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Average Price: $3,821
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$50
$176+
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High-end
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Description
The Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive is a legendary guitar effects pedal that has helped shape the sound of renowned artists such as Jeff Beck, John Mayer, and Nels Cline. Following its introduction in 1994, this highly sought-after overdrive has been celebrated for its original circuit design, developed by Bill Finnegan with the help of two MIT engineers. Built in small batches by Finnegan, who often struggled to keep up with demand, multiple finish variations would be produced in gold and silver casings and with or without the iconic Centaur logo (referred to as "Long Tail", "Horsie" or "Non-Horsie" models), the Klon Centaur remains a holy grail for musicians seeking to add a touch of vintage and authenticity to their sounds. Though all models share the same circuitry, the earliest "Long Tail" models are known to fetch a higher value. The Centaur would leave production in its official capacity in 2008, being succeeded by the Klon KTR; however, the occasional Centaur unit has been produced by Bill to fundraise for a friend's cancer treatment.
Key Features:
- Original hard clipping overdrive circuit
- New old stock 1N34A Germanium Diodes, handpicked for their unique forward voltage
- 18V charge pump for increased headroom
- Dual gain control blends the clean signal in as clipping increases
- Op-amp based buffer, known to help other pedals in the chain sound their best
- Produced in 6 finish variations between 1994-2008
- Also available in a bass variant by request
- Used by renowned musicians such as Jeff Beck, John Mayer, and Nels Cline
Product specs
| Brand | Klon |
| Model | Centaur Professional Overdrive (Horsie) |
| Finish | Gold, Silver |
| Year | 1994 - 2008 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals |
| Pedal Format | Standard |
FAQs
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What makes the Klon Centaur Overdrive different from other overdrive pedals?
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The Klon Centaur Overdrive is renowned for its transparent sound that enhances your guitar's natural tone, providing a clean boost and smooth overdrive without excessive coloration. Its unique circuit design and use of germanium diodes contribute to its distinct tonal characteristics.
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Is the Klon Centaur Overdrive suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Klon Centaur Overdrive is highly regarded for live performances due to its ability to cut through the mix with clarity and maintain the integrity of your guitar's tone, making it a favorite among professional musicians.
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Does the Klon Centaur Overdrive work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?
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The Klon Centaur Overdrive is versatile and works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a balanced and dynamic response that complements a wide range of guitar styles and setups.
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How does the Klon Centaur Overdrive affect my amplifier's sound?
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The Klon Centaur Overdrive enhances your amplifier's natural sound by adding warmth and sustain, offering a transparent overdrive that amplifies your existing tone rather than drastically altering it.
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Can the Klon Centaur Overdrive be powered by a standard 9V power supply?
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Yes, the Klon Centaur Overdrive can be powered by a standard 9V power supply, making it easy to integrate into most pedalboard setups without requiring specialized power sources.
Videos
Music is Win
I Bought a $5,000 Guitar Pedal–Does it Sound ANY GOOD?
I Bought a $5,000 Guitar Pedal–Does it Sound ANY GOOD?
Music is Win
【English Sub】KLON CENTAUR（ケンタウルス） 〜“オーバードライブの王様”を知る【デジマート DEEPER’S VIEW 〜経験と考察〜 Vol 16】
digimartnet
Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive Guitar Effect Demo
chatreeo
Klon Centaur - Pedal Demo - Carter Vintage Guitars
Carter Vintage Guitars
Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive
Brett Kingman
Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive (Gold) demo
David Fisher (tibbon)
Klon Centaur - Is This Overdrive Pedal Really Worth $5000?
The Studio Rats
The Klon Centaur - Tips, Tricks, & It's History Through My Eyes | JAY'S TOOLBOX
JayLeonardJ
Reviews
PROS
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Unmatched sound quality; stands above 50+ other overdrive pedals
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Offers a unique 3D quality to tone that other pedals lack
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Specific midrange EQ that makes notes sing
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Can make single coils and humbuckers (especially Friedman Vintage T Buckers) shine
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Described as a magical, almost spiritual experience through a good tube amp
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Regarded by some as the best overdrive in the world
CONS
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High price point not justified by internal components cost
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Sound quality perceived as equivalent to much cheaper pedals by some users
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Does not universally match well with all amps, limited synergy
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Inconsistent sound quality between units with the same product number
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May spend long periods unused; perceived as not essential by some
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 40 Ratings
164
The real deal
There are myths and arguments that have made there way to all corners of the gear nerds universe about this pedal. You know what it does. My personal view: It adds a certain 3 dimensional quality to your tone that other pedals just don't have. It really makes notes jump out of your amplifier. And it has a very specific midrange EQ to it that really makes the notes sing. That's why I like it.
41029
Yeah, the Klon ain't bad. Wish I had kept the one I bought in the late 90s. I could use the money now! Oh well.
960
Great and overpriced
This thing sounds amazing. If "Transparent" OD is your thing, this is king, but the price is insane. There are less than $100 in parts in here so build your own. $1800 avg used price is BS. This pedal is a tone legend though.
10
If you like the soul food I'd highly recommend you get the modd which will change the clipping adding a title switch & then extra bass boost!! I was able to have mine done by a company I found on eBay for a great price.. If you love it now then you'll really love it afterwards
best overdrive in the world... I had to save up for a while but it is so worth it!!!
best overdrive in the world... I had to save up for a while but it is so worth it!!!
41029
what'd you pay for yours? silver or gold?
klon ktr
10
I agree 100% the klon is just in a league of its own. Before I was able to aquire a klon I had a soul food and then had it modded to add the same clipping & bass boost and now it's another pedal I treasure. I enjoy tone stack ing my klon w/the modded soul food and then using a jhs crayon along with a big muff tone wicker and I'm good to go.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video from 2015, at 18:35, Mike Ness discusses a "secret" pedal in his setup. He suggests it's either a disguised Klon Centaur Overdrive, a copy, or a custom pedal modeled after it. The accompanying article refers to this as a "Klopy," indicating its Klon-like characteristics.
Jason Isbell uses a Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal, as shown in a user-submitted photo on Imgur.
A Klon Centaur is among many pedals used by Aaron and his brother Bryce according to this article from Premier Guitar.
In this YouTube video from September 07, 2021, at 4:02, Trey points to the visible Klon in the effects rack, saying that it's "newer."
In this YouTube video, this clearly states (both in the description and thumbnail) that Chris Buck purchased this particular effect pedal and continues to give it a thourough and in-depth review.
In a YouTube video titled "#AskBillyTalent - Ian Answers Question 1/5," Ian D'Sa mentions using the Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal during live performances for his solos.
The signal runs from Hale's guitars into a Jerry Cantrell JC95 Dunlop Cry Baby wah. Then it hits a Boss TU-3, an EHX POG2, an MXR/CAE Boost/Line Driver, a vintage Klon Centaur, and a Way Huge Aqua-Puss Analog Delay Pedal. The power supply is a Strymon Zuma.
In this YouTube video he showed that he bought one for $5000. Even compared it with other overdrive pedals at around 8:55
In a photo shared by RaggiArchive on Twitter, Thomas Raggi is shown with the Klon Centaur Overdrive prominently positioned on his pedalboard. This iconic three-knob golden pedal is known for its legendary tone.
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Jesse Lacey's band, Brand New, shared an Instagram post featuring a Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal in their studio. The caption humorously notes they often adjust the knobs without plugging it in, preferring other gear or a slice of New York pizza instead.
Hayes received his Klon Centaur from Robert Been, as per 2018 Premier Guitar interview.
Also mentioned in 2018 Music Radar rig rundown:
I don’t know if it lives up to the hype, but it’s always on. I can understand if you had just that, a guitar and an amp, that could sound cool. I haven’t done that, I don’t really have the option. I have to see how it reacts to the machines. I’m not using it to its full potential. But our front of house guy was telling me it was the shit, so he went and got one for me, so I had to fuckin’ use it, ha ha! Distortion isn’t ever easy - especially when you’ve got different guitars, pedals and amps reacting with each other.
A blog article explains how Wayne Sermon uses a custom built Centaur pedal:
"It’s a long story as to how I got hooked up with Imagine Dragons, but last year I got the opportunity to build a custom Centaur clone for their guitarist, Wayne Sermon. He was putting together a new live rig from the ground up and wanted to include a Centaur, but didn’t want to give up the pedalboard real estate for his original unit. I designed a PCB that would fit into a 1590B-sized enclosure and then built the pedal with an almost antique-looking distressed finish. "
"After I built the first one, he tested it against his real Centaur. He couldn’t hear any difference between them, and this one is about 1/3 the size, so the real Centaur got the boot. He then asked for another one for his secondary rig. So he actually has two of these now."
The original blog article can be found here.
Album Usage
The Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive has been featured on the following albums:
Saviors (édition de luxe)
Green Day (2025)
No Name
Jack White & Jack White (2024)
Saviors
Green Day (2024)
Elephant (triple j Like A Version)
The Wiggles & The Wiggles (2021)
Seamless
George Lynch (2021)
McCartney III
Paul McCartney (2020)
Kissing in the Wind
Travis (2019)
Phosphorescent Harvest
Chris Robinson Brotherhood (2014)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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