Electro Harmonix Holy Grail vs NANO Holy Grail REVERB guitar effects pedal shootout

[JackKillsGlamour]

Hey GearManDude, I wanna pick up a Holy Grail after seeing this demo. But I'm afraid my Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+ can't handle it. I'm already running a POG2 and a Line6 DL4 in the high current outputs. Can the nano be powered via a regular output? Have you used a Holy Grail with a Pedal Power 2+?

[Claymation99]

Obligatory "He sounds like Jack Black" comment

[TheeReturn]

Nano one sounds better to me.

[ELMENDORFX]

nice

[waxwox]

your boots are lookin bad dude!

[jsax426]

thanks jack

[ChrisPlugged]

I have both & there are very subtle differences. Not enough to lose your pants over, but I slightly prefer the big fallar. Seemingly hard to find now.

[varfk000]

is the old holy grail as big as the big muff pi

[Thoboz]

@varfk000 It's smaller than big muff

[cmattdabrat]

Glad I got the Nano now. I think reverb needs to be used in moderation to sound good. :)

[watwillwedonext]

nano!

[1StOfDecember]

fuck the pedals, sell me your shoes.

[bountstar]

Sounds kinda like Christian Slater

[topcatiscool]

im sorry but reverb is full on awesome....i have it up to at least 6 all the time on my marshall :)

[tothetop777]

I think reverb can be very useful

[DanDeePee]

jack black has the coolest shoes on youtube, and some of the best gear reviews

[mamealer]

I suppose the jack black references have become the youtube version of "it needs more cowbell" But anyway, Gearmandude has the best most thorough reviews on here, equalled only by proguitarshop. He has helped me decide on several puchases. I would love to see a pedalboard with every pedal he owns on it...

[EthanJohnSnyder]

No I don't mind if you go to the neck pickup



[potsy540]

Oh, by the way thanks for the reviews Gearmandude. Your the best.

[potsy540]

I agree reverb sucks. Rock, indie, whatever shouldn't sound like it's coming from some bat infested cavern deep under ground. Large Holy Grail is cool looking, though.

[parosite]

iv played both these ..hey make it feel as tho my notes have latency before they his the amp ...i hate that feeling

[parosite]

flerb sounds like shit

[dtpietrzak]

nice demo.

[marshjmp50]

I wish people wouldn't incessantly post ultra lame jokes and comments about him sounding like jack black in literally, LITERALLY, every single review he has ever done. Ever.

Also, Gearmanndude...why if you dislike reverb so much, did you buy the dr z maz with reverb?!?!? They make a non reverb version that most people think actually sounds better.

[psycho826]

@marshjmp50 jack black

[ibanezsrx500]

@psycho826 either jack black, or christian slater........

[henrikmajuri]

reeeeeeeveeeeeeeerb =)

[strokeskid45]

U suck

[technicouleurs]

The nano sounds more rich.

[70goldtop]

How can you not like reverb?Good reverb sounds beautiful

[JBL8863]

Reverb is great for making a fuller sound. I use a Soldano head with NO built in reverb.

I have the original Holly grail...I also use a echo plex delay with it and it's even better how ever my head uses both compressed 1 channel and uncompressed on the 2nd.

The reverb sounds over done and to wavey on the uncompressed LEAD channel...I'd advise anyone buying it check the differance out before making a judgement.

The Holy Grail reverb is even better than my actual spring in my Marshall.

[Kuffuffled]

Nano sounds brighter, would rather the older one

[TheDancingSaxophone]

Hahahahahaha.

So, I was going to comment on this "But Gearmanndude, I thought you said reverb sucks!" And then I heard the first ten seconds of this video. :)

[mtrodrigues]

his boots are getting old!

[MojeImeNijeBitno]

which one is more expensive?

[twasyourdad]

no offense, but what you suck for a reviewer. looks more like you're dicking around with new gadgets.

[Migh7yb00sh]

@twasyourdad "but what you suck for a reviewer." learn to engrish nab.

[nagualli9]

@ 00:56 where he says "enough talkin" is my favorite part

[23645645]

does anyone no any shops that sell the nano

[michaelmannucci]

@23645645 Ebay lol

[gl797]

imo the original is keeping more of the guitar's tone intact. Manufacturers of pedals hardly ever make 'em better than their original designs.

[SexyFuckingBeast1]

i got one of these but mine is noisy :/ anyone else too?

[IXconnorXI]

I love your accent dude :D

[AMF1322]

Biyang RV-10 is better than both, and also cheaper

[intdoublecharbool]

@AMF1322 i looked into it based on your suggestion, and it sounds really good!

[gl797]

@AMF1322 it's very good..but not better.

[AMF1322]

@gl797 I tried both in a music shop, with a bass (this is an important point), and the sound in the Biyang was thicker and richer. Not even mention than in my country, the Biyang has the half of the Holy Grail's price. I would choose the Biyang again if I would had to, without think about it.

[Disciple1818]

Is it bad that this is not an analog pedal?

[askethom04]

the older one sounds warmer, but more subtle

[TheRealErob]

seems like the nano one has alot more reverb available

[muzboz]

Nice owl straps.

I LOVE the Holy Grail. Just ordered a Nano to complement my big 'n! :-)

Ya just can't have yaself too many Holy Grails. Just ask King Arthur.

[taurus1269]

didn't realize Christian Slater played guitar...Just bought a Holy Grail. Wonderful little device

[reditreefrogs]

Reverb and delay combined add to the best sound in the world...

If you over saturate with anything you get a crappy sound. Reverb is definitely a tricky effect to get to sound right. And adding a delay with a reverb properly dialed is the best thing since sliced bread.

If I had to choose a reverb pedal Holly grail is the one to get...And it's the one I own. Anything past 10 o'clock (1/3) on the reverb is too much it drags the sound taking away the pitch sound...

[Alaska1925]

I think all the reverb pedals are digital

only the amp reverbs are analog

[Nimrod9458]

@MultiAlien3 digital

[Mjp9889]

JACK BLACK!

reverb will never die

[Mjp9889]

JACK BLACK!



[auadioandybaker]

soon as i heard this i though '' shit jack black does pedal reviews!!!'' lol

[spaaarky21]

Sure, reverb can be a cheesy special effect when you over do it but isn't that true of most effects? A *reasonable* amount of reverb sounds better than no reverb. My amp has a nice spring reverb tank in it and I usually keep it set at about 2.

[petersedin]

haha.. cool reviews..

[Alaska1925]

and... does the older version have a battery slot?

[Alaska1925]

which do you think has the best sound?

[TheSwisha420]

@Alaska1925 nano sounds more wetter and its cheaper

[joed424]

reverb is good, but sucks some tone an lower volumes, it works better at a higher volume

[savestheda7]

i cant trust a guy that doesnt like reverb

[mikante]

reverb sucks ok, but what about flerb? yeah that sucks even more! 

[encoreyaya]

obviously not a guitar player.

[BaphometStudios]

I see the reverb as only an fx pedal for solos,ballads,and eerie sounds and compliments delays well

[Laitane93]

like your shoes

[eflath]

@Laitane93 for me, this video is mostly about those snakeskin boots!

[Euphoriaman]

please do more with the neck pick up!!! and the Middle position!!!

[aektzis91]

hey gearman dude, my holy grail sounds heaps wetter than both of yours, even when its set real low. you running it in front of the amp or in a loop?? cheers from australia.

[thunda121658]

I don't use reverb a lot either. I do think that the nano unit actually sounds a little bit better though. thanks for the demo

[eddieardine]

Who knew Jack Black reviewed gear?

[DirtySouthTV]

@eddieardine LOL!!!!!!!!

[mixermantim]

@eddieardine You know who really is behind that camera dont you?  well it is Jack Black!! Just don't tell anyone.

[1Guug]

@eddieardine the joke geting old...

[ReaperOfMen]

I think reverb gives a little atmosphere to your laying. It only hides sloppiness if you drench it in reverb combined with some delay. Or a lot of delay. Then the effects just sound so bad that no one cares if you're paying well or horrible, they just want you to stop.Having a little reverb is always a useful thing.

[thundersteve1566]

"Reverb sucks lol!" Simple to use and sound great! I like the Nano version.

[DjRevTech]

Pink floyd - brain damage

I listened to that at school

[jezmundberserker]

I think the Nano version sounds better. I've been thinking about getting one of these things since the reverb on my Line6 Spider amp really sucks.

[figaz555]

If Shane Dawson is considered comedy, how come this guy isn't?

[superlou1s]

REVERB IS AWESOME. 

[crittoprrr]

Glad to see the boots.

[hanusanus666]

horrible boots.

[acidbluebass]

THANKS FOR THE VID!!!

I don't care much for reverb, either, but need one for a job.

You helped my homework/decision making.

Have a great day!

[johnny123372]

@flonkertonband YES YOU DO!

[huyiy]

gearmandude,, lol the name reminds me of manbearpig

[bernich88]

I love to imagine jack black doing this reviews =)

[rileypoole1234]

reverb is the best effect there is in my opinion

[Alu122112211221]

'love the owl straps.

[jdebney]

joe bonamassa is a self proclaimed "reverb junkie". and id say he's pretty damn good with some sick tone.

[TheMusiciansFriend]

how the fuck can you afford to buy all these fucking pedals and guitars

[guitarsANDcars39]

OK PEOPLE WE KNOW HE SOUNDS LIKE JACK BLACK ALREADY. I THINK ITS TIME TO STOP SAYING IT.  great video btw

[HDL2112]

@guitarsANDcars39 dude, he doesnt SOUND LIKE jack black, he IS jack black, how the hell would he have all that money if he wasn't????

[jezarocks666]

@HDL2112 He cant be jack black.. Jack black is a shit guitarist

[thmsrojo]

@jezarocks666 lol

[vanhalenkid]

IMO reverb can be a bit pointless in a live situation, but i love using them when i record

[Spongebob17702]

Surf Guitar!



[SoundBoxStudios1000]

sound like jack black

[Ncuab]

HOLY GRAIL - sounds slightly warmer at times, the reverb effect seems to kick in a little faster than the NANO

HOLY GRAIL NANO - effect sounds more wet and sustains for a little longer, but the reverb effect seems to gradually kick in a little slower

***like always, it depends on what other gear you're using, how all of your gear complements/works against each other, what sound you're looking for, how it feels, and what you're willing to pay.***

[yetonGhul]

cool man..has anyone told u you're voice sounds alot like Jack black's voice ?

[TeamKellar]

jack black

[carvin1657]

yeah reverb is probably every good guitar players secret weapon. You would never notice it's there half the time but it makes the guitar signal sound about 100 times more full

[leandrototal]

Pink Floyd at the begining... i DIG THAT!!! You ROCK GMD!!!

[reditreefrogs]

I like the nano over the older version for it's ascetics...The toggle switch in my opinion is better than the slide switch...I like the smaller fully cased body design on the nano compaired to the stainless steel top black painted sides on the Grils first generation...

As for sound I think they use pretty much the same circuit to emulate the re-verbs...

[felix51993]

thank UUUUUU this helped my alot

[Sassykraimspri]

I agree, totally sounds like Jack Black.

[pissballs]

Reverb for guitar application sometimes good for surf tones like Pulp Fiction style or perhaps how both Jimmy's used it here and there to highlight riffage. That is if your into reverb!

[gullywoots]

nano looks like a sardine can upside down

[justinwiggy]

Old holy grail has many quality issues...

R1 resistor cooks and slips off CB.

Think they are phasing out the old one with the nano to get round flaws.

Shame cos it's a great sounding pedal

[17blazin]

I ike the big one better,,they sound the same,but hey,,go big or go home! nice demo GMD!!!

[foootos]

sounds like jack black

[shanesreallycool]

reverb sucks, and thats coming from a guy with a fender reverb deluxe, i fucking hate it when people turn it on

[brandon5pennies]

reverb only sucks if it's used the wrong way dudes like eric johnson and john petrucci and a bunch of others do it just fine

[moenmusician]

@shanesreallycool - Why? :P

[dorielementary]

@shanesreallycool

I checked out you youtube page. Reverb doesn't suck. You do. You suck with reverb or without it. Lose the attitude and take some lessons.

[shanesreallycool]

@dorielementary first off, thanks.

alright let me explain why im not a big fan of reverb. its simply because iv heard many people overuse it and it ruins their sound

and i dont see you playing guitar on your youtube channel so you probably shouldnt be talking

[jackofalltrades156]

Don't use an SG together with a Maz for a reverb demo - use a strat!

[BENTXYZ]

I'm shocked! The Nano sounds much richer and fuller. What a great little pedal.

[willguitar83]

sound the same ! but nano has a little bit more reverb ! I've got the nano and it's really good !

[maybe000itsme]

i actually like the nano one better.

[rovusss]

rad shoes dewd!

[SexyFuckingBeast1]

?! come on gearmandude, I enjoy your reviews, I really do, but when you say reverb sucks, well that's just crazy talk!!! Reverb adds an extra dimension you don't always have to drench the signal, you can just add it as a subtle effect. :)

[GTYOYO]

at 6:40 that kidna surfer music or tex blues idk but when ya switched to the nano sounded way cooler :D

[GTYOYO]

love the owl straps lol

[feverdreamx]

i'll always chose the BIG pedals from EHx...why? cose the bigs are reparable...the ElNano series pedals are SMD, so they are "irreparable" (therepair of a SMD costs like a new pedal)...

[gerthsc]

um, not to diss or deny the genius that is Gearmandude, but shouldn't that piece of paper say " 'Cause Reverb Sucks" not "Cause' Reverb Sucks"? I believe that apostrophe is misplaced.

[drmilktruck]

@gerthsc

The apostrophe is put in where letters are omitted, so 'Cause is correct

[nothingviolet]

I prefer design of the classic version, but they sound good either.

[c32linder]

Just ordered the BIG one on EEEEbay!!!!

[88watchman]

this pedal is a real pain because it some time comes with the power adaptor

and some times not i own the normal pedal i had mine since christmas day and have not used it because it did not come with the adaptor in the box .

[electroncleanwipe]

the big one has a little warmer sound i think

[Zeca238]

kacl black??

[66renotj]

I TOTALLY agree on the Jack Black call. Thanks for sharing dude!

J

[rockychieng88]

nano is more toney

[ChumpJoe]

how do you not respect spring reverb tanks? tool.

[c32linder]

Wow he is such a jerk cuz he doesn't share your opinion!!!

[filiodiputana]

so which would you recommend?

old or new?

[fendermac]

Love your vids...even though your apostrophe is in the wrong place.Lol

[cyberpunk409]

this has got to be Jack Black. Who else has the kind of disposable income to go to a guitar shop, see 2 pedals which are basically the same, and buy BOTH?!? He's got a bitchin' set of pedals and I love his shootouts, best on YouTube!! Thanks Jack Black!

[miket883]

Man, for someone who hates reverb, you sure make it sound incredible.

[youhalfpipe]

BRAIN DAMAGE!

[sirpshych0sexy]

enough talking, back to rocking!

haha

[aidisguise]

i like the nano

[leodileodileo]

sucks

[strabbs1]

reverb DOESNT suck, its my favourite effect ever

[joakorush2112]

it´s so basic and important.

[melindagreenjeans]

@strabbs1 The reason reverb sucks is that it covers up shit playing. Because you are a shit player your favourite effect is reverb.

[strabbs1]

@melindagreenjeans ha ha ha, thanks for that, yeah your right. if i buy TWO reverbs and turn the volume pot down it might make a difference ya reckon??? can you give me any tips on how i can improve, i am having a bit of diffeculty with my tri tonal substituions at the minute, and what variations on the use of the mixolydian mode over 2 decending major chords would you recommend?? lol your funny

[DomLagrueMusic]

Why do you sound so similair to Jack Black? :)

[ArneBredesen]

Probably because he was born that way... Just as he was born to be a genious!

[SpeakToMe73]

PINK FLOYD!

[JonnyRake]

you sound good with a bit of reverb, dont understand why you hate it so much, but then again, tone is subjective :P

[immatting]

HAHAHAHAHA OWL STRAPS!

[musicvibedude]

Gearmandude for me both the reverb sound great....

I am looking out for a reverb pedal. It would be cool if u could compare the EH holy grail and Tech 21 Boost R.V.B. Analog Reverb Emulator Pedal. Both are great pedals.Want to see them side by side.Looking forward for the video

[redbird963]

i just wish it could be battery operated(if you mod them the battery lasts 30 mins)

[ickythumper99]

Get a 1 Spot power adapter, even if your pedals don't have a 9v input it has a battery adapter to power anything 9 Volt. only 30 bucks and you can power lots of pedals

[c32linder]

I would have to disagree... A lot of pedals don't run good on higher amperage adapters... At least mine don't. I use boss, dunlop, maxon, mars, rocktron, and electro harmonix. IMO a power brick with isolated outputs would be the better option, and the ARTEC power brick is a good affordable option at only $60. it has 8 outputs. 2 of 8 have adjustable voltage. Isolated outputs are the most quiet because it's like each one is a separate AC adapter.

[ForeverSoul]

Damn..i'd hate to say this..but original sounds more clear and transparent :( Nano sounds abit more buffered..Im gonna go out of my way to find me one of the original ones..*sigh* Nano..Shimano..smaller..but still going backwards...

[redbird963]

you can find the originals on sale now.... I got mine for about $75

[deadline27]

megadeth reference..."gigantour"

[mudhooker]

duuuuude you never said WHITE COILY CABLE!!!

[brotherbartlett]

gearmandude you sound like Jack Black

[seazer]

damn I love that reverb when it's kind of subtle... like at 9~10 o'clock-ish... I just ordered myself a nano!

[adawg48]

im getting a nano

[strabbs1]

lov your demos, bet you look like sam neil, grey long hair and a weathered look, however , ive been wrong before

[strabbs1]

reverb is essential. above delay even