The PastFX Foot Phaser Deluxe is an analog phaser pedal that PastFX describes as "an expanded, feature-rich version of the PastFx Nick James Foot Phaser, based on the Foxx Foot Phaser V1"1. Where the Nick James model keeps the original's control set small, the Deluxe adds a switchable 6 or 10 phase stage count, a three-position speed range switch, a Manual mode, and an expression pedal jack that restores the treadle-style speed control of the 1970s original. The circuit uses 10 hand matched JFET transistors2.
The pedal it traces back to, the Foxx Foot Phaser V1, was made in the 1970s, and its treadle design allowed the phase speed to be controlled by knob or treadle3. Foxx released several versions of the foot phaser with different numbers of phase stages and circuit designs1.
The controls
The Deluxe carries three knobs and three switches, laid out in the manual as follows2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed knob | Sets the LFO phase speed in Auto mode, or a fixed point in the phase in Manual mode |
| Depth knob | Sets how deep the phase sweep goes |
| Feedback knob | Sets the amount of feedback in the phase sweep |
| 6/10 phase stage selector switch | Chooses between 6 and 10 phase stages |
| 3 speed range rotary switch | Selects one of three speed ranges for the Speed knob |
| Mode switch | Chooses Auto mode or Manual mode |
The two modes work differently2:
- Auto mode allows the LFO phase speed to be determined by the Speed knob, so the sweep runs continuously at the rate you set.
- Manual mode allows the Speed knob to select a fixed point in the phase, freezing the sweep at one position instead of oscillating.
The 6/10 stage switch is the biggest tonal lever on the pedal. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing PastFX's modulation range in November 2024, found the Deluxe to be24:
"an entirely different and fuller flavour beast compares to your most typical 4 Stage Phasers - really beautifully textured!"4
That difference comes from the stage count: most compact phasers are 4-stage designs, while the Deluxe can run 6 or 10 stages for a fuller sweep24.
Power and connections
The Deluxe runs on a 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm jack and negative tip, Boss style, and draws approximately 20mA2. PastFX builds it with Neutrik jacks and Lumberg DC sockets1. For the related Nick James Foot Phaser, PastFX highly recommends a regulated, isolated linear or transformer-based supply5, and the same advice applies to any analog phaser sharing this power scheme.
There is no battery option in the manual's power description; the pedal takes its 9V DC through a 2.1mm DC socket only2.
The expression pedal jack allows treadle control over the Speed knob, echoing the original Foxx treadle design1. The manual specifies an expression pedal with a 100KB potentiometer, wired with the tip on wiper 2 and the sleeve on wiper 1 or 32. Any compatible expression pedal with that wiring gives you foot control of speed, or of the fixed phase position in Manual mode.
How it relates to the Nick James Foot Phaser
The Nick James Foot Phaser is a collaboration between PastFX and Nick James of Peril Pedals, also based on the Foxx Foot Phaser V13. The Deluxe is essentially a tricked-out version of that pedal1. The main differences:
| Feature | Nick James Foot Phaser | Foot Phaser Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Phase stages | Fixed, based on the V1 circuit | 6/10 selector switch2 |
| Speed ranges | 2 speed range switch3 | 3 speed range rotary switch2 |
| Modes | Auto only | Auto and Manual mode2 |
| Expression | Not listed | Expression pedal jack1 |
| Current draw | Approximately 10mA5 | Approximately 20mA2 |
To set the Deluxe to match the Nick James Foot Phaser, the manual gives these settings2:
- Turn the Feedback knob fully counter clockwise.
- Set the phase stage switch to 10.
- Use Auto mode.
- Set the range switch to the slowest or middle speed.
The Nick James model also carries a Phase Sweep Bias adjustment via a blue precision trim potentiometer with a 25-turn rotation, set by putting the range switch on fast, turning Speed and Depth fully clockwise, and adjusting the trimpot until phasing becomes audible before fine tuning on slow5. The Deluxe's manual does not describe this procedure.
Where the circuit came from
The original Foxx Foot Phaser line of the 1970s came in several versions with different numbers of phase stages and circuit designs1. The V1's treadle design allowed phase speed to be controlled by knob or treadle3. A later treadle model, the Foxx Foot Phaser Studio Model 7, had a switch selecting between treadle control of phaser speed or a manual, non-oscillating phase position6, an idea the Deluxe's Manual mode echoes in pedal form. PastFX notes that product specifications are subject to change without notice1.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Foot Phaser Deluxe and the Nick James Foot Phaser?
The Foot Phaser Deluxe is an expanded version of the Nick James Foot Phaser. Both are based on the Foxx Foot Phaser V1, but the Deluxe adds a 6/10 phase stage selector, a 3 speed range rotary switch instead of the Nick James model's 2 speed range switch, Manual mode, and an expression pedal jack. It also draws about 20mA against the Nick James model's 10mA.
What does Manual mode do on the PastFX Foot Phaser Deluxe?
Manual mode lets the Speed knob select a fixed point in the phase rather than sweeping. Instead of the LFO oscillating, the knob freezes the phaser at one position in the sweep, which you can then move by hand or with an expression pedal.
What expression pedal works with the Foot Phaser Deluxe?
The expression pedal jack gives treadle-style control over the Speed knob. The manual specifies an expression pedal with a 100KB potentiometer, wired with the wiper on the tip and wiper 1 or 3 on the sleeve.
How much current does the PastFX Foot Phaser Deluxe draw?
The manual states the pedal draws approximately 20mA. It runs on a 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm jack and negative tip, Boss style, so a standard center-negative pedal power supply works.
Is the Foot Phaser Deluxe based on the Foxx Foot Phaser?
Yes. PastFX describes it as based on the Foxx Foot Phaser V1, a 1970s treadle phaser whose speed could be controlled by knob or treadle. The Deluxe is an expanded version of PastFX's Nick James Foot Phaser, which uses the same V1 circuit.
How do I set the Deluxe to match the Nick James Foot Phaser?
According to the manual, set the Feedback knob fully counter clockwise, put the phase stage switch on 10, use Auto mode, and set the range switch to the slowest or middle speed. That configuration reproduces the Nick James Foot Phaser's behavior.
Sources (6)
- Foot Phaser Deluxe, PastFx, 2026
- PastFx_Foot_Phaser_Deluxe_Manual.pdf, PastFx, 2022
- Nick James Foot Phaser, pastfx.com, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-11-14
- PastFx_Nick_James_Foot_Phaser_Manual_Dec_2020.pdf, PastFx, 2020-12
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effect Pedals
