MXR Phase 95
All-in-one super phaser.
£122 at thomann.de | £104 at guitarguitar.co.uk
The MXR Phase 90 is one of the most popular phaser pedals ever made. It has been used by many famous guitarists, including Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page. MXR now offer a wide variety of different takes on the Phase 90 formula. With the release of the Phase 95, MXR have combined all those versions into one compact pedal.
The 45/90 switch lets you toggle between the Phase 90 and 45 circuits. The standard Phase 90 mode produces a very pronounced phasing sound. This mode sounds identical to the production line Phase 90 pedal by MXR and can be heard in the intro of "Killing in the Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine. Tom Morello used this circuit extensively with both RATM and Audioslave.
The Phase 45 mode halves the number of phasing stages from four to two. This produces a much more mellow sound that blends easily with the rest of the band. It sounds beautiful with clean chords and makes distorted parts sound a little more interesting without completely overpowering your tone. It can even be used as an always-on effect. Steve Jones's entire rig for Sex Pistol’s “Anarchy in the UK” was the Phase 45 into a cranked Fender Twin Reverb. Yep, you can push a Fender Twin into overdrive with the volume high enough.
The Script switch will change the circuit to the more vintage-sounding early version of the Phase 90. This mode bypasses a feedback resistor in the circuit, making the effect less pronounced. It will also reduce distortion, allowing you to use it in front of a high-gain amp without altering its breakup. This was the version played by Eddie Van Halen with the speed knob set very low. The same Script mod is also available on the EVH signature Phase 90.
I think most guitarists, including myself, would do just fine with the basic Phase 90. Given that the price of the Phase 95 is within the same ballpark, the 95 is worth the small premium to get additional flexibility. The compact size of the Phase 95 makes it perfect for those who want a lot of versatility from a smaller pedalboard. Whether you're playing clean or distorted, the Phase 95 adds a new dimension to your sound which can take your playing to the next level.
The Phase 95 is built very well and will withstand the rigours of touring and gigging. It has a solid metal casing that can take a beating and will last forever. The pedal's controls are easy to use and intuitive, allowing you to dial in your perfect sound quickly and easily. Given such great build quality and the fact that you get four phasers in one, the Phase 95 by MXR is a really good deal.
Bottom Line
Whether you're a beginner or a professional guitarist, you can’t go wrong with the Phase 95 by MXR. It is an excellent pedal that offers a lot of versatility in a compact and affordable package. The four distinct phasing options make it great for a wide range of genres, and its solid build quality ensures that it will last for years to come.