Modulation1974· MXR (USA)Pro

MXR Phase 90

Four-stage JFET phaser — Eddie Van Halen's swirl.

About

Four cascaded JFET-based all-pass filter stages whose cutoff frequencies are swept by a low-frequency triangle oscillator. The dry signal is summed with the all-pass output to create notches that sweep across the spectrum.

Signal chain preview

5 stages
Input
Input buffer
4× JFET-based all-pass stages (matched 2N5952 as VCRs)
Output

Quick facts

  • "Brown sound" album-Eddie tone leans on a script-logo Phase 90 set medium-slow.
  • Script-logo (no feedback path) is more subtle; block-logo adds feedback for a more intense, vocal swirl.
  • Uses matched 2N5952 JFETs as voltage-controlled resistors — matching is critical.

Controls

  • Speed (500k reverse log)

Mod recipes Pro

4 mods
Script logo / R28 mod
Speed range expander
Resonance / feedback
True bypass
Unlock all 4 mods