Log in
Log in

or
Create an account

or
< All Electro-Harmonix Holy Stain reviews
Add this product to
  • My former gear
  • My current gear
  • My wishlist
Electro-Harmonix Holy Stain
Images
1/138
Price engine
Classified Ads
Forums
mooseherman mooseherman
Published on 02/08/10 at 21:18
This is a multi-effect pedal. It has two reverbs (room and hall), tremelo, Pitch shifter, and a versatile distortion. This cannot be edited with a computer or MIDI, and is not rackable. It is analog technology, like most Electro-Harmonix pedals. It has only the 1/4" input and output

UTILIZATION

This pedal isn't too hard to use. Its actually a nice thing to have if you really want a multi-effect pedals that aren't too stocked with features. Since it's an analog pedal, you don't get the cheap sounds that most digital multi-effects pedals have. The manual can explain everything pretty clearly. The only critique I had of the utilization was the fact that the pitch-bending technique wasn't as effective without purchasing an additional expression pedal to control the range of pitch shifting.

SOUND QUALITY

I used this with my Strat, which has a pretty good track record with most Electro-Harmonix pedals. I was a little disappointed in the overall sound of the distortion on this pedal. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, it seemed to feel flat and lifeless very often. It just didn't kick it over the top the way the Big Muff does. That being said, the other effects on it aren't bad. The reverb is reliable, not amazing but it does allow you to combine the distortion and reverb and get a tone that is very cool. It is almost similar to My Bloody Valentine, who have guitar tones that aren't easily recreated. The Tremolo effect is also quite nice, and it too combines well with the distortion and reverb to create some spacey, eerie sounds that are interesting. I haven't tried using this pedal in combination with other distortions, but I'm curious about that possibility. I wasn't too wild about the pitch shifting, because I didn't buy the expression pedal. Without the pedal, you have to change the pitch shifting harmonies by hand, which limits your ability to play the guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

I liked the peculiar blend of effects that were possibly in some of the combinations of effects. I think that for the price, this is a decent pedal. I'm still convinced that you are better off finding a pedal for each of these effects that would fit more perfectly. However, for players with less of a budget, you can make do with reverb and tremolo from this guy. I would still buy another distortion pedal though.