The Caline CP-70 High Chief is a dual overdrive pedal: two separate but similar overdrive circuits housed side by side in one bright orange enclosure. With the two circuits together, Caline's budget line covers sounds from boost to low gain to borderline distortion, and each side can be used on its own or stacked with the other1. It comes from Caline Technology, a maker Pedal of the Day describes as pumping out affordable but quality pedals1.
Two overdrive circuits side by side
The High Chief's layout is the point of the pedal. Each side carries the same control section, with Volume and Tone knobs on both, and the drive control differs between them: the left side features a Drive knob, while the right side boasts a Clean knob in that same parameter slot1. That gives you two independently settable gain stages in one box.
| Control | Side | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | Each side | Level for that circuit1 |
| Tone | Each side | Tone shaping for that circuit1 |
| Drive | Left | Sets the drive amount for the left circuit1 |
| Clean | Right | Sets the drive amount for the right circuit1 |
Because the sides are independent, the combinations are where the pedal earns its footprint. Pedal of the Day describes using the two sides individually or together1:
"Use these two sides individually if you need, one for a clean boost and a low drive, one for a mid-gain drive and one"
In practice that means one side set low as a boost into the other set as a mid-gain or heavier overdrive, or each side used alone as its own single overdrive1.
Sound and what reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review describes the High Chief as seeking to conjure up tones reminiscent of the classic and spendy King of Tone from Analog Man, placing it among the affordable takes on that dual-overdrive format1. On the sound itself, the review says the transparent tones keep the original signal intact but become enhanced and bold when needed1.
The reviewer's verdict on the pedal as a whole was positive on value and build1:
"The transparent tones make sure your original signal stays in tact, but becomes enhanced and bold when you need it to."
The review also notes that the Overdrive and Clean knobs create a versatile array of sounds to experiment with, for loads of sonic options1.
Build and bypass
The pedal sits in a high-quality aluminum alloy orange shell enclosure, which the review describes as a durable, stable piece of gear1. Switching is true bypass, so the review notes your signal stays up to par when the High Chief is not engaged1.
The High Chief is one of several dual-format pedals in Caline's range. If you are comparing Caline's two-in-one overdrives, the Caline CP-84 Honeycomb Tone Overdrive is a single-circuit alternative in the same affordable line.
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Questions
Is the Caline CP-70 High Chief true bypass?
Yes. The High Chief uses true bypass switching, so when the pedal is not engaged your guitar's signal passes through untouched. Pedal of the Day's review notes that the true bypass circuitry keeps your signal up to par when the High Chief is switched off, which matters on a pedalboard where the pedal may spend much of its time out of the chain's sound.
Can you use both sides of the High Chief at the same time?
Yes. The two sides can be used individually or in combination. Pedal of the Day describes setups such as one side as a clean boost with a low drive, or a mid-gain drive paired with a heavier drive. Because each side has its own controls, you can set them independently and stack them for a range of gain levels.
What does the Clean knob do on the CP-70?
The Clean knob sits on the right side of the pedal, in the same slot where the left side has its Drive knob. It sets the amount of drive on that side, letting the right circuit run from a cleaner boost-style response up into overdrive, while the left side's Drive knob does the same job for its circuit.
Is the Caline CP-70 based on the Analog Man King of Tone?
Pedal of the Day's review describes the High Chief as seeking to conjure up tones reminiscent of the Analog Man King of Tone, the well-known dual overdrive it resembles in layout. The review frames it as an affordable take on that style of pedal rather than a copy sold by Analog Man.
Who makes the Caline CP-70 High Chief?
The High Chief is made by Caline Technology, a maker known for affordable pedals. Pedal of the Day, reviewing the CP-70 in November 2019, described the company as pumping out affordable but quality builds, and called the High Chief an inexpensive but quality build with great sound.
Sources (1)
- Caline CP-70 High Chief Overdrive Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2019-11-28
