Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Teemu Suomala
If you are like me, ultimate versatility is one thing that gets you excited about a specific guitar. The fact that you are not stuck inside one genre and that your axe can pull off anything, is amazing. And one thing that can level up guitars versatility is a phase switch.
In this article, you’ll discover what a phase switch is, get the master list of the cream of the crop guitars with a phase switch, and I also reveal the 4 best ones. So you’ll learn some really cool stuff. If you have any questions, just check the FAQ section or leave a comment.
Let’s get started!
Author: Teemu Suomala
I first grabbed the guitar in 2009. I started this website in January 2020 because I couldn’t do window installation anymore due to my health problems. I also noticed that most guitar websites don’t do a really good job, so I decided to just go for it! I got lucky and managed to get awesome people to help me with my website. I also got lucky because I have you visiting my website right now. Thank you. I do all this for you guys. If you have any recommendations, tips, or feedback, just leave a comment, I would love to chat with you. I have been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as Songsterr, Musicnotes, GuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar. I spend my spare time exercising and hanging out with my wife and crazy dog(I guess that went the right way…).
15 Guitars with Phase Switch
Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang is one of the rare Fender guitars with a phase switch. It’s got Jag-Stang Single-coil and Jag-Stang Humbucker which should provide a middle ground between Mustang and Jazzmaster tones. The sound might not be for everyone, but some people seem to just love this guitar.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $299-499
$$= $500-899
$$$= $900-1199
$$$$= $1200-1599
$$$$$= $1600-
With acoustic guitars phase switch helps to kill the feedback when played through amp. If you are playing with an amp and the sound coming from it reaches the pickup system of the acoustic guitar, this can cause feedback. Phase switch fixes these issues. Phase switch is usually used with acoustic guitars when recording or playing a show. Otherwise phase switch with acoustic guitar doesn’t add much value.
*Consider all links in this post to be affiliate links. If you purchase, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. It helps us to keep the lights on, thanks! 🙂
| Model | Pickups | Phase Switch | Body Style | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
| Harley Benton BM-75 Trans Red Deluxe Series – Cheapest | 3x Vintage Style single coils | 3 Phase switch | Double cut | $ | Thomann* |
| Harley Benton HP-42 Signature TT Roasted | Roswell P90s Alnico-5 single coils (neck) & Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 humbucker (bridge) | Tone control with push/push function for phase reversal | Modern Stratocaster | $ | Thomann |
| Epiphone SG Muse | 2 x AlNiCo Classic Pro humbuckers | 2 x Tone controls with phase switch | SG | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Muse – Best Budget | 2 x AlNiCo Classic Pro humbuckers | 2 x Tone controls with phase switch | Single-Cut | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Orleans Studio Acoustic | Fishman Sonicore Piezo | Phase switch | Grand Auditorium – Cutaway | $ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Classic | 2 Alnico Pro Custom humbuckers | Coil-split and phase switching | Single-Cut | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone SG Modern | ProBucker-2 Humbucker & ProBucker-3 Humbucker | Coil-split and phase switching | SG | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Guitar Research Synyster Gates – Best Acoustic | Fishman Sonicore Piezo | Phase switch | Grand Auditorium – Cutaway | $$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Modern – Best Overall | ProBucker-2 Humbucker & ProBucker-3 Humbucker | Coil-split and phase switching | Single-Cut | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III – Natural Mahogany | Shadow Nanoflex pickup with Active Electronics | Phase switch | Treveler – Escape Mark III | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Fender Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang | Jag-Stang Single-coil & Jag-Stang Humbucker | Phase switch | Jag-Stang | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| B.C. Rich Mockingbird Legacy ST | Passive DiMarzio D Activator – DP219BK (neck) & DiMarzio D Activator – DP220FBK (bridge) humbuckers | Phase shift | Mockingbird Legacy | $$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Godin Fairmount CH LTD HG EQ Acoustic | LR Baggs Anthem | Phase switch | Concert Hall | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Gibson Les Paul Classic – Best Premium | Burstbucker 61R Humbucker & Burstbucker 61T Humbucker | Push/pull for bypass/phase | Single-Cut | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Godin MultiAc Grand Concert Deluxe | Custom Voiced LR Baggs | Phase switch | Grand Concert-styled | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
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3 Best Guitars with Phase Switch – My Favorites
Best Acoustic – Schecter Guitar Research Synyster Gates
What I like
- A thin neck offers really smooth, electric-like playability
- A solid Spruce top with rosewood back & sides offers a clear tone
- A slim body with a cutaway feels comfortable
- Great quality Grover tuners, stays in tune well
- 3-band EQ & phase button
- Really good for leads
What I don’t like
- The synthetic bone nut is not the highest quality option
Who is it for?
If you are after acoustic guitar with a phase button/switch, slim playability, and clear sound, Schecter Synyster Gates acoustic is one of the best options. It offers high value for the money, a solid spruce top, 3-band EQ, and sounds good unplugged and plugged in.
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Best Budget – Epiphone Les Paul Muse
What I like
- Phase switch for this price range is a great deal
- Alnico Classic PRO Humbuckers churn out nice classic LP tones
- Grover Rotomatic tuners hold the tune well
- Custom C shape is comfortable and fits most hands well
- GraphTech NuBone nut increases sustain
- Offers great value
What I don’t like
- Custom C neck doesn’t give the most authentic Les Paul feel
Who is it for?
If you are after high-value budget electric guitar with a phase switch that offers versatile thick & warm sound and has great hardware, Epiphone Les Paul Muse is a great choice. For this price, it doesn’t have any real cons and the quality & finish is usually spot-on.
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Best Overall – Epiphone Les Paul Modern
What I like
- Coil-split paired with a phase switch makes this LP extremely versatile
- Asymmetrical SlimTaper neck is fun to play
- GraphTech NuBone nut increases sustain
- Rock-solid high value package
- Looks stunning
- Grover Rotomatic tuners hold the tune well
What I don’t like
- Some people might not love the asymmetrical neck (I like it)
Who is it for?
If you are after a rock-solid high-value guitar with a phase switch, versatile & great tones, and are ready to try out an asymmetrical neck, Epiphone Les Paul Modern is one of the best options out there. It features a coil-split, stunning looks, Grover tuners, and NuBone nut. Excellent value for the money.
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Best Premium – Gibson Les Paul Classic
What I like
- Graph Tech Tusq nut for premium sustain
- Burstbucker 61T Humbuckers offer true Gibson Les Paul sound (premium level tones)
- Slim Taper neck provides real Les Paul playability
- Grover Rotomatic tuners hold the tune well
- Great all-around quality
- Coil-split paired with a phase switch enables ultimate versatility
- Stunning finish
- Comes with a Hardshell Case
What I don’t like
- Expensive
You can find more great Gibson electric guitars here.
Who is it for?
If you are after a premium-level guitar with a phase switch, Gibson Les Paul Classic is my top choice. It’s got a beautiful finish, a pair of 61T humbuckers that offer really thick Gibson sound, and everything from hardware to tone is a premium material. My favorite Gibson Les Paul at the moment.
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FAQ
What Does A Phase Switch Do On Guitar?
Simple explanation:
Phase switches the current (electrons aka. signal) to travel the other way through the pickup. For example, when the switch is off, signal goes from north to south and the switch is on, it goes from south to north.
The phase switch works best when multiple pickups of the guitar are used at the same time since this way the 2 pickups cancel out certain frequencies of the signal and an unique sound is achieved. This is how phase switch adds versatility.
This video reveals more about a phase switch:
With acoustic guitars phase switch helps to kill the feedback when played through amp. If you are playing with an amp and the sound coming from it reaches the pickup system of the acoustic guitar, this can cause feedback. Phase switch fixes these issues. Phase switch is usually used with acoustic guitars when recording or playing a show. Otherwise phase switch with acoustic guitar doesn’t add much value.
Benefits of Guitar With A Phase Switch
I’m talking about the phase switch of the electric guitar here.
Pros
- Adds versatility
- Relatively easy to find guitars with a phase switch (great that you have this article)
- You can achieve unique sound with a phase switch
Cons
- Can increase the price a little
- Some guitar models just don’t have options with a phase switch
Who Should Buy Guitar With A Phase Switch?
If you are after ultimate versatility and want a guitar that can help you achieve unique sound, a guitar with a phase switch is a solid option. It can increase a price a little and limit your model options, but if versatility is important for you, it’s most likely worth it.
Conclusion on Guitars with Phase Switch
Do you know what thing about my job (testing & writing about guitars) is a bit tricky? I learn so much cool stuff and discover awesome new guitars & gear almost every day…what about this is tricky? I get a real ache to buy a ton of cool stuff. This month only, I have written about Evertune bridges, Fishman Fluence pickups, and V-shaped necks for example. And now I want to add guitars with those features to my collection…My wife is not going to like this…
I hope this article helped you out, and maybe you even decided to get one of the guitars featured. If you have any questions, leave a comment, I and the GND team are here for you.
Now go, my son, and Rock!
