 | Mu-Tron Phasor II
There can be only one! Anyone who reads Hot Pedals knows I love a good phaser pedal. We've featured some of the best ever made including the script logo MXR phase 90, EH Small Stone and the revered Maestro Phaser, which are all fantastic, but if I had to pick one and one only, it would be this, the Mustitronics Mu-tron Phasor II.
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| Effects Ethics
By the time Mustitronics products were available in the mid 70's, effects pedals had become a common sight on most guitarists pedal boards. Company founders Mike Beigel and Aaron Newman knew they needed something that would separate their products from the rest, and that something was to be quality. In the race to get effects to the market so many manufacturers had cut corners, doing everything possible to keep costs down and profits up, but Mike and Aaron decided to take the high road. The entire range of Mu-tron products are an engineer's marvel. Everything from the components, pcb's and even the enclosures are made to the highest of standards which is why many of these pedals are still in great condition today and sound just as they did when they left the factory over 3 decades ago. Adventurous guitarists such as Larry Coryell and Pat Martino instantly fell for the sound these stompers produced followed by players of a new product known as the 'Synthesizer' who discovered these effects after Stevie Wonder used the Mu-tron III envelope filter on the clavinet track of 'Higher Ground'. After the Mu-tron III Mike and Aaron designed a rotating speaker emulator called the 'Phasor'. An instant success they expanded on this effect with the 'Phasor II', which included an added feedback control and amongst gear freaks, myself included, is known as the greatest sounding phaser ever made.
Work it baby
Using the Phasor II is simple and produces a massive, lush sounding phase tone, and I do mean massive. The frequency range accessed via the depth control is unbelievable. Add some feedback and you get this amazing mix between phasing and flanging which offers up a truly unique sonic experience. The speed gives you anything from a slow romp through the frequencies to an all out warble explosion.
Of course every silver lining has a cloud and the Phasor II's Achilles heel is it's U.S. mains powered only so not only do you have the pain in the bum of plugging it in, but you need to plug it into a step down transformer first so its practicality does come into question, but fact is you just can't argue with tone like this.
How much should I pay?
Not surprisingly these are in short supply, but you can still pick them up in fair/good condition from around $250 in the U.S., which is amazing for this sort of vintage high quality effect. I shudder to think what it would cost were it made today. Although most of these are relegated to occasional studio work because of the mains lead hassle, once you've heard one, everything else can seem, well, like just another phaser.
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