So , what do I need a Phaser for anyway??

[Ian]

I've never seen the point. What am I missing here?? Obviously lot's of folks use em' , but in what context ?? Is it somthing you switch on alot?? Or is it more of an occasional spice?? Sure ...Tommy Tedesco switched it on for the "Charlie's Angels/Cannonball Run /Underwater sound" , but how do YOU use it?? What am I missing out on??
CHEERS!!!

 

[Ward]

What about Waylon? His phaser solos are awesome. Also Dale Watson uses on very well. . Ward

 

[James W]

If you're more punk inclined, don't forget the Clash's London Calling. Lot's of phaser sounds to go around especially on the more reggae numbers. Which reminds me, phasers are great for reggae.

Rudy Can't Fail!

--James W

 

[Jef]

Rolling Stones: Beast of Burden

My favourite phaser song!
Jef

 

[studio1087]

Underwater?

You're supposed to use your Chorus pedal for the underwater tone.

I use my phaser for a swishy tone.

Phasers were used a lot on Star Trek as well.

Seriously I like a gentle phase on some jazz stuff that I write. I think they have a very nice spacial sound. I tend to like compression and modualtion tones used gently and tastefully. The chiming quality of a tele or strat seem to compliment those tones, it's all taste.

You made me use the words underwater, swishy and Star Trek all in one e-mail. I better sign off for a week or so.

Going Away Now,
John

 

[Nick Fanis]

I use my favorite BOSS PH1R phaser for a swishy but smooth sound at a slow speed.Great for playing dreamy chords for slow numbers.I also love it for classic funk rhythm.

 

[Rodgre]

I'm known for using a ton of effects, and I use things like Phasers and Flangers for quick bursts of sound.

For example, I will have a phaser set to slow and deep sounding, and for a crescendo in a song, I will step on it for the last measure of a section, building into the next. I use it like a drummer would use a drum fill.

By the same token, I'll set a phaser for very fast and exreme, like a machine gun, and use it in a similar fashion.

It kind of drives me nuts to hear the periodic swirl of a phaser or flanger whooshing on and on in a song. I either want it to sound random or I want it to be subtle.

As a producer, I try to talk guitar players out of using a phaser or flanger for an entire song if it is sounding like "hey, I just bought a new pedal. Wanna hear it?" Use it for a couple of sections for dynamic changes.

Roger

 

[jordanl]

On the In Session CD Albert king uses a phaser on several songs. I also think the sound works well for Reggae.

 

[bo]

You don't NEED a phaser unless you wanna sound dated or you have a Klingon problem. Same goes for flangers. They're definitely a "once in a while" effect. I'd go for the cheap Dano version for soemething like that.

 

[pickinpaniolo]

Turn it up and do some palm muted chicken pickin' and you'll get a cool James Burton sound.

 

[sticko]

sniff

I miss my Mu-Tron Phasor II.

 

[Tim Swartz]

It seems like after a long hiatus, the phaser is finally making a come back, possibly even replacing the much overused chorus. I dig a periodic slow dreamy wooooosh.... glad I still have my Mutron II!

 

[studio1087]

Cheap Phaser

Remember the Ibanez Soundtanks??

Yes, the tough plastic pedals that looked like big potatoes!!!

The phasers sounded great - you can find them on e-bay for less than 10 bucks.

I have an old "9" series phaser and the soundtank potato.

The potato is richer & quiter.

If Burt Renolds ever makes a comeback as a 1970's cop in a TV show - you'll be glad that you have that phaser - think of the sound track you could write!!!!!!!

Pardon me-I design Packaging systems in a tan cubicle all day. The humor helps a lot.

John

 

[stratohiker]

Series 9 Phasor....

I just pulled my old PT9 phasor out. Still have the box, the plastic, etc. Then I heard why it had been put up. Weak, not really present effecting. But, opened her up, tweaked the 2 pots in there a little and presto, more pronounced effect. Still not as strong as my Phase 90 but, better. I wish Maxon would reissue the PT9 and improve it like the AD9 and the CS9(pro now). Maybe they will with the increased popularity you folks mention. But, then again I don't think it was ever that popular of a phasor to start with. Oh well.

 

[hippietim]

I've never seen the point. What am I missing here?? Obviously lot's of folks use em' , but in what context ?? Is it somthing you switch on alot?? Or is it more of an occasional spice?? Sure ...Tommy Tedesco switched it on for the "Charlie's Angels/Cannonball Run /Underwater sound" , but how do YOU use it?? What am I missing out on??
CHEERS!!!

GASP! Don't see the point?!?!

Phasers rock. I love the sweeping sound of a phaser. A nice slow sweep over some chord chunking or finger picking is just awesome. You just have to try it.

 

[11 Gauge]

i love them...

...used sparingly. i'm sick to death of chorus pedals. they sound as over-used as the 2 and 4 pickup selector positions on a Strat, IMO.

i hear alot of flanger abuse too, but more of that seems to be a studio added effect, as opposed to the guitarist. but i did just get Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past" DVD and there is just too much flanging on a bit of the guitar work. sad...

but a phaser can just have this lush sound to it. i was even impressed with the Dano mini i tried a few years back. just one knob like the almighty MXR Phase 90.

i really like a phaser with a clean guitar tone - not so hot on it with overdrive - sounds too psychedelic for my tastes.

pick up an old sound tank or the Dano and fiddle with it a bit. if it still does nothing for you then you are out the cost of a trip or 2 to McDonald's...

 

[stratohiker]

Here's some info.......

I emailed Godlyke Dist. (Maxon) to see if there is a chance that they will improve and reissue the PT-9 phasor. Here's what they said:




"We are working on re-vamped versions of the PT9, CP9, and SM9. They will be as follows -

PT-9 Pro - Opto-Coupler Phase Shifter w/same controls as PT-9
CP-9 Pro - DBX Compressor w/same controls as CP-9
SM-9 - High gain distortion w/3 band parametric EQ

All will have true bypass switching.

We hope to release these in January 20"

 

[CountryShawn]

Not for me....

I've owned the ugly Green Boss Phaser pedal for about 15 years now, and only played it once or twice ever.

It's just too extreme. I went through the "pedal" phase, where I couldn't get a sound I wanted. Ended up dumping all the pedals all together.

I could see using them for specific effects, once in a while.

I'm saving mine until it becomes an antique.

Shawn

 

[Paul in Colorado]

Phaser Secrets

Shhh...don't tell a soul. This is one of my little secrets for using a phaser. I stick my old Mutron Phaser II on the delayed output of a Roland Space Echo. That way, only the repeats are phased. With a two amp rig it sounds real cool. Give it a try.
I like David Crosby's use of a phaser on rhythm guitar in songs like "Long Time Coming" when he plays live.

 

[ASC67]

I miss my Mu-Tron Phasor II.

Me too although it was the bi-phaser, I got one in 80's for dirt cheap and that was the killer phaser unit. I left it at my parents house when I moved out of state and forgot about it. They later sold it a their garage sale thinking it was an old video game unit. Doh !