Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ?

bonanza2252003 · 11-10-2008, 10:37 PM

I've been gassing for a Klon centaur But $800 seems completely ridiculous for an overdrive pedal

at least the one on the Bay was asking that.I could get a good used tube amp for that price or a very nice new Ceriatone Clone !!!I am pretty happy with my fultone ,which I payed $170 for.How can the Klon be $630 better .I've tried many boutique overdrives and the only one that still sits on my board is my fulltone . Is the Klon over priced hype.or could it really be worth this kind of money ?I can certainly afford to buy one but am resisting on principal alone. Seems rediculously overpriced ?

monroe · 11-10-2008, 10:48 PM

There was a shootout a few years back
Maxon OD-820 vs Klon Centaur - Legendary Tones - 2004
comparing the Klon to the Maxon OD-820 Pro. The results were pretty much a wash, with each pedal performing better in some areas and worse in others. Overall opinion was that you could buy 5 820's for the price of a Klon, or buy one 820 and bank the rest. As an investment, the Klon may be the better choice. I have owned both and preferred the 820 with other pedals in front of it. The Klon was cool as the only pedal in the chain. That's not to say it can't be used with other pedals, just my observations.

st.bede · 11-10-2008, 11:15 PM

I can not answer (having never played one) but, it seems a bit high to me...if you looking at pedals in that price range....take a look at lovetone....just to throw out a thought

alligatorbling · 11-10-2008, 11:20 PM

build a ldo clone for a fraction of a fraction lol

Winterheim · 11-10-2008, 11:27 PM

$800?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

screamingdaisy · 11-10-2008, 11:30 PM

You could buy a new one off the guy who builds it for a fraction of that price, but I've heard he can be a bit of a whack job.

You could also buy one off a web retailer for a little more than what it costs direct, but you'll have to wait for them to be in stock.

As for whether it's worth it.... It's hard to say. There's alot of hype around these pedals, and I'm certain that some of the people who own one won't admit that the pedal they paid $500 for sounds more or less as good as the their old $150 pedal.

Some people swear they're the best thing ever. Some people don't. I tend to lean on the opinion of the people in the middle, and most of them say it's a good OD when you get it for $350.

Lampens · 11-11-2008, 04:48 AM

800 dollar for an overdrive pedal, that's madness.

riffpowers · 11-11-2008, 08:05 AM

I really like the maxon stuff, owned a few including 2 od820's. You can't go wrong with em I reckon.

MrBoZiffer · 11-11-2008, 09:30 AM

You can get new Klons from the builder direct for a little over $300. The new Klons are a plain silver box, they aren't the gold ones with the Centaur on it. If you're willing to sacrifice the Centaur graphic and gold box, just get a new one. That's what I'm going to do next year.

EDIT: I just noticed screamingdaisy already said this...

bonanza2252003 · 11-12-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBoZiffer

You can get new Klons from the builder direct for a little over $300. The new Klons are a plain silver box, they aren't the gold ones with the Centaur on it. If you're willing to sacrifice the Centaur graphic and gold box, just get a new one. That's what I'm going to do next year.

EDIT: I just noticed screamingdaisy already said this...

Thanks. I might just try the 820. I have had good results from maxon stuff in the past. I also had a BBE freq.boost that I realy loved with my 18 watt marshall. It worked better than anything I tried with that amp but sounded like shite with all my other amps ?it was only $99.

MrBoZiffer · 11-12-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonanza2252003

Thanks. I might just try the 820. I have had good results from maxon stuff in the past. I also had a BBE freq.boost that I realy loved with my 18 watt marshall. It worked better than anything I tried with that amp but sounded like shite with all my other amps ?it was only $99.

That's cool. IMO, Maxon makes great stuff. I'm gassing for their PH350. I'm sure you'll be happy with the 820.

Big John · 11-12-2008, 11:09 AM

I paid $344 for mine last year and waited 9 months to get it direct from Bill. I kept it 3 weeks and then flipped it for $475 (supply & demand). My take on it is it's one of the few pedals out there that have the placebo factor. Players think they hear certain qualities with the Klon that overshadow the price of admission. Most players use it as a buffered clean boost. There's cheaper and better sounding ways to get the same results if players would just do some homework.

The Klon is NOT worth the money.

stonevibe · 11-12-2008, 03:01 PM

I love my Klon. Had two up until about a fortnight ago as well, traded my gold one for a Marshall JMP 50Watt 2x12 from 1977!!

Kept my old silver horsey one though!

Just rebuilding my pedal board tonight and tomorrow. Down to a Budda Wah, Klon, Keeley Fuzz Head , Red Witch Moon Phaser and a very old original DD-3 at the moment....

Though things could change soon as I'm A /Bing my KOT v4 and a Java Boost at the moment.

Any thoughts?

As personally the Klon is winning at the moment for me and I cannot match it yet. I understand the Klon 'mojo' so I have done some blind tests ( got my mate to switch as I played ) and still I keep going for the Klon.

I have about most OD pedals fron TS9s to Bad Monkey, G2D Cream Tone to Analogman KOT etc etc and still I go for the Klon with my setup.

I am however getting more and more into Treble boosters and so I have to A/B my Java and Beano Boost over the next week or two live.

Led Zep Fan · 11-12-2008, 03:08 PM

They are only $300 or so new, why would you pay $800?!?

pwoznic · 11-12-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

I paid $344 for mine last year and waited 9 months to get it direct from Bill. I kept it 3 weeks and then flipped it for $475 (supply & demand). My take on it is it's one of the few pedals out there that have the placebo factor. Players think they hear certain qualities with the Klon that overshadow the price of admission. Most players use it as a buffered clean boost. There's cheaper and better sounding ways to get the same results if players would just do some homework.

The Klon is NOT worth the money.

hmm.. not a bad profit... sounds like a plan

Big John · 11-12-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwoznic

hmm.. not a bad profit... sounds like a plan

You ain't kidding.

I sold the Klon, a Zendrive, and a Zendrive II and pocketed $600 on top of what I paid for them new from the makers.

MrBoZiffer · 11-13-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Led Zep Fan

They are only $300 or so new, why would you pay $800?!?

Cosmetics... People are paying out the ass on eBay for the older ones with a gold box and centaur graphic. The new ones are a silver box with no graphics. The new ones still look pretty cool, considering how simple they are. But for $400 - $500 cheaper, I'd rather have the new ones.

Somebody might claim the circuits are different, but I don't know for sure. I know that I've read Finnagan's own words and he seemed to have put years into the circuit and lots of money. I can't see him making drastic changes to the circuit. It'll probably turn into a Big Muff debate... which is ridiculous.

$350 for an OD/Booster is expensive, but considering how much other pedals cost, especially boutique pedals, I don't think it's that bad. I think a lot of people expect an expensive pedal to have a bunch a switches and knobs, lots of blinking lights and crazy ass sounds. Fuck that. If it's a good pedal and does it's job well, and you like it, it's worth it. And if you can find something for a lot cheaper that you like better, good for you.

I'm still shooting for one of the new ones. I like the way they look and I feel certain I'll love the sounds. If not, like Big John said, there's always eBay.

bonanza2252003 · 11-13-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

I paid $344 for mine last year and waited 9 months to get it direct from Bill. I kept it 3 weeks and then flipped it for $475 (supply & demand). My take on it is it's one of the few pedals out there that have the placebo factor. Players think they hear certain qualities with the Klon that overshadow the price of admission. Most players use it as a buffered clean boost. There's cheaper and better sounding ways to get the same results if players would just do some homework.

The Klon is NOT worth the money.

I tend to be with you on that!! I've tried many a boutique boost pedal and have never felt one did an exceptionally better job than another.Just different. but not 5 or $600 worth of difference

Big John · 11-13-2008, 01:16 PM

Hit the 'ol Google last night, and in 4 minutes I was staring at a Klon clone website. A group of effects nerds purchased a Klon from Bill with the intent of reverse engineering it. Well, they pulled it off, and their findings were eye openning. And it really reinforces my opinion of the Klon. You can definitely get the same results for less money.

Google is your friend, beotches.

Led Zep Fan · 11-13-2008, 01:17 PM

What"s the site?

MrBoZiffer · 11-13-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Led Zep Fan

What"s the site?

It's messed up or has been taken down for some reason. I haven't been able to access it either. His site actually sucks. It's kind of hard to use. Hopefully he's fixing it.

pwoznic · 11-13-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBoZiffer

It's messed up or has been taken down for some reason. I haven't been able to access it either. His site actually sucks. It's kind of hard to use. Hopefully he's fixing it.

archive.org

BOBBO · 11-15-2008, 10:26 PM

I've had my Klon for about 3 years now and have to say it's the best OD/Boost i've ever played on , and I've played tons !!! It makes a good amp better and a great amp magical !!! One of the key ingredients to the Klon is to have a decent tube amp setup to begin with because the Klon just gives you more of what your amp has to offer but just bigger and better !!!

BOBBO · 11-15-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBoZiffer

Cosmetics... People are paying out the ass on eBay for the older ones with a gold box and centaur graphic. The new ones are a silver box with no graphics. The new ones still look pretty cool, considering how simple they are. But for $400 - $500 cheaper, I'd rather have the new ones.

Somebody might claim the circuits are different, but I don't know for sure. I know that I've read Finnagan's own words and he seemed to have put years into the circuit and lots of money. I can't see him making drastic changes to the circuit. It'll probably turn into a Big Muff debate... which is ridiculous.

$350 for an OD/Booster is expensive, but considering how much other pedals cost, especially boutique pedals, I don't think it's that bad. I think a lot of people expect an expensive pedal to have a bunch a switches and knobs, lots of blinking lights and crazy ass sounds. Fuck that. If it's a good pedal and does it's job well, and you like it, it's worth it. And if you can find something for a lot cheaper that you like better, good for you.

I'm still shooting for one of the new ones. I like the way they look and I feel certain I'll love the sounds. If not, like Big John said, there's always eBay.

There is absolutely no difference between the old gold horseyman Klon and the newer silver Klon !!! Except the color of course ...

Big John · 11-16-2008, 01:22 AM

11-10-2008, 10:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
bonanza2252003 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV. USA Posts: 303 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I've been gassing for a Klon centaur But $800 seems completely ridiculous for an overdrive pedal at least the one on the Bay was asking that.I could get a good used tube amp for that price or a very nice new Ceriatone Clone !!!I am pretty happy with my fultone ,which I payed $170 for.How can the Klon be $630 better .I've tried many boutique overdrives and the only one that still sits on my board is my fulltone . Is the Klon over priced hype.or could it really be worth this kind of money ?I can certainly afford to buy one but am resisting on principal alone. Seems rediculously overpriced ? __________________ More practice and less BS = Superior Tone

11-10-2008, 10:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
monroe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 567 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? There was a shootout a few years back Maxon OD-820 vs Klon Centaur - Legendary Tones - 2004 comparing the Klon to the Maxon OD-820 Pro. The results were pretty much a wash, with each pedal performing better in some areas and worse in others. Overall opinion was that you could buy 5 820's for the price of a Klon, or buy one 820 and bank the rest. As an investment, the Klon may be the better choice. I have owned both and preferred the 820 with other pedals in front of it. The Klon was cool as the only pedal in the chain. That's not to say it can't be used with other pedals, just my observations. __________________ Proud user of: Gibson Guitars, Fender Guitars and Amps, Fargen Amplification WCR Pickups, Jason Lollar Pickups, Weber VST Speakers

11-10-2008, 11:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
st.bede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fresno Ca Posts: 1,659 Thanks: 19 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I can not answer (having never played one) but, it seems a bit high to me...if you looking at pedals in that price range....take a look at lovetone....just to throw out a thought __________________ Peace: is not the lack of dischord but an active process that transforms the present dischord into harmony through reverence "to criticize without vision is to be complicitious with dominance" Carolyn Casey "Go easy and, if you can't go easy, go as easy as you can" Jennifer Stone.... (from KPFA Cover to Cover) for me ORANGE IS THE CHANGE thank you 5F6-A

11-10-2008, 11:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
alligatorbling V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Somewhere between here and there. Posts: 4,510 Thanks: 20 Thanked 35 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? build a ldo clone for a fraction of a fraction lol __________________ "Last time I called shotgun, we had rented a limo... so I fuxked up." -Mitch Hedberg The greatest effort is not concerned with results. insanity is genius in disguise http://www.myspace.com/cheapmaltliquor aim alligatorbling

11-10-2008, 11:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Winterheim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In a Gen 2 Protector Case Posts: 2,274 Thanks: 10 Thanked 51 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? $800?!?!?!?!?!?!?! __________________

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11-10-2008, 11:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
screamingdaisy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? You could buy a new one off the guy who builds it for a fraction of that price, but I've heard he can be a bit of a whack job. You could also buy one off a web retailer for a little more than what it costs direct, but you'll have to wait for them to be in stock. As for whether it's worth it.... It's hard to say. There's alot of hype around these pedals, and I'm certain that some of the people who own one won't admit that the pedal they paid $500 for sounds more or less as good as the their old $150 pedal. Some people swear they're the best thing ever. Some people don't. I tend to lean on the opinion of the people in the middle, and most of them say it's a good OD when you get it for $350. __________________ Les Paul Goldtop (P90) -> Thrōbak Overdriver -> Electric Amp EL34 MVU -> Electric Amp 4x12 & Orange 4x12

11-11-2008, 04:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lampens Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 524 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? 800 dollar for an overdrive pedal, that's madness. __________________ '89 Gibson Les Paul Standard ebony '97 Fender usa standard strat. Fender Blues jr NOS Marshall 75 reverb Marshall 4x12 cabinet

11-11-2008, 08:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
riffpowers Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I really like the maxon stuff, owned a few including 2 od820's. You can't go wrong with em I reckon. __________________ 1990 Les Paul Custom 2008 Les Paul Standard Faded Gordon Smith GS1 1984 JCM800 2204 Zilla 2x12 Marshall 1960AX Ibanez TS9 Morley Tremonti wah

11-11-2008, 09:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
MrBoZiffer Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? You can get new Klons from the builder direct for a little over $300. The new Klons are a plain silver box, they aren't the gold ones with the Centaur on it. If you're willing to sacrifice the Centaur graphic and gold box, just get a new one. That's what I'm going to do next year. EDIT: I just noticed screamingdaisy already said this...

11-12-2008, 11:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
Big John ...with a big mouth Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in the rain Posts: 1,403 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I paid $344 for mine last year and waited 9 months to get it direct from Bill. I kept it 3 weeks and then flipped it for $475 (supply & demand). My take on it is it's one of the few pedals out there that have the placebo factor. Players think they hear certain qualities with the Klon that overshadow the price of admission. Most players use it as a buffered clean boost. There's cheaper and better sounding ways to get the same results if players would just do some homework. The Klon is NOT worth the money.

11-12-2008, 03:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
stonevibe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Exeter Posts: 478 Thanks: 5 Thanked 11 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I love my Klon. Had two up until about a fortnight ago as well, traded my gold one for a Marshall JMP 50Watt 2x12 from 1977!! Kept my old silver horsey one though! Just rebuilding my pedal board tonight and tomorrow. Down to a Budda Wah, Klon, Keeley Fuzz Head , Red Witch Moon Phaser and a very old original DD-3 at the moment.... Though things could change soon as I'm A /Bing my KOT v4 and a Java Boost at the moment. Any thoughts? As personally the Klon is winning at the moment for me and I cannot match it yet. I understand the Klon 'mojo' so I have done some blind tests ( got my mate to switch as I played ) and still I keep going for the Klon. I have about most OD pedals fron TS9s to Bad Monkey, G2D Cream Tone to Analogman KOT etc etc and still I go for the Klon with my setup. I am however getting more and more into Treble boosters and so I have to A/B my Java and Beano Boost over the next week or two live.

11-12-2008, 03:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Led Zep Fan MLP Anchorman Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 4,095 Thanks: 25 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? They are only $300 or so new, why would you pay $800?!? __________________ http://www.spam.com/

11-13-2008, 01:16 PM	#19 (permalink)
Big John ...with a big mouth Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in the rain Posts: 1,403 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? Hit the 'ol Google last night, and in 4 minutes I was staring at a Klon clone website. A group of effects nerds purchased a Klon from Bill with the intent of reverse engineering it. Well, they pulled it off, and their findings were eye openning. And it really reinforces my opinion of the Klon. You can definitely get the same results for less money. Google is your friend, beotches.

11-13-2008, 01:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
Led Zep Fan MLP Anchorman Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 4,095 Thanks: 25 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? What"s the site? __________________ http://www.spam.com/

11-15-2008, 10:26 PM	#23 (permalink)
BOBBO MVP Clown Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 12,603 Thanks: 83 Thanked 175 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ? I've had my Klon for about 3 years now and have to say it's the best OD/Boost i've ever played on , and I've played tons !!! It makes a good amp better and a great amp magical !!! One of the key ingredients to the Klon is to have a decent tube amp setup to begin with because the Klon just gives you more of what your amp has to offer but just bigger and better !!! __________________ " Over the Pond Guy " Pickups & Rings ... Email for info @ OverthePondGuy@aol.com

11-16-2008, 01:22 AM	#25 (permalink)
Big John ...with a big mouth Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in the rain Posts: 1,403 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Klon Centaur ,Worth the money ?