phaser trouble

Fall Out Boy · #1 03.29.07, 1:18 AM

Ok i have a electro harmonix small stone phaser, it sounds great except for 2 things: When its on it causes a dramatic drop in volume, and it also increases the bass which is realy annoying. im wndering if there is any mods i can do myself to fix these problems?

can anyone help me out??

Aureate_7 · #2 03.29.07, 1:22 AM

Is the color switch up? Because the definately makes the bottom part of the sweep very bassy and overpowering. And the volume drop...yeah. They do that. Though it would be noted of that is in the nature of a phaser because its literally taking out chunks of signal.

I have these problems as well, along with a very noisey switch, and I think I'm just going to throw it in a TB loop with a Fish N Chips EQ and call it a day.

But if you're looking to mod...I know there's a bunch of them out there.

gibsonplyr1 · #3 03.29.07, 1:24 AM

I recenytly purchased this pedal new (like last week) but tinkered with it all weekend. Firstly, I think your problems are fairly unique and you may want to return yours or test another one..no only did I not experience what you described, I actually found quite the opposite. I noticed a slight increase in volume (which didn't really bother me, b/c many phasers are far more quite..see Boss PH2 or 3), and I noticed on the lower setting, it boosted the bass or low frequencies a bit (again, not enough to piss me off). You should go back to the store and demo one with similar pickups or if possible with your exact rig.

As for mods, I only found one and it owuld not really help your issued.Sorry

Fall Out Boy · #4 03.29.07, 1:46 AM

Unfortunately it doesent matter if the color switch is up or down, it sounds basicly the same

.
as for the mods u mentioned, know where i can read about any of them??

as for returning it, i cant as i purchased it second hand, it was in excelent condition, except a few scrathces on the chassis. inside where the battery goes however, i noticed a wire that was not connected at one end.. strange. i thought nothing of it at the time but i mite have another looke now.

thanks for the help so far.

cheers.

andyjreid · #5 03.29.07, 3:14 AM

I know this may sound a bit patronising but have you tried simply moving the small stone from the end of your chain to the start of your chain?

I had massive signal problems with my MXR Phase 90 and by simply moving it to the start of my chain all problems are sorted.

___________________________

Guitars: Ibanez RGT42, Fender 52 Reissue Tele with SD Little 59 pickup at bridge.

Pedal Board: VOX Wah > MXR Phase 90 > Boss OD-2R > EHX Little Big Muff (reissue) > Boss DS-1 (Monte Allums Mod) > Boss MT-2 > Arion Chorus > Line 6 DL4

Amp: Hughes & Kettner Attax 100 Head

Fall Out Boy · #6 03.29.07, 3:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by andyjreid
I know this may sound a bit patronising but have you tried simply moving the small stone from the end of your chain to the start of your chain?

I had massive signal problems with my MXR Phase 90 and by simply moving it to the start of my chain all problems are sorted.

hey i hand't thought of that. thanks for the advice.

gibsonplyr1 · #7 03.29.07, 3:40 AM

...good call andyjreid. Though I would never tell anyone how to order there board, I have my signal go Tuner>Small Stone>PH3 (I have altered it a little in my tag below). My phasers are literally the first effects (not counting the tuner). again, I never experienced the loss of volume, anymore than with my other phasers.

The mod that I googled was a while ago, but all it did was change the phase so that you can make it parked if necessary. The mod was very involved, containing instructions for the addition of three wires, a relocation, drilling, and new toggle switch. I do not remeber the link ,but I'm confident if you really wanted it, you could google it. It may have been through Keeley or analogman...but thats a real guess.

Sorry no more help on this one.

Good luck again.

andyjreid · #8 03.29.07, 4:17 AM

I myself too would never tell someone how to chain their pedals or preach to there being a "correct way" in which to do so. I still find myself switching pedals around on my chain to get certain sounds.

Signal drop wasnt what I experienced from the Phase 90. It was the opposite in fact and putting it after a pedal such as the muff or the MT-2 just made crazy noise (which is good if its what you want).

Glad to be of some help.

__________

Guitars: Ibanez RGT42, Fender 52 Reissue Tele with SD Little 59 pickup at bridge.

Pedal Board: VOX Wah > MXR Phase 90 > Boss OD-2R > EHX Little Big Muff (reissue) > Boss DS-1 (Monte Allums Mod) > Boss MT-2 > Arion Chorus > Line 6 DL4

Amp: Hughes & Kettner Attax 100 Head

Hasselhoff · #9 03.29.07, 9:34 AM

Hmmmm

Very interesting. I've experienced the volume drop with mine and yeah, I knew it was just the nature of phasing. I've had mine placed before the amp-in the chain but found that the effect was magnified if I put it in the effects loop (which I've read is what to do with color effects i.e. chorus, flanging, phasing, etc.)

I'll have to try putting it at the beginning of my chain tonight, since I'll be re-organizing my board anyway.

Fall Out Boy · #10 03.29.07, 4:49 PM

i tried putting my small stone at the start of my chain, and also only having it between my gat and amp but no diference.

i guess it would annoy me more if i needed to use a phaser more often but i really dont. although it is annoying coz it cost $180!!
ohwell, thanks for the advice guys.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

- Support GuitarGeek! Visit our Sponsors -