The MXR Phase 90 is an MXR phaser pedal, currently around $89.99. Close alternatives include the Orange Series Phaser and the Univox Uni-Vibe. It pairs well with the Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp and the PRS HX 50 Head.
MXR Phase 90
MXR · pedal
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.
- phaser
- recording
- psychedelic
- mix
- classic rock
- rhythm
- funk
- organic
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR Phase 90 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Funk
- Classic Rock
- Blues
- Experimental
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Phase 90
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox
41% matchThe chiming AC30 and the Phase 90 are a documented classic-rock pairing, the amp's bright top end giving the phaser's sweep plenty of sparkle to move through. — also used together by 1 artist
PRS HX 50 Head
PRS
40% matchThe HX 50's tube-driven breakup gives the Phase 90's swirl a saturated amp voice to move through.
Traynor SB110
Traynor
31% matchRun the Phase 90's classic sweep after the SB110's boxy midrange voice and it has real character to color.
Peavey MAX 100
Peavey
30% matchThe MAX 100's practice-oriented mid gain gives the Phase 90's classic sweep something driven to color.
Peavey Decade Too
Peavey
27% matchOn a simple practice amp like the Decade Too, the Phase 90 adds all the classic swirl without needing anything fancy from the amp itself.
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo
Peavey
26% matchLet the Phase 90's classic sweep color the MAX 150's own midrange-forward bass tone with subtle movement.
Traynor SB106
Traynor
22% matchInto the SB106's clean, DI-friendly signal, the Phase 90's sweep stays articulate rather than getting muddy.
Ampeg SVT-CL
Ampeg
22% matchThe Phase 90's classic-rock sweep follows the SVT-CL's tube growl and compression for added motion.
Pedals that stack with the MXR Phase 90
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
61% matchThe Galileo's bright, pickup-tuned boost gives the Phase 90's sweep more top-end presence to move through.
EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea
EarthQuaker Devices
60% matchThe Phase 90's classic-rock sweep follows the Chelsea's bright, British-voiced drive for a defined swirl.
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
40% matchPhasing after the Screamer's drive keeps the sweep defined rather than letting it wobble the gain — also used together by 1 artist
Walrus Audio Fable
Walrus Audio
36% matchPhasing and granular reverb don't fight for the same space — run the Phase 90 alongside the Fable's glitchy stereo wash and each stays distinct. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Paul Cochrane Timmy
Paul Cochrane
32% matchThe Phase 90's classic-rock sweep follows the Timmy's transparent, treble-cutting overdrive for a defined swirl.
Boss OD-1 Overdrive
Boss
29% matchRun the Phase 90's classic sweep after the OD-1's transparent, asymmetrical clipping and the modulation has real bite to color.
Xotic EP Booster
Xotic
28% matchThe EP Booster's fat, boosted signal gives the Phase 90 more level to sweep across without needing to push the phaser's own gain.
EarthQuaker Devices Arrows
EarthQuaker Devices
28% matchRun the Phase 90's classic sweep after the Arrows' subtle treble boost and the modulation has real bite to color.
Cheaper alternatives
Behringer VP1B
Behringer
70% similarityShared character: units, effect, phaser
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
70% similarity“some players prefer the more open voices of a Phase 90 or Small Stone”
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Tone City Summer Orange
Tone City
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
MXR EVH90 Phase 90
MXR
73% similarity“is Eddie Van Halen's signature version of the classic MXR Phase 90, finished in striped Van Halen livery”
Mojo Hand FX Nebula Redux
Mojo Hand Fx
72% similarityShared character: phaser, true_bypass, classic_rock
Catalinbread Many Worlds
Catalinbread
70% similarityShared character: rich, phaser, simple
Tru-Fi Ghost Vibe
Tru Fi
70% similarityShared character: dark, phaser, pedal
Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter
Maestro
70% similarityShared character: phaser, simple, classic_rock
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
70% similarity“compared to a Phase 90 it is gentler, dreamier, and warmer with a wider speed range and a musical quality of its own.”
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Orange Series Phaser
Orange
73% similarityShared character: single_tone_knob, mix_controls, phaser
Univox Uni-Vibe
Univox
72% similarityShared character: iconic_sound, effect, phaser
Ibanez CS Mini Compressor/Sustainer
Ibanez
71% similarityShared character: true_bypass, effect, simple
Spaceman Explorer 6-Stage Phaser
Spaceman
71% similarityShared character: phaser, true_bypass, mix
Anarchy Audio Flutterby Tremolo
Anarchy Audio
71% similarityShared character: mix_controls, true_bypass, mix
MXR Deep Phase
MXR
70% similarity“delivering deeper, more dramatic phase shift than the standard MXR Phase 90 with an additional depth control”
See all alternatives to the MXR Phase 90 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Phase 90?+
The closest matches in character are the Orange Series Phaser, the Univox Uni-Vibe, the Ibanez CS Mini Compressor/Sustainer. Budget picks: Behringer VP1B, Maestro Orbit, Electro-Harmonix Bad. Boutique upgrades: MXR EVH90 Phase 90, Mojo Hand FX Nebula Redux, Catalinbread Many Worlds.
What pairs well with the MXR Phase 90?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp, PRS HX 50 Head, Traynor SB110 — The chiming AC30 and the Phase 90 are a documented classic-rock pairing, the amp's bright top end giving the phaser's sweep plenty of sparkle to move through. — also used together by 1 artist.
How much does the MXR Phase 90 cost?+
Around $89.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).