Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

[Corbic]

After deciding on buying the Edana (it'll happen eventually I swear lol), I decided I should probably get a reverb pedal as well for bluesy stuff, surf stuff, and just whenever I need reverb. Looking at some pedals, I like how the Holy Grail Reverb sounds, and I could probably put it on top of my amp and use the trick Gearjoneser sometimes talks about (jumpering the channels with a reverb pedal in the middle) and switch the setting when I need to or switch it on and off in between songs. My question is, is it a true bypass pedal? It doesn't say so anywhere, so I'm guessing it won't. Will it affect the tone if I have it in the jumper cable while it's off?

I've also heard about reliability issues with these pedals. So I was looking for opinions on it, if it's reliable or not, and if there are any pedals that could do the same thing as this but are more reliable, and not much more expensive or at the same price. Thanks!

-Corbic

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

I haven't tried the Holy Grail, but I've tried a Line6 Verbzilla. Nailed every reverb tone--Ever!

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

I picked up a used one a year or so ago.

I got it got my first trace Elliot Velocette which had no built-in reverb.

It sounds, well, authentic. Above and beyond it sounds like a good solid spring reverb. You kind of expect to whack the thing on the side and hear that tell-tale sound of springs against metal. It's THAT authentic.

Electronically, they're cheap little units. There isn't much to them and EH does all they can to keep costs down. Honestly, you could probably produce the same pedal in a box the size of an Altoids container and still have room for picks. I can tell you that mine is picky; I HAVE to put the power adapter in AFTER the cables are plugged in or it just won't work. I can't tell you why, but it is with this in mind that the silly thing will run forever. I left it on for about 5 days with no ill-effects. It's hard to call it unreliable that way, but it is certainly quirky, or at least mine is.

I still have the thing...don't have the amp anymore, but I think I held onto the pedal because it was so great sounding and I know if I find myself in a situation where I'm wanting a reverb pedal the Holy Grail WILL be what I get, without question.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

I haven't tried the Holy Grail, but I've tried a Line6 Verbzilla. Nailed every reverb tone--Ever!

+1 I have a Verbzilla. I did a A/B shootout with the verbzillia 63' setting Vs. my Princeton Reverb. It's damm close! If you do a fourm search I have a sound clip.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

I think it's a very useful unit to own. At first, I bought it to use with amps that have no reverb and no FX loop. I soon found out that it sounds as good or better than most rackmount reverbs in the FX loop, and also sounds good in front of an amp, although you've got to keep the mix set really low.

I use mine in the mixable FX loop of my Bogner Ecstasy, and use the HG mix knob as well as the send and returns on the amp to dial it in. It makes my EL-34 halfstack sound like it's got Fender spring reverb. Now, when I'm on my clean channel, it really sounds like a Twin Reverb. I haven't tried the Holier Grail, but I can imagine that it'd be even more tweakable. For me, the Holy Grail is just fine, and I've never had any problems with it.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

it's a good pedal, not all that reliable but it does what it claims, which is sadly a rarity

fender makes a stand-alone tube reverb unit, might wanna check it out

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

fender makes a stand-alone tube reverb unit, might wanna check it out

One of them will set you back a few Hundred. I think he said he's on a budget?

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

my bad

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Never tried the HG but have always heard good things about them

I use a Hughes & Kettner Replex, which is a reverb & delay....they're pricey but can be had used at a decent cost considerring both the reverb & delays are pretty damned good.

I also had a Fender Reverb tank, which is really the perfect unit, but it's way more reverb than I ever need or want. If you really want or use a lot of reverb, I'd look for one of these.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

On a positive note, EH will repair the unit for something silly like twenty bucks. I looked into this a few months ago when I had some extra cash laying around.

Odds are their idea of "repair" is either gutting it and installing new electronics or giving you a new assembled one.

Like I said...crack one open...there isn't much to them...but they sound the most authentic out of all the ones I've heard.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Has anyone done a shootout between the HG & Verbzilla? I'd be very curious of the out come?? If GJer or another forum Bro HG owner (That I Trust) would like? I'd be glad to ship the Zilla out to them to A/B. As long as they don't mind shipping it back to me within a reasonable time.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Has anyone done a shootout between the HG & Verbzilla? I'd be very curious of the out come?? If GJer or another forum Bro HG owner (That I Trust) would like? I'd be glad to ship the Zilla out to them to A/B. As long as they don't mind shipping it back to me within a reasonable time.

Next time I go into GC, I'll just A/B them. I think they had both, last time I was in there. The HG sounds good to me, so I don't need to buy anything, but I'm sure the L6 Verbzilla is equally good. I'm just wondering how the Verbzilla sounds in an FX loop?......probably even better, like most reverbs and delays.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Hmmmm Verbzilla
Intriguing
hmmmmmmmm

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Verbzilla? How did I miss that release?

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question about the Holy Grail Reverb - Opinions as well!

Here's my Verbzilla clip. I had the Princeton Verb set on around 3 or 4 which is where I normally keep it for gigs. I set the Verbzilla to match the Princeton.If I had been going for the surf thing. The verbzilla would have won hands down Cuz' it has much more usable verb on hand. The Princeton verb on 10 tends to get a bit muddy,While the Zilla stays a bit more crisp. The 1st lick is the Princeton. Then you hear me kick the amp verb off and the Zilla is on. Prince-Zilla A/B clip