SlowGroove
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
That is what i heard from a few European booteek stomp box builder too !
James
That is what i heard from a few European booteek stomp box builder too !
James
Klon . . . is it really all that !
- Thread starter SlowGroove
- Start date
bryvincent
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMy_...E468EB2F2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMy_...E468EB2F2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Never heard of the FX - will look into it.
James
Never heard of the FX - will look into it.
James
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
SlowGroove
New member
JohnnyGuitar
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Just used the TS as an example sorry if it was misleading. It's still in the same realm though.
Quality costs, and you should expect to pay more when you have good components.
I understand when you're ordering a custom pedal that is tailored simply for you - then you should expect to pay a lot more.
If the pedal has a few features that you won't find on most other pedals (like a separate boost, special tone controls, etc...) then yeah, you should expect to pay substantially more.
In a world that is full with 3 knob overdrives paying so much more - seems odd. Did being "boutique" become another name to being "uncompetitive"?
Edit:
You know what, I really have no problem with it - it might be a pedal that is worth every dime so feel free buying whatever you want/need at whatever price you can afford. Really.
Just used the TS as an example sorry if it was misleading. It's still in the same realm though.
Quality costs, and you should expect to pay more when you have good components.
I understand when you're ordering a custom pedal that is tailored simply for you - then you should expect to pay a lot more.
If the pedal has a few features that you won't find on most other pedals (like a separate boost, special tone controls, etc...) then yeah, you should expect to pay substantially more.
In a world that is full with 3 knob overdrives paying so much more - seems odd. Did being "boutique" become another name to being "uncompetitive"?
Edit:
You know what, I really have no problem with it - it might be a pedal that is worth every dime so feel free buying whatever you want/need at whatever price you can afford. Really.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
No, but I had one for about 2 weeks on evaluation. I was able to direct-compare it in that time to a friend's Klon and a whole slew of assorted overdrives, clean boosts, treble boosters, "fat' boosters, overdrive, distortion, and fuzz pedals -- vintage, new, mass market, boutique, you name it. (I think my friend and I have about 150 pedals between us).
No, but I had one for about 2 weeks on evaluation. I was able to direct-compare it in that time to a friend's Klon and a whole slew of assorted overdrives, clean boosts, treble boosters, "fat' boosters, overdrive, distortion, and fuzz pedals -- vintage, new, mass market, boutique, you name it. (I think my friend and I have about 150 pedals between us).
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Keep in mind that Boss, Digitech, Ibanez, etc. have three things working in their favor: cheaper parts, economies of scale, and Asian manufacturing.
A pedal built in small batches in a first world country with top quality parts costs much more per unit to build than a Bad Monkey. We're talking exponentially more. I know this first hand.
I'm not defending the prices of Klon etc., I'm just trying to put things in perspective. Saying that a Klon should cost only $50 more than a Digitech is a bit ignorant IMO.
In the end, it's all irrelevant. As long as people are willing to pay $300 and up for a Klon, that's what they will sell for. That's the beauty of the free market.
Keep in mind that Boss, Digitech, Ibanez, etc. have three things working in their favor: cheaper parts, economies of scale, and Asian manufacturing.
A pedal built in small batches in a first world country with top quality parts costs much more per unit to build than a Bad Monkey. We're talking exponentially more. I know this first hand.
I'm not defending the prices of Klon etc., I'm just trying to put things in perspective. Saying that a Klon should cost only $50 more than a Digitech is a bit ignorant IMO.
In the end, it's all irrelevant. As long as people are willing to pay $300 and up for a Klon, that's what they will sell for. That's the beauty of the free market.
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
EXCELLENT, coming from a guy who actually BUILDS pedals in a First World Country, on the side, and has no agenda....that's the kind of reality dose needed in here.
THANK YOU for posting Matt!
EXCELLENT, coming from a guy who actually BUILDS pedals in a First World Country, on the side, and has no agenda....that's the kind of reality dose needed in here.
THANK YOU for posting Matt!
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
My point was that the Klon sounded about $50 better in my imaginary scale. Not ignorant at all. I understand a bit about the world of economy and the small batch price and the better parts. BUT, those facts didn't make the pedal in that video sound like it was worth more than maybe $50 more than the Monkey out of my pocket. Am I explaining myself better now?
I'm not saying that it's a bad pedal either. I thought it provided some nice tone enhancing to the stock tone of that presenter's rig.
My point was that the Klon sounded about $50 better in my imaginary scale. Not ignorant at all. I understand a bit about the world of economy and the small batch price and the better parts. BUT, those facts didn't make the pedal in that video sound like it was worth more than maybe $50 more than the Monkey out of my pocket. Am I explaining myself better now?
I'm not saying that it's a bad pedal either. I thought it provided some nice tone enhancing to the stock tone of that presenter's rig.
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
But many people on various guitar & electronic forums told me that you can buy ALL the internals for a Wooly Mammoth (i know it is not the same pedal) for $30.00 in a 1st world country.
And i understood 100% what Tom meant in his 1st post.
I do not know how anyone could have missunderstood his statement.
If the Bad Monkey is the bench mark for a "base" tone, at $50.00 and the Klon is ony marginly 'better'/diff, then one should like to think that the price would only be marginly more.
Maybe i am just to much of a realist . . .
James
But many people on various guitar & electronic forums told me that you can buy ALL the internals for a Wooly Mammoth (i know it is not the same pedal) for $30.00 in a 1st world country.
And i understood 100% what Tom meant in his 1st post.
I do not know how anyone could have missunderstood his statement.
If the Bad Monkey is the bench mark for a "base" tone, at $50.00 and the Klon is ony marginly 'better'/diff, then one should like to think that the price would only be marginly more.
Maybe i am just to much of a realist . . .
James
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Here's what Dan Torres has to say about the Austin Gold.
Our Playing Impression:
The Gold "makes a big amp small" - That is, it can get you that perfect amp breakup that is normally only found with a small 10, 20 watt amp, from your larger on-stage amp.
Sure, a Fender Deluxe Reverb, Princeton reverb, 18W marshall has THAT TONE, crank it to 7 or so and they really come to life - pure musical magic.
But you can't turn your Super Reverb, Marshall, HotRod or Blues Deville up that high, it's just too loud - the transparent and subtle overdrive from the Austin Gold gave me EXACTLY that tone immediately - just perfect. I'll always keep a gold in my effects board - the right tool for the right tone -
Dan Torres
Here's what Dan Torres has to say about the Austin Gold.
Our Playing Impression:
The Gold "makes a big amp small" - That is, it can get you that perfect amp breakup that is normally only found with a small 10, 20 watt amp, from your larger on-stage amp.
Sure, a Fender Deluxe Reverb, Princeton reverb, 18W marshall has THAT TONE, crank it to 7 or so and they really come to life - pure musical magic.
But you can't turn your Super Reverb, Marshall, HotRod or Blues Deville up that high, it's just too loud - the transparent and subtle overdrive from the Austin Gold gave me EXACTLY that tone immediately - just perfect. I'll always keep a gold in my effects board - the right tool for the right tone -
Dan Torres
Tor
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
There's another one in here that can be said for..
There's another one in here that can be said for..
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Yes...the Klon is all that, and then some IF it's what you want...
To be honest with you it's not what I want but thats fine...
All that said the Klon does something that nothing else does...the Austin Gold as well as the Banzai Cold Fusion are Klon copies and even as close as they are they are a little different.
Now, comparing a Klon to a Bad Monkey...thats just dumb...thats like comparing a Yugo to a BMW...sure both will get you to work but that doesn't mean that the BMW is wasted money or overpriced...
Yes...the Klon is all that, and then some IF it's what you want...
To be honest with you it's not what I want but thats fine...
All that said the Klon does something that nothing else does...the Austin Gold as well as the Banzai Cold Fusion are Klon copies and even as close as they are they are a little different.
Now, comparing a Klon to a Bad Monkey...thats just dumb...thats like comparing a Yugo to a BMW...sure both will get you to work but that doesn't mean that the BMW is wasted money or overpriced...
Sporky McGuffin
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Hmm.
But when I post about it - having actually tried one, as well as making pedals in a first world country, it counts for nothing?
Hmm.
But when I post about it - having actually tried one, as well as making pedals in a first world country, it counts for nothing?
Sporky McGuffin
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
If you put "all the internals" in a little heap on your pedalboard it's not going to sound like a Woolly Mammoth though, is it?
Guitarists always seem to ignore the cost of actually putting things together - when that's the biggest cost in most manufactured goods.
If you put "all the internals" in a little heap on your pedalboard it's not going to sound like a Woolly Mammoth though, is it?
Guitarists always seem to ignore the cost of actually putting things together - when that's the biggest cost in most manufactured goods.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
For me, it's simple. I've tried out dozens and dozens of OD pedals, buying/selling, and the Klon is the one that interacts with a large variety of amps better than the rest. It just takes your amp to the level you want it at....with volume, gain, and a richer sound - but it does it better than other pedals. It's like comparing the channel strip on a Rupert Neve console to one on a Mackie. You could use either to record a good track, but the Mackie ain't a Neve.
For me, it's simple. I've tried out dozens and dozens of OD pedals, buying/selling, and the Klon is the one that interacts with a large variety of amps better than the rest. It just takes your amp to the level you want it at....with volume, gain, and a richer sound - but it does it better than other pedals. It's like comparing the channel strip on a Rupert Neve console to one on a Mackie. You could use either to record a good track, but the Mackie ain't a Neve.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
Yes, I understand what you mean. You are saying that you would only pay $50 more for the Klon. That is perfectly understandable. If everyone on Earth agreed with you, a Klon would cost exactly that, but clearly there are plenty of people who think they're worth $330.
Parts and materials are far and away the smallest expense when it comes to manufacturing pedals, and honestly I could probably obtain the parts for 100 Klon Centaurs for less that $30 per unit.
If you want to set up a boutique pedal business, you also have to pay for:
- Labour (by far the highest expense in the first world)
- Facilities (incl. rent and utilities)
- Packaging
- Shipping/distribution
- Marketing
- Insurance
- Taxes, licensing, etc.
And of course, if you're running a business, you don't want to just cover expenses ... you want to make a profit.
When you add all that up, it's pretty easy to see why a simple overdrive pedal can cost a lot of money.
The good news is, if you don't like the price of a Klon, you have a perfectly simple solution: don't buy one.
Yes, I understand what you mean. You are saying that you would only pay $50 more for the Klon. That is perfectly understandable. If everyone on Earth agreed with you, a Klon would cost exactly that, but clearly there are plenty of people who think they're worth $330.
Parts and materials are far and away the smallest expense when it comes to manufacturing pedals, and honestly I could probably obtain the parts for 100 Klon Centaurs for less that $30 per unit.
If you want to set up a boutique pedal business, you also have to pay for:
- Labour (by far the highest expense in the first world)
- Facilities (incl. rent and utilities)
- Packaging
- Shipping/distribution
- Marketing
- Insurance
- Taxes, licensing, etc.
And of course, if you're running a business, you don't want to just cover expenses ... you want to make a profit.
When you add all that up, it's pretty easy to see why a simple overdrive pedal can cost a lot of money.
The good news is, if you don't like the price of a Klon, you have a perfectly simple solution: don't buy one.
Low_fidelity2100
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
After watching the clip...I gotta say...the bad monkey, and the Klon sound pretty much nothing alike...I have no direct experience with either, and don't ever plan on owning either (Not a fan of OD pedals)....But from that clip, they don't sound similar at all to me...Sure they both add a bit of dirt ontop of whats already there, and both seem to thicken, and brighten the sound at the same time...but other than that, not similar...Of the two, the Klon definitely sounds better, more articulate, thicker/fuller, and just more "real"...the Bad monkey sounds decent too, just not as good to my ears, just mushier, and less defined....Seems to me a Bad monkey would be better suited to someone who plays sloppy, and wants that mushiness to help cover that up...and a Klon would be better suited to someone that can make they're guitar do what they want, and wants a pedal that will put out exactly what they put into it. IMO though...so yeah.
Although I know alotta people want something to help back up the opinion they already have (that klons are over priced), and therefore will listen and see alot more similaritys than I do. I know I certainly wouldn't pay $300+ for a Klon, or any pedal for that matter...but I wouldn't pay $50 for a BM either.
Either way, Based solely on that clip...I think the Klon and the BM sound about as similar as a DS-1 and a TS9 do (i.e. not at all).
After watching the clip...I gotta say...the bad monkey, and the Klon sound pretty much nothing alike...I have no direct experience with either, and don't ever plan on owning either (Not a fan of OD pedals)....But from that clip, they don't sound similar at all to me...Sure they both add a bit of dirt ontop of whats already there, and both seem to thicken, and brighten the sound at the same time...but other than that, not similar...Of the two, the Klon definitely sounds better, more articulate, thicker/fuller, and just more "real"...the Bad monkey sounds decent too, just not as good to my ears, just mushier, and less defined....Seems to me a Bad monkey would be better suited to someone who plays sloppy, and wants that mushiness to help cover that up...and a Klon would be better suited to someone that can make they're guitar do what they want, and wants a pedal that will put out exactly what they put into it. IMO though...so yeah.
Although I know alotta people want something to help back up the opinion they already have (that klons are over priced), and therefore will listen and see alot more similaritys than I do. I know I certainly wouldn't pay $300+ for a Klon, or any pedal for that matter...but I wouldn't pay $50 for a BM either.
Either way, Based solely on that clip...I think the Klon and the BM sound about as similar as a DS-1 and a TS9 do (i.e. not at all).
Last edited:
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Klon . . . is it really all that !
I'm glad we understand each other.
BTW, today is the first time I've even heard of the Klon. I do think it's cool and if you are looking for an overdrive/clean "type" boost for you clean amp then I think it's pretty cool.
I have spent some $$$ on some somewhat boutique pedals and have had good experiences and some not so good ones. My fault was jumping before I did enough research. One thing we can't do is read one or two or even 5 reviews and think "that's it!" or not.
The problem with the internet is that a lot of us don't get to the market any more and try these pedals before buying so when we do buy them we experience buyer's remorse and we convince ourselves that we have something special in order to justify our purchase. Even if our purchase didn't deliver what we were hoping or expecting.
That said, there are plenty of negative reviews on just about any thing you search for so the opposite is probably also true.
I miss the ol' days when you could go to a mom and pop store and try everything, spend your whole afternoon there and walk out with nothing but new friends knowing that you'd go back and give them your money once you knew what to order.
I'm glad we understand each other.
BTW, today is the first time I've even heard of the Klon. I do think it's cool and if you are looking for an overdrive/clean "type" boost for you clean amp then I think it's pretty cool.
I have spent some $$$ on some somewhat boutique pedals and have had good experiences and some not so good ones. My fault was jumping before I did enough research. One thing we can't do is read one or two or even 5 reviews and think "that's it!" or not.
The problem with the internet is that a lot of us don't get to the market any more and try these pedals before buying so when we do buy them we experience buyer's remorse and we convince ourselves that we have something special in order to justify our purchase. Even if our purchase didn't deliver what we were hoping or expecting.
That said, there are plenty of negative reviews on just about any thing you search for so the opposite is probably also true.
I miss the ol' days when you could go to a mom and pop store and try everything, spend your whole afternoon there and walk out with nothing but new friends knowing that you'd go back and give them your money once you knew what to order.