The Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe is a rotary speaker emulator pedal, the kind of effect that recreates the swirling, phase-shifting sound of a Leslie rotating speaker cabinet. Electro-Harmonix bills it as "the ultimate rotary speaker emulator," and it goes beyond plain rotation: the pedal includes a specially designed compression circuit and drive circuitry built in, so a player can add grit and sustain without extra pedals on the board1. MusicRadar's review called it "the most convincing example we've" tried among the rotary simulators on the market2.
What it does
A rotary speaker emulator replaces the mechanical drum-and-horn arrangement of a Leslie cabinet with digital modeling. The Lester G captures, in MusicRadar's words, "that classic swirling phase sound of a Leslie"2. Premier Guitar's reviewer found "a rotary speaker sound with a deep, resonant voice that conveys a very authentic sense of motion"3.
Where the Lester G differs from many rotary pedals is the extra circuitry around the simulation. Electro-Harmonix describes it as packed with "a specially designed compression circuit to supercharge" the effect1, and MusicRadar summed up the onboard compressor and drive circuitry as what makes the pedal "even more lovable," adding that "the 'squash' compression setting is worth the extra outlay on its own"2.
The controls
The panel follows the traditional layout of a rotary effect. Guitar World's reviewer, Chris Gill, noted that "traditional rotary effect controls include Volume, Slow and Fast rotation speed"4, and the Lester G adds a balance control, drive and compression, and an acceleration control on top.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| VOL knob | Controls the output volume1 |
| SLOW knob | Varies the speed of the rotating speaker effect in slow mode1 |
| FAST knob | Varies the speed of the rotating speaker effect in fast mode1 |
| Balance | Sweeps between emulations of the woofer and horn sounds2 |
| Drive | Adds grit; Premier Guitar found the drive and compression controls "add very sweet and organic grit, and extra swirl"3 |
| Compression | Built-in squash compression circuit1,2 |
| Acceleration | Sets the transition rate between fast and slow modes5 |
The balance control is worth a closer listen. A real Leslie pairs a lower-frequency rotor or drum with a high-frequency horn, and the Lester G's balance control "enables effective shifts in emphasis between high-frequency 'horn' and lower-frequency 'rotor' sounds," as Premier Guitar put it3. MusicRadar described the same control as letting you "sweep between emulations of those two sounds"2.
The speed controls set the maximum and minimum speeds that the pedal's virtual drum and treble horn rotate at, with independent controls for slow and fast rotation speeds2,3. On stage, the footswitchable speed/brake switch "increases and decreases the rate that the 'speakers' spin," which is how players get the classic speeding-up and slowing-down sweep between settings2.
Lester G and Lester K
What reviewers said
The published verdicts were consistently positive on the sound and the value.
"There are a bunch of great rotary speaker simulators on the market, but the Lester G is the most convincing example we've" tried.
"Killer drive and compression controls add very sweet and organic grit, and extra swirl."
Premier Guitar also praised the economics of the pedal: "we're pretty impressed with the price-to-performance ratio Electro-Harmonix has achieved with the Lester G Deluxe," the reviewer wrote, noting that it delivers a convincing rotary sound at a price below typical expensive rotary simulators3. At announcement, Electro-Harmonix itself called the Lester G "the ultimate rotary speaker effect"6.
Videos
Sweetwater
Guitar World
EHX
Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix Lester G discontinued?
Yes. Delicious Audio's buying guide states that as of 2020 the Lester G is discontinued, so it no longer appears in Electro-Harmonix's current lineup. Used units and remaining stock are the usual routes for players looking for one today. Its sibling, the keyboard-focused Lester K Stereo, was discontinued later, in 2025.
What is the difference between the Lester G and the Lester K?
The Lester G is the deluxe, guitar-focused version of Electro-Harmonix's rotary speaker effect, while the Lester K is the less-expensive version aimed at keyboards. Both pedals feature stereo inputs and outputs. Guitar World described the Lester G as the deluxe version of the company's rotary speaker effect, with the Lester K offered alongside it.
What does the Speed/Brake switch do on the Lester G?
Stepping on the speed/brake switch increases and decreases the rate that the pedal's virtual speakers spin, according to MusicRadar's review. Around it, the SLOW and FAST knobs set the rotation speed in each mode, and the acceleration control sets how quickly the effect transitions between fast and slow.
Does the Lester G have a built-in compressor?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix describes the Lester G as packing a specially designed compression circuit, and MusicRadar's review highlighted the onboard compressor and drive circuitry, noting that the squash compression setting was worth the extra outlay on its own.
Sources (6)
- Lester G, Electro-Harmonix
- Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe Rotary Speaker review, MusicRadar, 2016-06-24
- Quick Hit: Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe Review, Premier Guitar, 2016-11-28
- Review: Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe Rotary Speaker Pedal, Guitar World, 2016-05-20
- NAMM 2016: Electro-Harmonix delivers "the ultimate rotary speaker effect" with its new Lester G and Lester K pedals, MusicRadar, 2016-01-05
- Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Lester G and Lester K, Premier Guitar, 2016-01-05
