The Big Joe Stomp Box Company Phaser, sold as the R-408, is an analog phaser pedal and the only modulation effect in the company's current line-up1. Big Joe builds its pedals as analog reproductions of classic guitar effects, and the R-408 follows that approach: a compact stompbox with three knobs, Speed, Feedback and Mix, that shapes the rate, intensity and blend of the phase effect12.
The maker describes the sound in practical terms: the Speed knob varies the sweep "from a subtle, long cycle to a Leslie like swirl," and the pedal "adds shimmer to lead licks or swooshing resonance to muted strumming"1. Premier Guitar's reviewer measured the slow end of that range at a full cycle about once every four seconds, running up to a very fast, Leslie-like pace with the knob wide open2.
Controls and what they do
The R-408 keeps its control set to three knobs, which Premier Guitar's reviewer found made it very easy to find the tone you are looking for2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the rate of the phasing, from a subtle, long cycle to a Leslie-like swirl12 |
| Feedback | Adjusts the character from a classic phase signature to an almost wah-wah-like effect1 |
| Mix | A variable mix control for blending the effect with your dry signal1 |
The Feedback knob is the one that sets the R-408 apart from simpler two-knob phasers. Where a basic pedal gives you only rate and depth, Feedback pushes the resonant peak of the sweep until the maker says it approaches an almost wah-wah-like effect1. Mix then lets you dial the wet signal down for a subtler phase, or up for a fuller sweep.
Power and connections
The pedal runs on 9V to 18V power, and the maker lists 12V and 18V support, so it works with higher-voltage supplies as well as a standard 9V pedalboard power1. Connection is a single 6.3 mm mono input and a single 6.3 mm mono output1.
The R-408 is a mono pedal. Premier Guitar's reviewer flagged this directly: "Mono output means you can't wire it in stereo to get that amazing sensation that the sound is swimming inside of your head"21. Players who run two amps and want a stereo phase spread need a phaser with two outputs, such as the DOD FX20C Stereo Phaser, which has two separate outputs for sending to two amplifiers3. The PastFX Rotary Phaser offers stereo outputs with an internal mono/stereo selector switch4.
Where it came from
Big Joe Stomp Box Company positions the R-408 within a line of pedals focused on analog reproductions of classic guitar effects2. The pedal was reviewed by Pedal of the Day on 2 May 2018, which described it as a vintage analog phase machine and covered its controls, analog design and metal enclosure5. It remains in the maker's current line-up as of October 2026, listed at a regular price of $189.951.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the pedal in September 2026 and summed up its strengths plainly:
"Extreme control versatility. Great build quality. Very easy to find the tone you're looking for2."
Premier Guitar's reviewer also called it "a beautifully built unit that conveys a purist mentality, vintage style, and tour-ready toughness," while listing the mono output as the drawback that keeps it out of a stereo rig2.
Pedal of the Day's 2018 review was similarly positive about the pedal's balance of simplicity and flexibility:
"The R-408 is an excellent example of how phasing should be done. Not too flashy, but with enough options to make it more than a one-trick pony5."
That review covered the R-408's controls, its analog design and its metal enclosure5.
How it compares
Against other analog phasers, the R-408's distinguishing features are its Feedback and Mix controls and its wide power range. Many phasers stop at a Speed knob and little else: the NEXI Industries Phaser uses a single knob for speed, and the Retro-Sonic 4-Stage Analog Phaser offers Speed, Depth and Level67. The R-408's Speed range, roughly one full cycle every four seconds at the slow end up to a Leslie-like pace at the fast end, covers the ground most players need for both slow ambient sweeps and fast rotary-style movement1.
Questions
Is the Big Joe Stomp Box Company phaser analog?
Yes. Premier Guitar describes the company's line as focused on analog reproductions of classic guitar effects, and Pedal of the Day called the R-408 a vintage analog phase machine when it reviewed the pedal in 2018. The maker's product page presents it alongside its analog pedal line.
Can the Big Joe phaser be run in stereo?
No. The R-408 has a single 6.3 mm mono input and a 6.3 mm mono output, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that the mono output means you cannot wire it in stereo. Players who want a stereo spread from a phaser need a pedal built with two outputs.
How much does the Big Joe R-408 phaser cost?
The maker's listed regular price is $189.95 as of October 2026. Premier Guitar's September 2026 review gave a $149 street price, so the pedal has sold below list at retail.
How slow and how fast does the Speed knob go?
According to Premier Guitar's review, at its minimum setting the speed control sweeps through a full cycle about once every four seconds, while at maximum it reaches a very fast, Leslie-like pace. The maker describes the range as running from a subtle, long cycle to a Leslie-like swirl.
Sources (7)
- R-408 PHASER (9V-18V), Big Joe Stomp Box Company
- Big Joe Stomp Box Company Phaser Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-18
- FX20C Stereo Phaser by DOD, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Rotary Phaser, pastfx.com, 2026
- Big Joe Stomp Box Company R-408 Phaser, Pedal of the Day, 2018-05-02
- NEXI Industries Unveils the Phaser, Premier Guitar, 2017-06-21
- Phaser | retro-sonic, retro-sonic.com
