Archer | Centaur | Centura | Centavo | KTR | Tumnus
Back in the ’90s, I spent most of my days hopping from one music shop to the next, trying out everything they had.
There was one particular street in Stockholm that became our version of London’s Denmark Street. It’s still there (of course), but many of the shops are long gone. If you ever get the chance to visit, make sure to find Götgatsbacken.
Around the corner from it, there was a shop that didn’t sell second-hand gear. It was here that I first saw it: the Klon Centaur.
Even back then, it was expensive, and I didn’t buy it. When the shop assistant raved about how transparent it was, I probably thought, or even said, “Why would you need it if it’s transparent?”
Fast forward a few years, and my tone obsession had truly begun. I started buying and selling amps, guitars, and pedals in what seemed like a never-ending cycle. By then, I was probably convincing someone about how great the Centaur was, simply because it was “transparent.”
Three decades later, we have YouTube channels doing much of the legwork for us. When it comes to the Klon Centaur, especially, there’s an endless stream of comparison videos. I’ve compiled a playlist of these for you at the top of the page.
Over time, many brands have cloned the Klon, and it’s become so common that these copies are now called Klones. There’s even a YouTube channel dedicated to comparing them called TheKlonWars.
Most guitar players who still use real amps and pedals probably agree that you should own a Klon—or at least a Klone. This leads us down the rabbit hole of finding out: Which Klon clone is the best? (Try saying that three times fast!)
Three Klon pedals to consider
The Original Klon Centaur
If you’ve got plenty of cash and don’t gig (because, let’s face it, it might get stolen), you should just buy the original Klon Centaur. Given the hype surrounding it, this is a great investment, and let’s be honest, you can’t improve on the original—the one all others are compared to.
I have several high-earning students and members who are doctors and oil millionaires. I even have a brain surgeon (though that’s not his official title, I’m sure). I’m still waiting for the rocket scientist!
To all of you, just buy the original Klon and play it through your expensive Two-Rock amps and vintage Strats. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Ceriatone Centura
I love what Nik from Ceriatone does with his amps (I own a Dumble clone that he built for me). The most popular product in his lineup is his version of the Klon: the Centura.
The Ceriatone Centura looks identical to the original, comes in some crazy colours, and buying it means supporting a great guy who builds amps to a high standard at a fantastic price. You can even buy the kit and solder it together yourself.
However, before you pull the trigger, consider his Horse Breaker as well. This is a dual-pedal combining the Klon and the Marshall Blues Breaker. Many people use the Klon for gain-staging, and the Blues Breaker is one of the best pedals for that purpose. So, it’s a great concept—definitely worth considering.
Wampler Tumnus
The Wampler Tumnus is a fantastic option for two reasons: it’s priced well, and it sounds the closest to the original Klon. There’s even a mini version, which makes perfect sense for pedalboard space, but then there’s also the deluxe version…
It’s extremely difficult to argue against buying either version of the Tumnus right now. I can’t do it, just buy one (or both)—it’ll make you happy.
At this point, you could buy all the pedals I’ve mentioned and have your own Klon War. Just don’t make any videos about it—there are enough of those already!
Three Klones to ignore
Warm Audio Centavo
The Centavo is similar to the Ceriatone Centura in that it looks the same, but I don’t think it’s as good. I personally prefer Nik’s vibe and approach in general.
J Rocket Archer
One of my mates (hi Steve) has the J Rocket Archer, and he doesn’t like it. I’m not fond of it either—it doesn’t quite capture that transparency that the original Klon has, which took me years to fine-tune my ears to detect.
Now that I’ve honed that skill, I have to point out how valuable it is, or else it’ll feel like I wasted all those years. I’d regret not practising more, joining more bands, and going to fewer music shops, and that thought would make me a bit sad.
Klon KTR
The guy who built the original Klon, Bill Finnegan, eventually mass-produced the Klon KTR. He claims it sounds the same, but do we really believe him? Of course, we don’t!
If we did, all this gear testing, comparing, buying, and selling would be pointless. And this is the core of it all—the heart of the matter, the whole point.
If it didn’t matter, what would we do with our time instead? Go to the garden centre with the wife? Or—dare I say it—actually practice? No chance. Let’s research power supplies instead!