10 things you didn't know about the Klon

Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I understand, but I don't think "if it aint broke, don't fix it" should be a mind set when if comes to electric guitar, because there are too many great choices to be had. For me it's never about "need", it's about discovering new sounds to make use of. I really like cheap pedals especially because if they sound bad, you're not out much. The Biyang Fuzz Star for example is amazing, $40. Some say it's a Big Muff clone, but it's much more raunchy than a big muff, sort of a distortion-fuzz mix.

Also YouTube videos are useless when it comes to dirt boxes, IMO, much worse than pickup videos. The tone you hear in person is a lot different than what is heard by the mic on the camera.

I don't want to come across as a jerk,so please don't take this post in a bad way...I have a pretty good platform to start out with for my foundation with early Fender,Marshall,and Vox amps...I probably modded close to a 100 pedals for people on this forum and on other forums from say 2004 to about 07 or so..I've built my own pedals also(quite a few)...As far as tone,EQing of an amp,effects pedal order,etc..I have a very good overall foundation in this area..I'm also a pro player and have been a player for alot of years..

The better I become as a player,the less the effects seem to matter as much...Whatever I play through sounds like me..Over the past few years,I've found setup(s) that work in the context of our band and the music styles we play.I need a nice clean BF Fender tone and Marshall type tones for the heavier Classic Rock/Blues stuff..In my case and currently,I can in fact say if it ain't broke don't fix it..I do alot more playing these days and "alot" less tweaking,unless I find I need to..

I'm not trying to argue or be a jerk,but you don't know me that well and you also know nothing about all the pedals I've modded for folks...(Do a search).I have "alot" of pedals here already that I've built,modded,or bought and I guess I just don't currently see the need(in my setup) for a Klon clone,Soul Food or etc...Thats all..

My only current tweaking is to get this bridge pickup sounding right,so I don't have to buy another pickup! LOL...

As I said do a search under "stratdeluxer mods"...I have been on these forums since before 2004.
 
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Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

Me either

By all the Gods of Olympus! I could never in my wildest dreams imagine that there was a magical place called Google-Land where one could simply ask about what they had heard not of before and Lo and Behold! Achieve Enlightenment just like that.

If only I were someone more knowledgeable about computers and the Internet like an IT Specialist or something... Oh... Wait... that's right, I am...
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

It's funny how most of us(myself included) talk about the guitars,the pickups,magnet swaps,the effects pedals...To me,the amp is every bit as important or more important than the other stuff.To me...First and foremost...The guitar,the amp! The player...
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I'm happy these days with the tones I get and being a better player from playing alot...I like what the extra boost circuit does in the Box Of Rock...I think it's the Super HardOn circuit,but it improves the overall tone of everything..My Vox ToneLab LE has some sought of Klon clone circuit,but funny I never use it.I have so many pedals that I've either built or bought,that lord knows I don't currently need another pedal..At least for now! :laugh2:

The SHO is the only pedal I'd keep if I had to get rid of all the others. It's my essential...only essential. It loves all my guitars and amps, it's amazing.

And in time, I've become like you: amps are the major aspect of tone for me. If my amp doesn't deliver the tone I want from the start, no amount of pedal, pick-ups or whatever else is gonna take me to the sweet-spot. Amp first...
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

The SHO is the only pedal I'd keep if I had to get rid of all the others. It's my essential...only essential. It loves all my guitars and amps, it's amazing.

And in time, I've become like you: amps are the major aspect of tone for me. If my amp doesn't deliver the tone I want from the start, no amount of pedal, pick-ups or whatever else is gonna take me to the sweet-spot. Amp first...

Hi Phil....I can say from my own eXperiences as a player this...Whatever I use,I sound like me..If I use my Marshall and the same pedals or setup again through my Fender amp,I still sound like me..I use effects as the icing on the cake or where needed for ambience or a needed effect(like chorus,delay,etc.) My basic tones though are from my guitar,amp,and my hands and fingers and the way I approach the instrument.All the other stuff we talk about,is the strive for something better(not necessarily different) but better.When I first started playing,I had a whole line of effects,compressor,delay,chorus,flanger,...Now I like a good crunch,Marshall type tone,AC30 Tom Petty kinda vibe and a nice clean Fender tone with reverb..I do entire 4 hour gigs with about 3 or 4 decent or really good tones to do all of the music our band plays..I've also learned over the years what works and what doesn't..Some nights an exact setup sounds amazing..Another night that exact setup doesn't sound as good..I have found(for me) that there are certain things in my chain that works for me..I've always trusted my own ears and instincts,but I also listen to others and get knowledge and opinions from others..

I don't like when people make statements like..."You should" or "You are missing out on something because"...I use what works for me...Period!
 
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Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

The SHO is the only pedal I'd keep if I had to get rid of all the others. It's my essential...only essential. It loves all my guitars and amps, it's amazing.

And in time, I've become like you: amps are the major aspect of tone for me. If my amp doesn't deliver the tone I want from the start, no amount of pedal, pick-ups or whatever else is gonna take me to the sweet-spot. Amp first...

Phil...You're correct..If the guitar/amp aren't happening..It's like polishing a turd! LOL...
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I laughed hardily, you just couldn't hear it due to the shortcomings of vBulletin technology.

I'm actually curious what die harm Tube Screamer users think of the Klon tone, like does it replace the TS on their board, do they use them side by side, etc. I googled "klon vs tube screamer" and there isn't a lot of opinion comparing contrasting. Actually I get the distinct impression that a lot of people have never tried a Klon or a klone and that's at least one reason why it's difficult to get straight answers about the pedal.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon


Thanks. I couldn't google it myself cause I'm trying to maintain a certain image for my search history. Couldn't have guitar nonsense mixed in with my funny kitten videos now could I?

So it's dat germanium, germanium will make everything better.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I'm actually curious what die harm Tube Screamer users think of the Klon tone, like does it replace the TS on their board, do they use them side by side, etc.

They are so unlike each other that I can't imagine ever having the dilemma which one to use.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I like it (built a few for myself and other people). It's a good pedal/design but FOR ME, it's not the holygrail... the SHO slays it for what i like my pedals to do. I understand why folks like it but not why it's that mythical...I blame the internet for that aspect.

And TGWIF: I at least snickered... ;)
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

It doesn't sound like a TS, no, but they both fatten up the guitar a lot, unlike flat EQ boosts that tend to be more genuinely transparent. I'd say they were competitors.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

18 volts.
Run a Fender amp at full master with an oversized set of trannies for clear, well defined and beautiful cleans and creams.
Flip the Orange to max wattage for a thick, tasty, well defined sound.
Run a 9 volt design with solid, measured components and a charge pump and you get a warm but transparent tone through a solid state analog of an "amp" tone stack and gain stage.

I'd like to see what other dirt pedal topologies sound like with a charge pump or 18v straight in. All of a sudden, transparent DS1s and Fuzzes....

Surgeon, you should slap together a SHO or an ELectra Distortion with 1/2w components and a charge pump. I bet it'll be sweet.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

A Tubescreamer makes it sound greasier and lo-fi. A Klone makes it sound bigger and hi-fi.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

I ordered a Klon clone recently just because I'm always looking for something different and, if I get lucky, something I'll like better than what I already use. If it doesn't make the grade it can go play in the closet with the other 20 losers who are waiting for my tastes or needs to change.

Also, I could wear it around my neck on a gold chain as a conversation starter and chick magnet.

I suspect that my fascination with (addiction to) pedals would remain even if I had a room full of killer amps.
 
Re: 10 things you didn't know about the Klon

Is that an Antigua Tele in your avatar photo?

That was a Hwy I Tele that I bought new and highly modified. I had just paid for a pro setup eight days before it was stolen early this year. It played like a dream and sounded great in all four switch position. When I build its replacement I will use a true P-90 in the neck instead of the Phat Cat. The Phat Cat looks great and sounded great but was still a bit too dark in the neck position ... even with an A5/A2 combination and slightly underwound.
 
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