All MXR Phase 90s Compared

Shop the MXR EVH Phase 90 Eddie Van Halen Phase Pedal at Sweetwater 👉 imp.i114863.net/Yg3LKe
Shop the MXR CSP101SL Script Phase 90 Pedal 👉 imp.i114863.net/MX3gEM
Shop the MXR M101 Phase 90 Phaser Pedal 👉 imp.i114863.net/7mkdKY
Shop the MXR CSP026 ‘74 Vintage Phase 90 Pedal 👉 imp.i114863.net/mgVN17
More videos like All MXR Phase 90s Compared 👉 • Guitar Demos & Reviews
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The MXR Phase 90 is a bona fide legend in the effects pedal game, a practically ubiquitous piece of gear among guitarists of all generations. That said, this classic phaser pedal comes in a number of variations, each with its own unique features and flavors. Be sure to watch until the end as Sweetwater‘s Don Carr puts a selection of these phenomenal phasers through their paces in an effort to demonstrate what makes each so special.
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 imp.i114863.net/x9DOox
#Sweetwater #MXR

[@rorschach1]

74 script 90 is the ultimate. Great phase sound that blends so well with fuzz and with saggy distortion.

[@cybershredder2171]

The EVH sounds better cuz of the stripes

[@floundrpoundr]

Stripes make everything go faster

[@sleevelessace]

and the fact its a script 2 in 1

[@brianrollins7275]

Excellent work here Don, you are a great player. Very tasteful as usual, love it! I chose the vintage 74 and I’m excited waiting for it to get here. Been playing off and on for 35 years but never used a lot of pedals. That vintage 74 is the sound in my head and to my ears the best of them all that you demoed here. Beautiful sound is all I can say. Thanks for doing what you do. Sweetwater is very lucky to have you on board.

[@idrissla1938]

great demo as always

[@randyberglund6474]

Great demo! I liked the script logo 2nd one,but all of them were great

[@USAlien234]

Wanted to hear a direct comparison of the original script pedal, and EVH script setting. Figured I would just post all pedals thou. Its easier for me to hear the differences. :Slow Speed Phasor: 2:09 74' Vintage pedal 2:25 Script Logo 2:36 EVH 2:50 EVH Script 3:00 Block Logo :Dirty Amp: 5:29 74' Vintage Pedal 5:38 Script Logo 5:48 EVH 5:58 EVH Script 6:07 Block Logo Thank you for the upload! It's exactly what I need to decide on one. ✌️† 🎸

[@xb5883]

Don's playing is killer. Great range.

[@robertlennox3607]

Beautiful PRS Don is playing too! These Phase 90s are really interesting, I've never used one before. I've used a flanger but not a Phase 90.

[@milliondollarmovies]

Just when I think I'm ready to move on to modern tones, Don throws me back into the ring.. excellent demo, timeless sound in those phase units for sure.. analog is where it's at..imo

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Can't beat the classic tones, the kiddies are discovering these for the first time and creating some new music with them. Fun time to be alive!

[@ZYGTropicals]

The quality of the digital stuff that’s available today is not only indiscernible from the old analog circuits, but also more reliable! Staying stuck in the past will only prevent you from seeing and experiencing the awesome digital equipment that’s available today!!!! Die hard analog fans are all turning to digital like kempers/Axe FX etc. phase 90 is a great analog circuit, but it’s easily done with a digital circuit and even the pros can’t tell the difference in a blind test. I love my tube amps and my analog pedals, but times have absolutely changed and things are only getting better by the day when it comes to digital guitar equipment!!!

[@milliondollarmovies]

@@ZYGTropicals love my digital pedals! There really isn't a battle, each have they're place. I agree tho. Don't be superstitious about gear, try new things, have an open mind. I remember a time we didn't have effects, just guitar and a tube amp on 11. it was amazing 😋

[@stevehoffman9735]

That was amazingly helpful, many thanks.

[@studiogorilla]

Great demo. Sweet clean playin', Don!

[@shawnhelsel923]

The MXR Phase 95 is great. It’s small and offers four classic sounds, 45 or 90 in Block or Script era, even has a tempo light. I love the old style ones though because of the one big knob you can turn with your foot, so there’s that.

[@eengel22]

Phase 95 lover here! It can go from subtle, almost harmonic tremolo- like on the 45-script setting to the deeper phase sound of the 90-block. My favorite is the 90-script. I’ve had a LOT of phasers but you can’t beat this for the price. And it just sounds good in the mix!

[@qua7771]

I have an EVH. It's a bit too much effect for my liking. Maybe I'm just not into FX's . I wish it had a level control.

[@jonstout7635]

They all offer sonic fun. As for me, I’m very happy with my Custom Shop Script model for electric and acoustic guitar

[@JBASH2011]

Great demo Don. I've owned them all, and BITD I had a script that I foolishly traded (along with some other old highly valued pedals) for rack gear in the late 80s. What an idiot I was. The best MXR today IMO is the other version Sweetwater carries- The Whirlwind Orange box (which has it's roots in the original MXR company) The OB has the tone most reminiscent of my original MXR Script logo by far, but the MXR 74 RI is a good choice as well. The OB is has the 9V power option, true bypass, and a big blue led and the most authentic tone. Best of all worlds.

[@andreaagresta6252]

Great video! Thank you so much!

[@michaelgallegos8811]

Great video Don thanks man !!

[@antonio.cappelli]

Fantastic review!

[@gianthonour]

Iove the block, 9-10 o'clock for lead tones, before drives 👍

[@nacixem9]

Very useful video. I learned a lot from this video

[@AlongExists]

I own custom 74 & EVH for me custom 74 is the best 👍

[@BrentAdams]

I recently dug my old MXR Phase 90 (block logo that I got sometime around the mid 1970's... no battery adaptor input! ...and no status light!) I had been missing this sound option for too long!

[@reptilian5651]

great demonstration. professional, informative. thanks. think i like the classic script ones more. the block ones get too intense for my taste.

[@sweetwater]

Which MXR Phase 90 pedal was your favorite? Check out the entire series at Sweetwater 👉 imp.i114863.net/Yg3LKe

[@xb5883]

Doesn't this pedal need to be first in the chain to work best?

[@NURREDIN]

I still have my Block Phase 90 that I bought over 30 years ago and it still works with no problems. One of the few RELIABLE pieces of equipment I've owned over the years!

[@leswadley6792]

The block is the most useful! I’ve used it for yrs! To each their on tho! 🤪

[@davidsummerville351]

Don let loose on this episode! Nice playing.

[@cerclesvicieux]

Don really rips on the EVH solo. Gotta love that one.

[@marbomitofsky3182]

Great video !!! Thank you

[@jahjah67]

This video made me order the Vintage ‘74 from Sweetwater. Not sure why the Vintage sounds best but it does to my ears. The comparison reminds of trying Phase pedals as a kid in the 80’s and wondering why I couldn’t find one that sounded like the recordings I was hearing. The Block logo, EVH are way too heavy handed and even the Script logo with the LED doesn’t quite have the sound. The Vintage version is THE sound we were all hearing back in the day. Nice video, Don

[@brianrollins7275]

Totally agree with your comments. 👍🏻

[@AndreaAustoni]

The sound you were hearing back then was that pedal plus who knows what studio gear, EQ, compression etc.

[@jahjah67]

@@AndreaAustoni of course but the sound of the Vintage ‘74 won for me vs the others in the video. That’s the bottom line

[@alexhiggin]

I miss my block letter phase 90. That higher level isn’t just driving the amp, there’s some wierd internal clipping on in those things that I really dig. Some people mod them to get rid of it.

[@nickh1933]

Buy an Analogman modded 74 Reissue. True bypass, LED light and 9v jack. Totally worth it. I had the EVH and only used script mode. The Analogman 74 is THE original sound. With added functionality. Very lush.

[@markhammer643]

Inside the pedal, you'll find a small trimpot. It is used to set the bias voltage and current for the FETs so that they will sweep. Although it is factory-set to achieve a consistent tone across all production units, there is actually a bit of usable range of adjustment, such that the part of the spectrum where the notches sweep can be higher up for a breathy swirly sound, or lower down for a gurgly one. Some 3 and 4-knob phasers will provide an "Initial" or "Manual" control that moves the range of sweep around in that manner. MXR aimed for a usable compromise with respect to the offset or range of the sweep, the width of the sweep, and the amount of feedback. The Block logo unit on the far left employs a slightly wider sweep and more feedback Because it provides more emphasis, given the feedback, and covers more ground in each sweep cycle, it achieves a sort of modulated wah sound which the others don't get, because they don't sweep as wide and use less feedback. The user CAN monkey around with the trimpot inside to get different sounds without damaging anything. Just make a note of where it was set from the factory, so if you don't like any of the changes you try, it can be returned to the stock setting. Just don't play with it *too* much because those trimmers aren't meant to take the sort of abuse and constant twiddling that regular pots do.

[@musik4life24]

On the Block Logo?

[@markhammer643]

@@musik4life24 Yes, on them too.

[@bobbymehta1006]

do they all have the adjustable internal trimpot?

[@markhammer643]

@@bobbymehta1006 Yes. They have to, because the FETs used for sweeping have some variation across batches, and need to biased so that every P90 sounds like every other P90.

[@qua7771]

Thanks, this information is gold. I have the EVH, and thought the effect was a bit overwhelming. I'd like to tame it down (less phase). I'm usually playing straight into a Plexi, unless a song calls for FX.

[@gusmc01]

Don just strummin along on some basic chords, then just up and shreds! 😂🤣😂

[@sellandinho]

Bryan Kehoe from Dunlop also said in a video that the EVH version has 10db more headroom than the others so you can play it cleaner ✌️

[@robertogomesmusic]

Thank you!!!

[@TMoody]

Don Carr is the best demonstrator on all of KZbin.... love this dude!

[@Hodad3000]

I have a MXR M-161 Commande Phaser that a friend gave me many years back. The shell is plastic, and the knobs are missing, the posts are still in tact. I absolutely love that pedal and would be super stoked to see it re-released with a metal housing. Two knobs speed and regen. Maybe the MXR M107 Phase 100 Phaser Pedal is comparable?

[@thenameless3271]

You could probably finagle up a new casing onto it sometime, might be a fun project

[@ricstormwolf]

I can't lie. The block logo one sounds amazing. But I have to stick with the EVH for cool points.

[@jeperstone]

'74 script. Just buy it. Can't afford it? Save up longer. It has the sound you hear in your head

[@Izzy1782]

I still prefer my Dunlop Rotovibe into a phaser. Love that mix of slow and fast phaser

[@AcidTroop1996]

The 74 sounds so good but I need the LED and the 9v power, torn between them.

[@miningmonkey760]

Loved the demo,featuring the mxr series.love it. Glad I didn't get the block,don't like it at all on the clean sound.dirty sound block logo sounds really chunky and flangy

[@djc5897]

I got a script led phase 90 on one board and the block phase 90 on another board. Win-win situation 😉

[@coldacre]

I've got a 1975 original Script Phase 90 & a V4 Big Box Small Stone on the same board..... 🙃 Phase heaven

[@AndreaAustoni]

The MXR CSP026 ‘74 is beautiful but it's too subtle and it has too little range. I prefer the MXR CSP101SL with the LED.

[@kalebaldwin5398]

I have the 74 reissue (CSP-026). It's very easy on batteries, as long as you remember to unplug it when you're not playing.

[@Apprentice_of_the_Leonine]

Yeah, but... I'm kinda sick of buying alkaline batteries, especially in this economy and state of inflation. I'd rather plug it into the iso-brick and know it'll always work when I need it to. Just bought me an EVH version for modernity and versatility in one box.

[@AndreaAustoni]

Just too inconvenient on a pedalboard. And because it's not true bypass, it sucks tone, as the battery weakens so does your tone and if the battery dies, your sound won't get through anymore. Also no LED. Yes, you can mod it for true bypass and add a DC jack and an LED but you'll also have to deal with volume drop once engaged. And all of this still doesn't fix the fact that the effect is very subtle, the speed range is limited and the pedal may be noisy in some rigs because it uses old school components. Sounds great in a demo or the bedroom though :)

[@kalebaldwin5398]

@@AndreaAustoni I understand the inconvenience... I don’t use mine live. But I’ve found the tone suck can be mitigated by placing a buffered pedal after it. And the volume drop doesn’t really bother me. It’s part of the sound. Just like with a classic car, if you want vintage authenticity, you gotta deal with vintage quirks.

[@coldacre]

@@AndreaAustoni I've been playing an original 1975 Script since about 2010. there is no volume drop with these. the power draw is miniscule.... batteries last for months. they sound best at the start of the chain so the battery thing is a non-issue anyway. just unplug when youre shutting down shop. the hand matched FET's and attention to detail make the "old school" components the highest quality possible out of any Phase 90. my pedal is literally 49 years old and it functions as well as the day it was made. noise free and THE sound. the cheaper ones (Custom Shop LED Script) have everything attached to the board (jacks, pots, power jack, LED etc) for easy quick manufacturing. not built to last 49 years, thats for sure. ;)

[@esmoroglu]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻‘74 CS for me, it sings with cleans!

[@BruceKnouseMusic]

The EVH Phase 90 is perfect

[@kevins4222]

The second script logo is the best here- it’s got the bite I’m looking for but not as overdone as the block logos.

[@coldacre]

just a date correction: the Phase 90 went block logo in 1977, but continued to use the Script circuit inside, as late as early 78. there was a cross over period of about a year while they used up all the old circuit boards

[@shanebrbich5698]

Can’t believe I’m saying this but the original script just sounds like part of the universe! It doesn’t poke out any where🤔. Don’t get me wrong they all sound great. However, if you were choosing these blindfolded for recording purposes, I reckon you’d go the original! Just saying 👍🇦🇺

[@Ionx2000]

Now I know why it’s been hard to recreate the phase on The Rover with the EVH…The 74 is clearly it.

[@unrequitedmusic8004]

I have an EVH as it is close to two versions in one.

[@user-lw8dr6xx8i]

i want to recreate the phaser effect sound of 70s string synthesizers like Solina. Which one is best for that?

[@ChrisBassTXP]

Script logo version Phase 90 or an older EHX Small Stone

[@ingve77]

The block logo version is way too 'in your face' for my taste. I loved the way Eddie used his at a very low speed to give his leads some texture.

[@Grungebob_Squaredance]

It would be cool if instead of the swirling sound it made an echo sound. I bet that would become popular with musicians.

[@FreshOutOfFeelings]

Doesn’t phase me one bit. A Deep Phaser comparison would be sweet

[@lovingpeace9715]

This demo is a bit misleading in the first demo. On the '74 you end on a Em but the next 4 you end on a G. This gives a feeling that the first pedal is darker. You should just use a looper pedal so your also playing the same through each pedal

[@travelinlight1141]

I like the script mixes better than the block. The block feels more modulated, less guitar more warble effect.

[@YourChoice1312]

Existing

[@Ampher03]

They sure are

[@erichfrederick9229]

Can't go wrong with the EVH.

[@tagadabrothersband]

Thanks, nice test! I'll go for the script model with the 9V AC adapter cause I hate to be running out of batteries lol. The EVH is cool, but perhaps too modern for what I play (and I'm not found of the EVH look). I like the sound of the script model, the effect is a bit deeper than on the 1974 reissue. The block model is too much for me, it seems to add some kind of distortion.

[@bobbymehta1006]

'74 script 2:08 Script 2:22 EVH script 2:49

[@gasolineandwine]

Any of these ones come with Team Fortress 2 installed?

[@peachcurls599]

The 74 fits my taste over all of them

[@jrtme]

I have compared my custom 74 to an actual phase 90 from 1974. My custom 74 was a little darker than the actual 90 from 74. Did it hold up? You bet. I still thought the actual 74 was just a little better. 😀

[@jerryyeaaah15]

all my vintage ones sounded different 😂some brighter faster some slowder darker

[@Apprentice_of_the_Leonine]

@@jerryyeaaah15 Yeah, component tolerances in them days were not quite up to snuff with today.

[@the_rustydoornob1164]

I cant be the only one who saw orange box in the thumbnail and instantly think of tf2 portal and half life 2

[@bags5150]

Script version rules

[@fattyboombatty7736]

For un-driven I prefer the script and for driven I like the EVH, not a fan of the block

[@stratogio]

Csp101sl it's true bypass?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Giovanni. Yes, the MXR Csp101sl has true bypass switching. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1320, [e-mail]

[@robertaustin1945]

The first one is the best sounding

[@albertobenagli7622]

The Block is faar too intense , the EVH feels the most versatile to me for it's not over the top while still cutting well trough the mix.

[@jakubpietron3820]

4:44

[@nicosonic]

and phase 95 ?

[@JedNadin]

Uh no no… uh ignore this comment. Buy all of these pedals. There is no Phase 95.

[@ziggy3628]

@@JedNadin Yes there is… There is phase 99 and 100 too, so do your research bigot

[@JedNadin]

@@ziggy3628 I was being sarcastic. Very obviously. I own the 95. Unless… you were being sarcastic too, charlatan!!

[@Savior.Greenmount]

For me the mxr m101 is the best and looks a lot like the uni-vibe

[@themaggot8]

Man, I hate the fact that MXR changed the look of the EVH Phase 90. I much prefer the old look. Other than that, it sounds phenomenal and it's probably the most versatile out of those.

[@bruzanHD]

What did they change?

[@curtisnewton895]

they all sound the same, I like the one that is cheaper

[@phillippitts6294]

Not a fan of phase pedals, except in stoner metal

[@Kalanioccc]

ok

[@fredfloyd34]

Only good o e is mxr 100

[@cliffords2315]

LOL she thinks Rico means "Pureto Rico"

[@margix1172]

The worst are the black logo and the EVH .

[@harls7317]

Stop the cap bro bro take your L

[@GoodGuy-rm8wx]

For the record if I snap it's not my fault