how is the MXR Vintage 74 handwire Phase 90?

[bmf5150]

how is the MXR Vintage 74 handwire Phase 90?doe it sound like the old ones ore does it sound like the EVH phase 90?

 

[bmf5150]

someone posted this at the gear page form..
(I have had the EVH reissue (x2), Retrosonic (x2), Vintage reissue (x2) and the new 74 Script (x1). Old enough to remember when the Script Phase 90 was NEW.

From worst to best IMO only...
4) EVH - Even in script mode was a bit harsh and not that natural sounding but still not too bad. Surface mount, switch directly to board with plastic shaft pot, bright blue LED is too bright for me, did not like the non-script mode which was really "hard" sounding....sold.
3) Vintage Reissue MXR - Looks like it is the same board as the EVH (says EVH on it and the place where the push button is has no components) but it sounded much better to my ears and had a nice churn with a bit more pronounced amount of feedback. Not as smooth as the Retosonic, not true bypass, switch mounted on board as well as jacks, plastic shaft pot, red led..."hard bypass" so when no power is there it will pass signal and I did not hear much if any tone loss. Not bad.
2) Retrosonic - NOT really a Phase 90 but it is "phase 90 like". Clean and clear, more subtle, less feedback in the signal, tuned a bit higher in the frequency range so it got a little more "lost" when using in FRONT of a dirty signal but sounded very nice after dirt boxes. Very nice unit, well built, kind of like a 1/2 way between a Phase 45 and Phase 90, nice to have the depth control and volume to boost/cut signal if desired. A VERY good phaser and great product line.
1) MXR 74 Script Reissue - The REAL deal. Sounds like the original to a "t", same circuit layout and values (I believe), hand wired, not surface mount, metal shaft pot, standard input/output jacks.....CREAMY tone and true vintage vibe. Close your eyes and you are there. NOT true bypass but since there is no LED you can use any standard Wah type DPDT switch and make it true bypass VERY easily. It's the szhizzle as far as I am concerned and it IS a vintage MXR Script Phase 90...as close as you can get. IMO, the best "compact" one-trick-pony vintage phaser you can get...if you like that pony for sure take it for a ride)

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

The closest to the original is the 74 but I must say its a little stiff and hard sounding compared to the original or even the block logo ones. The script reissue is the same pedal as the evh one . Oh and all of these sound different line up 5 and you will see. The other pedal that sounds like a phase 90 is the maxon pt 999 phase tone real good pedal. Original phase 90s just seem to have some give and warmth and compression. Dave Friedman

 

[cibyl]

I don't have an original script logo -- but I do have a 90's reissue block logo. The 74 warmer and more shimmery,...really gorgeous. It's a really beautiful sounding phaser -- classic. Phaser is my favorite effect,....I own 4.

 

[bmf5150]

The closest to the original is the 74 but I must say its a little stiff and hard sounding compared to the original or even the block logo ones. The script reissue is the same pedal as the evh one . Oh and all of these sound different line up 5 and you will see. The other pedal that sounds like a phase 90 is the maxon pt 999 phase tone real good pedal. Original phase 90s just seem to have some give and warmth and compression. Dave Friedman

hey dave,i notice that maxon reis the pedal,are they ok to get or should i get the old one?

 

[bmf5150]

I have one. It sounds good, but not like my original. It is good enough to use all the time and keep my original safe (only to be used for recording). I did have to open it up and adjust the phase sweep pot. It had a very shallow sweep stock? I was talking to someone who has 20 original ones and he said it sounds as good as his worst one, but better than any new one out there.

i was checking the maxon out on utube,i think it sounds more natural than the 74..ill prob go with the maxon or try and find an old one like you have..i just bought a mxr 79 flanger today on ebay..now i can get rid of my reis mxr flanger..

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

I like the maxon better then the 74 Dave

 

[blackba]

It's great, I tried many of them including the high dollar boutique ones that were supposed to based off of the original script. The only thing I had done to mine is had it made true bypass, it's not that bad without though, nothing like the tone sucking EVH one. The EVH one sounds more like the reissue script, the '74 just sounds better, warmer if I might say.

I don't notice the bypass is that bad on my Dunlop Phase 90 or EVH phase 90. It does change the tone a bit and I would make it True bypass if it was easy.....

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

A original is best though but they do vary. Dave

 

[bmf5150]

i looked up the maxon on ebay they have an old orange one or a new reis blue one.are the new reis blue ones as good as the old ones?

 

[bmf5150]

I didn't like the BYOC one either that many raved about.

I have the BYOC,it better than the EVH but its not great..

 

[richedie]

MXR 74 Script Reissue is too thin and won't cut a band mix.
The EVH is the BEST I have found, warm and rich and full and sits in the mix well.
EVH phase 90 for the WIN!