The Mojo Hand Sacred Cow is an overdrive pedal built as a take on the Klon circuit, the "legendary and extremely expensive gold standard overdrive" as Mojo Hand FX itself puts it. The company describes it as an accessible, pedalboard friendly version of that circuit with some added flexibility, and the range runs from a slightly boosted clean sound up to what the maker calls "a nice gain, with some bite, that sits perfectly in a mix"12. Premier Guitar's reviewer, examining the internals, noted that "Texas Instruments op amps and germanium clipping diodes hint at Klon inspiration"3.
The pedal is currently sold as factory B stock at a reduced price, with the standard listing at $179.00 and the B stock sale price at $152.00 as of October 20262.
From clean boost to gain
The Sacred Cow covers the ground between a boost and a full overdrive. With the Gain knob turned down, the Volume control can be used on its own as a clean boost or preamp2. Turning Gain up blends clean boost and overdrive, moving from a slightly boosted clean tone into higher gain territory24. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the pedal produced "nice higher gain tones" and a "big harmonic spectrum," calling it "one of the better fruits" of the many Klon-circuit efforts the reviewer had come across3.
"Smooth and tasty take on the Klon recipe. Nice higher gain tones. Big harmonic spectrum."
The same review flagged one drawback: board mounted jacks at this price point3.
The controls and the Fatty/Lean toggle
The pedal keeps the control set simple: three knobs and one toggle.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Blends clean boost and overdrive24 |
| Tone | Adjusts high frequency level4 |
| Volume | Sets output level, usable as a clean boost/preamp with gain turned down2 |
| 2-way tone toggle | Left: standard. Right: fat, a bit of extra bass24 |
The Tone control is described in the launch press materials as a full range control "that covers everything from darker subdued tones to brighter, chimey overdrive"1.
The toggle is where the Sacred Cow departs from a straight reproduction of the original circuit. Mojo Hand FX says the "Lean" side is basically the standard EQ setting you would expect from a pedal of this heritage, while the "Fatty" side gives "just a touch of extra girth, which comes in very handy when used with lower output, or thinner sounding guitar pickups"1. Premier Guitar's reviewer put it similarly: "Lean settings are 'normal.' Fatty settings, however, lend low-end heft that almost never obscures the pedal's lovely highs"3. The maker notes that how audible the toggle is depends on your guitar, amp setup, and volume setting2.
Guitar Pedal X's roundup of Klon-style pedals noted the Sacred Cow's Fat/Lean voicing switch as an added feature when comparing it against other takes on the circuit5.
Power, bypass, and size
The Sacred Cow runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply or a 9V battery, with neither included, and the maker's guidance is not to exceed 9V2. Current draw is approximately 26mA2, low enough that it is not demanding on a pedalboard power supply. It is true bypass2, and at 4.8" long by 2.62" wide by 1.55" high2 it fits the compact footprint the company aimed for when it described the pedal as a pedalboard friendly version of the circuit1.
Where it came from
Mojo Hand FX introduced the Sacred Cow as a "playful nod" to the original gold standard overdrive, positioning it as a more conventional and accessible alternative to the near-mythological original26. At launch in 2015 it carried a $175 street price1; Premier Guitar's 2025 review listed it at $1793. The company later expanded its Klon-style lineup with the Sericon, a three-gain-control take on the same family of circuits6.
B stock availability
The pedal is currently offered as factory B stock at a discount2.
B stock Sacred Cows may have minor scratches, thin powder coat, or other minor finishing blemishes, but Mojo Hand FX states you will not get a pedal with any major or hideous defects, and that they are in perfect working condition. They come with the original box, box goodies, and a lifetime warranty2.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Mike Hermans
Jack Fossett Guitar
Questions
Is the Mojo Hand Sacred Cow a Klon clone?
It is a Klon-inspired overdrive rather than a straight copy. Mojo Hand FX calls it a pedalboard friendly version of the classic circuit with added flexibility, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted Texas Instruments op amps and germanium clipping diodes that hint at Klon inspiration. The Sacred Cow adds a Fatty/Lean tone toggle the original does not have.
Is the Sacred Cow true bypass?
Yes. Mojo Hand FX lists the Sacred Cow as true bypass, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without active buffering.
Can the Sacred Cow run on a battery?
Yes. It runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply or a 9V battery, neither of which is included. The maker's guidance is not to exceed 9V.
How much current does the Sacred Cow draw?
Mojo Hand FX lists the current draw as approximately 26mA at 9V, which is modest enough for most isolated power supplies and even many daisy chains.
What is a B stock Sacred Cow?
B stock units are factory seconds sold at a discount. Mojo Hand FX says they may have minor scratches, thin powder coat or other minor finishing blemishes, but are in perfect working condition, and come with the original box, its goodies, and a lifetime warranty.
Sources (6)
- Mojo Hand Fx Introduces the Sacred Cow Overdrive, Premier Guitar, 2015-11-17
- Sacred Cow, Mojo Hand FX
- Ringside at the OD Rodeo: 5 Dirt Pedal Reviews, Premier Guitar, 2016-05-31
- Sacred Cow, MojoHandFX
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2019-07-23
- Mojo Hand FX unveils the Sericon, a Klon-style drive pedal with three separate gain controls, MusicRadar, 2021-12-03
