MXR EVH Phase 90From real comments

Verdict distilled from 36 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment49%
PROS 49%
CONS 51%

Rank based on 36 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an authentic Van Halen-style phaser tone with two selectable circuit voicings
  • You place effects before your distortion/overdrive stage
  • You value the flexibility of script and block tones in one pedal

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You plan to run it after a distortion pedal into a dirty channel
  • You're sensitive to volume fluctuation during the phase sweep
  • You want a smaller, cheaper alternative with more toggle options (like the Phase 95)

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
MXR EVH Phase 90
Dual script/block circuits in one pedalAuthentic Eddie Van Halen toneWorks great when placed before overdrive/gainVolume pumps up and down during sweepSounds bad when placed after distortionSubtle or unclear script/block difference for some
MXR EVH Phase 90
Dual script/block circuits in one pedal
Authentic Eddie Van Halen tone
Works great when placed before overdrive/gain
Volume pumps up and down during sweep
Sounds bad when placed after distortion
Subtle or unclear script/block difference for some

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Two circuits, one pedal, and a very audible difference. Commenters explain the EVH Phase 90 combines a mellower 'script' circuit and a brighter, more bitey 'block' circuit selectable via a button. Several describe the script mode as having a high-end roll-off for smoother sweeps, while block mode is more aggressive and trebly. Some, however, say the difference is subtle or couldn't hear it clearly, noting MXR claims EVH's ears detect nuances others can't.

Signal chain placement makes or breaks the experience. Multiple users report the pedal sounding 'awful' with volume pumping up and down when placed after a distortion pedal into a clean/dirty channel, but transformed into the expected VH sound once moved in front of the amp or before overdrive. This placement confusion caused some to shelve the pedal for years before rediscovering proper use.

Some units seem to swoosh with unwanted volume changes. Several commenters independently describe a specific flaw: as the phase swooshes, the volume audibly rises and falls, which they find frustrating and suspect indicates a lemon unit, since demo videos don't show this behavior. This is distinct from normal placement issues, since some report it even set up correctly, leaving them wishing for a video showing the pedal on a clean channel with no other effects for clarity.

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