Chinese Clones Copying Chinese Clones...Interesting!

Masta' C

Masta' C

Well-known member
The newer Joyo "R-Series" pedals are killer for the price. Nicely made, clean looks, cool features.

The parent company behind Kmise/Horse pedals appears to be attempting to cash-in on the success of the Joyo R-series by copying names and aesthetics.

Nonetheless, it does make one wonder what's lurking under the hood of these "clones of clones"!

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I might just pick up one or two to compare! The Uzi and Zip Amp I could compare directly. They also have the "TaiChi" and "Tauren" copied
 
That's always a possibility, but I was under the impression that Joyo and Kmise/Horse are made in different factories...???

The housings are similar in appearance, but they are still quite different in many aspects. Also, most components are fixed to the circuit board on these, so a different external layout strongly suggests a different internal configuration (different PCB, pots, etc).

Components may be shared, but these clearly aren't simple re-housings or a case of "same pedal, different finish" as we see with many generic Chinese brands
 
Benjy_26 said:
They're probably the exact same pedals made in the same factory but sold under different names.
Click to expand...

I doubt it. When this is done, typically there's only a minor cosmetic difference - the silkscreened name at the end. This saves a ton of money because they can just bulk buy the components and bulk drill/cut the housings to size, and the assembly is all identical. But the displayed pedals are in different housing, with different pots, different placement of LEDs, different switches, and different power jacks.

I'd bet there are differences in the actual circuit board as well.
 
You could be totally right, though...they also offer "ACtone", "California Sound", etc. in this same configuration, which are Joyo classics.

I'm considering grabbing a Zip Amp to compare with the R-series I have already. I could take a look inside both and see how similar they are...
 
GuitarStv said:
I doubt it. When this is done, typically there's only a minor cosmetic difference - the silkscreened name at the end...I'd bet there are differences in the actual circuit board as well.
Click to expand...

That was my initial thought, as well. Seems like they are more likely "copies of copies" than re-used Joyo internals
 
The type of enclosure is different between the Joyo and Kmise/Horse pedals

The labeling is the same

This leads me to believe that they are cost savings versions of the original clones

The Joyo Uzi has an led backlight trim that the new one doesn't

The kmise and horse dont have stamped enclosuenclosures
but cheaper folded metal

Probably joyo created the new brands to give the new construction techniques a home

Then gave it the slower selling circuits to populate the line

Once they gained traction it became the squire of the Joyo line
 
ehdwuld said:
Probably joyo created the new brands to give the new construction techniques a home

Then gave it the slower selling circuits to populate the line

Once they gained traction it became the squire of the Joyo line
Click to expand...

Interesting theory, but Kmise has been using this construction on their "mini" pedals for a couple years at least. The "labeling" is probably the easiest thing to duplicate and it's not like they even bothered to use similar fonts...
 
The kmise chorus has the same fist that the old Joyo chorus does. Has had it for years

Joyo didnt do the mini pedals
I suspect that kmise is their mini pedal division
 
Someday there may be clones of the clones of clones.
Good thing electronics are simpler than living organisms.
Otherwise we'd have to start worrying about generation loss.
 
eclecticsynergy said:
Someday there may be clones of the clones of clones.
Good thing electronics are simpler than living organisms.
Otherwise we'd have to start worrying about generation loss.
Click to expand...

That day already came to pass. Ammoon American Sound clone of Joyo American Sound clone of Tech21 Blonde. Even Caline has got a clone of it with a misprint of one knob label :alcoholic
 
Hank- said:
That day already came to pass. Ammoon American Sound clone of Joyo American Sound clone of Tech21 Blonde. Even Caline has got a clone of it with a misprint of one knob label :alcoholic
Click to expand...

The Ammoon is just a rebrand of the Joyo. Users have already confirmed they are the same (layout, electronics, housing, etc)

Horse's version, on the other hand...

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Horse's version has the same layout as the Caline Cp55 with the footswitch led rotated 90° , I wouldn't be surprised a bit if all of these are made in the same factory with pcb layout changes on the jack locations.
 
That's actually a pretty good deal! The "68 pedals" branded version of that same pedal typically sells for nearly $100! Same color, font, layout, everything!

Of course, there's also the Caline "High Chief" for $50
 
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