This will be an interesting pedal – the Electro-Harmonix Soul Food. This is a natural sounding, uncompressed overdrive/clean boost, and according to EHX, is inspired by the infamous Klon Centaur. Here was a snippet from the EHX Facebook page
Tone aficionados kept telling EHX’s Mike Matthews about a pedal that had achieved a lot of buzz because it was only obtainable at an exorbitant price. That pedal was the KLON CENTAUR. A believer in bringing great tools to starving musicians, Mike tasked his trusty team to create an affordable alternative, and that is how the SOUL FOOD was cooked up.
The original gold and silver Klon Centaur’s can be found in the $1500 range (which is absolutely insane) and some say has become a status symbol of sorts. Last year, Bill Finnegan came out with the Klon again called the Klon KTR with a few modern improvements (verdict is still out if it has the same tone, but again, you can find KTRs for $500+ on eBay). So, EHX decided to make their own version of a nice transparent overdrive/clean boost with specific focus on tone. The Electro-Harmonix Soul Food will be available in mid-January, but you can pre-order it at Musician’s Friend. It’s a little cheaper than the original Klons.. only pricing in at $62.81!
Here is a great demo showing what the EHX Soul Food is all about:
Let me know what you think about the Electro-Harmonix Soul Food by commenting below. Also, do you have an opinion of the original Klons? What about the KTRs? Love to hear what you think!
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11 years ago
I have a Walrus Audio Mayflower on the way so, I listened to some Klon vs Voyager and vs Kalamazoo last night. You get close. However, I believe the Klon was better in a trebly defined way. I do own a Kalamazoo, but no Voyager or Klon. If, I had the money and a lot more (mega millions tonight!), I might spring for a Klon; esp., if I could try it out.
As an example, let me tell you about my experience today. First, I always now use my Tim Pierce Signature OD’s Power Amp section based on the Naylor 60’s Power Amp section before all my pedals. That Power Amp section should be a stand alone pedal. So, I have a JHS Surpo Man that some consider a clone of the Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive. I just got in a Bearfoot FX Honey Bee. I’ve heard both the MP SWOD and the BFX HB sound the same and don’t sound the same. Don’t know. With all knobs at noon, the pedals were close. But, the Honey Bee had an overall defined trebly-ness that maybe was more appealing. They were close though. However, when I maxed out the knobs and threw the ‘voice’ switch to dark on the JHS clone, I got ripped up hi fi, lo fi ripped shredding speaker sound. I think that may have more gain besides being darker and the ‘power amp’ pushes it too far.
And yes, I put the BFX HB into the JHS clone, and it was good too!
So, nothing may ever beat a Klon; even a new Klon. But, you’ll get close and when and if you hit the lottery — go buy the Klon!
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11 years ago
I want to add that the fact the EHX Soul Food fattens up the tones, may be a good thing; esp. with some Stratocasters . . . . I don’t think that’s what the Klon does from my online listening last night. However, the EHX Soul Food may be a fine pedal; esp., for the dollars. It may be no Kalamazoo or Voyager or Mayflower; but, it may be what it is and that may be fine too. I might even pop for one after I pay down my Christmas gear buying splurge and Thanksgiving brake job!
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11 years ago
I’m trying to do a trade and if not, I’m ordering a Soul Food also. I would check Gearmandude’s videos. I think it’s close to the Klon KTR, but not so the Silver Klon. The KTR seems thicker like the Soul Food. The Silver has just a touch more clarity ‘between the stings’ and sweetness.
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10 years ago
What is it with Americans demonstrating Distortion & Overdrive pedals. Its always ” lets try this at lo gain” bollocks. Why can’t anyone just show it playing big riffs on a hi gain setting, then we d have a better idea. I mean your wouldn’t demo a Ferrari in 2nd gear would you?
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