How's the new '74 reissue Phase 90?

[tspit74]

I've killed both of my R28 modded, regular ones and need to replace them. I was considering a Build Your Own Clone one, but that's a lot of work and I'm a moron. If this '74 reissue gets the sound and is actually authentic, I'd rather just run over to GC and be done with it.

 

Just want some opinions. I think the regular ones sound great after modding but they're built like turds and I've blown up 2 already by accident. With 2 kids, it's hard to get out to GC and fart around for an hour with a stomp box. I also doubt they'd let me take it apart and insect it for build quality. If anyone has one, I'd appre ciate your opinion.

 

PS: I've read that the Custom Shop version is just an EVH with orange paint and no hole drilled for the button.

 

Thanks!

[ReckedTrek]

PS: I've read that the Custom Shop version is just an EVH with orange paint and no hole drilled for the button. Thanks!

 

It's worth it to get the rediculous striped {censored} off of there!

[archofmusic]

At that price you might as well pick up an HBE psilocybe. But you may want to think about a custom paint job without the logo as to not give your kids the wrong idea.

[blackjack davey]

I've heard that the '74RI is the best Phase 90 out there. Handwired with the right components/varience, whatever. Unfortunately, it does not come with a 9v jack and would have to be unplugged every time you shut down.

 

+1 to the newer Scripts just being an EVH w/o the switch.

[analogmike]

[tspit74]

 

Unfortunately, it does not come with a 9v jack and would have to be unplugged every time you shut down.

 

 

No 9v jack is a good thing for me. That's how I blew up the 2 dead 90's I currently have. I used the wrong adapter on the PowerAll and fried them.

 

What is it about MXR's crappy engineering? Absolutely every single other electronic component I own that runs off a wallwart has a buffer between the jack and the electronics. If I accidentally use the wrong adapter or power supply with any other pedals, keyboards, battery charger, cd players, etc., the only thing that happens is it doesn't work until I use the right one. MXR pedals instantly fry using anything but an approved wall wart. My first 90 died when I accidentally grabbed the 9v charger from my discman. Instant smell of burning silicon. The second died when I put the reverse polarity adapter on my Powerall (I thought it was just an extension cord until I killed the pedal and read the microscopic writing on the packaging that described the different color coded jacks). Dead instantly.

 

Even Behringer pedals won't fry if you accidentally do something stupid.

[andreas]

Actually, the Phase 90 has a polarity protection system. Chances are it (in one or both pedals) actually did its job just as intended - there's a diode in there which keeps any reverse voltage down to about 1 volt. Unless it can't hold back any longer, in which case it will usually blow and short the power out (again, protecting the pedal's more sensitive parts).

 

In the regular Dunlop reissue (the one you can do the R28 mod to), there's a diode between the adapter jack and the connector for the battery wires. Most likely, this has blown and need replacing. You may also have to replace the filter capacitor (big electrolytic cap right next to the adapter jack).

 

Then again, the '74 is the real deal - foam and crappy bypass and all. So if you're shopping for a Phase 90, it's a definite contender. The Custom Shop Script reissue is a repackaged EVH, yes, but the '74 is genuine.

 

/Andreas

[tspit74]

Not knowing much about electrical engineering, I replaced the electrolitic on one of the pedals over the weekend out of curiosity. It didn't do anything, but I didn't know about the diode. I'll take it apart and see if I can replace that too. I guess I just have to figure out what the heck a diode is now. Thanks for the info.

[andreas]

In the area below the adapter jack, there are only three components. The one closest to the jack is a resistor, and the other two are diodes. If one of them is fried, you should be able to see that pretty quickly.

 

Edit: It looks like one of the diodes is a regular small signal diode (1N4148), while the other is a zener diode.

 

/Andreas

[tspit74]

I see the area you're talking about. You mean the 2 little red things? They don't look fried but that doesn't mean they aren't. I will look for replacement diodes and hope that does the trick.

 

Thanks for the number (1N4148) on the signal diode. Not knowing anything about diodes (or electronics for that matter. But I can use a soldering iron), is the zener diode any particular number or voltage? Thanks Andreas. You're being a huge help.

 

EDIT: I don't know if this will help with a diagnosis, but if I put a battery in the pedal and turn it on, the battery gets super hot really quick. Do the diodes prevent this?

[andreas]

A hot battery indicates a short-circuit in the power rails, which is what happens when the polarity protection diode fails (as a last resort measure to protect the circuit). I'm willing to bet that the 1N4148 (the middle of the three components below the adapter jack) is damaged, and shorting the power out. You can clip it out to see if the pedal starts working again, but you'll need to replace it to keep the pedal protected.

 

The Zener diode is probably a 9 volt, but I don't know that for sure. Try the 1N4148 first.

 

/Andreas

[tspit74]

Thanks Andreas. I'll try to score a 1N4148 diode this weekend and switch it out. I'm seriously grateful for the knowledge you're sharing. This forum is great! I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again!

[RockNote]

74RI Phase 90! News to me! Who makes 'em? Dunlop - I don't see how they could fit into the product line, but they own the MXR name. They have 3 Phase 90s already.

[Orwell]

 

They're going for $120 at Muscians Friend.

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXR-CSP026-Handwired-1974-Vintage-Phase-90-Pedal?sku=158496

[Orwell]

Does anyone offer a 9v adapter jack mod for one of these or would those ZVex bottom plates fit one?

[seajay]

Sounds pretty good here:

 

[YOUTUBE]MfawADpiWAE[/YOUTUBE]

[RockNote]

^^^ Thanks. Yeah, that is good stuff. Not counting the EVH Phase 90, they have however already sold us this pedal twice. The business model, of course, is to water down the product so that what you get is never quite the real thing. Should we trust them this time? Third time lucky? The path lies open for yet another model anyway, one that is TB and can use an adapter. It is unbelievable that they don't avail themselves of advantages in design, but - hey - it's that damn business model once again: never mind the product itself, just sell 'em the image of a legend.

[dangerous dan]

That video of the '74 RI sounds great, I have the EVH model which I think is pretty good.

 

I love the line in the video about "a lot of hand matching and care went into '74 vintage version", an I'm sure the workers on the production line in the Mexican or Taiwan factory (or where ever Dunlop make stuff) take as much care.

 

But this now is the 5th Phase 90 they make

 

101 Phase 90 - block reissue

 

Custom Shop Script with no LED

 

Custom Shop Script

 

EVH Model

 

And this 1974 makes a fifth version

 

The Block, EVH, Script LED and Script No LED are all based on the same EVH PCB iirc with just added switch and / or LED for the specific model.

[RockNote]

The Dunlop/MXR 74 Phase 90 RI demo is hands down infinitely better than the one they did for Retro-Sonic. Is this a just comparison, I wonder? How could it be - it's ice-picky bright.

 

[YOUTUBE]iWM8y5Mdcx0[/YOUTUBE]

[seajay]

Well, at some point proguitarshop.com got better recording equipment for the gear demos. It's possible that the Retro-Sonic demo was made before they obtained the better recording equipment.

[RockNote]

Well, at some point proguitarshop.com got better recording equipment for the gear demos. It's possible that the Retro-Sonic demo was made before they obtained the better recording equipment.

 

Back in the day when they were AmateurGuitarShop.com? Thanks for this info. That would explain it. They got several GREAT vid demos on their web site - I am checking them out just now!