Klon Centaur Help, Please...

[DocRock]

Okay, all the hype aside, I have one question:

Is there anybody out there who has intimate knowledge of the Klon Centaur, i.e., stage use, band use, etc. "Real world" gigging situations with this pedal.

I try not to fall for a lot of hype, but I'm getting one, and want to know, realistically, what I'm in store for. I tend to take a lot of the HC reviews with a grain of salt.

I was hoping somebody on here would be kind enough to tell me what, exactly, will the Centaur do? What will it NOT do?

Thanks....

Doc :-)

[DANOCASTER]

Doc -

My KLON has been on my main touring board for almost 8 years and has seen stages all over the states ( from lil bars to 40,000 seaters ).

In my book - and ESPECIALLY w/ a tele - as a very low gain / boost, this thing can do NO WRONG. I dont particularly like it w/ the gain much more than 1/3 up and typically use it much lower than that. But, if you have a nice tube amp that can be pushed (even a little) , the Klon gives you a girth and "bigness" that NOTHING else has been able to match

And trust me , I've tried to replace it. It's big and expensive. There has been LOTS of alternatives posted here on TGP that are "just as good - or better" but they have never done it for me like the KLON. If you play single coils and can afford a KLON - do it !!

As far as Humbuckers - it also works fine - but perhaps not QUITE as magic. That extra girth can sometimes sound "too thick" - especially w/ hotter pickups. With vintage winds, the Klon is great. I saw a friend playing the other night. He was playing a '64 335 into a Klon into a Juke 2-10 I sold him and it sounded great ( and he had the Klon's gain above 1/2 !! )

[derek_32999]

Here are a lot of thoughts too. (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=67598&highlight=centaur)

I used mine the same way danocaster says. Tele + klon = holy COW!!

[lcjc800]

The Centaur will fatten up your sound, give it more girth. the gain knob can add noise if pushed to the extreme. It can add allot of volume. It will not make you a better player and if the signal is awful going into it it will be MORE AWFUL coming out. It's pretty transparent when you adjust it correctly and the buffer works well in that it is transparent and helps the signal follow the extended route to the amp, But, it may adversely effect pedals down stream that don't want a low imp. signal, or, a close connection with the guitar (fuzzes and the like) Ive had mine for nearly 2 yrs and it does what I ask it to do well. You can do a search for my, and many other's comments of this subject and don't be surprised if your no further ahead on the answer you seek.It was designed to make an already hurt amp bleed,IMO.

[mad dog]

I'm with Danocaster. It sure works with teles (what doesn't?). Not with every amp. I've had the best luck with 6L6 amps, no luck with 6v6, jury's still out on EL84. With the Clark Tyger, it sounds so good I almost always use it. Have gigged with mine several times, taken it out to a variety of blues jams, different amps and stages. I run it with little or no gain, treble just to the right of midpoint, same with level. Really big, solid sound. A keeper.

[DocRock]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INPUT, EVERYBODY!!! Keep 'em coming!

Doc

[rockster12]

Well here is my 2 cents,
I tried a Klon a couple of years ago in a music store. On 2 seperate occasions I was kinda wondering what the big deal was so I didn't buy. About 6 months ago, I played through someone else's rig at a jam. It was a 20 watt marshall, my les paul and the klon. Now the marshall/LP sounded good on it's own but when the Klon was kicked in, it was magical. So I bought one based on that. I have now had mine for 2 months and I play it with my Strat/ Carr slant 6 (6v6) and it is fabulous. I used to run the slant with just the clean channel. But with the klon it makes the amps dirty channel come alive. It also does the same with my 50 watt marshall 4 holer and my old super reverb. It is without a doubt, the most consistent sounding dirt/ boost box I have ever used. I have been playing professionally for over 30 years and I have used a lot of gear but this pedal just makes any good combination sound better. Even if you are unable to drive your amp to breakup, a Klon, pushing another dirt box of choice is the way to go. It basically enhances the best features of what ever you like with the dirt box you like the most. It brings out an un believeable amount of harmonics. At least this is what I hear. I have come close with other products but none have produced the sounds I get from the Klon. I run mine with the gain at about 10:00, the Treble at noon and the level at around 2:00. The other pedals that I have tried to achieve what the klon does is, AM modded ts9, Time Machine boost, and super hard on, and the Banzai Cold Fusion. While all were good, the klon just did it better for me.

[jtw]

Just a word from an EL84 guy here...I use mine to push my Matchless HC30, and it's absolutely fantastic. You originally asked about band situations, etc. My impression is that the Klon is definitely a one (possibly two) trick pony, but man, what a trick. I use mine in a clean boost setting, gain off (up to around 9 o'clock at the most) tone at 12, and the volume dimed. The Klon really shines in a band setting I think. IMO, it sounds best when you can open up your amp a bit and then slam it with the Klon. I get sort of ho-hum tone out of it at lower volumes (again, IMO), but cranked up into a pushed tube amp...it's the bizness.

[DocRock]

Just a word from an EL84 guy here...I use mine to push my Matchless HC30, and it's absolutely fantastic. You originally asked about band situations, etc. My impression is that the Klon is definitely a one (possibly two) trick pony, but man, what a trick. I use mine in a clean boost setting, gain off (up to around 9 o'clock at the most) tone at 12, and the volume dimed. The Klon really shines in a band setting I think. IMO, it sounds best when you can open up your amp a bit and then slam it with the Klon. I get sort of ho-hum tone out of it at lower volumes (again, IMO), but cranked up into a pushed tube amp...it's the bizness.

So it seems that the Klon, while marketed/sold as an "overdrive" does best as a clean boost. Does it outdo pedals that are marketed/sold as actually being a "clean boost?"

[bluesbreaker59]

The Klon is untouchable as a clean boost. I still really don't care for the OD, but the fatness it adds to a breaking up Tweed amp is certainly magical.

[teleblaster]

How does the klon compare to a TIM. Ive never tried a klon but i do have a TIM. The Tim is the best clean boost low overdrive ive ever had. What kind of pedal is the klon - transister? - o-amp? I would like to hear a comparison on these two. ~ Mike

[vanguard]

the klon has been my main od/boost pedal for over a year now. when using it as an od, i always piggy back it with another quality od as the klon's od is useless on its own unless you can turn your amp up to at least 6 (i only use vintage fenders). it sounds out of this world before or after a good treble booster for distorted tones. lately, i've been getting my dirt tones from a ge fuzz, and using the klon for boosted clean tones; like others have said, the girth, fattness, and sparkle it produces is inimitable. i run it with another klon-ish pedal, the am juicer, and together the hot clean tone they produce is ridiculous. it just fills the whole room, and sounds warm and buttery. the klon is the only pedal i still have to experiment with, the variations are limitless.

[Mr.Hanky]

I just got my Klon about 2 weeks ago, it has seen one rehearsal and one gig. I have only used it with my Top Hat Club Royale so far but it is one amazing pedal for sure.

I have heard it referred to as an amp interface before and that is certainly my impression. It simply does not sound like an overdrive pedal.
I used my R4 and the TH about 1/2 up, nice sound, slightly crunchy.
I set the Klon gain at 9 o'clock and gave it a bit of a boost, maybe 1 o'clock.

At those settings the best description I can offer is it made the Top Hat sound like it had an additional channel. None of the amps character was altered, it just sounded bigger and badder. With a P-90 bridge pup, it was rude and snotty, perfect in my opinion.

This pedal is designed for band and stage use, Bill makes it clear that the amp should be at its sweet spot or thereabouts for it to shine. You will NOT be disappointed. If you are call me, I might buy it.

Steve..

[EuroCool]

Any idea how the Klon behave with an OCD?
I'm waiting for the later, new version OCD & would like to use both pedals as my main boost/od source.
Thanks.

[Realfi]

I'm also interested to hear comparisons between the Klon and the TIM by anyone who has/had both. I've got both on order having had a Timmy.

Does anyone use them together? What applications and order?

[DocRock]

Any idea how the Klon behave with an OCD?
I'm waiting for the later, new version OCD & would like to use both pedals as my main boost/od source.
Thanks.

Yeah, that will be interesting. I have an OCD, but hadn't thought of what implications there could be in putting them on top of each other. Hmmm, interesting...I'll post once I get my Klon, which probably won't be till April. :(

And here's to everyone who took the time to post opinions for this, my first TGP thread!!! :BEER

Doc

[EuroCool]

It was my first post here! :D
Congrats to you...

[Jeff Flowerday]

I run the Klon after the OCD. I love it. I find the OCD a little mid scooped, a good 70s 80s rock rhythmn tone, kick the Klon in it adds the perfect mids to help cut through the mix for solo work.

I'll never sell my Klon not even for $1,000,000 dollars. Bwah hah hah.

[DocRock]

I run the Klon after the OCD. I love it. I find the OCD a little mid scooped, a good 70s 80s rock rhythmn tone, kick the Klon in it adds the perfect mids to help cut through the mix for solo work.

I'll never sell my Klon not even for $1,000,000 dollars. Bwah hah hah.

Yeah, I agree. I think the OCD is probably one of the best pedals I've ever heard...with the one complaint that it is a bit mid-scooped, which is great for that JCM800-type tone. But I'm a big Rich Robinson/Black Crowes freak, and I really dig his tones. I was looking for something that would be a little more old school and organic in that regard, something that would really take a good tube amp and open it up with rich, blossoming tone. It seems like the Klon will fit the bill nicely.

The idea of adding it to the OCD is also very appealing to me, because I also like the OCD by itself more for rhythm tones than for lead tones. It sounds like your Klon filled the void left by the OCD's inherent design. If it does the same for me, I'll be thrilled!!! :dude

Thanks for the post....

Doc

[playon]

I've never tried a Klon, but would like to. But everything people are saying about the Klon, is exactly what I'd say about my Analog Man KOT. With a slightly cranked amp, the KOT doesn't sound like a pedal, it sounds like it's part of the amp. I use mine on fairly low gain settings, and it seems to sound great with ever amp and guitar that I have.

[lcjc800]

I've have a Klon and had a tim and a timmy, the timmy was ok but already having the klon it was no match IMO. the tim didn't even compare, to me ,it was shrill and brittle with my Maz 18 and a couple of marshalls.

[Tim Bowen]

I've owned mine for the better part of ten years; it's been gigged hundreds of times, from greasy bars to concert venues, and it continues to make the cut year after year. Like any circuit, it has its quirks and preferences, but for what it does best, as properly matched with the gear in question, nothing else I've played sounds/feels quite like it. I play mostly teles, strats, VOX, Fender brownface and blackface, and related. The widest taper seems to be with the Fender 6L6 tonestack, but I really dig it with the brown 6V6 Deluxe as well. It can be a bit pregnant for chord work with an AC30. That said, I've never met a tele bridge pup through any of the tonestacks that I play that didn't adore the pedal as set for moderate gain. My settings are typical of the consensus of other posters here. I typically don't call on gain pedals much for recording, but recently used the Klon w/ gain @ 12:00 through the (highs rolled off) bridge pup of me fave strat through brown Deluxe and loved it... auditioned several other gainers and chose this one. I'm not much into trying to talk other folks into digging what I dig, or advising them as to how they should spend their cash, however.

[Seegs]

It's the only pedal still on my board...I've used it at the end of my chain as a clean booster with excellent results...I've used it as my main soloing pedal (I happen to like the gain sounds) and now I am using it first in my chain as a buffer/gooser into either a BFJ Pink Purple Fuzz or Honeybee...I've also toyed with the idea of leaving it on all the time and eq'ing my sound around it...

it just has this way of lifting my guitar up in the mix without dominating when used clean...it helps to articulate the dirt boxes that it comes before or after and generally just makes my guitar easier to play...

it has also lost every basement shootout when comparing to other pedals that I have entered it into...the others are now all gone!!

Chow,
Seegs

[EuroCool]

I own a Klon since a few weeks only. Can't say I have tried it all around for years like some of you but ...

I loved this pedal instantly: tried it since with my CS Tele, 63 hardtail Strat, 65 SG jr & Silvertone Jupiter into 6G11 brown Vibrolux, Matchless Chieftain, AC 30 TB & a MV silverface twin.

I found everytime & quickly a setting I liked with all amps at various vol level (bedroom, studio, rehearsal, not gigged yet); guitars seems more vibrant & notes jump out effortlessly like many said. I happen to love the gain & OD of the pedal like Seegs too... This pedal really does it for me.

It cleared up my chain reduced to fewer effects now: LoFi Loop Junky/ Diaz Tremodillo/ Klon/ ROSS Gray Comp/ DM 3. The Klon kicked out my FD2 & Dual Drive. I thought it really helped with my non truebypass pedals that darkened the signal. Much clearer now, I think the buffer is great & not too colored.

I'm now waiting for a newer OCD like I said & hope they melt well... These recent OCD are less scooped in the mids than your DocRock. We could exchange our feelings when you'll get your Klon... I hope the Centaur will work for you as much as for me.

I must say I've been reading TGP for years, never signing up, but having the Centaur & reading the recent Klon threads made me register...:)

[zoooombiex]

comparing the tim & klon, the tim is meant to be very transparent. even when used as an overdrive, it really leaves the basic tone untouched. if you start dialing up the gain significantly, you can use the cut on the bass and treble to keep it from getting shrill or woofy.

the klon is not transparent - it has an inherent fatness to it with no way to dial it out. as others have mentioned, the overdrive on the klon doesn't necessarily sit well in a lot of situations. but just a little will make the sound fatter. the klon is also the best pedal pusher i've come across.

so both are great for different things. the klon will give you a huge lead sound that cuts through the mix, and the tim will give you a great rhythm crunch or an extremely clean boost.

[teleblaster]

:BEER comparing the tim & klon, the tim is meant to be very transparent. even when used as an overdrive, it really leaves the basic tone untouched. if you start dialing up the gain significantly, you can use the cut on the bass and treble to keep it from getting shrill or woofy.

the klon is not transparent - it has an inherent fatness to it with no way to dial it out. as others have mentioned, the overdrive on the klon doesn't necessarily sit well in a lot of situations. but just a little will make the sound fatter. the klon is also the best pedal pusher i've come across.

so both are great for different things. the klon will give you a huge lead sound that cuts through the mix, and the tim will give you a great rhythm crunch or an extremely clean boost.Thank you Zoooobiex, I would like to publicly apologize for what went on with the emporium between you and i. I was way out of line. ~~ Mike

[DocRock]

I own a Klon since a few weeks only. Can't say I have tried it all around for years like some of you but ...

I loved this pedal instantly: tried it since with my CS Tele, 63 hardtail Strat, 65 SG jr & Silvertone Jupiter into 6G11 brown Vibrolux, Matchless Chieftain, AC 30 TB & a MV silverface twin.

I found everytime & quickly a setting I liked with all amps at various vol level (bedroom, studio, rehearsal, not gigged yet); guitars seems more vibrant & notes jump out effortlessly like many said. I happen to love the gain & OD of the pedal like Seegs too... This pedal really does it for me.

It cleared up my chain reduced to fewer effects now: LoFi Loop Junky/ Diaz Tremodillo/ Klon/ ROSS Gray Comp/ DM 3. The Klon kicked out my FD2 & Dual Drive. I thought it really helped with my non truebypass pedals that darkened the signal. Much clearer now, I think the buffer is great & not too colored.

I'm now waiting for a newer OCD like I said & hope they melt well... These recent OCD are less scooped in the mids than your DocRock. We could exchange our feelings when you'll get your Klon... I hope the Centaur will work for you as much as for me.

I must say I've been reading TGP for years, never signing up, but having the Centaur & reading the recent Klon threads made me register...:)

Are these "new" OCD's a change in the circuit or design by Mike Fuller, i.e., is that how the new ones are being sold? Or are the "new" OCD's being modded by someone?

[kaseri]

A pot value has changed from the original design. Thats the only difference. All OCD pedals from serial # 4564 and higher have the new value pot.

[EuroCool]

Some threads discussed the OCD changes, like this one:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=124711&highlight=ocd
Some infos about the mod are on Fulltone site I think.
I tried the last version briefly & liked it. So I ordered one; don't know if one or the other is "better" for that matter...

[DocRock]

A pot value has changed from the original design. Thats the only difference. All OCD pedals from serial # 4564 and higher have the new value pot.

So which pot was changed? The tone pot? What is it supposed to do, just beef up the mids a bit?

Thanks for the post!!!

Doc :)