The Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter is a Maestro phaser pedal, currently around $180. Close alternatives include the Ibanez PH Mini and the Ibanez CS Mini Compressor/Sustainer. It pairs well with the Traynor SB110 and the Peavey MAX 100.
Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter
Maestro · pedal
The Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter is a vintage analog phaser introduced in 1971, prized for one of the lushest, warmest phase sounds ever produced. Rather than a sharp modern sweep, it delivers a warm, organic, and often subtle swirl with three speed settings, including a distinctive braking transition between fast and slow that sounds like a jet engine winding down. It defined classic 1970s phasing, heard on the electric piano of Led Zeppelin's No Quarter and on recordings by Steve Howe and Ernie Isley. It suits psychedelic, classic rock, and vintage tone enthusiasts who want immersive, lush movement. Some high-end loss occurs when engaged, easily corrected with a buffer upstream.
- lush
- analog
- classic rock
- organic
- vintage
- phaser
- psychedelic
- subtle
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Rock
- Ambient
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter
Traynor SB110
Traynor
36% matchThe SB110's boxy midrange EQ gives the PS-1A's lush, organic sweep a straightforward amp voice to move through.
Peavey MAX 100
Peavey
36% matchThe MAX 100's practice-oriented mid EQ gives the PS-1A's lush, organic phase sweep a straightforward amp voice to move through.
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head
Revv
20% matchAdd the PS-1A's lush, vintage analog phase sweep on top of the G20's own clear, headroom-forward voice for texture without changing its directness.
Mesa Boogie Subway D-350
Mesa Boogie
17% matchLet the PS-1A's lush analog sweep trail the D-350's bright, clean preamp for subtle bass modulation.
Two-Rock Silver Sterling Signature 100/50W
Two-Rock
15% matchThe Silver Sterling's full, transformer-driven tube tone takes on the Maestro PS-1A's lush, organic phase shift after the amp's own gain.
Traynor TVM15
Traynor
14% matchKeep Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after Traynor TVM15 in the signal chain, clear of Traynor TVM15's own gain stage
Line 6 PowerCab CL 212
Line 6
14% matchKeep Line 6 PowerCab CL 212's pristine voice out front: Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter goes after Line 6 PowerCab CL 212 in the signal chain so its lush voice doesn't muddy it
Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass 100-Watt Combo Bass
Ampeg
14% matchRun the PS-1A's lush, organic analog sweep after the RB-112's own presence-forward preamp settles, so the modulation moves a defined tone.
See all 24 amps that pair with the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter →
Pedals that stack with the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
42% matchPush the PS-1A's lush, organic phase sweep with the Screamer's mid-forward boost and the phasing has more gain to move through.
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
37% matchThe PS-1A's lush, organic phase sweep adds movement feeding the Power Boost's transparent, treble-forward stage.
Carl Martin Headroom
Carl Martin
19% matchRun the PS-1A's lush, organic phase sweep after the Headroom's spring-reverbed stage voice and the modulation colors that reverb tail directly. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Free The Tone ODL-1A-CS Overdriveland Custom w/Ch Cont
Free The Tone
19% matchLayer the PS-1A's lush, vintage analog phase sweep after the ODL-1A's glassy, Dumble-voiced drive for movement on an already-articulate signal.
Caline CP-11 Puffer Fuzz
Caline
19% matchRun Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after Caline CP-11 Puffer Fuzz in the signal chain, clear of Caline CP-11 Puffer Fuzz's own gain stage
Electronic Audio Experiments Halberd v2
Electronic Audio Experiments
19% matchRun Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after Electronic Audio Experiments Halberd v2 in the signal chain, clear of Electronic Audio Experiments Halberd v2's own gain stage
Wren and Cuff Two Five Drive/Boost
Wren And Cuff
19% matchPut Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after Wren and Cuff Two Five Drive/Boost in the signal chain, clear of Wren and Cuff Two Five Drive/Boost's own gain stage
Catalinbread Sinkhole
Catalinbread
18% matchRun Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after Catalinbread Sinkhole in the signal chain, clear of Catalinbread Sinkhole's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
See all 23 pedals that pair with the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter →
Cheaper alternatives
Mojo Hand FX Nebula Redux
Mojo Hand Fx
72% similarityShared character: phaser, classic_rock, warm
MXR EVH90 Phase 90
MXR
72% similarityShared character: phaser, subtle, simple
Carl Martin Classic Chorus
Carl Martin
71% similarityShared character: digital, subtle, simple
MXR Phase 90
MXR
70% similarityShared character: phaser, simple, classic_rock
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
70% similarity“directly inheriting the warm, smooth, mid-focused phasing of the vintage Maestro PS-1”
Behringer Dual-Phase
Behringer
70% similarity“targets the dual phaser circuit category occupied by units like the Maestro PS-1A, using 12 optocouplers and two independent sweep generators”
Boutique & premium upgrades
Carl Martin Two Faze
Carl Martin
72% similarityShared character: phaser, subtle, classic_rock
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
71% similarityShared character: phaser, subtle, simple
Walrus Audio Monumental Stereo Harmonic Tremolo
Walrus Audio
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Analog Man Bi-Chorus
Analog Man
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ibanez PH Mini
Ibanez
74% similarityShared character: guitar, phaser, subtle
Ibanez CS Mini Compressor/Sustainer
Ibanez
70% similarityShared character: digital, guitar, simple
Spaceman Explorer 6-Stage Phaser
Spaceman
70% similarityShared character: phaser, subtle, simple
Boss CE-2 Chorus
Boss
70% similarityShared character: guitar, subtle, warm
Rowin LEF312 Flanger
Rowin
70% similarityShared character: warm, digital, classic_rock
Providence ADC-3 Anadime Chorus
Providence
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter?+
The closest matches in character are the Ibanez PH Mini, the Ibanez CS Mini Compressor/Sustainer, the Spaceman Explorer 6-Stage Phaser. Budget picks: Mojo Hand FX Nebula Redux, MXR EVH90 Phase 90, Carl Martin Classic Chorus. Boutique upgrades: Carl Martin Two Faze, Electro-Harmonix Small Stone, Walrus Audio Monumental Stereo Harmonic Tremolo.
What pairs well with the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Traynor SB110, Peavey MAX 100, Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head — The SB110's boxy midrange EQ gives the PS-1A's lush, organic sweep a straightforward amp voice to move through..
How much does the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter cost?+
Around $180 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Electro-Harmonix Bad
- vs Providence ADC-3 Anadime Chorus
- vs Walrus Audio Monumental Stereo Harmonic Tremolo