MXR EVH Phase 90 vs Script 74 | VAN HALEN style

I was recently asked, “what is your favorite MXR Phase 90 pedal?” I have owned and used the MXR Van Halen Phase 90 (live board) and the MXR custom shop ’74 Reissue Phase 90 (studio board) for years, but never compared them side by side until now!

Like many of us, I was originally inspired to acquire a Phase 90 pedal due to Eddie Van Halen. As such, I will play through some EVH style licks and well as a range of clean and dirty rhythm tones. I was wondering if there would be any perceptible difference in the context of a full track, so I did a version of the intro solo with each pedal to check for that. Lastly, I did a quick noise comparison of each pedal.

To focus the video, I’ve kept the phase 90 on my favorite setting - a slow swirl. I matched the speed by ear as I noticed the same physical setting sounded different, which is the nature of electronic component tolerances.

Come to find, I was personally surprised by the results and it actually challenged my preconceived notions.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

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For more guitar tones and original licks follow me at on Instagram: @ratherberiffing

Thanks and rock on!
-Johnny Z

Guitar chain:
- Gibson Les Paul 1959 reissue with Wildwood spec'd humbuckers
- Friedman BE-100 amplifier
- Suhr Reactive Load with OwnHammer IR of Friedman 4x12 cab
- MXR Van Halen Phase 90
- MXR custom shop ’74 script reissue Phase 90

Recording chain:
- Neve style mic preamp
- Apogee Symphony converter
- Cubase

[AlexSimo-ss]

I don't know who you are, but my God man, you are a machine on that guitar!

[richardhenley]

Wow very impressive demo!
This is an awesome comparison!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing playing and killer tone!
I have both and both sound great but the Script 74 is the way to go to really nail the EVH tone.

[tgdkls]

Unbelievable playing... as well as a great comparison. I salute you sir.

[BurgersforBreakfast]

Awesome playing. Funny how the non-EVH Script Phaser sounds more like EVH than the actual EVH model.

[dalenicholas]

One of, if not the best demo I've seen of these pedals. Dude your such a great player as well, fantastic stuff🖖

[benshearin]

Best 'effing demo I've seen on these pedals! 5 stars!

[davidlloyd]

Thanks for doing the side by side. Personally I find the 74 warmer, thicker and the mid range is better whilst the EVH has a very sterile sound. Great playing.

[josephdow]

Totally addicted to these tones
What skill.

[aries_atrio]

You have the soul of the 80’s sound witching you, I hope you know that, very few know what I mean.

[elementgypsy]

great video 9 stars! No fuss no muss. all those other people talk and talk and talk....just what needed. Oh, BTW, really rocking riffs! love your playing.

[andrewmaher]

Thank you for the comparison and the great playing. I am buying a Phase 90 basically for VH, so this was great...
Closing my eyes and listening to the video, it's close, but there is a winner...
Twice the '74 re-issue evoked a certain memory/feeling where I thought, "That's the sound!"... So, for my low level of skill, they sounds close, but the re-issue still wins.
... Unfortunately there is now a massive expectation on you to (please) do a similar VH comparison between the MXR Flanger models (including an original with the SAD1024) ;-)

Thanks again.

[patrickaskey]

I just wish I could play like that period. Maybe one day before I die at my old age.

[Roryfan]

Fantastic review and great playing, thank you! The 74 all day for me, that's the sound.

[jordandangelo]

I have a 74 script Analogman modded Phase 90 but one of my very first pedals 20 years ago was an EVH Phaser and I loved it and used on gigs and sometimes would just leave it on the most subtle setting and it wasn’t really noticeable but it added a little something extra to my tone. Same goes for Vibrato. But man that Les Paul is a beauty. I was always a Strat guy until I really planes and played a good 61 SG and it was hard to go back to the Fender and I love both but Gibsons just scream in a way Fenders don’t but I think you can get more tones out of a Fender with all the pickup choices. Great video!

[ishancooper]

Thanks for the noise comparison. I get an LFO ticking sound with my 74 .. I don’t hear it with your one.

[luisalextorres]

What’s that riff at 3:03? Sounds killer. Maybe ghost?

[bustercampfiresongs]

Very alike. I'd prefer to not hear the delay to really tell the difference.

[kevinkinnu]

I actually noticed a big difference between the two which surprised me.
I like them both but would pick the 74 Script

[DavRuiz]

Great tone man, and very helpful demo. EVH is a bit more defined to my ears but both sound great 👌👍

[Dyneemadrone]

Are there any attenuators which don’t wreak tone?