NPD - tc electronics Hall of Fame Reverb

[Lyle Caldwell]

After having and using the Flashback X4 for a month or so (and really enjoying it immensely - I've owned the SDD3000, 2290, Eventide Eclipse, DD-20, and Strymon El Capistan), I figured the HoF would be a no brainer win.

It arrived today, and I spent about 2 hours trying it with various amps, including exploring the software editing options.

And after all that time I can only say this is one of the least useful, unmusical, and plastic sounding reverbs I've ever used.

Harsh, unpleasant, unnatural sounds, either way behind the guitar or totally swamping out the guitar, but never sitting correctly with it.

The plate and room modes were barely useful if I had to use this pedal, but the spring mode is a bad joke and the hall and church modes are useless. Not high quality enough for recording but so big your sound would disappear on stage.

Urgh. This is going back tomorrow.

Some context for my opinion: I've played for over 25 years, worked in studios, owned the various holy grails from a 64 Deluxe Reverb to the Eclipse, and I own a business designing pedals and amplifiers.

I don't like to be negative about other companies, but youtube is full of glowing reviews of this pedal - mostly from people trying to sell them and people who have never used a good reverb before.

 

[dickjonesify]

I've never cared for it.

Agreed.

 

[Kalz]

Had one, sold it. Though the same thing. It was way too far behind the guitar that I couldn't hear it or I couldn't play anything cause it was so overwhelming that it washed out my signal and everyone else's.

I love my nova repeater but the hof was pretty bland.

 

[dickjonesify]

They do make good stuff, though. As you mentioned, the X4 sounds excellent!

 

[wheelsdeal]

I was about to buy this pedal blindfolded based on reviews cause i dont have the chance to try it and i am looking for a decent reverb.Now you have me thinking..

 

[DoctorBray]

I was pretty disappointed by most of the stock prints, as mentioned wash is either too intense or too subtle. I did find some cool tones with it using the editor (love the EMT one) and within the app, however I don't really tweak those as much as I dial in a good sound and just leave it there. A lot of tweaking options but just a few sweet spots IMO.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

I have seen the same kind of posts about the Hardwire RV7 and in the end the person really liked the HOF and bought it. Having said that, opinions vary and while some like it, some don't. I would think that if it was that bad they would have discontinued it (or updated it) already. It seems enough people like it well enough though. My only gripe with these toneprint pedals is the junky switches that are mounted to the pcb. With the reliability issues I've heard in regards to these pedals my advice to anyone looking to buy is to be sure you either buy somekind of warranty through GC or buy through Sweetwater who has a free 2 year warranty to be sure you get your moneys worth. It is really pathetic that it has to be that way but it's all that can be done if you like the products and TC fails to rectify the issues with their products. I have read quite a few things on forums where TC Electronic doesn't stand behind their products and will hit you with rediculous repair fees when something goes bad pretty early on with these pedals. Hearing that really pisses me off because it basically makes them disposable and means that you may not get your moneys worth out of their products. I currently have a HOF and Flashback and if they don't last me I will not hesitate to replace them. From what I gather TC Electronic is basically taking advantage of people with fees to repair their junky and or faulty parts. Pretty sickening really..... TC Electronic needs to get things together no doubt.....

 

[o0sanity0o]

I was about to buy this pedal blindfolded based on reviews cause i dont have the chance to try it and i am looking for a decent reverb.Now you have me thinking..

Neunaber Wet Stereo Reverb is very popular. I've no experience with it myself but it's becoming a staple on a lot of guys boards. I know w few guys here have one and love them.

 

[cybermgk]

Will just say, opinions vary. Have had none of the issues mentioned with mine, specially with it in the loop, and on a power supply.

 

[Batman]

I had the HOF briefly as well and returned it as I couldn't get it to sound as I wanted.

For a full featured and relatively inexpensive unit, I highly recommend having a look at the Digitech Hardwire RV-7. It is spectacular IMO!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsxk1rJ4mWk[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25u6jQS2M7E"]Hardwire RV-7 vs Tc Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Eric Smith]

I don't use much reverb, but have this pedal. I use it for swells and it seems to do the job that I ask it to.

 

[X–Ray]

Bummer...

Better luck next time with whatever you wind up with

I'm very pleased with my Marshall Reflector reverb pedal

 

[Kalz]

Interesting with the pedal suggestions on here, I have both the Stereo Wet and RV-7 on my board

 

[cybermgk]

Some positive reviews NOT from people trying to sell them, who have used a good reverb, and are not competitors.

TC Electronic Hall of Fame Review | BestReverbPedal.com

Wet 'N Wild: Five Essential Guitar Reverb Pedals | Guitar World

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIbWIEl9AcI[/ame]

And this guy seems to get some musicality out of it, loves it, and also builds a pedal or 2.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diVS8nm2Kzc[/ame]

 

[AngryHatter]

It's why people buy Fender amps.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Dismiss my opinion if you want.

I don't make digital pedals or reverb units, so I'm not a competitor for the reverb market.

I do, however, assemble pedalboards and build entire signal chains for professional clients, so I have heard and used a whole lot of the pedals (and rack units) on the market.

I also post with my actual name, and tend not to take insults from anonymous posters that seriously.

If you like the thing, more power to you.

I expected to, but damn. Just no.

 

[dickjonesify]

Stereo a Wet all the way.

...and Fender amps.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

The stereo Wet has my interest. But I'm going to make a spring reverb unit for my own needs. Trem + verb, actually. Just thought the tc would save me the time.

 

[cheetah77]

Thanks Lyle, the HOF is the only reverb pedal I've ever purchased and I bought it based on reviews and good luck with previous TC pedals. I assumed this was a good reverb, but I've hated it since it went on my board, if you find something you love, post it please. The Wet looks interesting.