Warm Audio Centavo Mod: Honey, I Shrunk the Klon
Warm Audio Centavo Mod shrinks the legendary Klon circuit into a pedalboard-friendly format. Same tone, compact size, gigging confidence.
The Warm Audio Centavo Mod packs the uncompressed, mythological overdrive of the most sought-after pedal of all time into a gig-friendly footprint, proving you don't need to remortgage your house for world-class tone. If you are chasing an edge-of-breakup tone sweetener or saturated rhythm grit, this compact recreation delivers the exact same authentic signal path as its full-sized sibling.
Identical Circuit, Better Footprint
We already have the full-sized Warm Audio Centavo in the studio, and placing them side by side shows the circuitry is unchanged. Yes, the Mod version is smaller, but it adds no features and removes none compared to the original.
A Dinky Drive
Warm Audio retained the 100% authentic signal path—complete with TL072 op-amps, vintage-style diodes, and carbon and metal film resistors—to deliver the same lauded boost and overdriven tones.
The only practical difference is that the Mod version runs only on an external power supply, while the larger version can also be powered by a battery.
The most welcome update is purely physical. The custom-cast enclosure keeps the accurate aesthetic and the custom-tapered oxblood knobs (including that essential dual-concentric gain knob), but shrinks the footprint. It is significantly easier to squeeze onto a crowded pedalboard without sacrificing the premium, true-to-vintage feel of the original design.
It feels solid and well-built, and it should survive touring without issues. Sound-wise, it does that Klon thing well.
I've owned more than one original Klon over the years (I gigged with my silver Klon above for many years; the gold one stayed at home as a backup and for studio use), so I have had the chance to compare two originals side by side. They all sound slightly different, but they do that clean boost thing pretty nicely. Plus, they stack well with other drive pedals and work well for gain-staging, etc.
The Essential "Jeff Beck" Mod
Like the larger version, the Centavo Mod retains the rear-panel MOD switch Jeff Beck famously requested. Flipping this extends the bass response, adding crucial low-end drive and weight on the lower strings.
This is where the Centavo Mod actually outshines the vintage unit it is based on. I regularly use an original Klon Centaur, and while it is magical as a transparent boost, it lacks this extended bass feature.
The Mod switch makes the Warm Audio iteration incredibly useful for pushing a rhythm channel into saturated grit without thinning out the low end.
Furthermore, taking a multi-thousand-pound original Klon to a pub gig is a terrifying prospect. I stopped gigging with my original Klon pedals after they became more valuable than my Gibson Les Paul (and far easier to steal).
At this price point, the Centavo Mod delivers a virtually identical sonic experience that you can confidently throw in the van without the stress.
Read our review of the Warm Audio Dan Auerbach Peach Fuzz and the Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod Chorus & Vibrato.
The Pricing Quirk
One slightly frustrating quirk exists in current dealer pricing. Officially, both the full-size Centavo and the new Centavo Mod carry the exact same MSRP of $189. However, current UK dealer listings—such as Andertons—show the newer Mod version at £189.99, while the full-sized enclosure is temporarily marked down to £159.00.
It is mildly annoying to pay a slight premium for the smaller version on the street right now, but the compact size still makes it the smarter buy for a gigging rig. Hopefully, the street price will drop to match the larger model at some point.
The 'pedal snob' in me prefers the look of the larger version, but this smaller edition is far more practical in reality.
The Verdict: If you want the true-to-vintage experience of the most coveted overdrive circuit without the vintage size—or the vintage liability—the Centavo Mod is an essential, highly practical addition to your board.
Thank you to Warm Audio for providing the unit for review.
- +Authentic Klon Centaur circuit in compact pedalboard-friendly size
- +TL072 op-amps and vintage-spec components deliver true tone
- +MOD switch extends bass response—feature original Klons lack
- +Solid custom-cast enclosure built for touring
- +Top-mounted jacks suitable for working musicians
- +Confident gig option versus anxiety of transporting vintage originals
- −Requires external power supply; no battery option like full-size version
- −Current UK street pricing slightly higher than full-size version despite same MSRP
- −No new features added versus standard Centavo—purely a size reduction
How does the Centavo Mod compare to an original Klon Centaur?
The Centavo Mod uses the identical signal path with TL072 op-amps, vintage-style diodes, and the same resistor types. The main practical difference is size and power: the Mod runs only on external power, while originals accept batteries. The Mod adds a rear MOD switch for extended bass response, which the original Klon lacks.
Is the Centavo Mod good for live gigging?
Yes. Its compact footprint fits crowded pedalboards easily, and at $189 MSRP it's far less anxiety-inducing to transport than multi-thousand-dollar vintage Klons. The solid custom-cast enclosure survives touring, making it ideal for working musicians.
What does the MOD switch do?
The rear-panel MOD switch extends bass response, adding crucial low-end drive and weight on lower strings. This turns the pedal into a saturated rhythm tool without thinning tone—a feature Jeff Beck famously requested and that original Klon Centaurs do not have.
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