PH-1 Phaser (1979)

A Classic Boss Pedal

If you’re looking for a decent analogue phaser effect, then the Boss PH-1 could well be the pedal for you. This classic Boss pedal has maintained its relevance through the decades both for being a fantastic effect in its own right and for upholding Boss’s usual design standards.

Inspirations For the Boss PH-1

The Boss PH-1 first hit the shelves in the late ’70s and, to many, it was seen as a direct response to a series of MXR pedals; the Phase 90, the Phase 45 & the Phase 100.
Though the MXR pedals were undoubtedly classics in their own right, Boss have always been a market force to be reckoned with and they posed some serious competition. Ultimately, their take on the phaser effect proved to be a great little pedal and that’s why we’re still talking about it today.

Using The Boss PH-1

Okay, so let’s get into the details.
The PH-1 is a simple, two-knob pedal with controls for Rate and Depth. It’s a 4-stage phaser with a range from 0.1 all the way up to 16 seconds.
It’s not trying to do anything particularly flashy, but at the same time, it’s not over-reaching. As with many Boss pedals, it does one effect and it does it well.

Getting Hold of the PH-1

These days the PH-1 is solidly confined to the realms of the second-hand pedal market.
Although Boss’s current phaser model, the PH-3, is a great effect, we can’t help but feel that the decision to go digital has dulled some of the warmth that made the PH-1 so special.

Of course, that’s not to say you can’t get hold of the PH-1. There are still plenty of them floating around online at wildly varying prices but, as of now, it seems Boss have no plans to revive this beloved classic.

If you want to hear the sound of the PH-1 yourself then go ahead and try it out here on Tonepedia.