4 of a Kind - One Knob 4-Stage Phasers
I would like to start my apologising that I got the previous One Knob Phaser article wrong - as I momentarily lapsed into thinking that the EHX Small Stone was a 2-Stage variant, where it’s rather the very first of the 4-Stage varieties. I’m so used to associating 4-Stages with the MXR Phase 90 - that it has always been my key benchmark, and until recently I’ve not been entirely clear on EHX’s illustrious phaser history - which I am now!
I still find it somewhat infuriating that you’re not always provided with the appropriate details across a variety of online resources - and searching for 2-Stage or 4-Stage Phasers yields all manner of inappropriate and incorrect variants actually. This job is tough enough without all the subterfuge and lack of full transparency - I thought this particular exercise would have been a lot easier - but I kind of struggled with it - which is rare for me. Just so many brands don’t reveal the inner workings of their pedals - often making it nigh impossible to compare like with like. You might be surprised with how few sites actually disclose fully what manner of phaser they are promoting!
In any case I think I’m back on track with this one - while there’s enough contradictory evidence online to confuse even the most erudite of mind!
So here is the original mission / path I attempted to go down - where my pivot here is really the EVH version of the Phase 90. For my own phaser use - I mostly use my phasers in combination with a killer Marshall distortion - to deliver those EVH style searing leads!
My fab 4 this time around are :
- EHX Small Stone - $84
- Maxon Phase Tone PT-999 - $179
- MXR EVH Phase 90 - $129
- Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine - $264
Here in alphabetical order we start off with the most affordable, and end with the dearest example - which is roughly 3 times the price of the cheapest model here.
Two of these pedals have extra features / switches - the Small Stone with its Color switch, and the EVH Phase 90 with its Script button additional vintage voicing.
For many Phaser connoisseur - the extra flavour and nuance delivered by the Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine - makes that acquisition entirely worthwhile - where others will have broader criteria in choosing their preferred 4-Stage phaser. I myself have typically gravitated towards more extended features pedals - while there is a real joy too in deploying a simple but versatile one-knob pedal.
As a big EVH fan and Skreddy fan - those two are my likeliest acquisitions here - while I also like aspects of the Maxon Phase Tone - with its Vintage voicing and primo component, and you cannot argue with the easy accessibility of the EHX Small Stone - these are all valid and worthy choices - while greater investment can yield richer and more complex tones and flavours, but not necessarily always, and the more affordable varieties are continuing to improve their output profiles all-the time.
You definitely have some killer options here.
The usual individual details follow below :
EHX Small Stone - $84
Color switch : Carved-Hollow / Full Frequency
I believe the original Small Stone was the very first 4-Stage Phaser back in 1970. And this latest version of that pedal carries all that vintage flavour in the most accessible format to date - and with an extra tonal / textural 'Color' variation switch - which none of the others have. So this has a more extended featured set (but not by much), and is still the most affordable in this selection. Probably all-round the easiest of these to get your hands on alongside the Phase 90.
Maxon Phase Tone PT-999 - $179
These are still current - accurately recreating those vintage Phase tones by using the very best original and NOS components. There's no frills here - so you're coming for the core quality of the output - which seems to be well-loved by those in the know. While this pedal isn't in that wide a distribution, and is often somewhat under the radar, and out of stock! Really worthwhile if you ever come across one though!
MXR EVH Phase 90 - $129
For my - EVH is my main benchmark for Phaser usage, and I mostly use that effect to recreate Eddie's tones. As I explained in the previous article - I have 3 MXR Phasers to date - including the Phase 95 - which houses both Block and Vintage editions of Phase 90 and Phase 45 circuits. I'd still really like this EVH Phase 90 - which also has 2 flavours courtesy of its Script (Vintage) push-button. As mentioned in the intro - I usually gravitate toward more extended range phasers with multiple knobs and controls - but I really would like one of these too - my most likely acquisition from this selection for sure!
Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine - $264
Kind of the connoisseurs choice for 4-Stage Phasing, in a similar way that the JAM Pedals Ripple is for the 2-Stage variety. Both have a richer fuller flavour profile, and their hand-made nature makes for a higher ticket price. I've long since loved Skreddy Pedals - and have around a dozen in the Reference Collection - I've been considering this one for a while - but always seem to have more urgent priorities! While I'm working my way through those at a fair clip - so surely these kind of pedals can't be too far around the corner now!
I personally would probably go for the EVH Phase 90 first, then the Little Miss Sunshine, and Phase Tone - while I would imagine a lot would prefer the original 4-stage voicing - courtesy of EHX's Small Stone. So apply you criteria - and make your choices!
Also - do let me know if there are any other significant viable alternatives for these - and if you managed to conjure up a 4th option for the 2-Stage roundup!
