Creation Labs Holy Fire.

[gfen]

Bought my first real effect pedal today, a Holy Fire. It popped up in the used section of my local GC and after doing as much research as I can, I bit the bullet on it, out the door for 100 even.

I'm just curious why something that seems to me to be pretty damned versatile doesn't seem to get much love around here? The bulk of the threads I seemed to find were Classified ads, very few people seem to have opinions or discuss it... Is the biggest issue the unique 48v power brick which keeps it out of pedal boards, or is am I simply missing something that detracts from it? Seems to sound every bit as good as I can tell, and the few threads I found here and there people were pretty pleased with the tone...

 

[johnk_10]

well, it's still one of my favorites OD's for bass.

 

[callofcthulhu]

They recently (today?) released a 9v version, which solves the concern over the power brick.

What it lacked for me was a mids knob. Too boxy and grunty, not enough growly and grindy.

If you're a P bass into pushed power tubes kind of guy it's probably a wet dream come true.

I am not.

 

[johnk_10]

i don't find it boxy or grunty at all. I think that it's actually a nice transparent (as in doesn't impart a tone of its own) OD.

 

[cnltb]

i don't find it boxy or grunty at all. I think that it's actually a nice transparent (as in doesn't impart a tone of its own) OD.

Which one is the most 'transparent OD you've heard today?

 

[johnk_10]

IMO, the holy fire is definitely one of them.

 

[bongomania]

I also would put the Holy Fire near the top of the "transparent OD" list.

As far as "why not more popular", I think the power supply of the original version put many people off; also some brands just never seem to gain traction or buzz around here, no matter how good they are. I used to try to analyze what made certain brands take off and other ones stay under the radar, in terms of forum excitement, but I've given up. I have no idea. There are terrible and mediocre brands with so much buzz and devotion they might as well be Elvis reincarnated, and there are exceptionally high quality brands that nobody gives a damn about.

 

[MCS4]

I can tell you that, for me, with the incredible array of overdrive options that exist these days, I have little interest in an OD that (1) requires a special power supply; (2) costs $200.00; and (3) is not in a particularly small box. I would have to hear it in person and have it blow me out of the water, which is unlikely given that it isn't particularly common out in the wild.

 

[Oneirogenic]

I also would put the Holy Fire near the top of the "transparent OD" list.

As far as "why not more popular", I think the power supply of the original version put many people off; also some brands just never seem to gain traction or buzz around here, no matter how good they are. I used to try to analyze what made certain brands take off and other ones stay under the radar, in terms of forum excitement, but I've given up. I have no idea. There are terrible and mediocre brands with so much buzz and devotion they might as well be Elvis reincarnated, and there are exceptionally high quality brands that nobody gives a damn about.

It's pretty interesting how flavor of the week works on TB. I understand how basses have their various lovers and haters but with pedals it doesn't seem to make much sense. Especially the analog vs digital thing. The blind shoot outs of things like phasers shows that our eyes and our biases can't be trusted to fairly judge pedals. It's kinda like fashion trends

 

[MCS4]

It's got nothing to do with TB. That's how pretty much everything in life works. Peoples' impressions are prejudiced by any number of things, quantifiable and unquantifiable.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I definitely agree on the 48-volt bit...that right there killed my interest in the pedal. I didn't know that there is now a 9V version, and if I were still shopping for an OD I'd consider trying one, but my OD needs are covered very well now.

 

[gfen]

fwiw, the OP is exceedingly satisfied with his purchase, still.

 

[My name is Mudd]

That's good. I don't think anyone is trying to change your mind on it either. It's just that there are so many options for ODs available right now and sometimes it's easier to eliminate one due to it's oddball configuration or size or power spec, or or or...

 

[johnk_10]

I can tell you that, for me, with the incredible array of overdrive options that exist these days, I have little interest in an OD that (1) requires a special power supply; (2) costs $200.00; and (3) is not in a particularly small box. I would have to hear it in person and have it blow me out of the water, which is unlikely given that it isn't particularly common out in the wild.

the holy fire's box is small, and the new ones run on 9V (no 'special power supply' required) and, IMO, it's easily worth the $200 that they ask for it.

 

[dannybuoy]

I'd be more interested in the new Grizzly than the Holy Fire - anybody compared them?

 

[B'Boom]

I have never tried Holy Fire, but I can tell you that I am very happy with Grizzly Bass. It's works with 9 volt power supply and 250 mA, it is as well compact as Holy Fire, and its additional potentiometer for settle the middle frequencies ( the same as the Funkulator) gives to it more versatility. The Redeemer circuit is it an excellent buffer output. Also, Its stack very well with my Brimstone Audio XD-1.

 

[MCS4]

the holy fire's box is small, and the new ones run on 9V (no 'special power supply' required) and, IMO, it's easily worth the $200 that they ask for it.

I was talking about the original Holy Fire, which the OP bought. With the power supply change I may very well consider the new one the next time I'm in the market for an OD.