Klon vs. Maxon OD-820

[Mr. Papa]

I've read the reviews and comparisons on these, but I thought I'd ask if anyone who has A/Bed them or owned them both could comment on how the Maxon OD-820 stacks up to the Klon. Any thoughts?

(I play a Hamer Special with P-90s through a tweed Deluxe clone, FWIW)

 

[jgyn]

There used to be a comparison at the 'Legendary Tones' website, but the article is no longer there. As I remember, it found the Maxon 820 superior.

 

[ReddRanger]

http://www.maxonfx.com/news/lt_od820klon_2004.php

 

[59Vampire]

I had a Klon. Sold it a while ago when I needed cash qand regret it to this day.. It was awesome when used as intended. I have recently picked up a Banzai Cold Fusion. I find it to be "Klon-like" in the sense that it becomes part of the amp, not really an effect. im not sure if this makes sense but when I step on my ts808, malaysian chip, you bknow its on. When I step on the Cold fusion, it just seems to be more of my amp. The Klon was like that. ThAT said, there is only one Klon and it is unique. If you want a Klon get a Klon. Anything else isnt and I dont mean that from a cork sniffer view, its just a unique tool just like the original ts, the dm2 etc.

 

[82 Silverburst]

THE KLON IS NOT AN OVERDRIVE!

Please for the love of god stop comparing it to one.

 

[BobMello]

THE KLON IS NOT AN OVERDRIVE!

Please for the love of god stop comparing it to one.

Then what the bleep is it? Is it a clean boost? It positions itself as an overdrive...at least from what i've read about it.

I still think it's overpriced no matter what it is. :wow

 

[screamingdaisy]

The Klon is a clean boost.

 

[Pearly Grapes]

Apparently the Klon causes you to shout in all caps & attempt to belittle others' questions. It also apparently causes one to jump to conclusions.
While it is true that the Maxon OD-820 is an overdrive, it is *also* an excellent *clean boost*. It therefore warrants comparison to other clean boosts or overdrives.

I have no experience with the Klon, so my assumptions regarding it's effect may be wrong.

PG

 

[gmann]

As a clean boost the Klon cannot be beat. Yes it can be used as a mild overdrive but this is not where it excels. To really function as an overdrive your amp has to already be giving it up a little. The Klon as an overdrive will enhance this. If your amp is running clean and you step on the Klon intending to get some overdrive you will be disappointed. I use my Klon as a clean boost with my Victoria Double Deluxe. I run the amp at just the point of breakup and control the dynamics with my guitars volume knobs. When I solo, I step on my Klon. This has the effect of reaching around and cranking my amp. Used like this, I get great overdrive but it's fm the Klon pushing the amp into overdrive, not overdrive fm the Klon. I get a totally natural overdrive sound this way.

 

[Pearly Grapes]

As a clean boost the Klon cannot be beat. Yes it can be used as a mild overdrive but this is not where it excels. To really function as an overdrive your amp has to already be giving it up a little. The Klon as an overdrive will enhance this. If your amp is running clean and you step on the Klon intending to get some overdrive you will be disappointed. I use my Klon as a clean boost with my Victoria Double Deluxe. I run the amp at just the point of breakup and control the dynamics with my guitars volume knobs. When I solo, I step on my Klon. This has the effect of reaching around and cranking my amp. Used like this, I get great overdrive but it's fm the Klon pushing the amp into overdrive, not overdrive fm the Klon. I get a totally natural overdrive sound this way.

Now *that's* real Rock 'n Roll!! Until you've used a cookin' tube amp "on the verge" that is connected to a clean boost, you just won't understand the control & touch sensitivity that can be had with such a setup.
That just can't be obtained using ordinary "pedals".

My 2c,
PG

 

[screamingdaisy]

As a clean boost the Klon cannot be beat. Yes it can be used as a mild overdrive but this is not where it excels.

That's why I felt that article was a little off. The guy was clearly using the Klon as a traditional OD, which isn't what it's intended for at all. That'd be like me comparing the Maxon OD820 to a Boss DS-1 and complaining about the 820's 'excessive' midrange hump and concluding that the Boss is a way better distortion pedal because it sounds tighter.

IMO.

 

[Mr. Papa]

THE KLON IS NOT AN OVERDRIVE!

Please for the love of god stop comparing it to one.

I know that the Klon is not an overdrive, and I know that the OD-820 IS an overdrive. I suspect Maxon stole some concepts from the Klon and spliced them into a traditional 808 circuit.
I know they are sometimes compared as if they are quite similar, especially by Maxon dealers, and the fact that the OD-820 has a clean boost function is often mentioned.
I know the two have been compared on Legendary Tones, and I suspect the comparison was unfair to the Klon.
I know I have been through around fifteen different dirt boxes looking for a good one, and I am hoping that either the OD-280 or the Klon will finally satisfy me.

And now I know, or at least suspect, that you are one of those dink experts who has all the answers but is too good to help a brother out. I guess I should grovel humbly at your feet, right?

I mean this as tactfully as possible, but get bent, pal. You freakish Klon apostles are exactly the reason I don't trust the hype. And your comments aren't helpful. I've spent years on this site engaged in discussions with people who knew less than I did at that particular moment, and I have never yelled at anybody for not knowing something. And over the years, those people probably have learned more than I know by now.

To everyone else, if you might have an opinion based in experience with the two pedals, boost or OD or whatever, and can formulate an adult English sentence without screaming at me, I'd appreciate your feedback.

 

[82 Silverburst]

Apparently the Klon causes you to shout in all caps & attempt to belittle others' questions. It also apparently causes one to jump to conclusions.
While it is true that the Maxon OD-820 is an overdrive, it is *also* an excellent *clean boost*. It therefore warrants comparison to other clean boosts or overdrives.

I have no experience with the Klon, so my assumptions regarding it's effect may be wrong.

PG

Oh please!

This has been beaten to death, rolled over and beaten again on this and many other forums.

I happen to have a LOT of experience with the Klon as I do with my MJM Blues Devil, one is an overdrive, one is not.
The Klon has it's own thing going on and if you approach it as you would an overdrive you will be dissapointed.

Do a search on Klon here and on TGP, you will get more info on it then you will ever have time to read.

 

[BobMello]

Guys, if a clean boost is what you are after...then I suspect you dont need to spend $300 to $550 to get one from a Klon. Now I preface by saying I have never played a Klon and I do wish I could have the chance (without buying one first and waiting 10 weeks to get it).

I have tried a few clean boosts and the best one to date is the Zvex Super hard On Pedal. It is exactly what you are describing above about pushing the amp harder and not causing unnatural overdrive. As the Klon disappoints in being an overdrive pedal...so will the Zvex SHO.

I also tried the Keeley boosts and felt the Zvex was great. On the Zvex site they are selling one in the scratch and dent for $165...seems like a bargain to me compared to Klon (as a true clean boost).

Now, with this said...the best overdrive pedal I have tried is the Fulltone OCD. This can go from almost clean boost like to heavy rock! :2zone

I should also say I play a LP Standard Premium Plus into either a blues junior (home jamming) or my Mesa Boogie 50W Recto-Verb (single rec) for live stuff. I've played for about 10 years and feel I have a decent ear for tone. Others are certainly more discerning in the ear than I but this is truly my opinion and not meant to be spam or advertising for these brands...no affiliation here.

If someone wants to loan me a Klon, i'd love to compare it and review it here! :wail

 

[slammintone]

:2cool My Demeter Tremulator is the best clean boost when you turn the Depth control to zero. On top of that it's the best trem pedal when you turn the Depth control up!:headbange

 

[59Vampire]

Guys, if a clean boost is what you are after...then I suspect you dont need to spend $300 to $550 to get one from a Klon. Now I preface by saying I have never played a Klon and I do wish I could have the chance (without buying one first and waiting 10 weeks to get it).

:wail

Not to beat this any further but a trAditional cleaN boost and the klon do not function the same way.My Klon would be as one with the amp asnd my Auralux clear gain "slams" the tubes differently.

 

[jrr]

can't talk about the klon...and the Legendary Tones evaluation did make the 820 look good to anyone who read it..nose-to-nose to the klon....but i can talk about the 820 because its been on my board for 3 or 4 years now,and its staying there(i like it so much i bought a second 820,just for the long haul)...its a great sounding pedal that can do clean boost and overdrive in a topnotch way...the spec is when the 820's drive is turned to minimum,it kicks into an 18 volt mode(ala klon,apparently)...,using an internal stepup transformer...you can actually hear it kick in..more headroom...when you turn up the drive it becomes more compressed like a tubescreamer with some important differences,LESS midrange hump than a traditional TS...and the tone is more transparent than a trad TS.It lets the wood through sonically,instead of covering up the tone,which imho,some tubescreamer types do(coverup the tone)...the 820 simply doesn't screw with your amps/guitars natural tone...my 2 cents worth...

 

[59Vampire]

just saw one of these on harmony really cheap!

 

[Texsunburst59]

can't talk about the klon...and the Legendary Tones evaluation did make the 820 look good to anyone who read it..nose-to-nose to the klon....but i can talk about the 820 because its been on my board for 3 or 4 years now,and its staying there(i like it so much i bought a second 820,just for the long haul)...its a great sounding pedal that can do clean boost and overdrive in a topnotch way...the spec is when the 820's drive is turned to minimum,it kicks into an 18 volt mode(ala klon,apparently)...,using an internal stepup transformer...you can actually hear it kick in..more headroom...when you turn up the drive it becomes more compressed like a tubescreamer with some important differences,LESS midrange hump than a traditional TS...and the tone is more transparent than a trad TS.It lets the wood through sonically,instead of covering up the tone,which imho,some tubescreamer types do(coverup the tone)...the 820 simply doesn't screw with your amps/guitars natural tone...my 2 cents worth...

My exact sentiments. I had an early Klon and after A/B-ing them I preferred the 820 hands down.8^)

 

[Mr. Papa]

JRR and TexasSunBurst:

Thanks for your comments--this is the kind of thing I can use. I have an OD-820 on the way, and I am seriously considering saving up a little more change to get a Klon, to do my own A/B test and post the results, but I haven't decided.

jrr: When you say the 18V step up kicks in at minimum drive, do you think it tapers off all the way up the dial as you increase drive, or does it just click on and shut off altogether somewhere on the dial?