The Caline CP-99 Medusa is a boost overdrive pedal from Caline, a maker of effects pedals. Pedal of the Day describes it as "Based on the ever-elusive, expensive and perhaps over-hyped Klon, the Medusa Overdrive is inspired by, but not a replica" of that circuit. It builds on another Caline product, the CP-43 Pegasus Overdrive, but carries a bit higher gain on tap, letting players get into dirtier, distortion-ish territory as well as boost12.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Medusa uses three controls, and Pedal of the Day describes the pedal as a "golden beauty" that uses them to "exude warm, analog overdrive and boost tones with ease"2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level of the pedal2 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character of the overdrive and boost tones2 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive, from boost into dirtier, distortion-ish territory2 |
The gain range is the main difference from the Pegasus. Where the CP-43 Pegasus Overdrive was reviewed as an excellent clean boost whose Gain control adds natural-sounding overdrive that is very dynamic and sensitive to each player's touch, the Medusa adds a bit higher gain on top of that formula21.
Where it came from
The Medusa belongs to the family of Klon-inspired pedals. The Klon connection runs through Caline's own range: the Pegasus, the pedal the Medusa builds on, was described by Pedal of the Day as "Based on the original Golden Professional edition of the Klon," and that reviewer noted readers may already know of "an excellent Klon-inspired beast called the Pegasus Overdrive"1. The Medusa takes that same starting point and pushes it further into overdrive2.
Build, bypass and price
Pedal of the Day highlights three practical points about the Medusa's hardware2:
- A smaller size than many pedals, in a "durable and stable aluminum alloy shell"
- True bypass circuitry, so the pedal is out of the signal path when off
- A list price of about $65 at the time of the December 2019 review, against the $2,000 pedal it draws on
"where else can you get a fantastic klone of a $2,000 pedal for about $65?"
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review is the published verdict on the pedal. The reviewer grouped Caline's builds and sounds together, writing that "the builds and sounds let them compete legitimately with any builder out there right now"2. On the sound, the reviewer found the pedal delivers warm, analog overdrive and boost tones, with enough gain beyond the Pegasus to reach dirtier, distortion-ish territory2.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
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Vik The Synth Guy | Viktims of Violence 🂿
Questions
Is the Caline CP-99 Medusa a Klon clone?
Pedal of the Day describes the Medusa as inspired by, but not a replica of, the Klon. It is a boost overdrive built on Caline's own CP-43 Pegasus circuit, which the same reviewer described as based on the original Golden Professional edition of the Klon. So it sits in the klone family, but Caline presents it as its own take rather than a straight copy.
Is the Caline CP-99 Medusa true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review of the Medusa notes true bypass circuitry, so the pedal passes your guitar's signal untouched when it is switched off. The related Caline CP-43 Pegasus Overdrive is also described as featuring true bypass circuitry.
How is the Medusa different from the Caline Pegasus?
The Medusa builds on Caline's CP-43 Pegasus Overdrive but carries a bit higher gain on tap, according to Pedal of the Day, letting players reach dirtier, distortion-ish territory as well as the warm, analog overdrive and boost tones the two share. The Pegasus is based on the original Golden Professional edition of the Klon.
How much does the Caline CP-99 Medusa cost?
Pedal of the Day's December 2019 review put the Medusa at about $65, asking where else a player could get a klone of a $2,000 pedal for that money. Prices change over time, so treat that figure as the review-date price rather than a current one.
What is the Caline Medusa's enclosure made of?
Pedal of the Day describes the Medusa as having a durable and stable aluminum alloy shell, in a smaller size than some pedals. The related CP-43 Pegasus is likewise described as housed in a durable enclosure.
Sources (2)
- Caline CP-43 Pegasus Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2019-07-17
- Caline CP-99 Medusa Boost Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2019-12-26
