Need something to replace a Klon. Suggestions?

[mingo]

I need some suggestions on what to replace my Klon with. I usually use it as a low gain overdrive pedal.

Any suggestions? Anything out there that sounds pretty much exact?

Thanks

[BBender]

I have a GtrWrks 19 Sixty 3 in the emporium...nice clean preamp...BF Fender tones....cheap too.

It's no Klon though.

[PerFusionist]

Have you looked into this one? Never played it but I've heard its close...

http://www.fairfieldcircuitry.com/B.html

[ruger9]

Here comes the flames...

The way I use overdrives, which is to push an already overdriving tube amp, which means the gain on the pedals is pretty low, and I'm not looking to add a ton of gain or change the tone much, just adding a little gain/sustain, and adding some "fatness", I was able to get 95% similar sounds out of the following:

Klon
Timmy (set to symmetrical mode, @18V)
FD2 in comp-cut mode (and to a lesser degree in FM mode) @18V
Bad Monkey (ok, it was only about 85% the same, but still...)

IMHO the Klon is a GREAT overdrive, but no pixie dust. No greater than FD2, KOT, Tim/Timmy, or many others. When it was first released it didn't have the competition it does now, and it was no doubt cream of the crop. And it still is- except the cream is alot bigger now than it used to be, because the crop is alot bigger than it used to be.

Interestingly, the most useful feature of the Klon is it's LACK of versatility. What I mean is, it really only has one sound. No matter where you put the knobs, it always sounds good, but it only sounds one way. Which means if you like it, it's fantastic because it's so EASY to tweak. By contrast, the Timmy can sound SO different depending on where you put the knobs & internal trimmers, it's a harder learning curve than the Klon. Personally, I prefer the Timmy. Not because it's better, just because I LIKE it more.

And before anyone chimes in with "the Klon doesn't have the mid-hump the BM does" or "the Timmy is way more transparent than the Klon"... yes, both those statements are true, however with the bass & treble controls on the BM & Timmy you can control that mid hump ALOT. The BM can't do what the Timmy does, and the Timmy can't be made to sound like the BM, but BOTH can be tweaked to sound VERY MUCH like the Klon.

[Unadan]

Why are you replacing your Klon? Is it broken?

[alberob]

I was wondering the exact same thought.If it ain't broke why replace it ????

[bobcs71]

Originally Posted by ruger9

And before anyone chimes in with "the Klon doesn't have the mid-hump the BM does" or "the Timmy is way more transparent than the Klon"... yes, both those statements are true, however with the bass & treble controls on the BM & Timmy you can control that mid hump ALOT. The BM can't do what the Timmy does, and the Timmy can't be made to sound like the BM, but BOTH can be tweaked to sound VERY MUCH like the Klon.

I think you've hit that you can get similar results but not identical. I've used Tim & Klon a good bit. I prefer the OD/gain on the Tim myself. The Klon does something boosting presence and lower mid frequencies that I couldn't get any other pedal to do.

FWIW: When I've had live shows recorded with Tim or Klon the result has been "wow" . FDII & Barber LTD have been OK as boosts. Lots of other pedals have been "meh".

[this1smyne]

+1 to the red snapper.... its basically a Klon with more grit available, but has that presence thing you speak of. i've got all three 8.^( i'll put a video up eventually on youtube.

[sutherland]

another to consider is the Barber Custom Cool. It's a low to medium-ish gain overdrive that is quite similar to the LTD but with expanded controls. The internal trims can help adjust the presence, bass, mid, and note shape. The Tone and Dynamics up top are push/pulls, the Dynamic control allows you to adjust the compression and the switch allows you to adjust the clipping.

Never gets enough buzz, but it's incredible!

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by bobcs71

The Klon does something boosting presence and lower mid frequencies that I couldn't get any other pedal to do.

See, with the Klon & BM, I hear high mids. With the FD2 & Timmy, low mids.

[orogeny]

i keep wondering if an eq and a tim/my wouldn't get you there. . . .

one day i'll borrow slideman's klon and let you know. . . .

he said he's had very positive results with a pork loin vs. his klon. . . just so ya know. ..

[buddachile]

How about a Klon clone? There, I said it.

[sutherland]

Originally Posted by buddachile

How about a Klon clone? There, I said it.

How come every thread about a Klon has to transform into the issue of cloning? Why does it apply only to Klon?

[mingo]

Originally Posted by buddachile

How about a Klon clone? There, I said it.

where do i find one of those? who makes them?

[Shiny McShine]

I'd been using a Klon on my board for a while but the BB Preamp does a very similar thing with a smaller footprint and a different tone control. I took the Klon off and I'm using it now to get that presence thing the Klon gives. It works when you run the OD in the lower ranges.