What's the appeal of a Klon(e)?
- Thread starter '59
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
The Klon circuit is the one that makes it so you can switch from a Les Paul to a Strat on the same amp. Just use the Klon on the Strat only. But yeah, they aren't for everybody.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I like them for boosting amps into metal territory that are loose, but not very bassy. Or that don't have enough gain on their own. Like a JCM800.
It's kinda like a Tube Screamer, but not really. It's got a mid hump as well, but it retains more bass, and the attack is very different. Not as squishy. It also has A LOT of output volume to boost things.
I have the TC Electronic Zeus and the J Rocker Archer. Not a real one, mind you. It's a cool design. A cool alternative to a Tube Screamer. I just think it's kinda overblown. It's not a miraculous pedal. Nor is it all that transparent, IMO. And TBH, I prefer a cheapy Boss SD-1 most of the time.
It's kinda like a Tube Screamer, but not really. It's got a mid hump as well, but it retains more bass, and the attack is very different. Not as squishy. It also has A LOT of output volume to boost things.
I have the TC Electronic Zeus and the J Rocker Archer. Not a real one, mind you. It's a cool design. A cool alternative to a Tube Screamer. I just think it's kinda overblown. It's not a miraculous pedal. Nor is it all that transparent, IMO. And TBH, I prefer a cheapy Boss SD-1 most of the time.
i dont hear a klon pedal as sounding as transparent as a timmy for example. if you are playing live and want a gain boost, a klon is a fine option. your statement of turning up the gain and the mv down maybe gets you the lead tone you want but 90% of my playing is rhythm, so i need that to be on point too. the easiest way to get those two things, is set your amp for rhythm, and step on a box for leads. in the studio, you can do whatever sounds best. live, you usually have to compromise at least a bit to make things easy.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
I tried a EHX Soul Food, and I didn't care too much for using it as it was intended. It does, however do a good job of boosting the drum machine I use as a metronome to unity with all my other instruments as well as give them a dark lofi sound.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
It's a cool pedal. I've got one of the gold ones, but I realize I should've gotten the silver one. I think I'd like it more.
Buf also consider the Zeus by TC Electronic. It's a little bit more compressed-sounding and has a bit less output volume (still plenty, though), but mine actually has Germanium diodes as opposed to the Archer's Silicon, and it's like less that half the cost. And it has a mode where it actually boosts bass. I like it more, TBH.
can you use zeus on a battery or only power supply? i dont need to boost bass, though its easy to not use that feature. the gold vs silver archer... si vs germanium, but what does that mean tonally? the si is brighter and doesnt have temperature issues? ive mostly played the silver archers and liked the sound and feel of em
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
The Zeus only runs on a power supply because it's so tiny.
About the Archer, I've heard the gold comes with Germanium diodes and the Icon with Silicone, correct? Or is it the other way around? The site claims both have Ge diodes, but I've opened my Archer, and they look like Si (they have a blue stripe). I've also read they go on and off depending on what run you get with the Archer.
I believe Si has more headroom (less distortion, higher output volume). And GE has a rougher/fuzzier texture. And yeah, less sensitive to temperature changes.
The Archer does sound more "high-end". Very slightly more detail up top, very slightly less compression, and A LOT of output volume to boost things. To reach unity gain with high output pickups like the Black Winter, I have to keep the Archer at like 10:00 and the Zeus at like 1:00. But like I said, for like half the cost, the Zeus sounds VERY competitive. For what I want it to do (boost high-gain amps without squashing them as much as a TS), I like the Zeus better. The bass boost thing I don't use either, but it's nice to have it if you need it with single coils or something.
I think the reason why I like the Zeus is because it sounds just a notch more TS-ish, and I'm more familiar with those. But it sill sounds very Klone-y.
Last edited:
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Big fan of the Keeley Katana. It is transparent in standard mode. Or you can get top boost out of it. Love the thing. It cost me ~$200US about 15 years ago.
Lately, I've been digging this little jewel.
A Horse Zip amp I purchased second hand for $20US.
This thing can be dialed in to add to any guitar's tone.
Here's them both. Katanas's the white pedal.
Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk
Lately, I've been digging this little jewel.
A Horse Zip amp I purchased second hand for $20US.
This thing can be dialed in to add to any guitar's tone.
Here's them both. Katanas's the white pedal.
Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk
NegativeEase
New member
Klons are great for nice articulate Arpeggios!
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
The thing about Klon(e)s is they do serve as a clean boost (meaning no OD at all) with some EQ shaping, unlike Tube Screamers which even with the gain on 0, are a little dirty.
I like TS's better for the stuff that I play, but looking at it as objective as I can, Klons are "better". They've got way more output volume, more range in the gain knob, a more innovative way of blending the clean with the distorted signal, a more transparent EQ that still helps boost things up for leads, way less compression, etc.
Of course, "better" isn't always better, really, LOL.
I like TS's better for the stuff that I play, but looking at it as objective as I can, Klons are "better". They've got way more output volume, more range in the gain knob, a more innovative way of blending the clean with the distorted signal, a more transparent EQ that still helps boost things up for leads, way less compression, etc.
Of course, "better" isn't always better, really, LOL.
Last edited:
