Can We All at Least Agree that $3000 Is Too Much for a Stompbox?

So this is dumb. I mean, look, I really try to be non-judgmental on this site. “All-inclusive” I believe they call it. But is anyone going to seriously pay $3000 for a distortion pedal?

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It’s a vintage Klon Centaur. Klon is one of the grandpappies of boutique pedal manufacturers. They made about 8000 Centaurs back in the day but like many similar beloved small instrument companies, the long hours and low profit margins eventually caused the Klon to close its doors.

Now you can find a rare early model on eBay for 30 Benjamins. It’s extra pricey because it’s gold and there’s a “horsey” on it, and we all know the market value and stability of gold… and horses.

And I get the nostalgia. You likely never bought one of these when they sold for $350 or whatnot. And perhaps no other pedal sounds “exactly” like it. But I’m curious, dear reader. What kind of disposable income would you need before you dropped three grand on one distortion pedal? What sized collection of other, more reasonably priced $150-$400 boutique pedals must you have already amassed before this seems like the next logical step?

I don’t necessarily wish the people involved in selling, or possibly buying, overpriced vintage collectors items any serious ill will. But maybe I hope they get a really big pimple. Like inside the nose where they can’t pop it.

Written by

Chris Alfano has written about music and toured in bands since print magazines and mp3.com were popular. Once in high-school he hacked a friend's QBasic stick figure fighting game to add a chiptune metal soundtrack. Random attractive people still give him high-fives about that.

Latest comments
  • Because people are stupid Chris.
    Because people are mouthbreathing idiots.

    • People like Coldplay and Voted for the Nazis, you can’t trust people…

      • Those are minor, minor faux pas. People still vote for Republicans, Rob. That’s the real crime that people perpetrate.

        • Nazi’s < GOP… Wow- thanks internet.

          • The nazi’s at least had some great Humanitarian policies! Republicans actually hate all people who draw air.

      • Hmm… Little “Peep Show” action?

  • Hahaha, no way.

  • Does it sound really good? Will it sound so good that it will make up for my amateurish playing? Just curious.

  • Will that centaur switch actually make my guitar sound like a centaur? If so then it’s worth every penny.

    • That’s just dumb mate, it obviously turns YOU into a centaur

      • Fuck man, you are making this a real bargain. Who doesn’t wanna be a centaur? You got that horse thing between legs and being one of a kind in the world, yeah man.

  • Bro. I wouldn’t wish the nose pimple on my worst enemy…

  • This pedal is going to be on the cover of the new issue of Cork Sniffer magazine.

  • Does it fit up my butt? That’s about all I care about concerning anything.

    • Good one.

  • Fuck a pedal, I would rather go for a natural sound, or just distort the amp.

  • It’s a collector’s item, nothing more. You’re paying for the sentimental/historical value, not the superb quality.

  • I wouldn’t spend more than $300 on a dirt pedal.

  • Hahaha a colleague of mine bought this thing for around 6000 SEK = 580 EURO

  • So wtf with this, I mean you can get the distortion of the amp but I know that we always need a distortion pedal but with $3000 bucks I can get a decent car instead of a unnecesary $3000 bucks distortion pedal…
    Seriously if you need money and you buy this: You are frickin idiot
    There are no aristocrats who play rock

  • Collection? Nah this will be my first pedal, before I even buy a guitar.

  • It looks so fucking ugly anyway. You don’t need a flashy looking pedal, so why would you pay the extra money to get a gold one that looks like a spray-tanned rectum anyway?

  • I’ll stick w/ my RAT thanks.

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