J. Rockett Archer Ikon & Gold Klon Centaur Comparison

[@lukeingram7655]

FYI, I have taken apart an Archer ikon and gone through the circuit part by part with klon schematic in hand, it is IDENTICAL to a klon gold centaur all the way down to each components position (R1,R2,R3, etc). Wonder why they sound so alike here? Let me say it again, they are part-for-part the exact same circuit with the only difference being the Archer is part smd construction.

[@shortwhitejew]

I find it hilarious how many people think the minute differences between the two is somehow an actual negative. If the Ikon were released when the Centaur was and made in the same quantities, it would be the legend today.

[@crazyuncleduke9]

Great comment. Apples and oranges as far as what I heard. Price and footprint is the selling point of either one.

[@Gabrielarbizazuluaga]

Nah... it wouldn't... you dont notice the big difference.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

+ARBIZA power trio My ears do.

[@Gabrielarbizazuluaga]

Miguel Baptista yeah! right? one is static, the other is always flickering, evolving... same thing with the amp simulators. they take ONE picture and its still. the magic of tubes is that the electricity fluctuates in small degrees...

[@slpsteve2618]

+1 ;-)

[@tremoloking7566]

Very well done comparison. Differences - where there are any - are very subtle and I would estimate completely negligible in a live setting.

[@Dorito1080]

In my opinion, the Archer Ikon sounded ever so slightly brighter on the high end. Just barely. But they are pretty damn similar otherwise. Fantastic!

[@michaelinglis8516]

EDIT: You gotta remember Klons are pretty simple to clone, if your hearing differences its because its such a "transparent" pedal that interacts with your amp and guitar to make its tone rather that having a tone of its own. Most any clone will be just as good. Just built a Klon Clone that cost me $49 and it sounds excellent. I wont be taking it off my board ever, its that good. And building it was really really easy.

[@alphakittyofficial]

I bought an Ikon (from the good folks at PGS), and all I can say is that if you love the sound of a Klon, you'll love this pedal. Thanks to Andy and all involved for providing a great sounding pedal at a reasonable price. By the way, I'm not a shill for PGS or Rockett.

[@steveo44]

Very close indeed. Any difference is probably due to resistor and capacitor tolerances. You can't account for this without sending a fortune on low tolerance components. Great video

[@macsarcule]

This was super helpful to hear, just in trying to decide if the Klon tone (regardless of builder) is something I'm interested in.

[@kevinabernathy5894]

My ears detected just a touch more girth and mids with the Centaur. It's definitely worthy of its reputation. But I'll be absolutely honest with you, the Rockett Archer sounded pretty darn good, too. Although I must also admit I'd be inclined to stack the Archer with another great low gain OD pedal like a Timmy to help it get closer. A recording artist friend of mine owns the Centaur told me that straight up, of all the Klon clones on the market, the Archer is the closest to the Centaur he's heard. That's saying something. Great review, Andy.

[@andystephenson5407]

did he have an opinion on the tumnus

[@kevinabernathy5894]

Nope. He didn't comment on any of the others, but he did imply he had played just about all of them. I'll say this for the Tumnus, I own one and I'm never getting rid of it. It shines when driving an already dirty amp, or to drive another low-to-mid gain OD pedal. I wouldn't say better or worse than the Ikon, just different.

[@richardlecomte4874]

I never even tried a klon until last week when i traded a ts9 for one. Let me tell you something. I run the klon into a fulltone fat boost and it's the best tone ever. It also pairs really well with the univibe. My univibe has never sounded so good. Running into the ts9 it didn't do much for me.

[@hawg427]

I'll just buy 5 Archers now, wait 10 years when they are no longer made and resell them at $1K each ;-) Great pedal for sure.

[@socialdef3]

hawg427 buy food and supplies instead, no one will have use for guitar pedals when TSHTF

[@BonafideToolJunkie]

@@socialdef3 ... musicians prioritize gear before food. I thought you knew this. lol

[@philipketchum9001]

After playing many klon centaurs I can tell you that no two centaurs sound the same. That being said no klone will sound exactly like some of the original klon centaurs. The sound of the archer ikon even though it's a part for part klone will sound closer to the centaur they used to voice the ikon.

[@63caster]

I am neither for or against the Klon, it is what it is but listening to the riff played at 2:18 on both guitars perhaps illustrates the mid girth the Klon provides. when you play one live you can feel tthe tactile feel and what the pedal does to your sound, very addictive. that being said, I am all for someone else nailing the circuit.

[@blueznjazz123]

My reactions: 1. Hey! FINALLY Andy played stuff that wasn't beyond my rather limited skills! ;-) THANK YOU! lol ;-) 2. IMHO, the real Klon sounds a bit more open & refined at all settings...a bit more 'air' that makes it sound just a tad more natural. Also, it was less compressed & more harmonically complex. The Klon Clone (Archer) sounds as if it's mids are scooped out a bit & the extremes in the frequency range truncated. Now, when making the comparison via a medium with limited audio fidelity, I am splitting the thinnest of hairs. In a live setting or back in the mix of a studio recording, it would be much harder (if not impossible) to differentiate between the two pedals. So, kudos to J Rocket for producing a great pedal! [now we know how well can a Klon clone clone a can? lol]

[@edadpops1709]

Wow a little status quo, what ever you want , tossed in there, from the knebworth concert I believe. Loved that green tele.

[@agarfield2004]

Yep. They're both great overdrive pedals. I'd be happy with either.

[@dan-btt3541]

Sorry, but I'm not drinking the Klon-aid. So you're really going to tell a $2300 difference when the drummer and bass kick in?

[@bluesguitarman7770]

+Dan Salotto Agreed. Do not drink the Klon-aid!

[@Erukulon]

They're only going to go up in value over the years so it's a worthy investment and conversation piece if you have the money to spare.

[@davebolden4355]

even Bill Finnegan himself says that he didnt start all the hype right on the ktr chassis. archer is fine for me

[@bmcash3411]

Dave Bolden his marketing helped drive up the prices.

[@davebolden4355]

i dont see how. he does not benefit one penny for the resale of the old klon units. what does he stand to gain?

[@mikefitzgerald844]

The Klon is definitely nicer to my ears, slightly more beefy and warm, but definitely not worth the cost difference.

[@eyedunno8462]

The Klon DOES sound slightly better, but it's all a wash once you're playing loud both succeed completely at their mission

[@DerpRulesAll]

They both sound superb. The fact that the Archer is the equal to the Ikon in every way gives it the 'win.'

[@gordontubbs]

They both have a sort of VOX-ish charm to them. Kinda like the way the Top Boost channel sounds when cranked, but not so much glassiness. I think they were both very close to each other. The Ikon definitely gets you the "Klon sound", but the Centaur does have some depth and low-frequency harmonics going on that the Ikon doesn't have.

[@karlhenrikarendt]

There's a difference, but not sure which one I like the best.... and we have to remember youtube sound is never the best quality. Maybe the difference is bigger or smaller IRL. Andy has anyway the ability to sell me any pedal he plays ;-)

[@valentinsnackers9879]

So similar in the clean settings. The more gain there is, the more differences appear. Honestly the real klon sounds a little warmer on these settings : less spiky top end (almost disturbing at times on the Ikon) and nice warm bass... Andy's smile doesn't lie about that at 4'44.

[@clintwhite3021]

May be just the the settings (or the iPad speaker :) but I'm hearing more lower end growl and body from the Klon whereas the JRA it's a more upper mids focus with the grit... Anyone? Both sound amazing. What's the closest Klone someone has found?

[@michaelinglis8516]

I just built a $49 clone that sounds spot on. Its got balls(as in its ability to work as a clean boost) just like a real klon and is very very transparent. The tone control sounds right and im keep finding myself favoring it as a boost (just like a real Klon lol!)The way the pedal reacts is just like a KTR, but i cant say for an original but its close enough and sounds so good i could give two shits if i ever saw a real Klon or KTR Klon again. I know you probably think im full of shit but Klon circuits are not that complicated theres no reason they should ever cost more than $150 tops(and thats only if its a clone with extra features or something). Most of the components are very cheap also. Its all hype. I just built the clone to get to know the circuit but it sounds so good its permanently on my board and i have A LOT of pedals fighting for a position on my board.

[@michaelinglis8516]

Also you gotta keep in mind Klons are very "transparent" so if a clone sounds different its highly likely its the amp and guitar/pickups that person is using. A Klon forces your amp to sound different by boosting it(by using the level control which adds gain and level) or by warming up the tone an adding gain without as much extra level by using the gain control(which is why a tone control is really useful). So its not like other pedals where it has its own sound really. An accurate clone is more about how it feels and how it changes your tone than how it sounds.

[@RodrigoRamirez-eq6gj]

I closed my eyes when listening to the clips, just looking for a second to check if I had guessed correctly. I couldn't tell the difference.

[@jacobswaim449]

This is a much better deal, sounds just like it without taking up the area of a city block on your pedal board which I think is the best part. Klons are very bulky and take up a ton of room.

[@TheProgGuy]

With some gain on them, the Klon is slightly warmer compared to the Archer which is slightly brighter. Hard to notice on KZbin with their compression, but (probably) better noticeable in person. My purchase would be the Archer, obviously due to how expensive the Klon pedals are.

[@wezzlyn]

With the higher gain, I can't hear a difference, and I'm typically pretty snobby about tone. Lower gain, there is definitely a big difference, but it's negligible at best with the gain up.

[@FormulaQ]

Ikon is clearer/thinner. Centaur has a shimmery grit in the midrange that's just hard to beat. Sounds great

[@wladdaimpala88]

Centaur sounds kinda like the tone knob is rolled back a notch. Which is nice, but I like that you get a little more bite with the Archer. That low midrange is sweet when you're playing alone, but in a mix or with a band may not shine through.

[@zafira976]

The Klon is slightly more focused and the Ikon has got a more open sound as well as a bit more clarity. It sounds a bit like a refined Klon. Even if I wouldn't take the price difference into account I would still go for the Ikon, it's such a good pedal...

[@TheJofrica]

Smart setup; Ikon sounds a bit thinner

[@iagobroxado]

TheJofrica or the Klon sounded more midrangey and boxy and the Archer sounded more open and crispy.

[@TheJofrica]

Iago B I liked the warmth of the Klon, the Archer seemed just a tad bit brittle imo

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

Ikon is a tiny bit glassier on the top end.

[@iagobroxado]

FallaciousScotsman Yeah, I hear that too, and the Klon has a little more midrange/lower midrange thing going on.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

Iago B Also, I don't know if anyone else heard it either, but the Klon sounded like it had a tiny bit more compression. That might be from the little boost it has in the midrange.

[@soundknight]

The klon also has a more traditional sounding bass with a flatter shape where as the icon seems to have a little bass hill.

[@lucamoqi]

FallaciousScotsman Yeah bro, that's what I thought too. The Centaur's got a little more "humph, while the Archer is glassier as you said. Both sound great, though.

[@guitargeek57]

FallaciousScotsman I agree - there's a bit of sparkle on the top end. Its truthfully hard to choose between the two. I think it comes down to budget and preference. I'd like to see a comparison between the Archer and the Soul Food. I know there are some out there none by Andy.

[@hansvl1363]

Best part of my pedal board, J. Rockett Archer into a J. Rockett Archer Ikon. Love the tone of the stacked combo. it's a small diffrent between the Gold Klon and Gold archer, believe me you dont hear that on stage or in the mix. Lovely video tho

[@Relicsun]

Klon is smoother and warmer, you will only know the difference when you use both pedals in recording studio but when playing live there's not much of a difference.

[@wgb01001]

Didn't think I'd say this, but I think the Klon is a tiny bit better. $2,000 better?... No.

[@iagobroxado]

wgb01001 And you could probably make them even closer with the right amp/pedal EQ.

[@alphakittyofficial]

Exactly what I was thinking. The price difference is huge but the difference in sound is no big deal. The Ikon is gonna piss off people who shelled out big bucks for a Klon.

[@orlock20]

Iago B If one stacks pedals, it doesn't matter due to too many tone changing variables. What does matter is if the tone is what you are going after. also, if one is playing live and going through a mixer, it doesn't make a difference when it comes to a close match due to assigned frequencies by the sound guy.

[@runrabbitrun4342]

wgb01001 Your In Bubble, Ha the boy in the bubble I just talked to him how bout that!!

[@JeremyDore]

Walter Franklin Try making sense, I know it's hard on the internets, but the rest of us appreciate it...

[@absinha6209]

The Ikon seems a touch brighter when used as a boost, otherwise pretty damn close. A scientist would recommend a blinded shootout which, I am sure would defuse the "$2K tone snobs" opinions. Just sayin' Awesome job Andy as always. May have to get the Ikon!

[@RBolognese]

I just ordered the archer icon pedal.

[@npinero1]

The ONLY question: is the difference worth $1,800 more? I Really don't think so. Just like I would not buy the gold apple watch. What for?!

[@johnmarquez333]

The Ikon sounds killer. How about a comparison between the Ikon and the silver Archer?

[@hawg427]

John Marquez I think the Gold one is a special PGS model only.

[@swardmusic]

I hope pro guitar shop swapped em cause that would be awsm to read the placebo effected comments. Put 2 original klons together and they would sound just as different lol. Changing your pick or pick position from the bridge would also have just as much tonal change as this.

[@christianboddum8783]

The midrange of the Klon makes it the winner for me.

[@Beizeiten78]

One thing nearly all Klon clones lack, even the KTR, is that certain something in the low/mids. In most, if not all, comparisons, that meat in the lower range is always missing. In a band context probably doesn't matter, and not worth $2,500, but it's definitely part of the legendary tone.

[@Skoall69]

They both sound the same to me. I like them both.

[@aum3.146]

Color me impressed. What a clone! The Klon Centaur is better,(instant classic sound every time), but not five to six thousand dollars better. Good work Archer!

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

I think I heard a bit of Status Quo in there!! Just a great band that never became as popular over here as they should have.

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

I did forget to mention how much I love that pedal. I have both of them,and there is a pleasant difference comparing the two.I'm a big fan of both.

[@thankfullife7968]

I think I’m going to get one of the J Rockett version but ya Andy makes everything sounds great.

[@thankfullife7968]

What Tune of Status Quo was that. Listened to them smokin weed as a teenager in the late 70’s. Killer band !!

[@jacobvddoes4121]

@@thankfullife7968 whatever you want

[@gbyrnes77]

Pretty close. Good demo.

[@jasoncaliguri516]

what is the volume set to on the DRRI for the demo? my archer doesn't seem to get that dirty unless the amp is also breaking up.

[@blackmanops3749]

In this video we compare the tonal differences between the three most iconic guitars Fender Strat, Fender Tele and Gibson Les Paul...turn up your earbuds to truly discern the nuanced detail.

[@1977raider]

As of now in Nov 2020 an original Klon is $4,500 ! Nearly double over the last 4 years!!

[@jjzuc]

Just bought an Archer Ikon and it's a killer pedal. Sounds a lot beefier than this vid.

[@mattsnyder4754]

There's a teeny bit more beef in the Klon. It's hard to hear. In fact, the only reason I can tell I because when I listen on my phone, the case vibrates a little more lol.

[@ThunderDashHub]

The centur seems to have a tiny bit more punch when acting like a clean boost.

[@TheVigilantStewards]

That's annoying the old klons still sound better than the archer and ikon because they sound more even, full, and open. With a good compressor like a Cali76 or Empress or gain stacking would you be able to achieve that tone? It's not a specific tone I'm chasing for the originals, but they sound good no getting around it and would like to mess with that sound. Or could you have rolled the treble off a little more on the archer and raised the gain a little bit more to match the sounds better in the video?

[@superbeast3000]

Listen to the riff he plays at 2:48 ... The Klon just has a certain "3D" factor that the Ikon doesn't quite have. They both sound great though!!

[@runrabbitrun4342]

Curtis Ulin Curtis, Oh Curtis, I do Believe you have it backwards little buddy, He kicks on the iklon @ 2:48 So you in fact love the iklon don't forget it, it has a certain 3D quality as you put it!!

[@superbeast3000]

I was talking about the riff that begins at 2:48 and how much better it sounds when he plays it the 2nd time through with the Klon rather than Ikon. Not that the part happening at exactly 2:48 is the best part, I have eyes I can tell which pedal is on.

[@runrabbitrun4342]

Curtis Ulin Your right the change is really at 2:57, If you really can hear a change your a super hero, Cause you picked one of the spots where its impossible to tell the difference of all the changes on this recording. You should be working for the military with ears like that. You can detect changes that nobody else can.

[@superbeast3000]

That's just my opinion. I own a real Klon and currently have an Ikon on the way when I need a little extra space on the pedalboard. They're both great, to my ears there's just a little something there that the Ikon doesn't have. That and the Rawkworks Light OD are the closest I've heard to really nailing the sound of the Klon. At stage volume these differences are nearly impossible to hear if at all audible. but they are there.

[@JeremyDore]

Walter Franklin No need to try and belittle the guy because YOU can't hear something. Not his fault you don't have the equipment to perceive the difference. I can detect the change as well as most of the people that spend high dollar to get a real Klon. My condolences to you... "little buddy".

[@bobtaylor5932]

First of all, well done as always. While listening to this demo and some of the clips a few times, I think I prefer the Klon a bit more. I hear something a little different/special in the mids and lower mids, while the Ikon seemed to have just a tiny bit more top end glass... ... but put this in a band mix with me playing guitar, it won't matter for me if it's a 3-piece at the bar or something like the Joe Bonamassa "big-band" type of deal selling out the Royal Albert Hall. I doubt I hear a difference, or really feel much of a difference. Just me, though.

[@walker2010ist]

The Gold Archer Ikon is My Favoite

[@1977raider]

Very close! Wampler has one close too

[@giovanniwitjamulia467]

what happen if the sound buffered twice?

[@davidkieltyka9]

Way into cork sniffer territory for me. :) Not a knock on this vid…enjoyed it. IMO the 2 pedals are as alike as any 2 samples of any pedal design. I own multiples of some things so I'm not just imagining. I bought an Ikon a few weeks ago & really like it as a volume boost/mid enhancer. The small size is a big +. Unless you've gotta have the Right Brand it'll do the job.

[@igorflea]

This Redtail Tele has a strat neck pickup? Btw,great comparison!

[@FakeProfOak]

What exactly do these pedals do? How would you categorize them?

[@donkeydarko77]

Boost/Overdrives.

[@hypnolobster]

They sound exactly the same. I suspect that a home built version with the whopping $40 in components needed would sound exactly the same too.

[@Fr0stbyte89]

Kirby Weldon I'd argue that they do sound extremely similar, but not quite the same. And yes, the bill of materials for one of these is much cheaper than the retail price, but that's true of any pedal. The people making these are running a business, not doing it for fun, so on top of the material costs are labor and other manufacturing costs, as well as markup (profit) for the producer, distributor, and retailer (PGS in this case). This shouldn't be a surprise to anybody; the price of material goods is NEVER equal to the bill of materials.

[@johnheath970]

Ok please make one and sell it for $40.

[@budgetguitarist]

Kirby Weldon They sound very, very similar, but not exactly the same. The biggest problem is KZbin - the mediocre audio and compression decreases the sound quality of the video, so it's not a real accurate representation of what things actually sound like. I've heard amps that sound killer in a room and bad on KZbin, even with good mic technique.

[@TheJamison76]

+budgetguitarist.com I totally agree with most of what you said but a guitar amp in a room and a guitar amp mic'ed up are two very different sounds. If you were to put your ear on the speaker you would find that the mic'ed youtube tone is very close the original sound of the amp, you might go deaf doing that though.

[@paulsguitarstudio126]

First off, in general I dislike "shootouts" because their are infinite variables to consider. You can have great pedal w perfect components and the same pedal be sort of mmhhhhh. This is a better example of these two. JRAD knows the circuit as they worked w Finnegan on the KTR version Klon. That being said all these Klon circuits are an attempt to replicate the circuit of an old pedal. Obviously you cannot get the guts the dual pot Klon in small box, so it is not the same. Can you make it sound the same? Yes I think you can and the Ikon and a few others are as KTR close as you are going to get. I have an Ikon right after my comp pro and a marvelous rare Klon copy, PE Aluminum Falcon II end of my chain. Never sounded more glorious. The Klon circuit and all important buffer make anything before or after it BETTER!

[@Danh103663]

Andy, I want to know about that G&L legacy -- seems to be your number one guitar? Tell all! year, special features, how you came to have that guitar?

[@klepetar]

i just got one..and it;s a darn different animal that what i have used throughout the years..lemme get used this.but it's fantastic for soloing..

[@geronimocorrea]

Two distinct and amazing tones!

[@robertgibbs7296]

I hear lots of comments on the tonal differences which could be fine tuned with a good EQ pedal to help match them up. However, what I have noticed with a lot of these clones are that they're missing that initial string attack - it's taking the front of the note off. The Klon is one of a few pedals that gives you the whole note when listening to a lead piece, it's very subtle but it's why the Klon sounds more alive. If they are the same components inside then I can't work out why the Archer also suffers from this? Btw I think the Archer is the closest to the Klon from what I've heard. Good review!

[@robertwallace7213]

I can hear a very slight difference and I like the J. Rockett Archer and the price is much better!..

[@pietrosmusi3081]

2:53 song??

[@leddyzeppy]

Status Quo - Whatever You Want

[@bayougtr]

Whatever you want 2:50

[@steveiliev8912]

No-no-nooo! Can’t compare like that! That Centaur’s being opened! IMPORTANT THING! If You decide to put a centaur pedal amongst the gold bars in Your portfolio, make sure it has NEVER being opened up! Because once factory air comes out.....! :-(

[@zaxapitsa]

The words we use to describe sound... it's hilarious. I just found out about the myth. I don't know and I don't care, because it doesn't matter. Pedals geeks need their Golden Fleece. Let us have it. It's fun.

[@laciludas2944]

The hole clon thing is a hype. But , if you have $4500 for the pedal and $20 for lipstick than enjoy. Life is short .

[@moehuh]

The Klon has more low end. That's probably the only difference

[@TheVigilantStewards]

Why does the klon sound softer to the pick but have more clarity to the notes without being brighter? It sounds more natural

[@James57AOL]

after more than a year on my part, I ve come to hear the differences in my ear of some of the dynamics of each pedal. Though not sure how the buffer affects each. In the sense of double buffering and what is a double set up one to an amp without being inline with each other. The way it POPS, the decay at the end of the note, or chord, the top end fullness and the bottom end warmth, all within the last 12 months have come to be defined, more readily with certain parts of this video. I sure those who have much more time with these than my recent involvement can define it much easier. It was the original cost of the first generation klons that influenced my look at this to begin with. And the wampler more recent entry into the similar characteristics I m not as much as the differences are compared to in these tones, a person who goes after these type characteristics as demonstrated here, though if it were that the tones I do like may be built from these and made more jazz influenced with a different type of additional modification for what I may deem as either 6l6 or el 34 or el84 tube tones.Much more recently, I v taken a interest in el 34 tone in amps and after I listen to amps that are modified from el 34 circuits to a more dumble response tone from the likes of Phaez amps and a variety of builders who modify original circuits builds to give them more individual tonal characteristics, I find that these pedals can do a type of tone in a different alignment to what Dumble type tones and these. Forever the want of a specific tonal characteristic rather than the pedal adaptions. The more modern tones of this day, I do suspect were developed from this type of pedal appreciation of past decades along with the change in popular music genre all given to make versatile and boutique tone attainable. In respect of whether it can be heard at a given time, the consideration should be examped in respect or in relationship to the who plays it and when is it a time that it would be a noticed difference? My thought was hat the only reality to make a difference is against the board, whether it be in the studio or the sound board of the club you play in....The ability to cut the bass and the drum with tone passages is always a consideration against these two instruments and the guitarist. It would be the solo, the melody against the rhythm in the mix and the fills all have a small to be heard necessity in the big picture. I try to keep my information low key, but the differences here are always met at the mixing, or the sound board of any music that has importance enough to be heard by the audience of recorded type. or in the bars and the arenas even in the bedroom if your cutting heads against the backing track. All very definable with the tone eq of the amps or the monitors or the stereo player. These are the considerations that all but a few here in this review are making reference to. A good ear, and the most realistic reasons pedal builders, amp builders and guitarists all take the time to build, select and modify tone.

[@benwillard2998]

Snoozzzzzzzzzzzzzze please make him stop!

[@bartni]

for my ears the archer is too harsh and that makes the difference

[@kdrake777]

Sales must not be what PG expected or they overproduced, cuz they are really pushing those pedals.

[@orlock20]

kdrake777 The gold model is a Pro Guitar Shop exclusive using the same model number components of the original pedal it has tried to copy. Pushing exclusive gear is done by every store.

[@redshark9179]

I think the real Klon is a little less compressed which makes it more open sounding, That is is why the perception of more bass and mids. The Ikon has a tiny bit of "tube screamer syndrom". Still the Ikon is a great pedal. Very close!!!

[@TheJonRuth23]

Man, that Centaur really sings. The mids are stunning, and it's simply more musical to my ears. However, the ikon sounds great for being like 10% the price of the Centaur. lol

[@vikingbluesbreaker729]

It’s sad that it’s actually closer to 2.5% lol

[@stratagize]

The Archer has a hair more sparkle but the Klon is throatier/richer sounding....could just be that the Treble knobs were not matched up as well as you thought they were.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Nice pedal, but... 2:30 is a perfect of how natural and clean the harmonics on the Centaur sound, and how thin and dirty it sounds on the Archer.

[@elephantricity]

To my ear, it seems like the real thing has more body.

[@stratagize]

+Alex Padilla definitely. the word I used to describe it was "throatier"

[@9unslin9er]

+Alex Padilla I can't believe that Bryce prefers Van Patten's card to mine.

[@davebolden4355]

the trick is to watch it with your eyes closed

[@benwillard2998]

I call BS! of course unless you own one, then I can understand why you had to say that.

[@benwillard2998]

Dave Bolden. Hear Hear! Exactly! otherwise the klon owners will all say the Klon is better.

[@lending99]

Archer Ikon all day long....Klon totally overrated for the money, they both sound great

[@OP-ts7kh]

Wtf are you doing playing Status bloody Quo Andy?!

[@davidjameschamberlain]

Klon Centaur isn't true bypass. Biggest middle finger to pedal snobs ever

[@JeremyDore]

David Chamberlain True-bypass isn't the end all and be all if you have a long signal chain. Pedals with good buffers are well regarded amongst pros and people that know anything about guitar rigs and the different set-ups possible. The Klon has an AMAZING buffer and most pros just leave it on all the time anyway. You don't need true bypass when it is always on...

[@stratagize]

+Jeremy Dore Exactly Jeremy. Cheap chinese buffers are bad. Good buffers can be quite useful in a chain...as are true bypass pedals...but you have to understand the proper way to run your board in order to get "the tone"...simply saying that "this pedal has a buffer so all pedals with buffers are great" is quite ignorant. Cascading a bad buffer into another bad buffer into another bad buffer will KILL your tone...just as having a board of 10 True Bypass pedals will ALSO kill your tone. Most people don't understand the science behind the TB vs. Buffered pedal debate.

[@JeremyDore]

I did say, "pedals with good buffers" so what are you complaining about? I properly understand how to build a pedal board but thanks for trying to prove me wrong when we actually both agree. Were you just feeling contrary yesterday? ;)

[@stratagize]

Jeremy Dore Dude...I was agreeing with you...and explaining to the OTHER guy about properly building a board...calm down

[@JeremyDore]

I wasn't upset, hence the ;), I wake up feeling contrary sometimes so I wasn't judging. :) Plus I was highly un-caffeinated when I read that. Googles notification system is a little weird to look at in Chrome. Oh and... you wanna sell that Super Reverb? JK :D Modded that beauty any? Love those old silver faces with the point-to-point wiring, great for stage but I bet your neighbors hate you.

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

Definitely not hearing a $1000 or more difference. Plus if it’s stolen I could easily buy another.

[@randallabracadabra]

No question, the real Klon wins.

[@Jim71]

I'd never say a Klon was worth those $$$$, but all these clones (including this one) don't sound as good as the original. Just my opinion.

[@Gabrielarbizazuluaga]

The ikon sounds dead, thr klon sounds alive. The ikon sound uniterestig to the ear. The klon makes my ear and brain take interest. The ikon sound is fix, it doesnt change or evolve, is always the same, in the klon sound there is something flickering and twinkling like the twinkle of a star that always keeps your ears interested.

[@ppppapy]

I'd have to agree with this, reluctantly because it's so damn expensive.

[@Gabrielarbizazuluaga]

Peppy Peng Thank you i tought i was the only one. I think the analog components makes the electricity and flow variate constantly and it gives it "life" the same with vinyl, every time ypu play it it sounds a little different to your brain

[@markferguson3745]

"And the buffered signal",- Uh huh, that's what I hear.For this particular sound, a buffered signal works; to me , the whole Klon phenomenon is a touch thing, the sound itself not being mind blowing.But I'm really trying to hear why anyone would drop thousands on it.

[@hockeyman2274]

Don't hear much of difference, if at all.

[@subjectt.change6599]

Near enough as makes no difference.

[@bv9434]

What would be the best way to remove that lame looking archer guy from my sweet archer pedal. Without hurting it too bad of corse

[@jessetate9701]

Real men play Les Paul’s lol

[@jackbenson8228]

archer a bit sterile to me

[@steelydan146]

FACT NOT OPINION: There is absolutely no difference between the 2 pedals. There's no getting around this FACT whatsoever!

[@lucianos1990]

im so sick of klons! clones, copies and comparisons all over the place. I dont even like the sound of a klon

[@micahemerson388]

Centaur sounds warmer, definitely better. But at the end of the day, let your wallet decide.

[@MsAsmodious]

The Centaur took a piss on the archer.

[@IgorHatesEverything]

I think they both sound terrific, but one is $3,000 at this point and one is $200. This is stupid. There's no reason to spend $3,000 on this.