MXR Phase 90

MXR Phase 90

The MXR Phase 90 provides an awesome four stage phasing sound using a variable speed control, adding a shimmery velocity or a more dramatic swoosh to the input signal. The fixed regeneration level adds intensity. This phaser features a foot accessible speed control knob and LED on/off indicator.


Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $137.25

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User Reviews of the MXR Phase 90

  • Submitted by Howard from Brighton, MA (132 points) on Jul 19, 2008
  • I use this pedal to add texture to my drones. For the most part, I run this pedal after my distortion pedals, which leaves the phasing sound itself fairly clean. As you layer different phased sounds, they often end up olut of phase with each other, adding a chaotic, irregular element to the drones. While you can't adjust the depth of the phasing, I don't find this to be a problem. The speed adjustment allows enough flexibility for me.
  • Good Points: compact clear tone simple controls when layered, can create out of phase effects
  • Bad Points: no depth adjustment (if that's what you're looking for)
  • Price Paid: US$45.00
  • Purchased At: ebay
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  • Submitted by Screamin' Armadillo from Burleson, TX (10 points) on Apr 8, 2008
  • I cannot emphasize how wonderful this effect is...I bought mine (a late 70s block logo model that doesn't have a on/off LED indicator) at a pawn shop for ...and that included the original box and manual! I personally prefer the BLOCK logo over the script logo...a bit more swirly and modulated (the old script logos are more subtle), but it's all a matter of taste. Some have noted the tiny bump in distortion, but that's just part of the overall quirky-ness of the effect and should be embraced rather than vilified. I placed mine between two different overdrive pedals (Ibanez TS9 and Danelectro Daddy-O); whether the Phase 90 is phase-shifting an overdriven tone or going clean into an OD pedal (or if all three are going at once) massively changes the tone and how the modulation "works". Once again, it's a matter of taste. The old ones do sound "different"; the new ones are still pretty dang good, but there is some indescribable vibe that the new ones don't quite match. Having said that, if I were to have to replace mine and I couldn't find an old one, I would get the current offering from Dunlop...they do the job nicely. I love this lil' orange stompbox.
  • Good Points: SPECTACULAR sound, small footprint, FANTABULOUS tone, easy to use, great modulation, great funky tone monster, and it's orange (Go Longhorns!)
  • Bad Points: Hard to replace battery (I modified mine to use a power supply, so this isn't really an issue).
  • Price Paid: US$20.00
  • Purchased At: Cleburne Pawn Shop (now defunct)
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  • Submitted by Marco from Brescia (138 points) on Apr 18, 2006
  • The king of the phaser. Its sound is rich and warm. Very different to the Boss digital phaser. it hasn't the versatility of the PH3, the sound that he create is unique. I think it's best to use before distortions, to add to add thickness. If you use this after a distortion you only get a huge amount of low frequencies (less highs than PH3.
  • Good Points: -sturdy construction, small and simple - rich sound with great low frequencies
  • Bad Points: -it can create one sound, wonderful but only one -not a wide range of speeds
  • Price Paid: US$50.00
  • Purchased At: ebay
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  • Submitted by tapesss from Brooksville, FL (344 points) on Feb 21, 2004
  • I played the reissue version. Very simple pedal, one knob, and a footswitch. The knob controls the depth of the phaser. It's one of the best phasers i've used, and i've used a lot of phasers. It's not too expensive either. Rugged aluminum(?) casing.
  • Good Points: Not too expensive, VERY GOOD sound, easy to use
  • Bad Points: none really
  • Price Paid: US$0.00
  • Purchased At: borrowed
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  • Submitted by Tim from Austin, TX (28 points) on Nov 30, 2002
  • Oh my god. I had the chance to try out an old 1970's vintage MXR Phase 90 and about had a cow. And get this, my friend got it at a garage sale for !!!!!! And didn't even realize it was vintage. Goog god.. Makes me want to go garage sale shopping!
  • Good Points: The vintage MXR Phase 90 is LUSH.. and the sweep sounds so lazy and natural... Too bad they don't build them the same way.
  • Bad Points: If you EVER get a chance to get a vintage phase 90 as opposed to a re-issue.. pay the extra money for the vintage one.. it just sounds so much better.. you'll thank me.
  • Price Paid: US$15.00
  • Purchased At: a garage sale
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  • Submitted by SPIKE from Houston, TX (116 points) on Oct 3, 2002
  • simple and true phase..... aquired mine from a real woodstock hippie. still in the original box with the MANUAL! great effect and it has a very signature sound.
  • Good Points: built like a TANK! doesn't add a mega dose of unwanted hiss.
  • Bad Points: you have to unscrew the bottom plate to replace the battery.
  • Price Paid: US$25.00
  • Purchased At: John Krause Carpenter/Hippie
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  • Submitted by Rob from London (362 points) on Aug 5, 2002
  • This is a very subtle phaser that works well first in the chain to add a bit of movement or swoosh to drones ect. it doesn't work for eretheral or cleaner sounds because it adds a substantial amount of distortion to the signal. So it's not nearly as good as it could be. The Phase 45 is much better (I've never tried a phase 100).
  • Good Points: Good for adding movement to sound waves. MXR reliability.
  • Bad Points: Adds distortion to the signal. Subtle and not very adjustable (you only get one knob for rate).
  • Price Paid: US$0.00
  • Purchased At:
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