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Frenetic Amnesic
Bronze Member
54 Posts |
 Posted - 04/15/2009 : 22:53:32
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I've had this pedal for a few months now. I didnt really need it, but I had 8 adapter spaces on my pedalboard, and they shouldnt remain empty! haha. So I got this pedal. I got it for $60 on ebay. EXCELLENT shape. Not a nick/chip on the thing. I was hoping for like an MXR 90 type of sound. And noticing that it had 5 stages (i cant remember directly) I thought that I would for sure be able to get one. Well its been about 6 months and Im really not too happy with it. I dont use it hardly at all. But thats because I cant really get a good sound out of it. Its on stage 10, which is the closest I found to what I liked. I have seem many "awe" over the PH-1r. I know it seems to be somewhat of a rare pedal. But how do the two compare? I know what the answer is, not even playing one, Im sure the ph-1 is miles better, but was just curious to see if it was worth looking into getting something different.
Also, I dont see too many of them around here. Is it the general consensous that this pedal isnt all that great compared to some of boss's other stuff? What do you guys think? |
Edited by - Frenetic Amnesic on 04/15/2009 22:55:00 |
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Ollie
Gold Member
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2009 : 23:29:08
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I think the main idea of the Ph-3 is
'Jack of all trades, master of none'
It was (& still is) my first phaser, so i got the idea of what I want.
No I want 1974 Reissue MXR Phase 90, The '74 Re. Is soooooo nice :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfawADpiWAE
Now I probaly shouldn't be going on about other pedal makes, I am no Heretic to the Boss community, but it's worth looking around. |
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tunghaichuan
Bronze Member
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2009 : 23:53:46
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I recently passed on a mint PH-3 for $40US and a good condition PH-2 for $45US. I just couldn't warm up to their respective sounds. Their was only one setting ont he PH-3 that I though sounded remotely good (IMHO)> Maybe I'm just not a phaser type of guy. 
tung |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 00:27:34
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| i hear it very crappy and most prefer the ph-2 over the 3 |
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BossBrasil
Bronze Member
Brazil
129 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 02:49:55
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| PH-2 the best phaser... I have a MXR phaser 90 and I think he has more name than it is really worth... |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 03:16:00
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| I think the PH-1R is the best BOSS phaser.. the 2 is a little cold sounding, and the 1 is a little too subtle. The PH-3 has a bunch of modes and can simulate those other tones, but the RISE, FALL and STEP modes are pretty unique. Good for special fx, maybe not for subtlety or smoothness. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 04:43:31
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| I like the versatility of my PH-3. It may not be lush or panning, but the unique modes & strong sweeps are better tan the MXR Phaser I had in college. My PH-3 mode switch went bad about 4 years & 10 months into its lifetime (even though I only played through it like 20 times) & it took a few months sitting in Roland's inbox for them to just say send a new one out under warranty. |
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dfx
Copper Member
Philippines
33 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 05:42:38
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@Frenetic Amnesic
I have the same situation as you are. Got also this pedal last two months for a good deal in mint condition with box and manuals. The previous owner hardly used it.
Anyways, the 10-stages setting so far is also the thing i liked.
@DeFrag and to eveyone:
Is it possible to post your pedal settings? I'm trying to get a Uni-vibe setting for that classic rock and roll sound 
Thanks in advance.
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DrakeSequation
Bronze Member
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 07:02:13
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I think the PH-3 offers great phasing sounds, and is quite diverse.
I think many (most?) people that badmouth the PH-3 do so because they get it with a particular phase sound in mind and try to get that sound exactly. They cannot get that sound, so the pedal is "bad." It isn't. Just not what they wanted.
If you want a MXR 90 sound, I would suggest the obvious any get a MXR 90 versus trying to get that sound out of something else. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 07:05:08
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I have all the Boss phasers and to get the best classic phaser sound I prefer PH-1R.
But I find that I use PH-3 a lot, this is a very versatile pedal, and with a band at full tilt behind you the subtleties are not noticed. The Rise & Fall settings can be used with good results if you�re on the road of more experimental things.
I bought it cheap and it was supposed to go to the collection, but I like this pedal.
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Shermock
Bronze Member
Sweden
61 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 08:01:58
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ph-3 is cold, sterile and tone altering(my biggest issue with this pedal) but it will phase and take your point home in a bandsituation. Recording wise you wish for more but its "rise-fall-step" mode keeps you from putting it away. PH-1 is the "ONE" of the boss phasers. havent tried PH-1r but im sure its just as good.
And you cant stray phaserland without EHX small stone.....you have to check that out.
The ultimate test for any pedal is in a band. The subtle little things one dwell about at home is secondary...even though necessery and developing, of course. |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 09:14:16
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I have a PH-3. I don't dislike it (it is a versatile pedal) but I just don't love it. You can get a plethora of phasing sounds out of it, most of which are very useable. There's just no sound it makes that I'd use to death....
I also own an Electro-Harmonix/Sovtek (the Russian one) Small Stone which I love. It's probably one of my favourite effects pedals ever... It only has a couple of different sounds but they are both awesome. If I had to choose I'd definitely go with the Small Stone. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 10:33:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Shermock
And you cant stray phaserland without EHX small stone.....you have to check that out.
I have owned Small Stone several times, and I agree to 100%, this is the ultimate phaser. It can emulate Uni-Vibe quite good too.
Another great phaser is the Coron Phaser 55, obscure Japanese pedal from the early 80�s. Sold under different brands, like Musikb�rsen in Sweden.
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 14:32:19
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Never have liked my PH-3. It's an OK work-horse, but no real "soul". I am using a PH-1R right now, but keeping my eye out for something non-Boss.
In my opinion, the two things that Boss doesn't get quite right are phasers and flangers (everything else Boss does is perfect, of course!). I've gone with EHX for a flanger (Deluxe Electric Mistress), and am still snooping around for a phaser.
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the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 03:24:50
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I'll mimic 3 previous posts. & maybe 1 beyond.
PH-3 for overall versatility.
PH-1r for decent solid tone. As far as Boss goes.
EHX for the Small Stone & their Bad Stone... to die for.
 T-D |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 15:41:23
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The PH-1R fills that early 80s void not covered by the Phase 90 or the SmallStone..
I always find it works incredibly well for reggae..  |
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Topic |
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Thoughts on the PH-3?
