The MXR Custom 74' Vintage Phase 90 is a phaser pedal, sold under the model designation CSP026. It is built around a hand-wired circuit board made with original-spec 1975 components, and its circuitry is all analog1. It sits in MXR's phaser family alongside the Phase 90, the '74 Vintage Phase 90 and the Script Phase 90.
Controls and connections
The pedal keeps its controls to the essentials:
Connections are straightforward. Run a cable from your guitar to the Vintage Phase 90's INPUT jack, then run another cable from the pedal's OUTPUT jack to your amplifier1. The jacks are original high-quality Switchcraft parts, and the bypass switch is a Carling1.
Power
MXR's manual states the pedal is powered by one 9-volt battery, accessed by removing the bottom plate of the pedal. The battery is listed as the pedal's power supply1.
Specifications
MXR's manual gives these figures1:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Current draw | 2.2 mA |
| Max input level | -5 dBV |
| Input impedance | 470 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 10 kΩ |
| Signal to noise ratio | > 95 dB (all controls at mid position, A-weighted, VREF = 1VRMS) |
Sample settings
The manual includes two named sample settings for the pedal: CLASSIC '80s ROCK and PSEUDO LESLIE1. They are starting points for setting the SPEED knob to suit different styles of phasing.
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Questions
Is the MXR Custom 74 Vintage Phase 90 all analog?
Yes. According to MXR's manual, the pedal uses all-analog circuitry. It is a phaser pedal built on a hand-wired circuit board with original-spec 1975 components, and it carries the model designation CSP026.
Does the Custom 74 Phase 90 use a battery?
Yes. MXR's manual states the pedal is powered by one 9-volt battery, which is accessed by removing the bottom plate of the pedal. The battery is listed as the pedal's power supply.
How much current does the Custom 74 Phase 90 draw?
MXR's manual lists the current draw at 2.2 mA, a very low figure compared with most modern pedals. The manual also gives a max input level of -5 dBV and a signal to noise ratio greater than 95 dB with all controls at mid position, A-weighted, at VREF = 1VRMS.
What is the Carling switch on the Custom 74 Phase 90?
The Carling bypass switch is the footswitch that toggles the effect on and to bypass. MXR pairs it with original high-quality Switchcraft input and output jacks, and describes both components as original high-quality parts.
What are the Classic 80s Rock and Pseudo Leslie settings?
They are two sample settings printed in MXR's manual for the Vintage Phase 90: CLASSIC '80s ROCK and PSEUDO LESLIE. They give players starting points for dialing in the pedal using its SPEED knob, which regulates the overall effect rate.
Where can I find the Custom 74 Phase 90 manual?
MXR, now part of Jim Dunlop, publishes the manual for the CSP026 Vintage Phase 90 on the Jim Dunlop website as a PDF, which covers setup, connections, sample settings and the pedal's specifications.
Sources (1)
- CSP026.pdf, Jim Dunlop, 2022
