NPD (EHX)

[Swampy]

I've been on somewhat of an overdrive kick lately. Used some GC gift cards today and picked this up. Been on my radar for a while.

Only got a few minutes with it when I got home, but I'm liking what I hear. I did play one for a bit at the store, but they no longer have a Blues Deluxe Re-issue, so I played it though a Hotrod Deluxe. I'll get a chance tomorrow to really get into it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: NPD (EHX)

Let us know if it still sounds good!

 

[Liam1963]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I own one, and it has a permanent residence on my main board.....

 

[dave74]

Re: NPD (EHX)

Are these very close to the ts9 or more 808ish? or more open than either?

 

[dystrust]

Re: NPD (EHX)

Are these very close to the ts9 or more 808ish? or more open than either?

I honestly don't think a Klon(e) sounds all that close to a TS, though it's closer to a TS9.

I'm most familiar with my Wampler Tumnus, but the Soul Food is at least in the same zip code. At low gain settings they're pretty close, but the Soul Food gets a bit harsh with higher gain.

Back to the original question...
The biggest difference from a TS is that the Klon midrange hump isn't fixed; it starts out rather flat and gets more midrange-y as the gain knob is increased. The Klon circuit also has A LOT more volume on tap, so one doesn't need to worry about finding a balance where you have adequate volume without too much saturation. I set the gain and tone to taste (both roughly 9 o'clock) and the volume at roughly 12 o'clock. On a TS (with those settings) you'd barely be able to tell it's on, but that's plenty of boost with a Klon(e).

 

[Blille]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I honestly don't think a Klon(e) sounds all that close to a TS, though it's closer to a TS9.

I'm most familiar with my Wampler Tumnus, but the Soul Food is at least in the same zip code. At low gain settings they're pretty close, but the Soul Food gets a bit harsh with higher gain.

Back to the original question...
The biggest difference from a TS is that the Klon midrange hump isn't fixed; it starts out rather flat and gets more midrange-y as the gain knob is increased. The Klon circuit also has A LOT more volume on tap, so one doesn't need to worry about finding a balance where you have adequate volume without too much saturation. I set the gain and tone to taste (both roughly 9 o'clock) and the volume at roughly 12 o'clock. On a TS (with those settings) you'd barely be able to tell it's on, but that's plenty of boost with a Klon(e).

Wise words.

A swap for Germanium helps tame the harshness of the SF at high gain settings (can’t tell in low gain). Really liked the mod in mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[dave74]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I honestly don't think a Klon(e) sounds all that close to a TS, though it's closer to a TS9.

I'm most familiar with my Wampler Tumnus, but the Soul Food is at least in the same zip code. At low gain settings they're pretty close, but the Soul Food gets a bit harsh with higher gain.

Back to the original question...
The biggest difference from a TS is that the Klon midrange hump isn't fixed; it starts out rather flat and gets more midrange-y as the gain knob is increased. The Klon circuit also has A LOT more volume on tap, so one doesn't need to worry about finding a balance where you have adequate volume without too much saturation. I set the gain and tone to taste (both roughly 9 o'clock) and the volume at roughly 12 o'clock. On a TS (with those settings) you'd barely be able to tell it's on, but that's plenty of boost with a Klon(e).

So it's a Klon clone kind-of, and not another ts copy?

 

[Darg1911]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I think there are some other circuit differences but it's basically Klon clone-ish with silicon (zeners I think) diodes. Inspired by the Klon is probably the best description.

 

[Blille]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I think there are some other circuit differences but it's basically Klon clone-ish with silicon (zeners I think) diodes. Inspired by the Klon is probably the best description.

https://youtu.be/s6wqvpB1M2U


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Darg1911]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I have a klone and played through a Soul Food. Never studied the Soul Food circuit and never tried the diode swap. But Analogman messed with diode swaps and considered a mod kit and gave up because it still wasn't the same. So did Coda Effects. That's what they report anyway. Are they right? Maybe. Or, maybe not. I think JHS offers a mod, or did offer a mod. At any rate, I think the Soul Food is a good pedal at a good price. But if someone is looking for as close to a klone as possible, it's probably not "the" one. Does it make a difference, live and loud? ... probably not. Those are just my opinions.

Nothing matters except for what you think of the pedal.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: NPD (EHX)

The Soul Food was my first "modern" pedal. I had a wah and fuzz before that. You gotta make sure to turn the tone down as the gain goes up. With the gain dimed I usually keep the tone around 9 o'clock or so.

But the nice thing about the SF is it's history. It was built out of spite of the Klone wars, that's why it's so cheap and also why it has an internal true/buffered bypass switch.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: NPD (EHX)

I’ve never played a Soul Food, but I too really like what EHX did. Right when all the Klones were going pricey it gave the average player a chance to try the circuit.

 

[Diego]

Re: NPD (EHX)

How loud is the volume boost?

I'm asking because I tend to crank the volume in my OD pedals, and add gain only if necessary. I find their response the most dynamic that way.
I'd love to own a Soul Food even if it's not really Klon-ish at all.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: NPD (EHX)

How loud is the volume boost?

I'm asking because I tend to crank the volume in my OD pedals, and add gain only if necessary. I find their response the most dynamic that way.
I'd love to own a Soul Food even if it's not really Klon-ish at all.

Well given that the Centuar was originally just a transparent boost with a gain knob thrown in for kicks, the boost is pretty loud. I never use it as a clean boost, but when I want to derive my distortion from my amp, the Soul Food can deliver. Even when I'm using it for a "mostly clean boost" I never feel the need to take the volume past %75.

 

[dystrust]

Re: NPD (EHX)

How loud is the volume boost?

I'm asking because I tend to crank the volume in my OD pedals, and add gain only if necessary. I find their response the most dynamic that way.
I'd love to own a Soul Food even if it's not really Klon-ish at all.

As I mentioned in my post, I'm more familiar with the Wampler Tumnus... but in terms of volume it's at least twice as loud as a tube screamer, maybe more. I don't think I've ever had the volume beyond about 3 o'clock, and that was waaaaaay too much.