JHS NOTAKLÖNFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 59 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment81%
PROS 81%
CONS 19%

Rank based on 59 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable, authentic-sounding Klon-style pedal
  • You enjoy a fun, low-risk solderless build experience, alone or with kids
  • You want an entry point into DIY pedal building without soldering

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a full manufacturer warranty on your pedal
  • You're uncomfortable with any risk of injury from snapping PCB pieces
  • You want the full satisfaction of a true from-scratch DIY build

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
JHS NOTAKLÖN
Strong value for the priceFun, accessible DIY buildClever marketing and IKEA-themed packagingNo standard manufacturer warrantyCould inspire copycat DIY-kit exploitationScalping inflates resale prices
JHS NOTAKLÖN
Strong value for the price
Fun, accessible DIY build
Clever marketing and IKEA-themed packaging
No standard manufacturer warranty
Could inspire copycat DIY-kit exploitation
Scalping inflates resale prices

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Buyers consistently call the $99 price a great deal for the tone you get. Many commenters compare the NOTAKLÖN favorably to pricier Klon clones ($120+) and the original Klon (thousands of dollars), calling $99 reasonable given the larger enclosure, extra parts, and packaging involved. Several note it would likely have cost $150-200 if sold fully assembled. Scalpers reselling it for $200-500 are called out as the real problem, not JHS's pricing, which most feel is fair and not greedy.

The solderless build is widely praised as a fun, accessible project. Commenters describe snapping together the spanner-shaped PCB pieces and applying the goop as genuinely enjoyable, comparing it to Lego or model-building. Several bought kits specifically to build with their kids, appreciating that no soldering skill is required. Some frame it as a gateway that could spark deeper interest in electronics or pedal building, especially for newcomers or children without access to tools.

A few practical concerns temper the enthusiasm around the kit. Some commenters flag the lack of a standard warranty as a real drawback for a self-assembled product, though others feel JHS's customer support would likely still help with major issues. One commenter warns that snapping the PCB apart can draw blood, urging buyers to be prepared. Others worry the DIY-kit approach could be copied by other brands purely to cut costs or skirt warranty obligations, without offering true value.

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