What's your favourite Klon clone.. and why?

equalsql

Having justed watched the TPS 'beyond the Klon' episode it made me wonder what Klon clones any of you folks own or like.

I did use to own an EHX Soul Food but it did nothing for me.. so which ones, if any, float your boat?

57Deluxe

Mosky Golden Horse/Tumnus clone. Unbeatable at the price, but regardless - excellent tones.

mark_jwedge

Fredric Effects Zombie Klone / Golden Eagle.

Small form factor, superb build quality, has sounded great with any rig I have used, very reasonable price plus it’s a UK builder who is also a member here and I like to support them when I can

NorthernStomps

mark_jwedge said:

Fredric Effects Zombie Klone / Golden Eagle.

Small form factor, superb build quality, has sounded great with any rig I have used, very reasonable price plus it’s a UK builder who is also a member here and I like to support them when I can

Yep, nothing for me to add other than I agree with this 100%

guitargeek62

It’s not exactly a Klone but it does something pretty damn similar to my ears: Way Huge Saucy Box

RaymondLin

I got this a while ago, custom made logo.  I think it's okay, I really don't think Klone is a sound that I am after.

monquixote

NorthernStomps said:

mark_jwedge said:

Fredric Effects Zombie Klone / Golden Eagle.

Small form factor, superb build quality, has sounded great with any rig I have used, very reasonable price plus it’s a UK builder who is also a member here and I like to support them when I can

Yep, nothing for me to add other than I agree with this 100%

I was coming in the thread to say pretty much this, but you beat me to it

robinbowes

Wampler Tumnus - sounds great, small size.

I'd really like a JuanSolo Mini Klone, to match my other JuanSolo pedals, but I've not found one yet...

R.

Beexter

Another Tumnus fan here.

mburekenge

Zombie Klone. 

Wazmeister

RYRA - best Ive owned - need to get another !

sgosden

I usually prefer the juansolo one to the helix one. But some helix amps prefer the helix one.
I have only played one other klone for about 5 minutes.

I have added nothing useful to this conversation

TheMarlin

Va Tumnus (awesome pedal) to Mosky Golden Horse! Couldn't tell them apart, but costs pennies.

theflyisback

I've never really used amps for gain sounds so i've built my entire sound around a klon type pedal.  I've owned a few...

Soul Food - i think its a wonderful pedal and great boosting into other drives too (i used it before a RAT), easily as good as any of the others.  A few have mentioned that it suffers with lack of low end but i didn't experience that.  

Tumnus - I had the deluxe one.  Now low end on this was crazy and needed pulling back.  It has a very sensitive eq on it that isn't like others but easy to control when you've sussed it.  Tone wise its awesome but i found it popped when you switched it on which was bad at high volumes.  Only way around this is by using it always on and controlling via a switcher.  Its loud too.  

Strymon Sunset - I use this now as a klon type one side and a Rat the other.  The klon side is great but it somehow doesn't react like a klon dynamics wise in the way the SF and Tumnus does - but not necessarily in a bad way - its just different.  Its a great pedal but i wouldn't like to say its better (for me) than a SF and Rat which are 2 good solid "do all" drive sounds.  But the Sunset covers other bases as well and takes up less pedalboard real estate so I'm happy with it for now.  

Mythos Mjolnir - I wanted to like this but couldn't.  I didn't see it as a Klon. Hard to describe but it feels 'bouncy' and unpredictable.  It was perfectly useable with gain low and used as a straight up boost but with more and more gain dialled it goes off in its own direction.


Regarding Klons/Klones... I think they work excellent with single coils (great for me) but in my ears don't work well with humbuckers for some reason.  I also think a good compressor, set with a slight volume kick, (in front), massively enhances the Klon/Klone experience too.      


If i ever ditched the sunset i'd like to try a GFI Jonassus.  A mate of mine has one and it sounds stunning.  Quite warm and woody like classic Tommy era Who.    

ArchtopDave

I still have a real Klon, that I bought years ago, so I don't need a Clon.

fields5069

If they're all clones, then they're all my favourite.

LastMantra

Sorry to butt in but...what are the differences in these circuits? Is there anywhere I can check out how the klon works?

Wazmeister

theflyisback said:

I've never really used amps for gain sounds so i've built my entire sound around a klon type pedal.  I've owned a few...

Soul Food - i think its a wonderful pedal and great boosting into other drives too (i used it before a RAT), easily as good as any of the others.  A few have mentioned that it suffers with lack of low end but i didn't experience that.  

Tumnus - I had the deluxe one.  Now low end on this was crazy and needed pulling back.  It has a very sensitive eq on it that isn't like others but easy to control when you've sussed it.  Tone wise its awesome but i found it popped when you switched it on which was bad at high volumes.  Only way around this is by using it always on and controlling via a switcher.  Its loud too.  

Strymon Sunset - I use this now as a klon type one side and a Rat the other.  The klon side is great but it somehow doesn't react like a klon dynamics wise in the way the SF and Tumnus does - but not necessarily in a bad way - its just different.  Its a great pedal but i wouldn't like to say its better (for me) than a SF and Rat which are 2 good solid "do all" drive sounds.  But the Sunset covers other bases as well and takes up less pedalboard real estate so I'm happy with it for now.  

Mythos Mjolnir - I wanted to like this but couldn't.  I didn't see it as a Klon. Hard to describe but it feels 'bouncy' and unpredictable.  It was perfectly useable with gain low and used as a straight up boost but with more and more gain dialled it goes off in its own direction.


Regarding Klons/Klones... I think they work excellent with single coils (great for me) but in my ears don't work well with humbuckers for some reason.  I also think a good compressor, set with a slight volume kick, (in front), massively enhances the Klon/Klone experience too.      


If i ever ditched the sunset i'd like to try a GFI Jonassus.  A mate of mine has one and it sounds stunning.  Quite warm and woody like classic Tommy era Who.    

Great review and write up mate !

Danny1969

The Soulfood is a pretty good copy of a Klon circuit wise and in the right amp (Fender) it can sound superb. It's got some issues though

The pots are terrible, cheap plastic crap that move too easily and go faulty. As one is dual gang in an inline arrangement replacement can be be a pain 

There is no polarity protection. Although there is a reverse biased diode on the DC socket it won't go SC until after both TLO72's and the 7660 voltage doubler chip are fried... as all are SM components replacement isn't easy. 

Some people aren't aware there's a switch inside for true bypass or buffered ... this can make a difference depending on your setup 

BintyTwanger77

I've had a couple of Klon clones, and the Tumnus definitely stood out, but recently tried a Frederic Effects klone into a DRRI and it sounded fantastic.

paulnb57

Boo KC Klon Centaur, I've never tried another, but this one suits me....