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Posted by: SixStringSamurai May 27 2014, 07:44 AM

I had to get on the Soul Food train, considering how much buzz and excitement it's been generating. My friends at the local EHX distrbutors were kind enough to indulge me. If you haven't heard, the Soul Food is a new pedal that is based on the legendary, and very expensive Klon Centaur, at a really affordable price point.

Here's the write-up, along with a demo vid that takes you through its various tones, as mangled by yours truly: http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2014/05/25/ehx-wars-episode-1-soul-food-or-return-of-the-klons/

http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2014/05/25/ehx-wars-episode-1-soul-food-or-return-of-the-klons/

Posted by: PosterBoy May 27 2014, 10:27 AM

Nice TGP burn in there!

Posted by: klasaine May 27 2014, 04:20 PM

The EH 'Soul Food' sounds really good, regardless of how little it costs. But ...

1) They're not that uncommon. They just not made all the time.
2) If you wait for a batch of 'new' KLONs they're only $269 to maybe $300 - normal boutique prices.
3) The K pedals are not transparent or amp-like ... BIG EQ shift in a klon (unless the 'gain' is all the way down - and even then there's a little mid bump).

I have a KLON. In the vids the soul food, though very cool, doesn't do the same thing that my K does.
I like the soul food. I might get one.

*Klon is the company name (Klon LLC run by one guy - Bill Finnegan). The pedals are either called Centaur or KTR.
Some of the other things about K pedals that never get mentioned is how bullet proof they are. Super high quality control switches, knobs, pots and jacks (you'll almost never hear about a K breaking - I never have and they've been made since 1995). The lay out of the parts on the board is designed to reject as much RFI as possible (same thing with Pete Cornish fx, Strymon, Demeter, etc.).

Posted by: SixStringSamurai May 27 2014, 09:50 PM

I feel like you've misunderstood the point of my using those words.

I've clearly stated that I've never played a Klon Centaur, and know nothing about them. But in my personal experience, a lot of boutique pedal fans blindly buy clones of a Klon, and believe the word of mouth passed on from other guys who have never played one, and the most commonly used terms to describe almost ANY hyped boutique drive is "transparent". Everyone wants their stuff to be as "transparent" as possible.

And as with any hyped gear, there is always going to be a difference (perceived or otherwise) between the *original* and the current production run. So I don't think I am wrong to say that an actual, original Klon Centaur would command high prices.

And thank you for teaching me that Klon is the company name. I surely didn't mention "Klon Centaur" multiple times as the name of the pedal Thing is, there's only one iconic Klon product, really, so it's not unreasonable to use artistic license to refer to it as a Klon

Posted by: SeeJay May 28 2014, 12:24 AM

I think it's a rad move. EHX has been killing it with the new pedals.

I think I mentioned it before, but the Tone Tattoo is a cool combination of pedals they make.





I've asked at my local shops, but they can't keep the Soul Food in stock. There's also some cool mods out there.

Check out the JHS mod.

Posted by: SixStringSamurai May 28 2014, 03:58 AM

Wow, commercial mods ALREADY? That must be some sort of record.

Posted by: Becca May 28 2014, 05:35 PM

I really like that demo. No farting about. This is how it sounds like this.. like this... then, like this. Excellent stuff Samurai. I have a great respect for EHX peds got three on my board already and if it wasn't for the Rothwell Tornado, then this would have been my fourth. Looking forward to some more reviews. Thank you.

Posted by: SixStringSamurai May 29 2014, 08:26 PM

Thanks Becca! Appreciate your feedback. I'm slowly finding my way into the world of video making, having avoided it for quite awhile!

Posted by: SeeJay May 29 2014, 09:08 PM

Just watched the video on your site. I don't think this kind of pedal is meant for straight clean sounds. (I don't think anything is meant for super clean sounds in my opinion). It needs a little dirt to work with. But I do like how you showcase the pedal!!!

Posted by: SixStringSamurai May 29 2014, 10:38 PM

The next clip (when I find some time to do it, anyway) will be to showcase just that - the Soul Food pushing a slightly driven amp. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I think it's important to explore the uses of gear in ways that aren't traditional or the norm. So what if everyone uses it to boost a raging amp? You could potentially find your own unique tone running it into a clean channel, so why not try both?

Posted by: SeeJay May 30 2014, 03:21 AM

Oh totally! Keep up the solid work. I might PM you about your site.