Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb

Dead easy to use. One knob and an on/off switch. The best sound is around the 12 o'clock position. Before that, it's a little too polite and the effect gets lost. After that, it's too much verb for me.

It sounds lovely ....on its own. However:-

- the pedal does not interface nicely with other pedals. There is a tone degradation noticeable particularly when the pedal is on with fuzz or boost (I use BYOC Ultimate Fuzz and a Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive respectively).

- there is a volume drop when the pedal is on. Since reverb is going to wash your sound out anyway, this is a double whammy. A similar problem with my Boss Tremolo ultimately stopped me from using it in my live set-up.

Not too good. On my pedal, if not everyone's, the sockets are rather poorly made. Some cables need a bit of jiggery-pokery-wiggly-wobbling to get a good contact (particularly in the OUT connection).

The footswitch is also not as positive as I'd like (I've no other EH pedals to compare but the switching on a Boss, a Voodoo Labs or MXR is far better).

Never tried.

Overall, I probably wouldn't recommend this pedal. That said, I don't know what alternative I would recommend as, when I first played it, I thought it was gorgeous. It's only by living with it for several months that its idiosyncracies (interaction with other pedals, volume drop, build quality, etc) become apparent.

easy yeah but for having only one knob and a switch its a little tricky to get the real voice of it for adding the right amount of reverb.

Somewhere around 1:00 - 2:00 theres a spot between where the guitar meets the reverb on the 'hall' setting that I love to tweak with to make the guitar louder than the reverb. the reverb sounds great and has a character that I love about it, I only use the hall setting. Goes well with a clean amp for adding reverb. sometimes there is a gritty sound that seems to sprout when messing with other effects but if you have other effects on then turn this off because it just a shimmer anyway.

ok i bought mine used so i cant really complain here but im really dissapointed about the reverb effect not coming on sometimes when i switch it on, in order to fix this i have to unplugg the battery plug in the back and plugg it back in, very ghetto.

i use a telecaster and fender tube amp with other effects. i like radiohead, interpol, beatles, nirvana.

Reverb is one of my favorite effects, I used to use the reverb on my deville but now I turn it off and use the holy grail for my reverb, I also got a line6 verbzilla which I use as a ambient effect, you can get the holy grail sound out of one of the verbzilla spring settings but not the same character... the holy grail has good reverb! love the splash back tone off the high strings from playing full chords. anyway when I fist tried the pedal it didnt impress me, just sounded like a reverb but after awhile I became truly surprised with the holy grail do to its concentrated sounding reverb.

If you know how to turn one dial, you've mastered this product and will get a great sound immediatly. One knob and one switch..all that anyone could possibly need in a reverb (and more actually) There is a manual but this will be the last one I read when I catch up on reading 20 years worth of manuals..if you know what I mean. It's not needed.

I'm looking for blues sounds, electric blues that came out of Chicago and Detroit, and those sounds came mostly out of Fender amps (by the 60's anyway). The reverb was the only effect available in that setting (occasionally some Vibrato) and it was enough. THIS PRODUCT DELIVERS THAT SOUND. Perfectly to my ears.

I bought it for the spring, but I'll be keeping it for the hall. You can play blues, but you can also use this as a component in any crazy thing you want to do that may need reverb. Plays nicely with others, just put it last in the signal chain.

I use a modded Mexican Tele (has 1 p-90) through a 80's version of a Princeton (a humble put trusty servant). Occasionally I dabble in wah. Not noisy unless you've messed up your AC power. Mines clean and I hear nary a hum. Beautiful.

I bought this one used and it had seen some miles, but it's been running like a champ for some time now. I happen to like the science-project-gone-mad quality of the Electro Harmonix boxes. I suppose they're not as sturdy (or heavy) as something cast. Oh well, I like it. I haven't had it long enought for a perfect mark, but I score this one high.

Electro Harmonix is not known for making themselves available easily. In fact a sent them an email about another issue, not related to this box, and I'm still waiting for a reply.

Hopefully the quality and simplicity of the design will mean that I can rate this low, and still not be too worried.

I've been playing for 20+ years and appreciate when a product nails a sound I want without getting to marketing-clever-cute. This purchase comes through for me. I have a Lexicon PCM60, an Alex, and loads of Alesis boxes, a Furman spring reverb, so I knew the sound I was looking for, and was very pleased that EH delivered up an honestly designed box for people with simple needs, like me

Simple 3 postion selector for Spring/Hall/Flerb. One knob depth adjustment.
I had it setup with good results in 5-10 minutes out of the box.
One page manual, quicker to just plug in, play with the switch, depth knob.

I bought this to try for passable spring reverb in place of the weak verb in my Boogie MK IIB head. It's last in line in my pedalboard before hits the amp input. I plan to try it in my amps effects loop to see how it sounds this way.
Used it on a gig last night, no noise problems at all. I find it quieter than the spring reverb in the Boogie and a Rivera Chubster that I use.
While it certainly isn't as realistic as the verb in several old bf Fender amps or even an Ampeg Reverberocket I've owned, it does a decent job for a digital pedal. Plus, you can really drench your sound in reverb or just get a pinch if that's what you want.
Passes the "Pipeline" test comapred to Boss, Digitech, and other digital reverbs I've tried.
I've not been impressed with the Fender re-issue tube reverb units. Can't get enough verb out of them when you want that drenched sound.
Sure, there's some nice alternatives out there if your willing to pay the bucks for an outboard boutique reverb. But when you're on stage competing with drums, bass,keys, horns, the best reverb gets kind of washed out anyway.

No problems yet, only used it once to date.

No experience dealing with EH.

I play Blues, Jazz, Ambient, but most live application is with a function band.
Have 40 years playing experience- old dude! I gig with Mesa Boogie MK IIB(1983) and newer Rivera Chubster amps with dot re-issue Gibson 335. Other pedals: Keeley Compressor (2 knob,) Fulltone 10th Anniversary FD2 Mosfet, Barber DD & Small Fry, Fulltone ChoralFlange,
Boss DD5.
Bottom line- I've read lots of reviews on the EH Holy Grail that almost persuaded me not to buy it. With GC's return guarantee policy I figured it was a safe bet. So far I'm very impressed with this pedal and would recommend to anyone looking for decent, reasonably priced reverb. For the extra money (about $150 more) the only other verb I've tried that's worth the price is the all analog Vanamps Reverb Solomate.

Easy, Switch with three settings and one knob.

I dont know what people talk about. I use this with my Peavey Valveking in the FX loop, its always on. I hear substancial noise in my amps reverb, but this one is pretty quiet. Its a great pedal i keep it at 1 o'clock. But on spring all the way up its great for volume swells. I think its a rad pedal that sits happily on my backline.

Ive heard that this breaks with constant stepping but its always on so well see.

Never dealt with them.

Cool simple pedal that has good sound.

You know the drill--one knob and one slider switch. They don't make pedals any easier to use.

beautiful, lush sounding reverb. both the spring and hall settings are VERY nice sounding and are definitely usable. the flurb is a definitely "effect" and not something i would use very much.

the problem, as has been noted many times in other reviews, is the noise. turn on the pedal and you get a very loud WOOOOOSH sound. i suppose that this noisefloor would be "acceptable" in a live gig setting where the "WOOOOOSH" would be covered up by drums, etc. But for practice and recording, it's totally unusable.

Unfortuantely, i bought it for recording......so it's going back.

I don't know. It's going back.

I've opened it up and there's not much in it......the case looks pretty cheaply made and the switch and jacks are cheap and not very well supported/reinforced, so i'm not sure it'd be up for the long haul.

Certainly it's not as "rugged" as a Boss pedal, which has always been my litmus for that sort of thing.

Never dealt with them.

Overall this pedal gets a 3. The reverb sounds great, but the noise makes it totally unusable for recording and practice (which is why i bought it).

great sound, as ehx says 'dick dale in a box'. i really like this pedal because its really simple and it has a very realistic reverb sound. one knob, three different modes(spring,hall,flerb. got the manual, sticker and everything. the manual says that the pedal is not to be used with any other adapters other than the ehx holy grail stock adapter, they say that something might break and the pedal wont work.

very, very realistic reverb. sound quality is qood, no hum when engaged. the spring setting can be anoying when the reverb knob is up all the way because there is a slight volume drop, and when the knob is up all the way on the hall setting, theres just too much reverb. the best is to set the knob at 12 or 1 oclock, thats when the reverb kicks in with no volume drop and such. the flerb setting is really cool, i use it a lot, especially with feedback, but you cant really hear it until its up to 3/4 of the knob or the whole way. what bothers me is that theres no reverse reverb function on it. i only had 90 euros, and i could either buy the digitech digiverb or this and i chose this because it wasnt too digital as the digiverb. i dont really mind not having the reverse reverb function, i'll get a special pedal for that in time... im using it through a Fender CIJ '06 Jazzmaster and a roland cube 15 amp, yeah i really have to switch this amp. maybe for an epiphone valve jr combo. i also use 4 other pedals, a big muff, a ds1(bad), a mxr blue box and a crybaby wah wah pedal. overall the sound of the holy grail is awesome through these.

yeah, i dont gig but i can depend on it, it's built like a tank.

never dealt with them....

i keep an open mind on music and i play noise/alternative,blues,surf and some funk. its perfect for all those, with my other pedals turned on it creates ear piecing feedback. i've been playing for 2 years. as i said my setup it Amp-Holy Grail-Big Muff-DS1-Blue Box-Crybaby-Fender Jazzmaster. i didnt compare it to any other reverb pedals, i thought of some different ones but i like this one the best (except the holier and holiest grails) i wanted to buy a phaser or a tremolo pedal, but i got this one since its most fun. as i said, i wish it would have a reverse reverb function. helps me with my sound, creates great feedback and echoes... i love ehx pedals, they are really good for the price and sound mind blowing.

It's as easy as it gets.... turn the knob for more......reverse the knob for less, as with all Electro-Harmonix effects it's a Musicians wet dream! Easy!

Spring Reverb in my opinion is the most overrated effect ever, I use vintage tweed amps that sound kick ass WITHOUT reverb, so when I add reverb I want it to be outboard, not permanently in my signal path 'messin with my tweed tone. This reverb is HANDS DOWN the best outboard, quick set up, add it when you need it reverb and I thank Electro-Harmonix profusely for making this sucker. Sounds magnificent! Flerb is so cool I can't imagine doing some of my tunes without it!

Two years of HEAVY use and no probs, but you have to use it's power supply, non electro-harmonix power supplys add noise. This is something that a lot of pedalboard users don't get because they try to use it with their pedalboards power supply. Does not not work, you have to use the power supply that comes with the pedal.

never had to use 'em.......

Unbelievable value! Spring reverb purists.....blah blah, yada, yada! I have sold so many so called "sought after" BLACK FACE FENDER REVERB amps over the years (at a large profit I might add) because of the lame signal path that spring reverb adds to an amp, only to retire to my studio to crank my tweed deluxe and occasionally add what I consider the best sounding reverb ever.... I don't want Holier, Holiest, Everso Holy! I want EASY, SOUNDS GREAT!

Very easy to use. it only has an on/off switch, a selection switch with 3 reverb choices and a mix knob. you can get dialed in very quickly.

The claim of this box is, and I quote from EH:

"The Holy Grail will make you a believer with its emulation of classic Spring reverb so faithful that even Dick Dale couldn't tell the difference"

Well, I own a spring tube reverb tank like Dick Dale and there is a big difference. I think The Holy Grail has a dark sound and the reverb tail is way too long. Since it does not have dwell and tone control you cannot adjust it. I can emulate the sound of the HG on my tube reverb unit by turning the dwell way up and the tone way down. That tone and dwell setting is fine for some things but not everything, but then again what can you expect for $89.99. But for the price I paid, it sounds fine. I have it on my pedal board and use it for one night stands, when I don't feel like bringing the tube reverb. I get used to it a few songs into the night

If you are looking for the true tube spring reverb sound, this is not it. If you are looking for an economical solution to a lack of reverb in your amp, this is fine. The question then should be: Is it worth the money? Yes, Its worth 89.99. The best thing about the newer units is that they are true bypass, so when it is off it does not color your sound at all. so when I use my tube reverb I don't have to unplug it from the pedal board.

I have only used it about a dozen gigs so far and it has never given me a problem

Have not had the pleasure

I play many different styles of music including surf music, Jazz, Rock, Pop, etc. I play an old strat through a custom made, point to point hand wired, Tweed Double Deluxe from SDG Vintage amps. He also made my tube reverb unit that is a replica of the old Fender.

No I would not buy another if this were lost or stolen. I would try something else

I'll give this a rating of 8 because it is so cheap. If I would have paid retail list price, $138.00, I would have rated it lower cause it is not worth that much

Does your guitar and amp sound good to begin with? If not this will not fix your shitty sound. If your guitar and amp sound good, this will make it sound much better. Unless you can afford an all tube vintage reverb unit for $1K+, you cannot complain about a $100 unit that sounds this great. If you still must, then buy a good combo with a high quality reverb and shut up, and realize it's limited too.... If you are running 5 gain stages, and need a good noise gate, then buy one...but don't blame the reverb for screwing up your sound. You probably had problems to begin with.

Sounds great on Spring, Hall, & Flerb. Spring is very warm and Fender like to mild slapback, Hall can go from subtle to a nice mild echo, and flerb is great for higher gain VH style or blues leads. You can get a subtle effect, a deeper effect, or lose your dry signal all together and warp it out. The Flerb sounds great in a mix, but not as well on it's own. Try it with several other instruments jamming though, and it can pick you up out of the mix quite well. Note that the drop in gain after 12 O'Clock is because you are only getting your sound with the reverb, and minus the dry signal. Those of you that don't like this unit, or complain because of that need to learn how to read a manual. Get a clue, don't blame your equipment for your ignorance.

Absolutely no problems. Now if you like to change effects with them powered on, or use bad power sources, or your amp and guitar hums normally, or you unplug your guitar while it's plugged into this, you probably damaged it yourself. This unit well will add effects to your trashy noise as well as good sounds. My amp and guitar are quiet, shielded, and sound good, and so does this. I have been using this for several months, and have had ZERO problems.

No problems, not an issue. Sounds like lots of folks have noise problems they like to blame on effects, rather than look at their buzzy amps, low quality cords, and unshielded guitars. Check out Tone Quest's review of this unit for the low down...

I play blues, jazz, fusion, funk, rock, punk, rockabilly, etc. This is a great all around reverb to use with both tube and solid state amplifiers that lack a reverb. Will it sound as good as a vintage Fender unit, probably not, but will a vintage Fender unit give you Hall and Flerb too for $100 or less? I have several low wattage tube amplifiers, and solid state units that lack a reverb. This is a great, cheap solution. If you make a living as a musician, well then maybe you need more than this, but for an amateur weekend jam player it is great. It doesn't sound digital either...unless you really push it...and it still sounds good to me then.