Electro-Harmonix Bad StoneFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 30 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 63%
CONS 37%

Rank based on 30 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a phaser with a distinct manual, wah-like sweep mode
  • You run fuzz or Big Muff pedals and want a bold, characterful swirl
  • You want more versatility than the Small Stone or Phase 90 offer

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to noise or an audible pop when engaging effects
  • You play bass and need to avoid volume loss in your chain
  • You prefer a subtle, low-key phasing effect over a bold, complex swirl

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone
Distinctive manual shift modeGreat synergy with fuzz and Big Muff pedalsBold, versatile swirlNo native expression pedal controlLoud pop when engagedNoisy in operation
Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone
Distinctive manual shift mode
Great synergy with fuzz and Big Muff pedals
Bold, versatile swirl
No native expression pedal control
Loud pop when engaged
Noisy in operation

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The manual mode is the standout feature that sells people on this pedal. Multiple commenters say the manual, fixed wah-like shift mode is what convinced them to buy the Bad Stone, calling it useful on its own even without the auto phasing. Several also wish it could be controlled with an expression pedal for real-time sweeping, a feature request repeated across many comments, showing strong enthusiasm for expanding this specific control.

Users consistently compare it favorably to the Small Stone and Phase 90. Commenters describe the Bad Stone as more versatile and 'miles ahead' of the Small Stone, and say it beats the Phase 90 with a better price point. Others note it pairs beautifully with a Big Muff for a nasty, cool tone, especially with fuzz layered in, making it a favorite for musicians seeking a bold, characterful swirl rather than a subtle effect.

A subset of users report noise, popping, and tone issues in certain setups. Some report a loud pop when engaging the pedal, a known issue on older units, plus radio interference in one case. Others say it muddies the low end when paired with overdrive or sucks volume when run after a bass Big Muff. A few also find it too subtle without humbuckers, suggesting inconsistent results depending on guitar and setup.

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