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Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer

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Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer

$82.00 to $101.60 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (9)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

Find out who is using Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher

8 community setups

5 wishlisted

32 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

3.5 (15)

$101.60

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4.0 (5)

$101.60

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4.1 (118)

$101.60

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4.0 (14)

$86.92 50 available New

$59.00 10 available Used

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4.0 (5)

$101.60

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5.0 (2)

$101.60

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$101.60

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4.0 (47)

$83.00 $82.00 $1.00

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£90.00

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Average Price: $93

Standard/Professional

$70

$201+

Price Tier

In the Bass Effects Pedals category, Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer 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

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher, a compact compressor/sustainer designed specifically for bassists. This pedal amplifies your bass's dynamic range and low frequencies, subtly transforming its qualities or taking them to new, powerful heights. Want to level out notes or create an intensely squashed sound? The Bass Preacher is your go-to tool.

Its intuitive controls including volume and sustain knobs make it easy to customize your sound. The 3-way attack switch provides fast, medium, and slow settings, allowing you to optimize your sound according to your application. True bypass switching ensures your bass tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not in use.

With its pedalboard-friendly size and the maximum gain reduction of 21 dB, the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher adds a new dimension to your bass playing, without taking up too much space. Whether you're a fan of passive or active basses, this pedal stands out with an input sensitivity range from -10 dBu to +2 dBu.

Key Features:

Compressor/sustainer designed specifically for bass
Controls: Volume, Sustain
3-way attack switch for adjusting the timing of the compression onset
True bypass for preserving your bass's natural tone
Compact and pedalboard-friendly size
Input sensitivity ranges from -10 dBu to +2 dBu, catering to both passive and active basses
Maximum gain reduction of 21 dB, with enough make-up gain for full volume at maximum sustain (compression)

Owner's manual

Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Bass compressor
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Height	2.1"
Width	2.75"
Depth	4.5"

FAQs

What does the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer do for my bass tone?: The Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer evens out your bass dynamics and enhances sustain, ensuring that your bass lines remain consistent and clear in a mix, whether live or recorded.
Can the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher be powered by a battery?: Yes, the Bass Preacher can be powered by a 9V battery, in addition to a 9V DC power supply, providing flexibility for different playing environments.
Is the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Bass Preacher is designed to handle live performance settings, offering reliable compression and sustain to keep your bass sound balanced and present.
Does the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher work with active bass pickups?: Yes, the Bass Preacher is compatible with both passive and active bass pickups, ensuring versatility across different bass types.
What are the size dimensions of the Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher?: The Bass Preacher measures 2.1" in height, 2.75" in width, and 4.5" in depth, making it compact and easy to fit on most pedalboards.

Videos

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EHX

Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor / Sustainer Pedal

EHX

Electro-Harmonix / Bass Preacher【デジマート製品レビュー】

digimartnet

The EHX Bass Preacher and the Secret of Taking it from Meh to YEAH!

PFG

Electro Harmonix Bass Preacher Bass Compressor Pedal (Namm 2016)

StompboxTV

Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher | Guitar Center PL

TVGuitarCenter

Electro harmonix Bass Preacher - NAMM 2016

Bax-shop | Bax Music Goes

Reviews

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PROS

Simple and effective compression
Works well for both bass and guitar
Provides studio polish and enhances staccato lines
Robust and small design, easily fits on pedalboards
Offers easy adjustability with only 3 controls
Does not color the sound, maintaining tone integrity
Makes the bass sound warmer
Features 3 levels of attack for versatility
Solid build quality suitable for gigging
Affordable, providing good value for the price

CONS

Can introduce noise with increased volume
May lose some low end, requiring EQ adjustment
Knobs can be hard to read and grip
Not ideal for live performances with hard rock music
Feedback issues when used with certain distortion pedals live
Internal trimpot needed to reduce noise, risking gain loss

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer.

Features and functionality

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The internal trim pot allows users to adjust volume to match their specific amp and setup, providing flexibility in sound customization.
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The hidden trim pot inside the unit is highly sensitive, requiring minimal adjustments to affect input levels and noise, highlighting the need for careful tweaking.
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Users report the pedal performs well solo but introduces noise when part of a daisy-chained setup, suggesting sensitivity to power chain configurations.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners report that adjusting the internal trim pot can reduce noise, though some still find the compressor inherently noisy.
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Adjusting the internal trim pot to unity gain can transform the pedal from "unusable" to "perfectly useable," especially with noise reduction.
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A common issue involves power-related noise; using an isolated power supply like the Cioks DC7 can significantly reduce interference and enhance pedalboard quietness.
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Use cases and applications

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Users find the fast attack toggle most effective, with the sustain knob kept under 35% to avoid excessive squashing of the sound.
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The pedal may perform inconsistently across different bass setups, excelling with some models like the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz but struggling with others.
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Value and pricing

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Owners who purchased the pedal used for around $50 feel satisfied, but those paying more might find it less worth the cost due to noise issues.
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Comparisons

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Some users prefer the TC Electronic Spectracomp for its smoother signal processing over the EHX Bass Preacher, especially in avoiding squishy volume manipulations.
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Some users transition to Seymour Duncan Studio Bass comp for enhanced blend capabilities and less subtle compression, indicating a preference for more versatile options.
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The Diamond Bass Compressor shows better compatibility with daisy-chained power setups compared to the Bass Preacher, indicating varied performance in similar conditions.
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User experience

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Owners note significant differences in performance when using passive versus active basses, emphasizing the trim pot's role in optimizing for different setups.
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A defective unit may exhibit high-pitched ringing or signal cut-off, especially when integrated into complex pedalboards, highlighting potential quality control concerns.
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Mods and upgrades

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Suggestions to move the internal trim pot to an external knob indicate user demand for easier accessibility and fine-tuning during live performances or varied setups.
Source

Critic Reviews

Electro Harmonix Bass Preacher

ovnilab.com

The Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer offers a fat, musical tone with a smooth action and useful attack settings, making it an affordable option for bassists seeking added sustain. However, its Achilles' heel is the noise issue, which becomes prominent at higher volume settings. While the pedal's construction is decent and it allows for a range of compression without sacrificing dynamics, the lack of an LED for compression indication and the internal gain trim pot's warning label may deter some users. Overall, it delivers value but demands compromise on noise levels.

neutral

Full Review

Quick Hit: Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor/Sustainer is a budget-friendly, user-friendly option for bassists looking to add compression to their setup. Its straightforward controls, featuring just a volume knob, a sustain knob, and a 3-way attack switch, make it accessible for newcomers to compression. The compact design and affordability, at under $100, make it an attractive choice for those seeking to manage dynamics and maintain tonal clarity. However, seasoned users might find the simplicity limiting if they're seeking more advanced features. Overall, it's a solid purchase for bassists seeking a no-fuss compressor.

positive

Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 9 Ratings

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retarded_fish

903

10 months ago

It's alright, worth the money

A simple transparent "always on" type compressor. The difference using medium settings is barely audible at room volume, but you can really feel the difference and low end stability at loud volumes. Yes, I've had to adjust the trim pot inside because the factory sound is too quiet and you just end up raising the noise floor if you crank the volume. A slight trim pot adjustment and it works well and stays quiet.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Alternative rock

krakob

288

about 8 years ago

Compresses, but poor for sustain

It does what it says on the tin and it does so very simply. You can also use it as a boost or volume limiter since you adjust volume and compression individually. To set it to unity gain, you pretty much just set the knobs in the same positions. What I don't like is that it gets very noisy with a lot of gain, and there's no real good way to tune it for sustain without killing your dynamics completely. The attack control can work a little bit for this but it'd be much better to use a compressor with blend.