MXR EVH90 Phase 90 vs MXR Phase 90

The MXR EVH90 Phase 90 and the MXR Phase 90 are both pedals sharing smooth. The MXR EVH90 Phase 90 leans full. The MXR Phase 90 leans fuzzy and warm. Current prices: $129.99 vs $89.99.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

52% — moderately similar

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Classic Rock
  • Rock
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • smooth
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
71%
Price

$129.99via Reverb

$89.99via Reverb

Description

The MXR EVH90 Phase 90 is Eddie Van Halen's signature version of the classic MXR Phase 90, finished in striped Van Halen livery with a single Speed knob and a Script switch. The switch toggles between two voicings: modern Block mode, which is brighter with a more pronounced, scooped sweep, and vintage Script mode, which is warmer, subtler, and smoother. It produces the swirling, liquid phase that defined Eddie's tone on classic Van Halen recordings, working beautifully into a cranked amp for thick lead and rhythm textures. Simple and immediate, it suits classic rock, hard rock, and anyone chasing that signature warm, organic phaser sound from a single intuitive control.

The MXR Phase 90 is one of the most iconic phaser pedals ever made, a single-knob, four-stage analog phaser known for its warm, organic, liquid sweep. With just a Speed control, it is effortless to use, producing everything from a slow, gentle swirl to a fast, watery throb that animates both rhythm and lead playing. Its rich, musical phasing has appeared on countless recordings across classic rock, funk, and beyond, and it is famously associated with Eddie Van Halen's early tone. The compact orange enclosure and simple operation make it a pedalboard staple. It sits early in the chain into clean or driven amps, adding three-dimensional movement without thinning the core guitar tone.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Hard Rock
  • Alternative Rock
  • Funk
  • Blues
Tonal lean
  • full
  • fuzzy
  • warm
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