battery quickly . It ’ s one of the most unique features . Note : Some people ran a Klon at higher voltages like 12v or 18v . Centavo only wants straight 9v , or you will likely blow it up . I ’ ve always stuck to 9V on my Klons to be safe . On the KT , Bill Finnegan added a Buffered / True Bypass switch . It says , “ almost always better off ( buffered ) and almost always worse on ( true bypass ). Centavo also has a quiet noise floor and has a buffered bypass like the original . The KT version of Klon didn ’ t sound the same as the original to me . But then my silver one is not exactly the same as the gold one . It ’ s one of the beautiful and mysterious things about analog gear . The Klon style gain pot is a unique doublegang pot , blending distortion and clean signal . You really hear it kick in at around 2-3:00 . Most would describe the Centaur as very fast and non-compressing . Both pedals however have lots of sustain with the gain cranked . Centavo has the added MOD switch . It ’ s originally rumored to be a special mod that Jeff Beck asked for and adds a noticeably extended low end . It sounds wonderful on a PRS or Tele . I love what it adds to the overall sound . It ’ s fuller in the “ chimey ” semi-clean tones and adds beef in heavily distorted settings . Once I got used to it , I didn ’ t want to turn it off .
Side by side , the Klon has more overdrive in the same gain settings at 3:00 and Centavo has more output . They both sound very close with the gain all the way up and very close with the gain all the way down . I found that by adjusting Gain , Treble , and Output , I could dial in Centavo to closely match the Klon . Most guitar players wouldn ’ t know the difference if not side by side .
MY TAKEAWAY : Warm Audio has done a great job re-creating the Klon Centaur . To be fair my ears say they don ’ t sound or react exactly the same . They are very very close . I ’ ve reviewed several Centaur clones , and this is right at the top of the list . It sounds great combined with a Nobels or Tube Screamer-type pedal . I ’ ve read that ’ s how John Mayer uses his Klon . Would I put it on my church or touring board ? Heck yeah ! Man , it looks amazing on the board and is so price friendly . I expect it will be a very successful pedal , and I hear it ’ s already a hot item . Some might think it ’ s too big , but you can always find a mini version of another pedal to make room .