J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Ikon

Transparent overdrive

Before you buy this pedal, please think if it as a clean/slightly overdriven/overdriven pedal in your chain. It is best used with this in mind, the maxed out distortion vibe is not the best use of this pedal.

Excellent sound and diverse range in tone.

A great Klone, but too expensive

Ordered this because every semi-serious guitarist needs a Klone.

Pros:

+ Sound very close to the original Klon

+ Beautiful golden design

+ Awesome transparent overdrive that deserves a place on most pedalboards

+ Very flexible: can go from (very lightly flavoured) boost to ballsy gainy tones

Cons:

- The Wampler Tumnus is essentially the same pedal, except smaller (mini pedalboard!) and 50 EUR cheaper & just as beautiful.

- No fabric pouch to store it in, which the Tumnus does come with.

Amazing pedal.

If you're looking for a clone of you-know-what or for an amazing pedal that can go from clean boost to creamy overdrive and everywhere in between, THIS IS IT.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.

I use it as an always on, just barely dirty boost to drive my signal to the amp and into my other overdrives.

Very recommended.

Oh, and it's buffered bypass, excellent if you're running a bunch of true bypass pedals after it.

Cuts too much bass but sounds musical

This one cuts too much bass, much more than the silver version (I have both). But I find its OD sounding more pleasant and musical than the silver one. It sounds honky, a bit like a cocked wah pedal, I can hear a prominent peak in the mids. It is very dynamic and has a high input headroom. Buffer is ok (better than that of standard Boss pedals). Built (and weighs) like a brick.

Total flavour

The Rockett Archer Ikon has been for me one of my top pedals. And for a simple reason. It's just that good.

It's one of my first in the chain and I use it almost as a preamp. At 11 it gives that small but surely dirty bite, still clear but enough to be really substantial. The good thing about this pedal is its playability. All through the neck there is no loss and no sagging in tone. It is simple There! You can control the brightness and the grit as to your pleasure but the importance of this pedal is really its presence.

If you're looking for an all out overdrive, this is not for you. Pushed to the max it is more of a crunch dirt sound but all so smooth. It is simply delicious and can be used in all variety of genres, it will inspire you.

Essential equipment

I use my Archer for my second-stage drive sound and it never fails to deliver.

K Sound at its best

It is just a true reconstruction of what you would expect, the K sound(klon).

Truly inspirational, singing, rawring voice.

One point for those who are not familiar with the "klon sound", it is full of mids,decent high and not so much bottom end. Do not go for that pedal if you are looking for basier heavier sounds, it is not supposed to that.

Rockett Ikon vs. Klon KTR

Very, very close to the Klon KTR, just a little sharper sounding to my ears. If the Klon were unavailable I'd get one of these.