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Description
MXR M101 Phase 90: The Quintessential Phaser Pedal
The MXR M101 Phase 90 stands as a beacon in the world of musical effects. This iconic phaser pedal has been the tonal secret weapon for legendary artists such as Eddie Van Halen and Dave Grohl, delivering a lush, unique sound that is both vintage and timeless. Whether you're looking to add a subtle shimmer to your solos or a deep, undulating effect to your chords, the Phase 90 can handle it all.
The Phase 90 is revered for its simple, single-knob design. This singular control allows you to seamlessly transition from a slow, spacious phase to a fast, watery warble, making it a versatile tool for guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, and vocalists alike.
Built to withstand the rigors of the road, the Phase 90 features a rugged metal casing and non-slip rubber base. It is powered by a single 9V battery or an optional power adapter, and features a status LED to ensure you're never caught off guard by a low battery.
Whether you're just beginning to build your pedalboard or looking to add a legendary tone-shaping tool to your rig, the MXR M101 Phase 90 is a must-have. Experience the pedal that has shaped the sound of rock guitar and continues to inspire musicians around the world.
Key Features:
- Simple, single knob operation
- Versatile phaser effects, from subtle and spacious to fast, watery warble
- Suitable for guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals
- Durable metal casing and non-slip rubber base
- Can be powered by a 9V battery or optional power adapter
- Status LED for power indication
- Made in the USA
- Used and loved by legendary musicians over the decades
Product specs
| Effects | phaser |
| Power | 9V |
| Analog/Digital | analog |
| Mono/Stereo | mono |
| Current Draw | 5ma |
Equipboard's Expert Review
Equipboard tested this
Classic Phaser with Iconic Tone
The MXR M101 Phase 90 is a pedal that has earned its place in the pantheon of classic guitar effects. We found it to be a stalwart addition to any pedalboard, thanks to its robust build and iconic sound.
Right out of the box, the Phase 90 impresses with its solid construction. It’s built like a tank, with a heavy-duty metal casing that’s sure to withstand the rigors of the road. The bright orange color is a nice touch too, making it easy to spot on a dimly lit stage.
One of the standout features of the Phase 90 is its simplicity. With just a single knob to control the speed of the phase sweep, it’s incredibly user-friendly. This minimalistic approach is both a blessing and a curse; while it makes the pedal straightforward to use, it also limits its versatility. If you’re looking for a phaser with more tweakable parameters, this might not be the one for you.
When it comes to sound quality, the Phase 90 delivers that classic Van Halen tone we’ve all come to love. It works beautifully with both clean and dirty tones, adding a rich, swirling texture. However, we did notice a slight volume boost when the pedal is engaged, which can be either a pro or a con depending on your setup. Some users might find this boost adds a bit of liveliness, while others might feel the need to modify the pedal for a more even performance.
The MXR Phase 90 is perfect for guitarists seeking a reliable, no-frills phaser with a legendary sound. However, if you need more versatility or are sensitive to volume changes, you might want to explore other options. For us, its classic tone and sturdy build make it a worthwhile investment.
Videos
jimdunlopusa
MXR Phase 90
MXR Phase 90
jimdunlopusa
MXR Phase 90 Pedal
Marty Music
MXR Phase 90 | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
MXR Phase 90 Phaser Pedal M101
GUITARGUITAR
MXR M-101 Phase 90 Pedal Video Demo
tunnelvisionmusic
zZounds.com: MXR M101 Phase 90 Pedal
zZounds
Reviews
PROS
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Simple, one-knob operation for easy use
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Durable and sturdy build quality
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Compatible with both battery and external power supply
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Versatile range from subtle to intense phasing effects
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Recognizable and vibrant orange exterior
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Adds color and depth to both clean and distorted signals
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Well-suited for guitarists of all skill levels
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Adds a unique character to guitar solos and rhythm parts
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Iconic pedal with a classic sound, ideal for Van Halen, Rush, and Incubus tones
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Can be modded for customized sound preferences
CONS
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Known to cause a volume boost when engaged
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Limited control with only one speed knob
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May introduce unwanted distortion at higher settings
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Not as tweakable as some players would prefer
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Some users find it less suitable for certain musical styles
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 85 Reviews and 552 Ratings
1754
One mod away from perfection
One knob, no bad sounds. The only issue with these modern "block logo" Phase 90s is that they have an extra resistor added that causes a volume boost and some unpleasant distortion when engaged. I highly recommend implementing the "script logo" mod by clipping R28, it's the easiest pedal mod ever and doesn't affect the underlying phaser sound.
229
Positive
I use this with my clean tone, I stack it with my Boss CE-5 and my Strymon Cloudburst. All 3 together give a great tone
397
Excellent
I've owned this pedal three times and the third times the charm. Everything sounds like pure Country.
807
The Phaser
Compared to EHX Small Stone this one is midrange-focused, which makes it ideal for guitar tones, but makes it sound duller for other applications. It's also more agressive, more funky. If you want your Phase 90 to be less agressive and funky, consider Script Phase 90 or EVH Phase 90, which has both Block and Script settings. As for negatives, the infamous Phase 90 volume boost. Also, why is it so rare for good phasers to have proper depth control? Overall, you can't substitute Phase 90 with Small Stone or vice versa. You need both pedals.
155
Great Phaser
The MXR Phase 90 is one of those classic pedals that a lot of musicians own, it has a very iconic sound. As a primarily Punk Rock guitarist though this pedal can be tricky to get the grasp of, not necessarily the controls since it only has the one knob but more so just trying to get it to sound pleasant in conjuntion with the other pedals - but if you are more of a Psychedelic or Funk player then this pedal would be perfect! And trust me, the phase here is incredible, just very strong.
you have to take the Z28 mod out and that can age your pedal by years
I hated the 90s, early 2000s Nu-metal sounds of this phaser once I had it (i was replacing my MXR EVH Phase 90 which i absolutely fell in love with (i'm more of a subtle phaser guy, but i use phaser on nearly everything). I hated the sound. So i researched it and found that removing the Z28 component would alter the sound back to the subtle tones i craved. IT DID AND WAS A TRULY UNIQUE AND INSPIRING PHASE TONE IN AND OF ITSELF. It was a special sound.
But after 6 years, the tone has now gone haywire and I can barely get the thing to phase at all. What we're left with is a slightly modulating boost pedal that sounds truly unique but when you WANT A PHASER YOU NEED A PHASER....
don't get this one. if you want a Phaser, built to last, get the MXR EVH Phase 90. If mine hadn't been stolen, I would've never stopped using it. Or get the Script version, but the sound on this is half-assed from MXR.
603
A holy grail of phase shifters
There are lots of phasers around, but somehow almost everyone ends up with Phase90. No other phaser sounds so natural, lush, warm and sits so great in the mix on cleans, overdrive or hi-gain distortions. Single knob control makes it extremely easy to use and offers lots of tones just right away - from subtle phasing to extreme psychodelic sounds.
However there is one minor flaw - current version, A.K.A. block logo has an awful volume boost which is quite annoying in some circumstances. Some people just get along with it, some do not. For those who do not a simple mod can be done - literally 5 minutes of work. Open up the pedal, find the R28 capacitor (manual on the web) and snip it. Problem will be gone, no more boost, just pure phase shifting.
125
Excellent Pedal!
One of the most popular phaser pedals currently available is also one of the cheapest, with a selling price of less than $70 and often falls within the range of $50 to $60 if you check the used and refurbished options at the right time. The analog circuits emit a warm phaser tone that is quite satisfying right out of the box. Otherwise, the only control mechanism you will have is a speed knob, which hasn't changed much since the original Phase 90s were launched.
This review has been translated automatically into English. See original3845
The Classic 1970s Phaser
I was lucky enough to borrow an original 1974 Phase 90 from a friend in the late 90s when I was doing my first experiments with analogue synths, trying to sound like Stereolab. This reissue doesn't sound quite as nice as that one did, but it's pretty close. I think the Script reissue is supposed to be even closer.
The MXR phase sound is inherently richer and deeper than the EHX Small and Bad Stones, and I think it's useful to have both options. As some people have said, the MXR seems to add a tiny bit of overdrive to the guitar signal, whereas the EHX pedals sound a lot lighter and more translucent by comparison (whilst still sounding authentically 1970s). The MXR clobbers you round the head with very rich, chewy, unsubtle phasing. But if you want that 'Have A Cigar' sound, the MXRs are the only way to get it.
514
Swooshy Goodness
Swooshy goodness from MXR. Easy to dial in with only one knob. You just know if you need a phase 90!
Artist usage
Add artistDave Grohl uses an MXR M-101 Phase 90 Pedal in his pedalboard. His MXR Phase 90 is hooked to both the Boss DM-2 Analog Delay pedal and the Whirlwind A/B Selector. The phase 90 can be seen at 3:31 throughout the performance.
John Frusciante's MXR Phase 90 with block logo can be seen in the middle of his pedalboard (circa 2000) in this photo.
In this Instagram posted by customaudioeletronics, one of John Mayer's pedalboards (the one on the left in the photo) has a MXR Phase 90 pedal on it.
Brand new #johnmayer rig heading to #Albany for production rehearsals! #customaudioeletronics #bobbradshaw #thinkloudstudios
David Gilmour replaced his Uni-Vibe in 1974 and used it up until 1976 when he later switched to the Yamaha rotary and electric mistress in 1977. He would use it later on in live shows whenever he played shine on you crazy diamond
From the source article: "A MXR Phase 90 was also connected with send/returns during summer 1974."
You can see the MXR Phase 90 on Slash's pedal board, talked about at 4:03 in this Behind The Scenes video with his guitar tech, Ace.
"... made popular by Van Halen, like that Panama sound. We use it a little bit here and there - actually in only one part of the set right now. So that's an effect that I hit very rarely, and you know, it's got kind of an interesting color to it."
In this photo, an M-101 can be seen on the right, on Jimmy's pedalboard. This pedal is discussed further on this website. It was used for part of 'Immigrant Song' as well as 'Dazed and Confused', and for "Rock and Roll' at Live Aid 1985.
Josh Homme's gear includes an MXR M-101 Phase 90 pedal, according to Dunlop's website.
Billie Joe Armstrong uses the MXR M101 Phase 90 phaser pedal, as seen in an Instagram post by hansblooey, which features the hashtag #mxrpedals alongside other gear-related tags.
In this video, titled "Tom Morello Guitars & Home Studio," Tom Morello is in his home studio and shows off some of his gear (mostly guitars). He doesn't talk about it specifically, but you can see a quick shot of his pedalboard at 3:32. The first pedal on the left is the MXR Phase 90.
We noticed a classic MXR M-101 Phase 90 Pedal in Steve Vai's pedalboard.
According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, John used Phase 90 back in 2002.
Genre Affinity
1
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326
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113
3
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4
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75
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72
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7
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61
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58
9
electronic
53
10
alternative metal
51
11
psychedelic rock
48
12
funk / soul
47
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