Keeley Hydra Vs Strymon Flint

[@1974zah]

Flint owner here, but was looking for cheaper/different option to run on my smaller board. The Hydra seems the logical choice. The other good sounding ones I've found are single button. So glad to find this high quality comparison by someone who knows how to play.

[@webbsteroni]

From my research it seems the Flint wins on quality of tone but the Hydra wins on functionality. A couple points that are worth considering: -PRICE - The Flint is currently selling new for $349 USD and the Hydra at $249. That's significant -Power - Looks like the Hydra runs on standard 9v chain whereas the Flint requires a special 300mA power supply that is included when purchased new. If this is the case, the Hydra might be easier to plug into most folks current boards. Couple these two factors along with the presets functionality and it looks like I'll be getting the Keeley.....

[@TheQuinnzo]

Cracking Review - Really well edited too. Thank you.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Much appreciated!

[@perryguitar1]

I’ve also got both of them… To me, the Flint is My absolute favourite, but I use the Hydra in My acoustic set-up… There it works wonders! ( in the effects loop of a Carl Martin Acoustic Gig)

[@markthespark6240]

I have both. I use the Hydra more than the flint.

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

hi dude, I currently have the hydra, but i may be considering switching to a flint. What makes it so that you use the hydra more than the flint? Thanks in advance :)

[@markthespark6240]

@@hugowasalreadytaken G’day Hugo. I really like the stereo output of the harmonic trem and the smaller footprint. The presets are handy for the few settings I use for live gigging. Compact reverb and trem that can switch on and off as required, plus user presets for the specialized sounds. I also have the Keeley Halo and can honestly say the pair of them are nothing short of amazing for getting a very nice live sound on a six pedal board. Flint is good too but a bit big for a simple compact live gigging pedal board. The flint is permanent on my practice room big board that doesn’t get moved and sounds great also!! Good luck. Mark.

[@JksGuitarCave]

For my use I find them quite similar, but the interface of the Hydra makes me want to switch back to Flint… easier to tweak the Flint on the fly if needed as all controls are easily readable and ready… not thinking of those hidden functions of the Flint of course, but those I’ve never used anyway.

[@bpsychoz]

Love that Strymon sheen ❤

[@paulngardner]

Great review and helped me make my final decision! Going for the Flint but just to keep things fair I’m going to get a halo delay to pair with it!!

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Thanks Paul! That would be an awesome combination

[@musiccreation1198]

That's my combo as well. All great pedals.

[@paulngardner]

@@musiccreation1198 due to lack of funds and being so indecisive, I’ve had second thoughts.. now thinking of going for hydra. Pure reason is wanting access to a couple of presets - thoughts?

[@jato1956]

Me too! Right on Mate!

[@paulngardner]

@@musiccreation1198 EDIT! Just rewatched this and I’m back to the flint! Worse than that, I’m now thinking of getting the El Capistan too

[@sivadyert]

I recently built a small fly rig and went with the Hydra and the Halo. I like the Keeley functionality better, and the footprint is a HUGE deal, too! I can put the Halo and the Hydra right next to each other using a dual 1/4' rigid adapter and they take about 2/3 or less the room of two Strymon pedals. When you're playing live the audience doesn't hear the subtle difference in these effects like you do in your bedroom at 1 am....

[@Bobby_Digital37]

I prefer the Flint a lot more 💯

[@ndtealmusic]

The Flint was one the easiest bonds with any pedal I've ever played. Really wanted to love the Hydra, but I couldn't bond. It's a slightly more stale sound, and for everything it can do, it's just too much going on. Ultimately went back to the Flint with no regrets.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Sounds like a similar experience to what I had with the flint. The Hydra has taken a bit longer to get to that point, but I’m still more than happy with it

[@davidmorganmusicshed8946]

My man can PLAY!!!!!

[@sroelit]

Good stuff. I tend not to put much weight on shootouts that aren’t blind-too easy for eye bias to color sound perception-but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun to hear the two pedals side by side.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Agreed on the bias. Not always easy to do blind tests by yourself 😂😉

[@Doug5524]

Thank you, a really good demo, and food for thought I would go for the Strymon must say it is close

[@evanwood1752]

Hello, former Flint owner here. In the Flint you have the ability to use secret presets holding both buttons. One of those features is having the reverb before OR after the Tremelo. Which way was your set up? Also is there a similar function on the hydra or other "secret presets" you found useful?

[@trentgardner8257]

that guitar is AMAZING

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

Hi dude, which one did you end up keeping on your board? have you used the flint or the hydra more for the past six months and why? Again, great video :).

[@barnshart9662]

I'm team Flint. Every sound in it is just a little more realistic and warm. The Hydra feels a bit to hi-fi in comparison. And then once you compare the new V2 Flint you get Midi, you get pre-delay adjustment and a a wider speed sweep on the tremolo.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

I did not know you get pre-delay in the V2…. I’ll have to check that

[@barnshart9662]

@@JacksonBrooksby love your videos by the way! One of my favorite channels around!

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Very kind dude! Thank you

[@juandoming6688]

Because this is the Flint, I get it. It's probably the best reverb pedal on earth. But I notice this pattern when people compare strymon vs anyone else. High FI would be considered a positive, and usually a strymon product has more hi fi qualities than its competitor. This time it's a negative somehow, which goes to show that strymon products need a blind test because people listen too much with their eyes.

[@Retro2502]

what does MIDI mean?

[@hekakain4108]

Both pedals melded together as one would be a winner...

[@ofsoundmind13]

Great comparison! I own the Hydra but liked hearing the subtle differences between these two. Try changing the pedal order on the hydra and see what you think. Putting the trem first can really change the ambiance when combined with the plate and room verbs!🤘

[@mr501mc]

How do you do that?

[@ofsoundmind13]

@@mr501mc hold down the color knob and double tap the bypass switch.

[@tommybrxb]

Love that guitar!!

[@DistrictSoundLab]

Much prefer the flint based on this demo. Cheers

[@maxpeck4154]

A Strymon Flint V1 is the only pedal I use. Irreplaceable to me. It's just right.

[@willthepeople]

You think v1 is better than v2?

[@maxpeck4154]

@@willthepeople No, not at all. V2 just has features I personally didn't need or want (like MIDI), it's more expensive, and I've had my V1 for a couple of years so it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. I'm sure V2 is fantastic, I'm just perfectly content with my V1.

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

thanks so much for this video, been looking for it

[@jroyzee]

I prefer the Flint overall, but that’s not a hit against the Hydra. I’ve owned both and ultimately kept the Flint. I find that the options on the Hydra made it too tweakalbe and I found a lot of sounds that were not usable, whereas almost every sound on the Flint is excellent. This more user friendly. That said, I prefer the Harmonic trem on the Hydra as I find it more musical. And the preset function is super handy. Can’t go wrong with either.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Interesting point. Sometimes too much tweaking is a bad thing

[@tonypersson9998]

”This is my clean sound” - plays distorted sound. 😉 Just kidding! Thanks for a great demo! I use the Hydra, and like it a lot. 😎

[@Tonetwisters]

Why do players call dirty, a "clean" sound?

[@webbsteroni]

I think he meant "dry" signal, so to speak.

[@rasmusbonfils690]

You misspelled Hydra in the title 👆

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Thanks! Having a bit of a slow week. I knew the word didn’t look right but couldn’t put my finger in it 🤦‍♂️

[@CatharticGuitar]

Flint

[@stagnatic]

Had the Flint, bought a Hydra, sold the Hydra, still have the Flint.

[@JacksonBrooksby]

Fair dues

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

hi dude, what made you stick with the flint? Thanks in advance, Rock on