Electro-Harmonix Grand CanyonFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment79%
PROS 79%
CONS 21%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want stereo delay plus a looper that can run together
  • You enjoy deep, creative ambient/shimmer/reverse/pitch delay sounds
  • You're upgrading from the original Canyon and want more flexibility

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need simple, practical background delay for a band mix
  • You want presets or easy on-the-fly live control without menu diving
  • You need a reliable, professional-grade standalone looper

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
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
2Mid
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
Best value
3Value
MXR Super Badass Distortion~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
4Mid
Wampler Belle~$179 · 1.4× cheaper
Crisp, musical, transparent toneImproved bass control over ODR-1Stacks well with other pedalsLacks some ODR-1 openness/sparkleMisses some top-end chimeSmall print hard to read
Wampler Belle~$179 · 1.4× cheaper
Crisp, musical, transparent tone
Improved bass control over ODR-1
Stacks well with other pedals
Lacks some ODR-1 openness/sparkle
Misses some top-end chime
Small print hard to read
5Mid
Wampler Tumnus Deluxe~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
3-band active EQ for tone shapingTransparent, amp-enhancing toneGreat for stacking with other pedalsHot switch benefit not obvious at lower gainPossible popping noise on switch changeDidn't stand out for one user's amp
Wampler Tumnus Deluxe~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
3-band active EQ for tone shaping
Transparent, amp-enhancing tone
Great for stacking with other pedals
Hot switch benefit not obvious at lower gain
Possible popping noise on switch change
Didn't stand out for one user's amp
6Value
MXR Sugar Drive~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Great for stacking with other drivesTransparent, organic Klon-style toneAffordable price for Klon-style toneSkepticism about matching the real KlonLost out to competing clones in some comparisonsSound depends heavily on amp/settings
MXR Sugar Drive~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Great for stacking with other drives
Transparent, organic Klon-style tone
Affordable price for Klon-style tone
Skepticism about matching the real Klon
Lost out to competing clones in some comparisons
Sound depends heavily on amp/settings
7Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
8Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
9Upper
Strymon Flint~$349 · 1.4× pricier
High-quality vintage reverb voicesExceptional tremolo tonesLong-term reliability and board permanencePrice seen as steep by several buyersV1 vs V2 tonal disagreementReverb considered only average by some
Strymon Flint~$349 · 1.4× pricier
High-quality vintage reverb voices
Exceptional tremolo tones
Long-term reliability and board permanence
Price seen as steep by several buyers
V1 vs V2 tonal disagreement
Reverb considered only average by some
10Upper
Origin Effects Deluxe61~$349 · 1.4× pricier
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61~$349 · 1.4× pricier
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
You are here
23Mid
Electro-Harmonix Grand Canyon~$250
Excellent overall sound qualityHuge range of creative soundsUpgrade path from the original CanyonSteep learning curveLooper reliability concernsLacks character for some
Electro-Harmonix Grand Canyon~$250
Excellent overall sound quality
Huge range of creative sounds
Upgrade path from the original Canyon
Steep learning curve
Looper reliability concerns
Lacks character for some

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A clear step up from the original Canyon for many owners. Numerous commenters who already owned the Canyon describe trading up or planning to, calling the Grand Canyon a 'major upgrade' with everything they wished the original had, especially the ability to use delay and loop simultaneously. Several mention selling their Canyon or other delay pedals (Memory Man, Timeline, Flashback) after getting this one, citing superior sound and features.

Sound quality and creative depth win people over. Commenters repeatedly praise unique tones like the warbly reverse setting, shimmer, pitch, and DMM feedback drones, with some calling it their best pedal purchase of the year. The combination of delay and looper in one unit is highlighted as solving a long-standing frustration of choosing between jamming with delay or looping cleanly.

Complexity and a few technical gripes hold some users back. Multiple commenters say the deep menu system and secondary modes require real study to master, with one joking a PhD would help. A handful report real problems: a looper that plays quiet and distorted compared to delay signal, loop timing drift, reverb settings that won't stay dialed in, and an overly digital, characterless tone versus rivals like Line 6 Echo Park or Boss DD-200.

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