Electro-Harmonix Riddle

^# 36

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$152.01 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (3)

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (5)

$152.01 1 available New

$120.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $212

Standard/Professional

$70

$251+

Price Tier

In the Filter Effects Pedals category, Electro-Harmonix Riddle 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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Unleash the funk and precision of your guitar's sound with the Electro-Harmonix Riddle, a filter effects pedal designed to elevate your riffs and solos to new heights. Perfect for guitarists seeking to add a smooth, sweeping envelope effect to their arsenal, this pedal offers a tailored frequency range and the added bonus of an onboard analog distortion. Whether aiming for a subtle texture or a full-on snarl, the Riddle provides the versatility and quality to make your sound truly your own.

Key Features:

Tailored frequency range from 80 Hz to 5 kHz, ensuring a smooth envelope effect across all notes.
Onboard analog distortion for adding texture, from a slight grit to a pronounced snarl.
Designed specifically for the unique tonal qualities of the guitar.
User-friendly interface for easy sound sculpting.

Product specs

Brand	Electro-Harmonix
Model	Riddle: Q Balls Envelope Filter For Guitar
Finish	Tan
Year	2009 - 2021
Categories	Filter and Wah Pedals

FAQs

What kind of power supply does the Electro-Harmonix Riddle require?: The Electro-Harmonix Riddle requires a 9V DC power supply. It is important to use a compatible power source to ensure optimal performance and avoid damage.
Can the Electro-Harmonix Riddle be used with a bass guitar?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix Riddle is designed to work well with both guitar and bass, offering a wide range of envelope filter effects suitable for various instruments.
How does the Electro-Harmonix Riddle differ from traditional wah pedals?: The Electro-Harmonix Riddle is an envelope filter, which automatically modulates the filter effect based on your playing dynamics, unlike traditional wah pedals that require manual foot control.
What are the standout features of the Electro-Harmonix Riddle?: The Electro-Harmonix Riddle features a comprehensive set of controls, including range, attack, and Q, allowing for precise shaping of the envelope filter effect to suit different musical styles.
Is the Electro-Harmonix Riddle suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix Riddle is well-suited for live performances, offering dynamic and expressive filter effects that can enhance your sound on stage.

Videos

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EHX

Electro-Harmonix Riddle Envelope Filter for Guitar (Demo by Jack Conte)

EHX

Electro Harmonix Riddle Q Balls envelope filter guitar effects pedal demo

gearmanndude

Electro-Harmonix Riddle Envelope Filter Pedal (Demo by Stu Weinberg)

EHX

Electro Harmonix - Riddle Demo

Guitar Gear

Electro Harmonix Riddle demo 1

Regan Hoyng

Electro Harmonix Riddle demo 2

Regan Hoyng

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile sound range from Jerry to funky 70's rhythm
Allows precise sculpting of envelope and phase
Offers individual adjustment for attack and decay speeds
Includes three “pass” adjustments for sound variety
Features a distortion option for added funkiness
Provides a slight db boost for enhanced presence
Pure analog sweep for smooth envelope filtering
Blend control allows for nuanced sound mixing

CONS

Not intuitive to use without prior research
Distortion feature may not be useful for all players
Can sound unnatural compared to other envelope filters
Controls too detailed for easy on-the-fly adjustments
Lacks additional features like an LFO for its size

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix Riddle.

Features and functionality

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The Riddle offers start/stop knobs for precise filter control, allowing a customized sweep without relying on switches.
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Riddle includes an expression control feature, enabling manual filter sweeping similar to a wah pedal for enhanced playability.
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The Riddle offers a wide sensitivity and resonance range, capable of self-oscillation, allowing for diverse sound shaping options.
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The Riddle includes a blend knob and a dirt circuit, offering more tonal versatility and pushing some owners to choose it over the QTron.
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User experience

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Owners caution that the Riddle's EQ focuses on mid-frequencies, which may not be optimal for bass, requiring careful adjustment.
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Some users appreciate the Riddle's ability to start sweeps at high frequencies and move down, enhancing control over tone shaping.
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An owner describes a unique, gritty tone using a "subtle, quick down wah" setting, ideal for creating distinctive, dirty soundscapes.
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Build quality

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Issues with the Riddle's regulator being non-replaceable due to its circuitboard mounting have been reported, leading to potential long-term reliability concerns.
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Value and pricing

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In the UK, the Riddle is priced significantly lower than the Qtron, highlighting regional price discrepancies that may affect purchasing decisions.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners find the Riddle's start/stop controls particularly useful for crafting precise filter sweeps, offering more versatility than a simple up/down switch.
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Enthusiasts find the Riddle's compatibility with dirt pedals particularly effective for crafting intricate and experimental envelope filter sounds.
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Comparisons

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The Riddle provides a classic sound with modern improvements, contrasting with the more option-heavy EQD Spatial Delivery, which includes a Random S/H feature.
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