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Average Price: $3,821
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$50
$176+
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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
A Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive pedal can be seen in this photo of Jim's pedalboard, found on his website.
I’ve been tweaking my pedal board lately but right now it is: TC Electronics PolyTune 2 > Teese Real McCoy Custom wah > Earthquaker Devices Gray Channel > MXR Phase 95 > Strymon Brigadier delay > Klon Centaur > Ditto Looper X2.
In a photo on his official Facebook page, Johnny A. is seen with a Klon Centaur Overdrive, highlighting his use of this iconic pedal.
In an Instagram post by @kulashakerofficial from a performance at Portsmouth Guildhall, Crispian Mills can be observed using the Silver Klon Centaur Overdrive from 0:04, along with other pedals on his board. Also see here in studio settings. https://www.instagram.com/p/8lIFmIzAyD/?igsh=MXVrODdmcXl3YzRsaA==
Artur Menezes showcases his Klon Centaur Overdrive during a pedalboard check for his upcoming performance at Arcadia Blues Club, as shared on his official Facebook page.
Emily Roberts uses the Klon Centaur Overdrive, as mentioned in an interview with Guitar World. She stated, “I used my Fulltone OCD as the main overdrive. And I think there was some pedal called the Minotaur or Centaur that apparently cost around £5,000.”
In this article, Jerry Finn’s Klon Centaur Overdrive was listed for sale.
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My #overdrive babies 🎸 thank you @guitarboxuk for @spacemaneffects #polaris @bondieffects #sickas @joespedals for my @smallsoundbigsound #mini & my own faith in grabbing a #kloncentaur when no one told u it was gonna be big @klon_klon_klon.
Albert Cummings is shown using a Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal in a photo of his pedalboard featured on The Gear Page's "Pedalboards of the Stars Collection Part III."
Pedalboard used in conjunction with Marshall:
"My live ‘board is pretty simple - essentially just a tuner, an octave pedal, and a couple of subtle boost pedals. 90% of the core sound is from the guitar and amp, then a clean boost is used just to push the amp a bit harder into overdrive. I use the guitar volume for most of the tonal variations.
Main pedals used are as follows:
Free The Tone FINAL BOOSTER - Fantastic clean boost… the great thing is when set at zero and kicking it in there no tonal/level change whatsoever - it only adds to what’s already there. Has a nice natural sounding buffer in it too.
Sonic Research ST-200 Tuner - Accurate and reliable strobe tuner that works great especially for the ‘half a step down’ tuning I use. Easy to see on dark stages too!
T-Rex ALBERTA - Nice subtle tubescreamer type pedal, smoother and warmer sounding than the classic TS pedals. Normally just kicked in now and then with the Strat.
T-Rex OCTAVIUS Octave pedal with switchable clean boost - This is great and is used mostly with the old cello slide guitar. The guitar has a really low output so the extra boost on here works perfectly to beef things back up.
Voodoo Lab PEDAL POWER 2 PLUS - Silent, super reliable and efficient power supply!
Brightonion Pedals TRUE BYPASS LOOPER - Any pedals that aren’t true bypass run through this, plus it keeps things nice and easy to switch on and off during a gig as every thing is at the front!
Other pedals I use now and then: Klon Centaur, JHS Charlie Brown, Free The Tone Red Jasper, ZVEX Box Of Rock"
-Aynsley Lister
Seen on a pedalboard at a live taping of 'Like a Version' at Triple J Studios in March 2021.
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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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