Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric MistressFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 37 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment78%
PROS 78%
CONS 22%

Rank based on 37 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want independent flanger and chorus that can blend into swirly, lush textures
  • You run a stereo rig or two amps and want an immersive stereo spread
  • You like classic Police/Floyd-style flange and chorus tones and are willing to spend time dialing it in

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need true bypass with zero volume drop when engaged
  • You're only after a simple standalone chorus and don't want a bigger multi-mode pedal
  • You're sensitive to the metallic tone some report at slower flange rates

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 Stereo Electric Mistress
Lush, swirling chorus and flange tonesTwo independent effects in one pedalUnderrated value and build qualitySparse documentation and unclear controlsVolume drop when engagedNot true bypass
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress
Lush, swirling chorus and flange tones
Two independent effects in one pedal
Underrated value and build quality
Sparse documentation and unclear controls
Volume drop when engaged
Not true bypass

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A genuinely lush, swirling modulation machine once you learn its controls. Commenters repeatedly praise the smoothed-out highs and gorgeous, movie-soundtrack chorus swirl, with several calling specific dial-in settings some of the most beautiful sounds they've heard. Owners who initially wrote it off later returned after spending more time dialing it in, discovering combinations they'd missed. The blend of flanger and chorus together creates a distinctive waterfall or Leslie-like effect that many find superior to competing chorus and flanger pedals.

Stereo output and Filter Matrix mode add real versatility for creative players. Users highlight running the pedal into two amps as filling them with joy, and mathrock/experimental players note the sounds are interesting enough to spend weeks exploring. Bass players also report excellent, trippy or subtly colored results. The Filter Matrix mode and separate depth controls for each effect give more tonal options than typical single-mode chorus or flanger pedals, though a few commenters were confused about how to activate Filter Matrix.

Digital circuitry brings tradeoffs some buyers should weigh. Multiple users report a volume drop when the effect engages, and EHX itself confirms it isn't true bypass, relying instead on a buffer that some owners say prevents any perceptible signal loss. One user disliked a metallic quality at slower flange rates and questioned noise/hum after seeing mixed reviews elsewhere. Placement in the signal chain matters too, as one user got unpleasant noise placing it after drive and fuzz.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?