Strymon BrigadierFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an easy, intuitive analog-voiced delay for live and studio use
  • You like authentic BBD-style grit and modulation character
  • You're choosing between Strymon delays and want something simpler than TimeLine or Big Sky

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a Sound on Sound looping mode like the El Capistan
  • You want full control over modulation rate, not just depth
  • You dislike inherent noise/grit in the delay repeats

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
31Premium
Strymon Brigadier
Authentic analog bucket-brigade characterEasy and intuitive to use liveExcellent long-term reliability and toneExcessive or unusable modulation in demosInherent noise/grit may be mistaken for a defectLimited mod knob control
Strymon Brigadier
Authentic analog bucket-brigade character
Easy and intuitive to use live
Excellent long-term reliability and tone
Excessive or unusable modulation in demos
Inherent noise/grit may be mistaken for a defect
Limited mod knob control

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Long-term owners consider it a hidden gem among Strymon pedals. Several commenters note the Brigadier doesn't get as much attention as other Strymon pedals but call it a hidden gem. One user has used it on nearly every song tracked over four years, more than their Blue Sky. Another says it's the only Strymon they really like, and a third calls it the best delay they've ever owned, pairing it with a DIG for acoustic work. Users also appreciate that it's easier to use live than the more feature-heavy TimeLine or Big Sky, which some found awkward on a pedalboard.

Opinions split sharply on the built-in modulation and grit. Some praise the modulation as 'wonderful' and see the grit as authentic BBD character rather than a flaw, with one user noting they briefly returned it thinking it was broken before realizing the noise was intentional. Others are frustrated, calling demos unusable due to excessive modulation and criticizing the mod knob as weak compared to the Rubberneck or Carbon Copy, since it seems to control only depth, not rate. This makes the Brigadier's character-heavy voicing a love-it-or-hate-it trait.

Frequently compared against the El Capistan, with no clear winner. Many commenters debate the Brigadier versus the tape-emulating El Capistan, with some preferring the Brigadier's sound and others favoring the El Capistan overall, including one who called the Brigadier's sound 'ridiculously good' yet still chose the El Capistan. The Brigadier notably lacks a Sound on Sound looping mode that the El Capistan offers. Others also compare it to the DIG and Blue Sky, with mixed preferences depending on the rig.

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