Why is the Klon Centaur such a legendary pedal?

Since its introduction to the guitar effects market in the ’90s, the Klon Centaur has earned a legendary reputation among musicians worldwide.

This little golden pedal has captured the attention and admiration of many guitarists, becoming an object of desire for collectors and an indispensable tool for artists in search of the perfect sound.

In this article, we retrace the steps of this mythical pedal that is the talk of the town!

Origins and history

The Klon Centaur is the brainchild of Bill Finnegan, a passionate engineer and musician, in collaboration with engineers from MIT, developed between 1990 and 1994. Finnegan’s goal was to create an overdrive pedal that captured the warmth and dynamics of vintage tube amps, while preserving the clarity and definition of the signal. The first version of the Klon Centaur was hand-built by Bill Finnegan himself from 1994 onwards, and only around 5,400 units were assembled up to the year 2000.

What sets the Klon Centaur apart from other overdrive pedals on the market is its ability to preserve the natural dynamics of the instrument while adding warm, harmonious saturation . Unlike many effects pedals, the Klon Centaur doesn’t color the sound excessively, but rather sublimates it, adding an extra dimension of richness and depth.

Description and operation

The heart of the Klon Centaur beats around two TL072 integrated circuits. This circuit is remarkable for its ability to merge the pure, crystal-clear sound of the guitar with the saturation produced by the TL072 operational amplifier combined with germanium diodes. In addition, a MAX1044 integrated circuit provides the circuit with voltage diversity.

The pedal features three potentiometers: gain, treble and output. The gain knob adjusts the saturation, thetreble knob adjusts the amount of treble, and the output knob selects the final volume. The special feature of the Klon Centaur lies in its ability to blend clean and saturated sound seamlessly, thanks to its gain potentiometer, which mixes unaltered sound with saturation, offering a wide range of sounds, from clean boost to warm distortion.

What are the best Klon Centaur clones?

Due to its popularity and rarity, the original Klon Centaur models have become highly prized collectors’ items, fetching astronomical prices on the second-hand market. However, with the ever-increasing demand for this iconic effect, several manufacturers have developed replicas and clones of the Klon Centaur :

Analog.man King of Tone :

Analog.Man’s King of Tone is renowned for its ability to capture the transparent, dynamic sound of the Klon Centaur. It delivers rich, warm saturation with exceptional dynamic response.

J Rockett Audio Designs Archer :

Audio Designs J Rockett’s Archer is another excellent option. It’s widely regarded as one of the best clones of the Klon Centaur, offering a similar sound and great tonal versatility.

Wampler Tumnus:

The Wampler Tumnus is an overdrive inspired by the Klon Centaur. It offers a transparent, organic sound with extra warmth, while retaining dynamics and touch sensitivity.

Keeley Electronics Oxblood Overdrive :

The Keeley Oxblood Overdrive is another popular choice, offering rich, harmonic saturation. It is capable of reproducing the desired sonic characteristics of the Klon Centaur while offering additional features.

Strymon Sunset :

The Strymon Sunset is a double overdrive that includes a section based on the Klon Centaur. It offers remarkable versatility, with the ability to mix two overdrive circuits to create a wide range of sounds.

Lovepedal Kalamazoo:

The Lovepedal Kalamazoo is another well-regarded clone of the Klon Centaur. It offers transparent overdrive with warm saturation and dynamic response, similar to the original.

Ceriatone Centura :

The Ceriatone Centura is a replica of the Klon Centaur, renowned for its fidelity to the original sound. It offers rich saturation and dynamic response, perfectly suited to guitarists in search of the Klon tone.

Bondi Effects Sick As:

Bondi Effects’ Sick As is a high-end overdrive inspired by the Klon Centaur. It offers a wide gain range with warm saturation and rich harmonics, capturing the essence of the Klon sound.

J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Ikon :

Audio Designs J Rockett’s Archer Ikon version is a variation on the popular Archer, offering extra control over low frequencies for greater tonal versatility while preserving the sonic character of the Klon Centaur.

Electro-Harmonix Soul Food :

The Electro-Harmonix Soul Food is an affordable option that captures the essence of the Klon Centaur at a more accessible price. Despite its modest price, the Soul Food offers a warm, dynamic sound, making it a popular choice among guitarists looking for a sound close to the original without breaking the bank.

Arc Effects Klone V2 :

The Klone V2 from Arc Effects is a handcrafted replica that aims to faithfully recreate the sound of the Klon Centaur. With high-quality components and attention to detail, the Klone V2 offers a premium alternative for discerning guitarists.

Klon Centaur: heritage and legend

Over the years, the Klon Centaur has become much more than a simple effects pedal; it has become a veritable legend in the world of music. Its status as a coveted relic and its influence on guitar effects design make it an object of fascination for many musicians. Despite the appearance of numerous alternatives on the market, nothing can match the charm and timelessness of the original Klon Centaur, which continues to fascinate and inspire guitarists the world over.