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Average Price: $3,529
High-end/Boutique
$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?
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.
41026
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!!!
41026
what'd you pay for yours? silver or gold?
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
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The Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive Guitar Pedal was spotted as part of guitarist John Mayer's extensive pedal collection.
At 44:37 in the Premier Guitar Rig Rundown at Third Man Records, it is confirmed that Jack White uses a Klon Centaur Overdrive, which is notably painted black. The proof was provided by Premier Guitar's detailed video walkthrough of White's gear setup. He says:
This is actually a real Klon, but it's rehoused. Actually, our pal Josh from JHS was nice enough to help out and kind of had a lead on good enclosures and they kind of helped us silk screen it with like our our color on it and stuff. Yeah, man, he's great. He's such an enthusiastic, like exciting, passionate, like wealth of knowledge and always up for cool fun stuff. So that's nice. This is really new though, it hasn't been part of the equation for like a long long time. So that's fun to have around.
In this video by TC Electronic, Chad Zaemisch, James Hetfield’s guitar tech, describes his live rig. At 3:50 in the video he says:
I’ve got a basic heavy, clean, and leads sounds. The lead is pretty much the heavy sound, and I add a Klon in there.
The interviewer follows up and asks if it’s a real one.
Yes. Yeah, we have real stuff around here.
Were you using any effects in the studio?
“I know I used my Klon [Centaur overdrive], but there wasn’t too much in the way of pedals. Just some boost type things.“
Noel Gallagher shows his pedalboard (new as of Oct 2016) on his Instagram. In the top row, fourth from the right, is his Klon Centaur overdrive pedal. His Centaur appears to lack the centaur decal, and the labels for the knobs.
The signal coming out of the pedalboard looks to be going into the first Vintage channel of his Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb Amp.
"It's been on his pedalboard for the whole time. I know he loves the Klon and it's a really, really great sounding pedal. A little bit on the noisy side for me - just a little hissy - but in between the hiss there are some really nice notes that come out of it. Sometimes it will be tune specific. Some songs will require a little bit more drive than others. It's kind of because he rides the volume part quite a bit that whatever is closest to max, he's going to want to have that setting to a certain point. So then he can gauge the sensitivity on the guitar," says Jeff Beck's guitar tech. - Rig Rundown of Jeff Beck (the link needs to be replaced.)
Beck continues to use Marshalls, specifically a JCM2000 that supposedly shares very little circuitry with retail models and that he boosts with a Klon Centaur. The man has also enjoyed a flirtation employing a pair of dimed Fender Pro Jr. amps, and let's not forget his trusty Magnatone models.
A Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive pedal can be seen on Joe's pedalboard at 4:06 in this gear rundown video.
In the YouTube video by Youdio, Josh Klinghoffer is seen using a Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal at the 3:17 mark while playing guitar.
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.
Community setups
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Add recommendation64 alternative and related items for Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive, curated by the Equipboard community.
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A budget Klone praised by the likes of JHS, and readily available between $20-30 USD.
According to Brian Wampler, the Banzai Cold Fusion is one of the earliest derivatives of the Klon Centaur, featuring different diode values and true bypass switching.
$133.00 - $149.97
Among the most popular and readily available Klon style pedals, the Tumnus substitutes the original's Germanium diodes for more readily available Silicon, with a similar value. Another subtle tweak is in the low end, which is arguably a little fuller on the Tumnus.
$99.00 - $195.00
An affordable, circuit clone of the Klon Centaur, with true bypass.
A higher gain take on the Klon circuit, with an additional boost channel.
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