Boss HR-2 Harmonist

^# 54

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$65.40 Price Tier: Standard

3.5 (10)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Boss PS-6 Harmonist

$147.15 - $175.00

4.5 (125)

Find out who is using Boss HR-2 Harmonist

3 community setups

6 wishlisted

33 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (16)

$65.40 19 available Used

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Average Price: $107

Standard/Professional

$100

$301+

Price Tier

In the Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals category, Boss HR-2 Harmonist is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Meet the Boss HR-2 Harmonist, a pedal that's not just an effect but a multi-voiced companion for your musical journey. It's designed to bring your melodies to life by adding one or two voice harmonies, filling the air with a lush, rich sound. Whether you're a solo performer looking to add depth to your sound or a band member seeking to stand out, this pedal is your ticket to a fuller, more dynamic performance. It's all about making your playing experience as customizable as possible. Set your song's key, adjust the harmony up to one octave up or down, and let your creativity soar.

Key Features:

Allows for one or two voice harmonies
Controls for setting the harmony effect up to one octave up or down
Capability to set a song's key
Ideal for both solo performers and band members
Creates a lush, full sound

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	HR-2 Harmonist
Finish	Blue
Year	1994 - 1999
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals

FAQs

What types of harmonies can the Boss HR-2 Harmonist create?: The Boss HR-2 Harmonist can create two-voice harmonies by shifting the pitch of your guitar signal to harmonize with your original note. You can select from various intervals to achieve the desired harmony effect.
Does the Boss HR-2 Harmonist work well with both guitar and bass?: Yes, the Boss HR-2 Harmonist is designed to work with both guitar and bass, providing effective pitch-shifting and harmony effects for either instrument.
How should I position the Boss HR-2 Harmonist in my pedal chain?: It's generally recommended to place the Boss HR-2 Harmonist early in the pedal chain, ideally after the tuner and before distortion effects, to ensure a clean signal for accurate pitch tracking.
What power supply does the Boss HR-2 Harmonist require?: The Boss HR-2 Harmonist requires a 9V power supply, which can be provided by either a 9V battery or a compatible AC adapter.
Is the Boss HR-2 Harmonist suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss HR-2 Harmonist is suitable for live performances, offering reliable pitch-shifting and harmony effects that can enhance your sound on stage.

Videos

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SydneyShiu

BOSS HR-2 Harmonist

SydneyShiu

BOSS HR-2 (pedal review) - GAIN OVER Обзор BOSS HR-2

Гитарные обзоры GAIN OVER

BOSS Pedal Harmonist HR2 Ser N/A v1.0

Club222

Reviews

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PROS

Can mimic a 12-string guitar with octave adjustments
Unique effects when paired with distortion or fuzz before it
Capable of producing organ, chorus, and sound effects
Fun and creative with volume-swelling techniques
Versatile for both acoustic and electric guitars
Recommended for classic songs like "Ramblin' Man" by the Allman Brothers

CONS

Poor tracking, especially below G on the 6th string
Some effects may not meet expectations
Not universally useful for all musical styles or preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss HR-2 Harmonist.

Features and functionality

0 0

The HR-2's "Detector In" input is crucial for good tracking with distorted signals, often used in 90s gear to improve pitch shifting accuracy.
Source
0 0

The HR-2 offers both parallel and diatonic harmonies, unlike the EQD Pitch Bay, which is limited to parallel harmonies.
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Setup and maintenance

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Placing the HR-2 before distortion pedals like a Muff clone improves its pitch shifting performance, as it struggles with post-dirt signals.
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Comparisons

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The Boss PS-5 and PS-6 are viewed as superior alternatives, offering better sound and value under $100.
Source
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The Digitech HM-2 HarmonyMan is cited as a more modern, affordable alternative with better sound quality compared to the HR-2.
Source

User experience

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Users report unintuitive controls and poor tracking, making the HR-2 less appealing compared to modern alternatives.
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0 0

Users mention that the HR-2 outperforms the Pitch Bay in terms of in-tune pitch shifting, despite both being discontinued models.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The HR-2 is considered suitable for those who enjoy glitchy tracking, but not for those seeking clean, stable pitch shifting.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Both the Boss HR-2 and EQD Pitch Bay are discontinued, with potential for increased value over time, making them collector's items.
Source

Critic Reviews

bkpedalreviews.com

Full Review

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings

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xaqary

5455

over 9 years ago

What a weird & wonderful pedal when ya dig in

My favorite? Is to set it up with my volume on the guitar all the way down strum & then raise the volume on my guitar & get a killer effect. It's not a very ubiquitous pedal I use all the time & loads of people have improved on this idea. But for my tastes this works fine and is a ton of fun. I have not used it on really any other sources besides guitar yet. Definitely something I should explore soon though. Great pedal, loads of fun. Got it while on tour -in Nashville if I remember right? No regrets.