The Fredric Effects King of Klone is a two-channel dual Klone overdrive pedal: two identical full klone circuits cascaded in a normal B-sized enclosure, which the maker sizes by comparison with an MXR Dist+1. Fredric Effects describes it as featuring "two highly sought-after boutique overdrive circuits," and suggests using one channel for boost, one for overdrive, or having one on all the time1. It sits in the overdrive and boost territory covered on the Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals pages.
How it relates to the Zombie Klone and Golden Eagle
Each of the two stages of the King of Klone is, by Fredric Effects' own description, the same circuit as its well-regarded Zombie Klone1. The Golden Eagle, the maker's single-channel take on the same design, is described by Fredric Effects as "The best Klon clone" and as "a 100% accurate electronic clone, with nothing added or removed from the original effect"2. In other words, the King of Klone is effectively two of the maker's klone circuits in one box, while the Golden Eagle is the one-circuit version.
Other makers build single klones too: Acorn Amplifiers offers the Another F#%king Klon Klone, a handmade overdrive the maker calls a "Faithful handmade version of everyone's favorite mythic overdrive"3. The King of Klone's difference is the two-channel format rather than the circuit itself.
Power and practicalities
The King of Klone runs only from a DC supply: Fredric Effects states it is "Powered by standard center-neg DC jack - no batteries!"1
Because each channel keeps its own charge pump and buffer intact, the pedal carries the full circuitry of two klones rather than a simplified dual build1. That matters for power planning: it is one pedal drawing on your supply for two complete circuits.
Demos
Fredric Effects links to a one-minute demo by Regent Sounds, and a demo of the pre-production prototype also exists1. Both are short demonstrations rather than published written reviews.
Videos
timhulio
Joe Perkins
petey twofinger
Questions
Does the King of Klone take a battery?
No. Fredric Effects states the pedal is powered by a standard center-negative DC jack and takes no batteries. Plan to run it from a pedalboard power supply rather than a battery clip, and note that because each channel contains a charge pump, a supply with enough current headroom is the sensible choice.
What power jack does the King of Klone use?
The King of Klone uses a standard center-negative DC jack, the same type used by most modern pedals. Fredric Effects is explicit that there is no battery option, so a DC power supply is the only way to run it.
Does each channel have its own buffer?
Yes. Fredric Effects says the King of Klone combines two identical full klone circuits with the charge pump and buffer intact in each one. That means each of the two stages carries the complete circuitry of a single klone, cascaded in one enclosure.
Is there a demo video of the King of Klone?
Yes. Fredric Effects points to a one-minute demo by Regent Sounds on its product page, and a demo of the pre-production prototype also exists. Both are short looks at the pedal rather than full reviews.
Sources (3)
- King of Klone, fredric.co.uk
- Golden Eagle, Fredric Effects
- Another F#%king Klon Klone, Acorn Amplifiers
