The Colombo Utopia Overdrive is a 3-voice, hand-made, analog overdrive from Colombo Audio Electronics, a maker based in Italy. It follows the company's Via Lattea Overdrive, and its central idea is a three-position mode selector that changes the pedal's whole overdrive response, not just its gain level: Vintage is inspired by the Ibanez TS808, Hot by the Klon Centaur, and Ultra is an original mode with no clone behind it1.
Controls and the three modes
The layout is deliberately simple: three potentiometers and the mode selector1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Overdrive | Sets the saturation amount; the 3-position mode lever acts to completely change the overdrive response1 |
| Tone | Works on the high frequencies; low values generate warm and thick sounds, high values can reach sharp and incisive sounds1 |
| Volume | Sets the output volume; Hot mode offers more output volume than the others1 |
| Vintage/Hot/Ultra switch | Sets the mode1 |
Vintage delivers a tone in the style of a TS808: warm, not overly distorted, with abundant compression characterized by symmetrical clipping and the typical mid bump. If you know the Tube Screamer family, this is the voice that speaks that language1.
The Tone knob works on the high frequencies: at low values it generates warm and thick sounds, while at high values the sound can reach sharp and incisive territory1.
Ultra is a non-clone mode that recreates the effect of an overdrive pedal connected to a distorted amp, achieved by reconfiguring the second stage of the pedal. In practice it is a stacked-drive sound from one box1.
Power
The Utopia works with the typical 9V battery, and Delicious Audio calls it well suited for smart plug and play use on that basis. The current draw is only 20mA, which is low enough for battery power and for sharing a supply with other pedals1.
Made in Italy, and made to order
Colombo builds the Utopia completely handmade in Italy1. One point worth knowing before comparing it with mass-produced overdrives:
Like all Colombo Audio Electronics pedals, the Utopia is completely customizable, and the price can change based on customization requests1.
That also means two Utopias need not be identical: a buyer can request changes, at a price that reflects them1.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Mike Hermans
Questions
How much current does the Colombo Utopia draw?
Delicious Audio lists the current draw at 20mA, and notes the pedal is well suited to plug and play use with a typical 9V battery. That low draw means it sits comfortably on a pedalboard powered from a standard supply, and the battery option makes it easy to use without a power supply at all.
Which mode on the Utopia is based on the Klon Centaur?
Hot mode is the one inspired by the Klon Centaur. Delicious Audio describes it as having a creamier and more transparent sound with increased output volume and more present upper harmonics. Vintage mode instead takes its cue from the Ibanez TS808, and Ultra is an original design rather than a clone of either.
Where is the Colombo Utopia made?
The Utopia is completely handmade in Italy by Colombo Audio Electronics. Delicious Audio describes it as a hand-made, analog overdrive hailing from Italy, and it follows the Via Lattea Overdrive from the same maker.
Can the Colombo Utopia be customized?
Yes. Like all Colombo Audio Electronics pedals, the Utopia is completely customizable, and the price can change based on the customization requests. That makes it unusual among overdrives, where buyers normally choose from a fixed set of options.
Sources (1)
- Colombo Utopia Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-29
