gear giveaway

Klon Inspired

CKK SHXC Super Overdrive (Klon Variant)

Yes, many Chinese pedal builders make super affordable (if not downright cheap) pedals with questionable quality control, but this doesn't mean that there aren't some top-notch boutique pedal builders in China. Enter the CKK SHXC Super Overdrive, a new, hand-made Klon variant that's getting great reviews from the handful of…Click on the title for more

CKK SHXC Super Overdrive (Klon Variant)

All-Pedal Alcmene Overdrive

The super-large family of Klon clones has gained another small member wiht the All-Pedal Alcmene, a mini stompbox that perfectly captures the core characteristics of the expensive original unit. Featuring the classic Klon 3-knob layout and Germanium clipping diodes, the Alcmene's circuit offers higher headroom and dynamic response than your…Click on the title for more

All-Pedal Alcmene Overdrive

Harby Pedals Centauri

The Harby Pedals Centauri is - as you may gather - is, circuit-wise, a Klon clone, embedded in a compact case much smaller than the original. Selling at $169, it's about 1/30th the price of an original Klon Centaur, using several components as the original and the same 3-knob layout.…Click on the title for more

Harby Pedals Centauri

Nordvang ’83 Drive (Klone + Blues Breaker)

For such a small country, Denmark has a remarkable tradition in the guitar pedal niche (think TC Electronic and T-Rex, to mention just two), so there's always a lot of curiosity when new Danish builders get introduced to the stompbox scene. Nordvang debuted with a bang back in April by…Click on the title for more

Nordvang ’83 Drive (Klone + Blues Breaker)

The 3 Best Overdrive Pedals per Type in 2023

Welcome to the most comprehensive article you'll find online about the best overdrive pedals on the market! Since "overdrive" is an umbrella term that includes several types of circuits with their own sonic character, we thought it would be best way to organize this guide by type - because comparing…Click on the title for more

The 3 Best Overdrive Pedals per Type in 2023

J. Rockett Archer Select Klon-style Drive

The J. Rockett Archer Select is an evolution of what has been an extraordinarily popular line for the Nashville-based pedal builder. Constantly in the top three of our article about the best Klon clones, the original Archer (in its two gold and silver iterations) is in all likelihood the best-selling…Click on the title for more

J. Rockett Archer Select Klon-style Drive

NUX Queen of Tone

The NUX Queen of Tone is a naughtily named dual overdrive pedal partially inspired by the legendary Analogman King of Tone, which was a dual Blues Breaker-style overdrive. The Queen of Tone borrows the dual channel idea, but marrying the company's popular Klon-style circuit on the left channel (also available…Click on the title for more

NUX Queen of Tone

Wampler Tumnus V2 Overdrive

In the seemingly neverending competition to build the best Klon Centaur Klone, the Wampler Tumnus, with its mini format and tone remarkably faithful to the original, has been one of the most successful pretenders. There's also a Tumnus Deluxe version with extra sculpting options. Here are the demos of the…Click on the title for more

Wampler Tumnus V2 Overdrive

Pedal Update: Nordvang Wingman V2.0

Nordvang is a Norwegian company that seems focused on building high-quality dual-channel overdrives in which at least one side is a Klon-style circuit. The Nordvang Wingman V2 is the updated version of the one pedal in the company's roster that features two of them, so it's technically a dual Klone.…Click on the title for more

Pedal Update: Nordvang Wingman V2.0

Ohmless Pedals AKC-4 Overdrive

The Ohmless Pedals AKC-4 is the second attempt by German pedal builder Ohmless at perfecting the Klon Centaur circuit, with an emphasis on versatility. It expands on the original by adding knobs for Bass and Blend (on top of the three ones found on the original: Level, Gain and Treble)…Click on the title for more

Ohmless Pedals AKC-4 Overdrive

J.Rockett Archer Clean Boost

With the Archer, in 2015 J.Rockett Audio Designs released one of the most sought-after Klon clones. In the last couple of years, the Nashville-based manufacturer has been playing on that pedal's format by introducing, first, a pedal combining the Archer's overdrive circuit with a graphic EQ, and now, a version…Click on the title for more

J.Rockett Archer Clean Boost

Jackson Audio The Optimist Drive

Texas' Jackson Audio is one of the few emerging pedal builders that's bringing innovation to an effect niche that lagged behind others in exciting features: the niche of gain pedals. Packed with features and enhanced by clever digital functionality, the company's pedals retain an analog core while widening the player's…Click on the title for more

Jackson Audio The Optimist Drive