How does one buy a Klon KTR?

RaymondLin

Just opened my other Klone, it has this "special" diodes too!

Nerine

I’m not sure my playing would sound better recorded, or to an audience if I swapped out my Keeley TS-9 for a Klon or KTR to boost my Small Box with. 

The price of these things is literally stupid. So is the hype. 

Fuck it, I’ll sell you my Lovepedal Kalamazoo Spanish Gold if you like. £500. 

PGS Andy made one sound exactly like (shot them out) a Klon on a PGS video back in the day. 

ICBM

Ah, but the special diodes aren't just any special diodes... they're special special diodes. Not all ones of the same special type sound the same, it's only the ones in the batch that he had in the first place which he used in the original pedals. Which have run out now I think.
















I also have an interesting historic bridge in the classifieds, if anyone's interested.

UnclePsychosis

So do I understand this right?

The originals sound so good because they have magic diodes and that's why none of the copies sound as good, even the ones that have their own source of magic diodes...

... But now that Bill has run out of magic diodes it's OK because through the power of magic he's been able to build a pedal that sounds identical to the original anyway.

Even in the world of pedal snake oil that seems like a tough sell. Genuinely - have I interpreted this right? 

RaymondLin

UnclePsychosis said:

So do I understand this right?

The originals sound so good because they have magic diodes and that's why none of the copies sound as good, even the ones that have their own source of magic diodes...

... But now that Bill has run out of magic diodes it's OK because through the power of magic he's been able to build a pedal that sounds identical to the original anyway.

Even in the world of pedal snake oil that seems like a tough sell. Genuinely - have I interpreted this right? 

You got it correct.

Apparently, the words "THESE ARE ESSENTIAL" on the PCB on the KTR is sarcasm and a joke, yet the interview with Premier Guitar he said the diodes are special and important and only he has them.

Anyone else who claims he only has a stash of these special diodes and no one else is lying, remember that he started in 1994, way before the internet has taken off like it is now.  Not every store has a website.  What likely happened was that he bought all the stock for these diodes from a local supplier in the city and the supplier told him there are no more.  There is pretty much ZERO chance he called every supplier and distributor in his State, nevermind the United States, nevermind the Continent of North America, nevermind the rest of the world.  To check all that in 1994...impossible.

So the diodes are NOT special, he can make them sound the same without them now, and he is also selling his 001 (which is actually no.17) to fund house repairs.

I read that he is super nice and generous with people and i can believe that but it sure is not a very good businesman.  He can use the handful of diodes he got left, make them once and month and drop them on eBay and sell it for £2k easy.  I am not sure he needs to give us reasons everytime he sells a Klon now, either to fund medical bill for a friend or to fund house repairs.  He doesn't own people a reason at all why he is selling them, just make it, people will buy it.

slowpilgrim

Arguably it is those same reasons that are driving prices up though right?

ICBM

slowpilgrim said:

Arguably it is those same reasons that are driving prices up though right?

I would guess we're somewhere in the Mania Phase at the moment.

slowpilgrim

i'm going to make that my wallpaper

crunchman

At this moment in time, I kind of regret selling my KTR several years back.  However, I'm perfectly happy with the Wampler Tumnus Deluxe I have now.  I think I actually prefer it to what I remember of the KTR.

slowpilgrim

the less time spent thinking about what your gear is worth, the better!

TeleMaster

I’ve bought and sold a few of these. They’re good but spending £250 for a clean boost is a bit silly in my opinion. I wouldn’t use it as an overdrive over a Keeley 1962x. It’s another completely overhyped pedal. 

ICBM

If you’re using it as a clean boost then the magic diodes aren’t actually doing anything anyway...

TeleMaster

‘Magic’  

UnclePsychosis

ICBM said:

If you’re using it as a clean boost then the magic diodes aren’t actually doing anything anyway...

I think that's my favourite part of the whole story.the 'best way' to use it doesn't even need the magic ingredients!! 

Lonewolff

This Reverb ad is worth a read, explains it all really well.

https://reverb.com/item/44278446-klon-ktr-first-run-low-serial-magic-diodes-professional-overdrive-pedal-centaur

AntonHunter

Lonewolff said:

This Reverb ad is worth a read, explains it all really well.

https://reverb.com/item/44278446-klon-ktr-first-run-low-serial-magic-diodes-professional-overdrive-pedal-centaur

Amazing. I'd buy it just for that if, y'know, I needed to get rid of some cash in a hurry or something. 

Philtre

Sold prices on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=ktr+klon&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

slowpilgrim

yepp.. haven't moved at all since the announcement 

octatonic

Philtre said:

Sold prices on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=ktr+klon&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

None of those sold after the announcement that Bill has to make the new KTR's with different components.

Reverb has more up to date pricing.
I agree, it is crazy.

prlgmnr

ICBM said:

slowpilgrim said:

Arguably it is those same reasons that are driving prices up though right?

I would guess we're somewhere in the Mania Phase at the moment.

Someone should make an overdrive with this frequency curve.