fast tremolo like warble.
However the original versions of this pedal sound better.
This new Dunlop reissue seems to boost your signal and adds some distortion at certain frequencies.

Reliability : 10
Never had a problem with dependability.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealt with the company

Overall Rating : 7
This is good effect however as stated before the original ones sound better


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 05/10/2001 at 10:11pm by Andrew Jadczak
Email: hangwire<at>angelfire dot com

Ease of Use : 10
1 nob...ok, everyone else said it. Easy, but could use some other features...but that shouldn't bring down the rating.

Sound Quality : 9
I play experimental (Sonic Youth-ish) tunes...sounds great. I play: guitars - Arion Stage Tuner - ElectroHarmonix Bad Stone (2 nob version) phaser (also some psuedo-ring modulation sounds) - DOD FX51 Juice Box (booster)- 3MS aToner (custom built for me, wacky pedal) - MXR Phase90 - ElectroHarmonix Big Muff (reissue) - Digitech PDS 20/20 MultiPlay - Ampeg 12R Reverberocket amp. Fits in great, Thurston Moore (and possibly other memebers) of Sonic Youth use this pedal...can get their sounds and more, so it works great!

Reliability : 10
Seems fine, I have the other phaser if necessary...but I doubt the MXR will fail me.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never needed to contact them.

Overall Rating : 9
Good phaser, I had many phasers, and this one is a great workhorse! Nicde an small as well, since this pedal sounds similar to a Small Stone, the size actually was a factor (I used to own a Small Stone, great pedal as well, I just got a trade offer for this pedal first).


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 04/20/2001 at 06:29am by jaqarow
Email: jaqarow<at>aol dot com

Ease of Use : No Opinion

Sound Quality : No Opinion

Reliability : 9
this is an update to my previous post in which i believe i unfairly slammed the phase 90. i said i returned it because i found that it changed my tone too radically. my experience, however, stemmed from placing the 90 after the distortion. subsequent experiments have taught me that, while the phasing effect is more pronounced when placed after distortion (i'm using a real tube overdrive and a fulltone soulbender), you get a transistory thinning of the sound which i found unacceptable. i've since purchased a reissue phase 100 and am using it before the distortion and am pretty pleased with it. some have described the sound as "watery" - that works for me. i like the 100 because there's more control over the level of effect. while i complained that the 90's effect was too strong, i have sinced discovered that - when actually playing in a band - the more subtle settings on the 100 get lost, and i end up going for a more extreme sound. so maybe the 90 was right in the pocket after all. anyway, i'm digging phasing now, and actually bought an old small stone too. the mxr has a somewhat clearer, more hi-fi tone to it, and i think that if i had to chose one i'd stick with the mxr. still, i think the small stone, with its color switch, is probably more versatile than the phase 90, as with that switch on you get a fairly extreme, chewy almost synthy sound. try stringing two phasers together - it's great! i'll set one with a slow sweep, the other with a faster univibey sound, and the sound is unbelievable. the down side, of course, is that you're going through two primitive 70's circuits at once (even when they're off!). thanks to SH for his help and advice

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $75
Submitted 03/21/2001 at 04:39pm by Ty Gerhardt
Email: tygerhardt at hotmail<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
One knob, one on/off switch. If you can't figure this out, you had better check your pulse, you may be dead.

Sound Quality : 7
This pedal offers a very classic phasing sound. It's a bit harder in tone than the Electro Harmonix Small Stone (I prefer the Stone about 7 out of 10 times) but it's still a very cool pedal. I have never heard a vintage Phase 90 in person, so I can't make that comparison. In my opinion it's better than the Boss and DOD phasers, and different than a Small Stone. The Phase 90 doesn't have true bypass so unless you are using this in an MIDI loop switcher and/or a buffered signal (like me) you will lose some tone. Not as much as you will with say a Big Muff, but enough to notice. This isn't a Hi-Fi, transparent effect. If you want to hear every ounce of your original tone try another phaser or give up on phasing all together. It's a good, not great sounding pedal.

Reliability : 4
If I didn't use a MIDI loop switcher, I would not even dream of using this pedal without a backup. I have had my Phase 90 for a couple of months and before putting in my system. Twice when I went to turn it on with it's footswitch, it wouldn't go on without hitting it again. The switches on these things are complete crap. To make matters worse, the switch is mounted directly to the circuit board making replacement with a good switch like the Fulltone 3PDT impossible.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never had to deal with Dunlop. Nice Crybaby Wah manual that came with my pedal though. How about a Phase 90 manual instead of the wah manual guys. I got the same damn wah manual with a Fuzz Face I bought a while back. By the way, if you're thinking of buying a Fuzz Face, save your pennies and get a Fulltone '69 pedal. It's a way better pedal even though Fulltone's customer service bites the big one.

Overall Rating : 7
I play mostly noise pop and vintage rock and roll. If it were stolen or damaged, I would probably replace it unless I could find something that sounds similar but better. Between the Phase 90 and the Small Stone, I've got all my phasing bases covered. I've replaced a Crybaby and a Fuzz Face with a RMC3 and a Fulltone 69 pedal. In my opinion, this is the only effect that Dunlop makes that can't be replaced with a better unit (I didn't even bother getting a Univibe reissue. Fulltone, Prescription Electronics and Roger Mayer already make better units). If there's anyone out there who knows of a killer phaser with a sound that's similar to the Phase 90 that's on par with Fulltone, Roger Mayer, etc. please e-mail me with the info/website that I can find it at and why you think it's better.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $80.
Submitted 03/04/2001 at 06:45am by jaqarow
Email: jaqarow at aol<dot>com

Ease of Use : 9
with one knob, its certainly easy to use. i guess i'm wishing that i could turn the effect down. i guess that's what phase 100's are for ...

Sound Quality : 5
i'm a traditionalist when it comes to tone, and favor vintage or reissue type gear. i'm playing a reissue strat or tele, a travis bean artist, and a les paul classic into a vibroverb reissue or mesa blue angel. my only (other) effects are a chandler tube driver and a DOD analog delay. i was looking for something to add a trippy effect, wihtout killing my tone. this phase 90 reissue has the major drawback of significantly brightening and thinning the tone. the only pickup setting i can use on my 57 reissue strat is the neck, and even that sounds thin. forget the brighter settings - no body at all. so this pedal fails the acid test by degrading a great guitar sound. i'm thinking of trying the phase 100 to see whether turning down the intensity of the effect will give back some of that expensive tone i've been working on all these years!

Reliability : No Opinion
seems solid enuff, though as i think i'll be returning it i can't really speak as to its reliability.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 5
agains, the effect is a little pronounced for my taste. i'd rather be able to leave the thing on and have it be barely noticeable. i play blues and classic rock, but i also have a psychedelic bent ingrained from listening to the dead for many years. jerry supposedly used the 100 - i know i never heard him getting an effect as in your face as this. i probably would have loved this when i was seventeen.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: 45 (English pounds) used
Submitted 02/07/2001 at 11:23am by Ben
Email: benc18uk<at>yahoo dot com

Ease of Use : 10
One knob for speed - EASY! This pedal is surely foolproof. As a bonus to the singular knob though, There's also a little trim pot in the circuitboard and if you turn it with a dinky little screwdriver it changes the intensity - phase 45 tones are acheivable with this. Cool. I have no manual but it doesn't really matter due to the amount of knobs onboard.

Sound Quality : 10
What can I say about the phase 90 without repeating the words of so many others? This pedal does it all - subtle warmimg up of your tone,leslie simulation,vocal swooshes - divine. If you like Radiohead,Floyd,Van Halen's 1st LP (or you want to get that riff to Bill Wither's 'Lovely Day' spot on!) then the phase 90 is your pedal. No noise either. I use this pedal with a Telecaster through tons of pedals (BigMuff,whammy/wah,RAT,MoogerFooger Ring Mod,BuzzBox to name a couple) and I can get some seriously wierd stuff happening. At the moment I'm into At the drive-in, Radiohead,Sebadoh,Blur,Salaryman, Dinosaur Jr,and Sonic Youth amongst others and the MXR phase 90 can create the sounds of these bands. I love the speed knob up full for wobblyness and also the slow phases it does - invaluable for picking out chord arpeggios.

Reliability : 9
MXR are built like brick out houses. The switch is good from what I can gather and the LED always comes on bright as you like. The knob is rock solid and you also get a little rubber tyre to put on the knob so you can change settings with your foot on the fly - neat idea. I have a SmallStone so if the MXR conks out I have backup but as I say the phase 90 is a tough cookie.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Don't know - I've never contacted them.

Overall Rating : 10
I bought the phase 90 of Yahoo auctions for #45 including a free lead and battery. The pedal had only ever seen home studio use and is in MINT condition - It truely was a steal. Ofcourse its sound that ultimately decides if a pedal stands or falls and this MXR reissue stands head and shoulders above modern day phasers at this price.
An intensity knob would be interesting but then again the simplicity of the phase 90 is one of the keys to its popularity and cult status. If you need a phaser thats not complex,won't break down after two weeks,fits onto nearly any pedalboard and that sounds top notch then this pedal is well worthy of your attention ...and your cash too.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70
Submitted 02/04/2001 at 02:17pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
the only thing that i think would be kewl with every swirly modulation type effect, would be to have the LED blink at how fast the rate is.

Sound Quality : 9
I'm using this with a custom mod strat with humbuckers, a duncan in the bridge and a dimarzio in the neck. It is very nice sounding. Very rolly sounding on slower settings, but always really silky sounding. I love how when the rates all the way up, the effect isn't all garbled like on my small stone. Sounds reminiscent of Blind Melon, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Pink Floyd. The Phase 90 is definitly a dirty sounding phaser, when I strum hard on clean tones it actually distorts. The small stone does not. However unlike the small stone, the volume does not dropped whben engaged, i actually think it might slighty boost it.

Reliability : No Opinion
I'm sort of worried about it. When I switch it on and off, it clicks very loudly, and sometimes the signal cuts out for like a millisecond. I hate this style switchs. I hate the one on my big muff, i hate it on my small stone, and I really hate it on this. But I will hope for the best.

Customer Support : 1
Thanks for the wah manual...

Overall Rating : 10
I would not get rid of it. It has such a beautiful sound, and is so simple to use. Definitely check this one out!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $35$
Submitted 01/27/2001 at 06:55pm by Rey
Email: stingrey1_<at>hotmail dot com

Ease of Use : 10
Dude this thing is the bomb, I love this thing, one knob, thats it and it sounds tight all over.

Sound Quality : 10
Man this thing sounds so tight! Its not noisy at all its so lush and full, I'm using it through a Laney VH100-R halfstack. wiht a strat it gets that jimi feel, with a lp it sounds tight and HUGE.

Reliability : 9
Ok i bought this thing in a pawnshop for 35$ and its in pretty ok condition but it looked like it had been used, but it works Great soudns great!

Customer Support : No Opinion
IDUNNO

Overall Rating : 10
I play Christian music funk/fusion/rock I love this pedal soo much, if it was stolen or lost, i'de be really really mad cause i got it at such a great price! I love the way it doesn't over power my sound with phase, like the super phaser i had before, the rate knob is prety much all you need. This pedal just flat out rocks, I paid 125$ for a super phaser, my friend bought this one and i traded him with no regrets whatsoever DA BOMB pedal. LOVE IT!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70
Submitted 01/14/2001 at 01:13pm by Nic Neufeld
Email: nicneufeld<at>hotmail dot com

Ease of Use : 10
Absolutely easy. One large speed knob, and an on/off switch. I dont need a whole bunch of pedals each with their own volume and eq knobs to screw up my tone, I just like something simple. I suppose it would be nice to adjust the depth of the phasing as well, but its set just right for me. And I think theres a trim pot inside that lets you do it anyway.

Sound Quality : 9
I use this pedal mainly with my Rickenbacker bass (I use a Rotovibe for my electric guitars). It imparts a rich warm tonality to it, as long as you keep it rather slow (speed knob). When it gets going faster it becomes more of a distraction, at least with a bass. Amongst other effects, I run a Fulltone BassDrive overdrive pedal before this in the chain. They sound very cool combined...works very well to fill in space in my progressive 3 piece band. If the speed is up with the distortion on, then things get a bit too crazy. The phaser sounds wonderful. It doesnt sound sterile and cold like a chorus or a flanger, but warm and natural. It pulses, reminding me of a leslie. One of these days Im going to try my bass through a Leslie (or leslie effect) just to see what it sounds like. One complaint though...it does distort occasionally. Strat pickups and my rickenbacker pickups dont drive it that hard, but my stock Gibson les paul pickups do. Nasty sort of distortion, not nice when you want clean phaser sound. Thats why i use the more tame Rotovibe for a guitar phaser. But overall great.

Reliability : No Opinion
?

Customer Support : No Opinion
?

Overall Rating : 10
I play quirky prog rock, and this is a great addition to my weird bass stylings. Perhaps Im just a frustrated guitarist who wants as many toys as his six string wielding compadre, or perhaps I just like the tone. Either way, this is a great little pedal, better than the EH Small Stone I ran it up against. Great sound, very usable.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70-150$
Submitted 01/13/2001 at 09:20pm by david ell(rhodes tech)
Email: davidell73 at hotmail<dot>com

Ease of Use : No Opinion
the easiest phaser on the planet!

Sound Quality : No Opinion
this is the best sound effect you can put on a rhodes piano.Using it in only one channel on the suitcase amp is best.The reissues sound great.The bud box script logos are better.They dont get in the way of your attack as much.

Reliability : No Opinion
I have had a reissue go south on me after only two days.They sent me a new unit-free, no questions asked!

Customer Support : No Opinion
Jason at dunlop is your man-awsome customer service!

Overall Rating : No Opinion
11 this unit makes a fender rhodes piano sound awsome!


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 01/13/2001 at 06:09am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : No Opinion
In my post below I mentioned I knew how to adjust the depth of phase...Due to many emails, I have decided to post the instructions here.

Open up the bottom by removing the 4 screws. At the top center of the Printed Circuit board there is a little hole with a control in it. Use a small hex wrench to carefully turn this control. This control may be plugged with clear or white wax on some models. Just pick away at the wax with a paper clip until you see the hex hole. Play thru it as you adjust the control...You can hear the difference as you turn it.
Thats It!

Sound Quality : No Opinion

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $65
Submitted 01/03/2001 at 09:27pm by Brian White
Email: japetus462<at>hotmail dot com

Ease of Use : No Opinion
n/a

Sound Quality : No Opinion
n/a

Reliability : 1
Ok here is the deal. I have been playing guitar for 7 years...I have many many pedals and have had some of them for years..I take immaculate care of them. I LOVE the MXR Phase 90. The sad part is..the last 2 I have bought..have crapped out within a month..and sadly..not from user misuse. I tried batteries..the adaptor..they just dont phase and they distort after awhile. I am done dealing with MXR for good. It is really sad...I really love this pedal..when it works. It is an integral part of my tone...but I just cant rely on them anymore. I would actually like to talk to someone there and find out whats going on..my email is at the bottom. Please play your Phase 90's before you purchase them because a few of my friends have also complained about this phenomana...which scares me even more.

Customer Support : 1
I cant even find any way to contact them.

Overall Rating : 1
Great sounds, when they work...shoddy workmanship. If you can find an old one (script)..Id say go for it because obviously they dont care about how these are built now.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 12/29/2000 at 01:19pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : No Opinion

Sound Quality : No Opinion

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
Just wanna say this: the switch has done some weird stuff, but overall good for the money. Great tone: not extreme, just good sounding. Oh yeah, if you want the best way to use it, place it after a distortion unit but in front of the amp. I put it after a Metal zone and before a short delay: perfect tapping, EVH brown sound.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $80
Submitted 12/21/2000 at 09:46pm by nobody special
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
come on now

Sound Quality : 9
ok.....if it goes in front of the amp on the clean channel....its absolutley beautiful and magical.....in front of the amp on the overdrive channel....wow where did all that horrible mud come from? but in the effects loop on overdrive channel....ahhh how lovely.......in the effects loop on clean channel.....damnit to hell not quite as magical but not too bad .....overall very nice...and so tragic....also use a battery it just doesnt sound as nice with an adapter....battery life is long though

Reliability : 9
nothing is reliable....however this thing is nice and solid should last a long time if not a lifetime....

Customer Support : No Opinion
???

Overall Rating : 10
overall this thing is a lovely,magical,inexpensive,solid little bastard....not true bypass but is forgiving on your tone....really cant beat it for the price


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $70
Submitted 12/18/2000 at 06:50am by kd
Email: kdunn<at>msa dot com

Ease of Use : 10
very easy to use. Has 1 speed knob. That's it.

Sound Quality : 10
I use it with a strat into a Peavey Classic 50 amp.
It's not noisey. The effect is perfect. Not too much like most phasers. You can get those classic 70s sounds and the early Van Halen eruption/really got me solo sounds with the speed all the way off.

Reliability : 10
It's built like a tank with a big metal switch

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
I play blues and classic rock. Been doing it for 20 years. This pedal is a great addition to get those warbly Robin Trower tones and classic 70s phase. Think of the beginning to Heart's Baracuda or Led Zepelin's Ten Years Gone.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: 125 (can)
Submitted 12/14/2000 at 12:22pm by MAL
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
1 knob for speed. The depth is just right for me.

Sound Quality : 10
I use a Lonestar Strat --> dyna comp --> phase 90 --> teese rmc-1 wah --> metal zone --> line-6 DL-4. This is a very sweet phaser. I have previosly owned the boss ph-2, and the mxr phase 100. The boss phaser sounded cheesy and over the top, and with the phase 100 I could never find the right depth (however the phase 100 still had a good sound). This is the first one I am happy with.

Reliability : 10
rock solid. but obviosly this kind of switch could break.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
I play different kinds of rock mostly. this is great for a pink floyd sound, and for a uni vibe sound.


Product: MXR Phase 90
Price Paid: US $59 (new)
Submitted 12/04/2000 at 07:13pm by John Frusciante
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
I knob, speed, it isnt easier than that.

Sound Quality : 10
I use this with a boss ce-1, ibanez wh-10, and a ts-9 and it works great. It is a bit noisy when the speed it up and the distortion is cranked, espically when i using my jcm 800. This is the standard in phase pedals, and the best around

Reliability : No Opinion
Jim Dunlop usually make the most un-reliable pieces of crap, for example the crybabbies they will die on you in a year. But this pedal seems to be differant i have never heard one complaint

Customer Support : No Opinion
never dealt

Overall Rating : 10
This definitly adds a great depth to my sound. It is great for funk or those van halen tap solos. If i lost it i would buy one is a minute, it is great and it is so easy.

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