Electro-Harmonix Bass CloneFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 41 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment78%
PROS 78%
CONS 22%

Rank based on 41 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable pedal that nails Peter Hook/Joy Division/New Order style bass tones
  • You need chorus that keeps low-end fundamentals intact via the crossover control
  • You plan to pair it with fuzz or overdrive for post-punk tones

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to background hiss or fizz that some units exhibit
  • You dislike a noticeable click sound when engaging the switch
  • You want a true-bypass pedal with zero tone-suck concerns and no clarity on bypass quality

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
31Budget
Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone
Great for Peter Hook / post-punk tonesSmooth, lush chorus toneAffordable priceHiss or noise issuesPossible unit defectsConfusing crossover switch orientation
Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone
Great for Peter Hook / post-punk tones
Smooth, lush chorus tone
Affordable price
Hiss or noise issues
Possible unit defects
Confusing crossover switch orientation

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Bassists overwhelmingly buy this pedal to chase the Peter Hook / Joy Division sound. Numerous commenters say they searched for or were inspired to buy the pedal specifically for Hooky-style post-punk bass tones, referencing New Order and Joy Division directly. Several note the video demo convinced them instantly, calling it a direct descendant of the rare Clone Theory chip Hook reportedly used. It's frequently combined with a Big Muff or similar fuzz for that classic wall-of-sound. Multiple users report satisfaction a year or more after purchase.

The crossover control is singled out as a standout, low-end-preserving feature. Owners repeatedly praise how the crossover lets them keep bass fundamentals solid while still getting a smooth, lush chorus on top. This is described as a 'game changer' and 'pure genius' by long-term users, distinguishing it from other chorus pedals that thin out low end. However, some find the crossover switch orientation confusing, unsure which direction is 'on'. Overall the tone is called smooth and never tiring even after extended use.

A minority report hiss, fizz, switch-click noise, or outright defective units. Several commenters describe hissy or fizzy output, sometimes tied to treble settings, and others mention an audible click when engaging the switch. One user says their unit barely produces any effect after over a year of use, suspecting a defect. Another reports arriving damaged and needing to run on external power rather than battery. Despite these complaints, most affected users still find the core chorus sound compelling enough to keep using it.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?