Holygrail reverb?

Ken Thompson · Post by **Ken Thompson** » 7 Sep 2005 11:00 am

Has anyone had any experience with the Holygrail Reverb? I am trying one out but I would like imput from others that have tried it or use it.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 7 Sep 2005 12:20 pm

I use the Holy Grail reverb on my pedal steel, and have been for about 2 years. It's old school reverb, with one knob that gives you less or more (as you know). I'm constantly after a classic steel sound, so I really like it. If you want length options and stuff, it's not for you, although length can be controlled a bit by the knob.
I use mine through an old Session 400. It's my only effect, and I find it serves its purpose fine. It has a little more presence than the amp 'verb. It doesn't take a battery, which was a bit of a pain when I lost my adaptor and had to scrounge for a new one.
To sum it up, it sounds like the reverb in an old twin, which is all I need to fatten up the steel a bit. Good deal for under $100.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 7 Sep 2005 1:00 pm

I'm very happy with mine. I've been using it on sessions with no complaints. The customer service has been great also.

Bob

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 8 Sep 2005 7:19 am

If you like the sound of a GOOD Fender on board reverb,you WILL like the sound of the HG... It is SO close to a Fender reverb its actually frightening.

This is a VERY well thought out little unit. ... bob

Ken Thompson · Post by **Ken Thompson** » 8 Sep 2005 7:38 am

Thanks guys. I am still trying it out but I like what I hear. I am one that thinks simpler is better and have not been running any add-on reverb on my N 112 but I have to say that I like it. Also using the Black Box and experimenting with them together, wow...

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 8 Sep 2005 8:20 am

I've read reviews saying the Holy Grail produces a lot of hiss.

Comments?

Bill

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 8 Sep 2005 11:27 am

Mine is hissy in standard usage but dead quiet in an effects loop. I did a session a couple of months ago and used a brand new grail owned by the studio and it was absolutely quiet. I have read a lot of accounts of hissy grails. Maybe the new ones got this fixed. The old ones seem to run 50/50. At worst, it is about triple the noise floor of my Fender tube amps. OK enough for the barroom.

Jon Graboff · Post by **Jon Graboff** » 8 Sep 2005 12:08 pm

I LOVE this unit! I've been using it the "hall" mode in addition to the spring reverb in my 15" K-130 JBL equipped '65 Twin Reverb. Sounds very lush and dimentional. It is a bit hissy, as all Electro-Harmonix seem to be, but not past the point of unacceptability. I've heard multi-effects units make more hiss without the payoff of a good analog sound. Maybe a personal taste thing.
Most of the tracks on "Jacksonville City Nights", the next Ryan Adams and the Cardinals cd due out on September 27th, has steel on it, and I used the Holy Grail on every bit of it. Sounded good to me…

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 8 Sep 2005 2:32 pm

Mine is as quiet as a mouse. It is a newer model.

(Must be cool to play with Ryan Adams, Jon. I've been following his career since "Heartbreaker" and really like his stuff.)

Karl Oberlander · Post by **Karl Oberlander** » 8 Sep 2005 3:09 pm

I've had one a couple of years now and it works great. I use it with my Fender BF Bandmaster head. The spring reverb setting is indeed very close to the original reverb sound I get from my vintage Fenders.

And it's very reasonably priced.

ObeWanKobe

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Gibson D-8 Console Grande - Stringmaster T-8 - Alkire EHarp D-10
Fender Super Reverb
kobe@austin.rr.com
http://home.austin.rr.com/kobeco

Mark Herrick · Post by **Mark Herrick** » 9 Sep 2005 9:47 am

<SMALL>I have read a lot of accounts of hissy grails.</SMALL>

A friend gave me a "Holier Grail" and I also found it to be a little noisy. I'd like to try it with my NV400 in the effects loop, but the amp is in storage at the moment...

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