Ross Phaser/Distortion

$225.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (2)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated May 12, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 12, 2026.

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5.0 (2)

$225.00 10 available Used

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Average Price: $225

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Multi Effects Pedals category, Ross Phaser/Distortion is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Step into a world of vintage-inspired sonic exploration with the Ross Phaser/Distortion, a standout in the realm of multi-effects pedals for guitarists. With a nod to the rich legacy of the original Ross brand, this pedal effortlessly combines two independently toggled circuits—phaser and distortion—offering a versatile and dynamic range of tones for any musician seeking to craft their own unique soundscape.

The phaser circuit is equipped with intuitive controls for rate and feedback, allowing you to dial in everything from subtle swirling textures to intense, swooshing modulations. On the distortion side, a gain control lets you sculpt your overdrive, from a gentle crunch to a full-blown roar, while the output knob balances your overall signal. Whether you're looking to enhance your solos with a touch of vintage flair or build an entire wall of sound, this pedal has you covered.

Crafted with attention to detail and a passion for tone, the Ross Phaser/Distortion is perfect for both live performances and studio sessions. Its sturdy construction ensures reliability on the road, while its classic design brings a touch of nostalgia to your pedalboard. Unleash your creativity and discover new dimensions of sound with this versatile and character-filled pedal.

Key Features:

Two independently toggled circuits: Phaser and Distortion
Phaser controls: Rate and Feedback
Distortion controls: Gain and Output
Vintage-inspired design with modern reliability
Suitable for both live and studio settings

Product specs

Brand	Ross
Model	Phaser Distortion
Finish	Purple
Year	1970s
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Phaser Pedals

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal require?: The Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal typically requires a 9V battery for operation, as was common with many pedals from the 1970s era.
Can the Ross Phaser/Distortion be used with a bass guitar?: Yes, the Ross Phaser/Distortion can be used with a bass guitar, offering unique phaser and distortion effects that can enhance your bass sound.
How do the phaser and distortion effects on the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal interact?: The phaser and distortion effects on the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal can be used independently or combined, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities from subtle modulation to intense, distorted soundscapes.
Is the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal suitable for modern music styles?: While the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal was designed in the 1970s, its classic phaser and distortion effects can still be effectively used in modern music styles, adding vintage character and warmth to your tone.
What are the standout features of the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal?: The standout features of the Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal include its dual-functionality, vintage analog circuitry, and the ability to produce classic phaser sweeps and rich distortion tones, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard.

Videos

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Jake Tanis

Ross Phaser Distortion Pedal Review and Demo | This Thing Rocks!

Jake Tanis

Ross Phaser Distortion Demo

Brad B

Reviews

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PROS

Warm, smooth, heavy distorted sound
Nice and smooth 6 stage phaser tones
Mellow distortion tones provide versatility
AC powered for more headroom and clarity
Compact design saves pedalboard space
High-quality build lives up to Ross reputation
Unique tone hard to find in modern pedals

CONS

Phaser effect may not impress everyone

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ross Phaser/Distortion.

Setup and maintenance

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The Ross Phaser/Distortion uses a 78L12A voltage regulator, indicating a 12V regulation requirement, which is crucial for power conversion modifications.
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The pedal's original power supply resembles a full-wave rectifier with the center tap of the transformer secondary connected to ground, crucial information for successful modification.
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Mods and upgrades

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Successfully converting the pedal from 250V AC to 18V DC requires bypassing the transformer and potentially using an existing diode for reverse polarity protection.
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Successful power supply modification involved connecting the negative of the DC jack to either the center tap pad or the negative end of the large electrolytic capacitor.
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Owners suggest replacing old electrolytic caps and rectifier diodes to address potential noise issues in the power supply section.
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Modifying the pedal to replace the AC plug with a Boss-style DC jack can help reduce noise issues.
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Features and functionality

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The pedal's phaser section may exhibit issues like missing parts of the sweep, possibly due to improper grounding, which can be diagnosed and adjusted with an LFO trimpot.
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The phaser section offers unique character distinct from typical phase effects, described as having a "phase 90-ish but different" sound.
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Other

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The pedal contains a large 16-pin IC with matched FETs, which are no longer manufactured, making repair and modifications challenging without precise technical knowledge.
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User experience

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The knobs on the pedal can be difficult to remove; using a bent paper clip with hooks can assist in their removal.
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Comparisons

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Although some believe Ross pedals are MXR clones, users note the Ross Phaser sounds distinct from MXR models.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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the_essential_guitarist

over 7 years ago

Great Pedal for the price!!!

All the settings/knobs sound nice. Distortion is great. Phaser is...ok. Doesn't take up a lot of room. Quality is great. Lives up to the ross name.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Pop Hip Hop

Artist usage

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John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

Verified via Photo

Used live during the leadup to Paradise Valley and in the studio during the Sob Rock era, particularly for the recording of "Wild Blue".

Paradise Valley era (photos sources from Mayer's Instagram)

jmgear post on April 4, 2013
jmgear post on April 15, 2013
jmgear post on April 21, 2013 (photos from an April 19, 2013 gig)

Sob Rock era

Mayer demonstrated its purported use on Player's "Baby Come Back" in a November 25, 2020 Instagram reel by Christian James Hand; it appears in the video for "Last Train Home (Ballad Version)" at 3:23 (cf. @johnmayergear's November 21, 2021 Instagram post about the video); and Mayer states that it was used on "Wild Blue" in JHS Pedals’ “The Story of ROSS Pedals” at 18:00.

Instagram, @christianjameshand, November 25, 2020

...here’s our Resident Gtr Expert Johan Von Mayer (@johnmayer) confirming that the pedal utilized on Player’s “Baby Come Back” from yesterday’s Session was, indeed, the vaunted Ross Phaser. Our Panel of Experts includes @flytetymejam (keyboards), @lpdpedals (tones), @charliehunter67 (amps), @elteneleven (bass), @matt_tierney53 (The Wiki), & All Things Recording Life Line @donwas.

JHS Pedals, "The Story of ROSS Pedals" (@ 18:00)

The first time I heard and saw a Ross pedal was a phaser that Charlie Hunter was using in his quartet. Loved the way it sounded on this record and tracked it down to being a Ross Phaser. It had a distortion setting on it, which was really wild. I've actually used that Ross Phaser on "Wild Blue" on my record Sob Rock. You can hear it double the little guitar interlude that comes after every chorus.

Mat Zo

Music Producer

Verified via Photo

Mat Zo on Instagram:

I picked these up today. A carvin console previously owned by frank zappa and a ross 1979 phaser and distortion pedal. Funny thing is the console wasn’t much more than the pedal. It’s not the best sounding console (it was mainly supposed to be used for live shows) but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it

Original post is here.