Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

[James Rock]

Im looking at getting a reverb pedal mainly for that spring reverb sound but will occasionally use for other sounds (hall and room if holy grail + or verbzilla). For about $100. Im really comparing the holy grail (or holy grail +) to the line 6 verbzilla.
I know there are alot of people on this forum that favour one or the other so i'd like to hear opinions and why you think which ever one is better and what it is better for doing.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I've never used a Holy Grail, but I own a Verbzilla. I only use the 63 or spring settings. I use 2 amps. A Bogner Shiva and a Komet 60. The Komet does not have reverb, its a raw curcuit. When I compare the Verbzilla to the Verb in the Bogner its pretty close. I don't think any simulated reverb really nails the true spring reverb, but the Verbzilla is very very close. I also own a couple of SF Fenders (A Dluluxe Reverb, and a Super Reverb). The Verbzilla is really close to the real deal. The Decay is not quite as authentic, but it is a very good reverb pedal.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I am a Grail owner/lover. I mainly use that with my Pro Jr. I use it for mainly spring, and occasionally hall. Why I like it:

#1 Verb is organic, warm, and a touch gritty (<= that may not be the best phrasing. I DO NOT like ultra-pristine sound on decay etc...

#2 It's dirt simple: Spring or Hall, one knob. I like the small adjust/big adjust on the knob pre/post 12 o clock

I do not need 42 different flavors of verb (Although a nice plate can be cool). I do not want 28 different parameters to adjust. I want solid amp spring verb w/ 1 knob!

That's what it does and it does it really well. But again, I'm usually only playing blues through a Pro Jr. with it...

Hall, by the way NAILS the verb on Don't Fear the Reaper!!!!! Oh yes - don't forget Flerb!!!!!


The Love for the Zilla is overwhelming out here, though, just go get it now. They will eventually get to you. Hard to argue with Lew & Joneser...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I can't compare...I can only say that I've owned quite a few reverb pedals from Boss and other makers and the Verbzilla is the only reverb in a pedal that I can live with and not feel like I'm missing something. It's the very best I've ever used and I prefer it to the Fender stand alone spring reverb. Only verb I like better is the circuit built into my Fender Deluxe Reverb, Princeton Reverb and Vibrolux Reverb amps. Lew

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I'm very picky about reverb. I've had a Premier 90 tube outboard unit,Alesis Nano verb,Boss RV-? and various digital and analog delays. The Verbzilla IMO is the closest to the REAL DEAL currently available. Plus you get a bunch of other studio quality verbs that can be useful. My band is now covering Clapton's `Let it Rain' I'm sure I'll be able to nail his verb sound on the bridge solo in that tune.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

The verbzilla sounds like a prominent choice. How much does the verbzilla usually sell for and are they're any noise issues when it comes to using other power supllies (I've heard this can be a problem for the tonecore line).

 

[James Rock]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

My only worry is that it may be a bit to complex for on the fly adjustments so i'm still kinda leaning towards the holy grail + (as it has more control then the holy grail without having TOO many parameters). Anymore holy grail guys gonna chime in?

 

[liono9]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

Holy grail my choice , its very user friendly and i have it on almost all the time.The spring setting is nice and warm but what i really dig is "flerb" setting,adjust the parameters and you can get some really kool / unusual sounds. I would say pick it off e bay i got mine for $60 bucks in perfect mint condition.

 

[The Kernel]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

the grail rocks. Nice clean verb. I hate some reverbs that kind of "wabble" and sound very fake. None of that from the grail.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I hate some reverbs that kind of "wabble" and sound very fake.

Yeh I know what you mean and I agree I don't really like that "wabble" sound or those kinda synthetic reverb sounds (like the BOSS RV-3). The holy grail is seeming more like the holy grail of reverb for me for now at least.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

Neither. Tech21 analog RVB Boost.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tech-21-Boost-R.V.B.-Analog-Reverb-Emulator-Pedal?sku=151075

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

The holy grail is awesome. I owned one for almost a year before I got an amp with real spring reverb and couldn't justify the real estate it took up.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I have a 'Zilla. Set it by Lew's recommendations and you can't go wrong.

 

[louthunder]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

I own the verbzilla and at least to my ears, the thing nails an authentic, decent sounding reverb. I use the 63 spring reverb and use fairly low settings. It's so easy to use ,that even a DRUMMER could use it Lew, you'll have to let us know what your secret settings are.

 

[baritone]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

To me the Holy Grail sounds really clean, and it is simple to use. But overall, I am not too picky about my reverb tones, since I keep my reverbs as subtle as possible.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

Thanks everyone although the debate hasn't really been won but it sounds like I can't go wrong with either so u've all been a great help ... but the other day I played a laney VC30210 (with jensen speakers) which has onboard reverb and I'm seriously thinking of upgrading from my fender pro junior to that. Which means for 1) I don't need reverb and 2) I won't have money to go towards a reverb (saving the rest for an SD Shape Shifter once that is released!). But if I find i need more reverb options I'll look to either of these in the future. That's if i get a VC30210 if not I'll probably see what I can get on ebay but I'm leaning towards the verbzilla now.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Reverbs. Holy Grail vs Verbzilla

If i had to pick one over the other, I would get the verbzilla. I own the Holy Grail and it does sound wonderful in the spring setting, but it's not terribly adjustable. I think the verbzilla is more tweakable.