Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb

If you are looking for a reverb to add to an amp like the FENDER PRO Junior, then this is for you. I'd suggest replacing the speaker in the amp first (e.g. Jensen's Alnico 10R), and giving it a chance before changing tubes, but all in all, this neat, simple reverb pedal really does fit the bill.

Unlike some other reverb units, this one does work well with small amps.
My only reason for buying it was to supplement the above-mentioned "Reverb-less" amp. Personally, it serves no further purpose than what I've already described, but I can't see why it shouldn't work well with most amps. It doesn't add anything to what my '65 Deluxe can already do, so I'd suggest checking it in the store with a similar amp to your own. With this modified Pro Junior, it simply sounds terrific, especially on the HALL setting, but there's no doubt that the JENSEN speaker vastly improves the overall sound anyway.

It looks sturdy enough, and the company's name is built on a pretty solid foundation. However, it does have a little hiss as some other reviewers have mentioned, and that may become excessive in a live situation.
Personally, I can live with the hiss, but once again, the incredibly noisy Sovtek tubes only over-emphasize this, so I've gone for Electro-Harmonix AT-7's (and occasionally JJ AU-7's) in the pre-amp stage. Both vastly improve the problem.

Being of 60's (make that Beatles) vintage myself, this comes in useful on occasions. Although The Beatles rarely use much reverb, when it is warranted, this pedal is right-on the mark. I don't use it much with my Casino, but it's terrific for a bit of old surf or guitar instrumental material. (Think The Shadows or The Ventures).

I've been playing for over 40 years, so I'm well settled in what I like, and I certainly DO like this. It's not the "HOLY GRAIL" of reverbs, but it certainly gets close at times! (Maybe the HOLIEST GRAIL is a goer?)

This is a 7 months old EH Holy Grail Reverb unit. I bought it second hand and it has to serve me at home with a small reverbless guitar amp (in fact a Fender Bassman 20 with a guitar loudspeaker). The manual wasn't in the box, I don't need one. It's easy to handle. Most of us will use the included EH adapter: polarity is reversed to most of the Japanese boxes. Though you can use a 1.5V - 12V variable stabilized 1000mA adapter but you'll have to deal with the polarity!

Now I've got some Fender tube amps with reverb and in theze amps no reverb sounds the same!! The Holy Grail Spring Reverb fits right in. It's quite natural sounding if you don't over do it. The Hall effect is ok. The Flerb, you like it or not! Reverb level can be fine tuned easily to what you like to hear. There is only a very slight hiss when the effect is turned on and to my ears there is a small volume drop.

Well as I said it is only 7 months old and it is was well treated by it's former owner. Very clean! But I had some problems keeping it running when I got home. A plop and a massive volume drop!! Besides that the reverb type 3-way slide switch was making some ugly electric noises. The volume drop disappeared when I turned the reverb knob. Allright, dirty switch and potentiometer. When I took it apart I noticed two of the four chassis screws were lame, turn, turn, turn, but didn'go up. I managed to get all four screws out and had a look inside: what I saw didn't make me happy: the circuit board was kind a floating, it was attached very bad, thin wires too. It didn't look road proof at all. I cleaned the switch and the pot, put the thing together and switched on for quite a long time: problems gone. The verdict: The housing is weak and in my opinion not road proof. The electronic component are cheap and is connected with cheap, thin wiring.
Is it allright for me? Yes. I don't go on the road with it and with my electronic know-how I think I can keep it running.

Never dealt with them (their tubes are ok)

I like the clean Fender sound music. This Reverb fits in with that sound. I was looking for a good sounding, not too big, inexpensive reverb unit. I found one. I'll treat it gentle and it will serve me for sure.

It's very easy to use, because there's one knob for reverb level and one switch with three settings for hall reverb, spring reverb, and flerb (flanger & hall reverb together).

It works great in fromt of an amp if you use it by itself with no other effects. The pedal works best in the effects loop of a guitar amp if you use it with distortion, either the amp's distortion or a pedal in front of the amp. The Holy Grail doesn't work well with distorion or other effects when placed in line with them in front of an amp. The best set-up would be a distortion pedal (like a Big Muff) in front of an amp, and all other effects in the loop with the Holy Grail last in line. The reverb is excellent. The hall sounds like an empty warehouse with a concrete floor, and the spring setting sounds almost exactly like the reverb in a '65 Fender Twin. The flerb setting is odd and more of a novelty effect. As far as I'm concerned they could have done without the flerb, and put a plate-style reverb in there instead.

The nickel-plated casing is thin on the top, front, and back of the Holy Grail, and the coated-metal sides and bottom are also thin. The switch inside is a 3PDT type and is very sturdy, but the housing isn't suitable for heavy 'stomping'. It would be best to treat this pedal gently, and if done so it will be reliable enough to last a long time. I give it a 10 because I consider it a 'switch' box housing instead of a 'stomp' box.

Electro-Harmonix are a good company. I have spoke with them on the phone and they're polite and will answer any questions you might have.

For reverb in a pedal, this is really the only choice. It sounds much better than a Boss reverb pedal, and much, much better than a multi-effects unit like the Boss GT-8. If you treat the pedal gently, and use it in the effects loop of your amp (if you plan on using distorion with it), then this is your best choice for reverb. I don't think it sounds "digital" at all, especially compared to other digital reverb pedals or effects. The spring reverb effect alone is worth the price of this pedal, and will get the surf sound with ease. I give it a 9.

Easy to use, I find it best used in the FX loop.

I use it with a Strat and a 5 Watt Palomino tube amp. It makes the lil amp sound like a real tube amp. I use no other effects. The spring and hall settings are great and do what they do: produce reverb. I do not find much tone reduction/loss when using it in the loop. I give it a 9 because there are better sounding reverbs out there but it would cost over a $100 more.

Based on the previous reviews, I purchased the extended 2yr replacement warranty.

This is a great reverb for an amp without one. And for clean tones or a little overdrive this is the best value for stomp box reverbs. I've played for over 35yrs and have owned all kinds of guitar stuff. I tried the Boss, Digitech, Visual Sound, and Danelectro reverbs as well as echos and delays. I tried the Holy Satin, the Holy Grail Plus. All have different sounds and modify the tone of the guitar. I just wanted straight reverb, so I chose the Holy Grail. It has and does everything a straight reverb does, and is compact like my rig.

Very easy to use: Choose your type: Spring, Hall and Flerb... Dial in your amount of reverb you want and away you go.

Using it with a Kustom 100watt amp head through 2x12 celestion speakers (Randall) with my telecaster as well as on my efx loop for my kustom acoustic amp. I use it on voice and guitar. In my opinion it is one of the best reverb sounds that I have heard. I am positive there is better reverb out there but I haven't deep enough pockets to grab that kind of sound.

I have had this for several months and no traumas here. I do get a little cranky with the odd power supply that it requires and it can become a little painful to set up with a very special EH power supply for one pedal. Still wouldn't trade with it.

N/A never had to deal with them

Well first I should say straight up I am an EH junky. I have a massive soft spot for all their pedals, strings and tubes which may prejudice my overall rating. This pedal I use a lot and I love it. If it got lost or stolen I may consider upgrading to the later version such as the holier grail etc

simple one knob-job. i love this feature.

i use it with a n.z built malcom watts plexi-style 100w head and 68 sound-city quad. plus a barber ltd 'drive' pedal. it sounds fantastic , hard rock, blues, indie, jazz, all sound surperb thru this pedal.

no probs, so far owned it two years.

never. all good.

fantastic, simple, reverb-echo-type pedal. its a main part of my tone.

Very easy to use. Large knob and three settings.

On your amps clean channel with no other effects on the pedal does a good job but with other pedals on, overdrive etc it sounds bad.

Here is where it fails. Not just this pedal but a lot of EHX pedals I've owned. These pedals stop working after 6 months to one year of use.

If the pedal is under warranty and you have the receit you can send it to EHX in NYC and they'll fix it. The problem here is you not only pay shipping sending it out but also on the return...

A little too much hype with this pedal...

The good sound is inherent. The three-way switch and an intensity knob. I was able to patch this unit through mt Boogie Road King's effects loop. The spring setting can add to the inadaquate reverb on the boogie and almost make it sound Fenderish.The switch is large and positive, however in this case the King Kontroler does the switching task. The hall mode is more effective. The manual is simple and to the point and I even remembered to fill out the warranty card. Power supply is included a big plus.

I wanted the sound for Johnny A and the electric blues of Mike bloomfield. I almost went out and purchased a Marshall JVM because of the superior reverb. The noise factor is low and through the loop it is almost unnecessary to turn it above 12:00. The third position is reminicent of a chorus/flanger sound with gobs of reverb. When used with the GNX4 one must balance the reverbs or you can go dry on the reverb from the GNX4. Again I use it with a boogie Road King and have tried other reverbs this one is the best.

Not owned long enough.

No reason to contact or interact.

I play rock, trying to learn Jazz and this achieves the level of sound that I was trying to reach. 45years. Tons of stuff from 4 decades. If lost or stolen I would replace it with a higher end Holy Grail. This is the first product I have reviewed that is actually small enough to loose. I love its simplicity and the sound is exactally what I was looking for. I have tried and own other products this is superior. This always embelishes my music. If you need reverb or extera reverb these pedals are the real thing Bluwail wouldn't lie to you! If a rating of eleven exsisted (like on the volume knobs of my amps)it would be my rating.

One knob for level, one three position switch... easy enough, even for a beginner like me.

If you like surf music, from the classic sounds of the Shadows, the Chantays, Dick Dale and the Ventures, to the more contemporary Lost Acapulco, Sr. Bikini and the Surf Coasters, you got it all with this pedal! Great on Spring for classic surf and incredible on Hall for your modern stuff. Man, the Flerb is awesome for experimenting. I got this pedal for the spring but keeping it for the Hall! Clean sound, great tone, even with Entry level amps like the V-tone by Behringer. For just over 100 bucks your 50 dollar amp sounds like a 500 dollar one! Not very friendly with other pedals: I own a Digitech EX-7 and it drops the tone a little bit, but I discovered that if you connect your holy grail at the very last part of the chain (right to the amp and taking the other effects output as input for the holy grail) the brightness loss is minimal... I love it!

No probs so far...

I haven't had any problems with it, but their website is very good at giving info away.

I love surf music, and this thing satisfies me in every bit. Great sound with single coil pickups, great sound with humbucking. Adds brightness to cheap guitars and warmth to good guitars. I own a Gibson LP studio and a no name Stratocaster-ish and man, do I love this pedal!

easy.

it sounds pretty poopie. if you can imagine "cheap '80s digital reverb" you've probably got the picture. it does not interact well with other effects or the front end of an amplifier. it is cool for the occasional texture though. because it sounds cheesy and drowns/washes out the guitar signal, and because it's basically just one seriously long reverb/digital delay tail with a volume knob, I can't say that the sound is "quality. " this thing is an Atari, and not in a cool "vintagey" way........

sure. solid state electronics in metal boxes are very reliable. switch and knob still switch and knob.

I play guitar. Johnny Cash, Bert Jansch, Cake, Spoon & that sort of stuff. been playing two decades. Vox Ac30 top boost & Crate V58. Fender Jazzmaster. Gretsch country gentleman. martin d35.