Effects Bay

Last week I posted some info on the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb pedal, and noticed that some places carry the big version and other places only carry the nano. I’m assuming that EHX is probably going to be phasing out of the larger pedals since the nanos seem to be quite popular these days. So my question is… do they sound the same?

Well, with questions like this, it seems like Gearmanndude usually has the answer. I took a quick trip to YouTube, and I found a great Gearmanndude video comparing the nano and mr. big. Seems like Gearmanndude isn’t too into reverb. I can relate. I think it’s been about 20 years since I played with reverb, but not because I hate it.. it just isn’t required in the stuff I play.

You can pick up the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb for $118.50 at Musician’s Friend
I’m unable to find the ‘classic’ EHX Holy Grail anywhere now, so it looks like your best option is to pick it up on eBay. Here are some Holy Grail pedals found using PedalNerd.com

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Popularity: 10%

Yesterday @fadyperdana asked for compressor / sustainer suggestion. Coincidentally, I was just looking at the Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher the other day on YouTube. This appears to be a nice little compressor / sustainer with some nice options.

Here is the official pedal description:

The Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher is an effect pedal that offers you 3 selectable attacks coupled with silky, long sustains that blend in perfect harmony to create one of the finest compressors ever built for guitar and bass. The variable attacks offer super articulate compression. Lets your guitar step forward without squeezing the life out of your tone.

Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher Compressor / Sustainer Guitar Effects Pedal Features:

* Sustain Control adjusts the amount of sustain.
* Volume Control sets the output level.
* Attack Toggle Switch provides 3 settings of attack: fast, medium and slow.
* Footswitch Selects whether the Soul Preacher is engaged or bypassed. The LED will be lit when the pedal is engaged, and dark when bypassed.
* 1/4″ input and output jacks.
* When in Bypass mode, the output jack is connected to the input jack through a buffer.
* The barrel connector is for a 9-volt battery eliminator capable of delivering 100 mA of current. The inner ring of the 9-volt battery eliminator must be negative, the outer ring positive. The unit’s battery may be left in or taken out when the eliminator is in use.

Here is the video I was watching by EHX

You can pick up the Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher Compressor / Sustainer pedal for $103.35 at Musician’s Friend.

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Popularity: 11%

Today, I wanted to give another shout out to the bass players out there. So today we’re talking about the Electro-Harmonix Nano Bassballs Envelope Filter for bass.  This is another pedal in the new Nano configuration, and it has a pretty cool effected tone. Basically a envelope filter with a little fuzz (maybe not fuzz.. but harmonic distortion) mixed in. I could see this used for some great bass tones and craziness. I’m sure this would be quite crazy on guitar as well.

Here is the official product description:

The Electro Harmonix Nano Bassballs Twin Envelope Filter effects pedal has everything you loved about the original Bassballs in a pocket size. The human vocal-like sound of its two sweeping filters gives bass a strong presence under leads, or a commanding quality when out front. The resonant frequencies are engineered solidly into the full range of the bass guitar’s strongest harmonics. Bassballs will respond to every bass note. The sweep is widely variable, and harmonic enrichment is available with the distortion switch.

The Nano Bassballs comes in a small, die-cast case with rounded corners, saving valuable pedalboard space. The footswitch selects your original signal or the filtered signal as the Bassballs output. The range of the filters upward sweep in pitch is set by the interaction of instrument volume and the sensitivity control. Both stronger attacks and higher (clockwise) control settings increase the sweep range. Low volume and low sensitivity settings will create little or no sweep, and Bassballs will only provide a small boost in its lowest frequencies. In its upward position, the fuzz switch introduces additional harmonic enrichment that accentuates the filters action. The sensitivity pot also serves as a volume control for the fuzz, also increasing in the clockwise direction.

I found the official product demo video by EHX.

You can pick up the Electro Harmonix Nano Bassballs Envelop Filter for $82.50 on Musician’s Friend.

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Popularity: 7%

So yesterday, I talked about the EHX Screaming Bird Treble Booster at Amazon, I thought it would only be appropriate to talk about the EHX’s The Mole, which is a bass boost pedal in the nano chassis. Again, this pedal is not really available on Musician’s Friend, not sure if they’re just out of stock or what, but is available on Amazon. It normally lists for $52.00, but is on sale for $39.00 which includes FREE super saver shipping.

Here is the official product description:

The Mole is a bass booster that helps bassists and guitarists unearth a sound that is positively subterranean. Based on the classic design, this updated pedal adds the same rich, low-end bottom while adding a 20dB boost to your signal. Whether you step on the Mole to get deep, ground-shaking drive or dial back the knob to add some texture to your existing tone, the Mole will dig wherever you tell it to.

I’m unable to find any video demos or reviews on either of these pedals. Let me know if you stumble across one!

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Popularity: 13%

Electro-Harmonix has a couple of new nano pedals out that are reissues pedals from the 60s (the Screaming Bird Treble Booster and the Mole Bass Booster). I wasn’t able to find the Screaming Bird on Musician’s Friend, but was able to find one at Amazon for a good price. Normally, they list at $52.00, but is on sale for $39.00 (which includes free super saving shipping).

Here is the official description:

Based on the classic design from the ’70s, the Screaming Bird treble booster is back to help your sound take new flight. Whether it’s overdriving an amp or just adding some serious bite to your sound, this Bird will scream nothing but highs and will make your guitar cut through any mix. Step on the Bird and fly away!

I wasn’t able to find any demos on YouTube, but I was able to find a nerdy little video with one of the EHX engineers talking about the pedals and what they do.

You can pick up the Electro Harmonix Screaming Bird Nano Treble Boost at Amazon for $39.00

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Popularity: 13%

Amazon is having a good deal on the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb pedal. Normally, this pedal lists for $158. Musician’s Friend has it for $118.50 + shipping, but Amazon has it for $83.15 + $5.50 for shipping. Not a bad deal.

Here is the basic info on the pedal:

The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal has the prized sounds of the legendary Holy Grail reverb pedal in a rugged, performance-friendly nano die-cast chassis. The small footprint stompbox fits easily into any pedal board while still delivering the amazing reverb sounds that made the original 2002 Holy Grail a legend among guitarists everywhere.

The EH Holy Grail Nano reverb pedal provides the original classic Spring reverb revered by guitarists for its authentic sound, a Hall reverb specifically designed for performing musicians, and the completely original “Flerb” a flanged reverb with unique and haunting spatial definition. The original Holy Grail was prized for re-creating quality reverb spaces and the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano pedal delivers the same definitive reverbs while saving you pedalboard space.

Found another sweet clip from gearmandude (my fav!) — no cowboy boot?? Also nice subliminal message of what he thinks of reverbs in general.

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Popularity: 17%