As you may or may not be aware, MXR developed one of the most important effects in rock n roll history. The Phase 90 has been the industry standard since its inception in the mid 1970s. With vibrant, tonal coloration, it is no wonder the effect became favored by so many legendary guitar players over the years. According to the MXR webpage, the first not Eddie Van Halen recorded was using the Phase 90 Pedal. I have not been much a fan of Van Halen over the years but appreciate what the band has done for rock music. I am also aware the impact that Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing made on the worlds and a generation of players to follow.
The MXR EVH Phase 90 Pedal boasts the same specifications of the original Phase 90. With pure, analog circuitry, the phase effect will immediately garner your adoration. With its lush, expansive tone, it is no wonder the company only included a single knob. Speed is the only adjustment you will need to make because the effect sounds as nice as it does. With the Speed knob, you are able to control the oscillations of the effect. You can choose between slow, dramatic wavering and quick, heart racing pulsations that allow any riff to throb with coloration.
This effect has a special feature that the original Phase 90 pedals do not. There is a button on the top left corner of the box that is called, Script. This will, with a single push, let you decide between a more vintage phase style and a modernized phaser effect. I really like the option here because they both sound equally as compelling in their own, unique fashion.
Made up with some of the most powerful graphics in rock n roll history, the striping on the pedal is noticeable from miles away. The pedal is covered in the signature black, white and red stripes of Eddie’s “Frankenstein” guitar model. Rather than putting a red LED inside this unit to inform you of the pedals position, the company conveniently made the light blue. This way there is a distinct difference between the indicator light and the color of the pedal.
This is a pretty neat model. It is not much different from the original Phase 90. I can definitely see EVH fans being very excited about this one, though!
