Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $108
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$75
$201+
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Description
With its quintessential Boss-built enclosure and simplified controls for rate, resonance, and depth, the Boss PH-1R Phaser offers a standout, yet refined, phased analog touch to your musical expression. This versatile pedal is adept at delivering a fully phased audio experience or enhancing the lower frequencies, all while maintaining a noise-free signal. Ideal for genres like psychedelia, stoner rock, or garage, the PH-1R proves to be a vital ally for musicians seeking to add a unique sonic layer to their performances.
Key Features:
- Streamlined controls for rate, resonance, and depth.
- Delivers a unique phased analog sound or augments low-end presence without adding noise.
- Robust Boss enclosure for durability.
- Ideal for a range of music genres, including psychedelia, stoner rock, and garage.
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | PH-1R Phaser (Black Label) |
| Finish | Green |
| Year | 1980 - 1985 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | EQ Pedals, Phaser Pedals |
FAQs
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What is the main difference between the Boss PH-1 and PH-1R phasers?
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The Boss PH-1R Phaser includes a Resonance control, which allows users to adjust the feedback level, creating a more pronounced and customizable phasing effect compared to the original PH-1 model.
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Can the Boss PH-1R Phaser be used with a bass guitar?
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Yes, the Boss PH-1R Phaser can be used with a bass guitar. It adds a rich, swirling modulation effect that enhances the tonal depth of bass lines.
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Where should the Boss PH-1R Phaser be placed in a pedal chain?
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The Boss PH-1R Phaser is typically placed after distortion and EQ pedals but before time-based effects like delay and reverb to ensure the modulation effect is applied to the core tone.
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What power supply does the Boss PH-1R Phaser require?
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The Boss PH-1R Phaser requires a 9V power supply, which can be provided by a standard 9V battery or an appropriate AC adapter.
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Is the Boss PH-1R Phaser suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Boss PH-1R Phaser is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable construction and a versatile phasing effect that can enhance various musical styles on stage.
Videos
shnobel
Vintage MIJ Boss Phaser PH-1r
Reviews
PROS
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Emulates the "Big Joe" phaser sound with a preferred soft rubber switch
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Natural sounding compared to Boss PH-3
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Wide sweep and tonal range for versatile phasing effects
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Achieves both vibrato and Leslie-type sounds effectively
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Lush phasing with wide rate knob range and adjustable depth
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Resonance control adds unique texture and low-end capability
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Defined, warm, and never invasive sound quality
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Sounds better before overdrives in signal chain
CONS
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Not a true bypass pedal, can introduce unwanted noise when off
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May have a higher volume output compared to other pedals, potentially requiring modification
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss PH-1R Phaser.
Features and functionality
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The PH-1R offers a range of phasing from 100 ms to 16 seconds, optimal between 11 and 1 o'clock for subtle effects.
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The PH-1r is noted for its lush and rich sound, though it is less subtle and transparent compared to the MXR Phase 90 or 95.
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The MD-200 offers a "shiny" phaser sound, which some find artificial compared to the PH-1, suggesting a digital brightness in multi-effect pedals.
Source
Comparisons
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Owners note that the PH-1R can mimic a vibe effect, unlike Phase 90s and Small Stones, but doesn't reach "zero point."
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The Boss PH-2, at a lower price, offers smoother psychedelic tones with mode 1, while mode 2 provides a more pronounced sound.
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The EHX Nano Small Stone is highlighted for its warm or intense resonant tones, offering an alternative to the MXR with a lower frequency sweep.
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MXR Phase 95 reportedly comes closer to the PH-1 sound than the MD-200, despite differences in tonal characteristics.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Best used with resonance at 7-8 o'clock for subtle phasing, achieving a vibe-like tone with low resonance and high depth at faster speeds.
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The PH-1r is preferred for swells, washes of noise, and adding texture, making it ideal for psychedelic and shoegazey styles.
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The MD-200's inclusion of a Slicer effect evokes Four Tet-like sounds, appealing to experimental music creators.
Source
Setup and maintenance
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings
462
Very nice but not recommended for live use
Very nice sounding pedal ! But I can't recommend it for live use. One day on stage, the soundman said to me : "Maaaaan... I can hear a kind of wobble... don't know where it come from". The Phaser was OFF. I turned the speed button and we heard the wobbling sound going slower or faster in the speakers. So it is NOT a true bypass pedal (like all non-WAZA Boss pedals). So I bought the Retro-Sonic Phaser : true bypass, based on the Boss PH-1R and the 4-stage Script 90 circuit.
584
Make A Big Difference For Classic
My Grandfather Have One Of This Effect Pedal. My Opinion It Make The Sound Of The Guitar Much More Clarified Or Much Clean.
Artist usage
Add artist
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ECU6lBKXN/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZURI9VIoUlk - at 46:55 into this video Roberto says: "Yeah actually, one of my favorite pedals is the Boss phaser pedal from the 80’s, the green box that literally has the three knobs on it."
You can see this pedal and bunch of other gear in a photo from Chuck's instagram. It looks like he has this pedal on his pedalboard
In this YouTube video at 1:13 Al McKay's all-BOSS pedalboard shows a PH-1R on the right hand side of the board.
Koji Nakamura used the Boss PH-1R Phaser guitar pedal during his time with the band Supercar, specifically during the Futurama tour
At 46:24 in the video "My Synth Studio Revealed | Studio Tour 2025" by Anthony Marinelli Music on YouTube, Anthony Marinelli's setup is shown to include a couple of Boss PH-1R Phaser pedals, positioned on the same rack with a collection of other pedals.
Brian Nash is sponsored by Washburn and also plays a Fender Strat through a Sony radio link and a Roland JC120 with a Roland SCC pedalboard containing a DD2 delay, CE3 chorus, SD1 overdrive, TW1 wah-wah, GE7 graphic, NF1 noise gate and a PH1R phaser.
During a Body/Head performance, Bill Nace is seen using the Boss PH-1R Phaser, as documented in the Typepad source.
In the image provided, Zoloto is clearly seen using the Boss PH-1R Phaser, and he has mentioned that he utilizes it during concerts.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss PH-1R Phaser, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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