Wingman

One might think that acute collecting (those that cost) only affects fans of luxury watches and sports cars. But in fact, it is nothing. Indeed, in a rather strange way, a simple small object, for example... a pedal? Can also become an object of worship (don't bow down to it, it won't solve your problems of premature baldness!) This is the case of the very famous Klon Centaur. This assembly of a few condos and resistors has become, in a few years, the most coveted pedal on the market. Why that? Well first of all, there are few! Then, it sounds very good, it is designed in an original way and then, John Mayer and Jeff Beck and many other reference guitarists play it and... That's enough already!

In recent years, the value of the original model having exceeded common sense (almost 2000 euros), many manufacturers have embarked on a frantic race to offer KLON clones (yes) at more affordable prices and with more or less success. Nordvang took a different approach by basing their Wingman on not one, but two KLON circuits combined and not hesitating to modify the circuit slightly to make it even more attractive. Nordvang therefore kept the original buffer but modified all the OP amps to obtain a stable voltage of 9V in order to work best when the two circuits are stacked.

Let's talk a bit about the interface. Out of the "superb" box provided by the brand, the pedal is impressive due to its dimensions. Indeed, it is roughly the size of two BOSS type pedals. This is explained by the fact that the Wingman is a two-channel pedal, with on one side, Channel A which takes up the specifications of the legendary KLON Centaur, and on the other Channel B which is 100% identical to the Channel A! We benefit from the usual Gain, Tone, Volume controls and a toggle switch to modify the ratio which controls the maximum gain range of the gain stage. Internally you will find a set of DIP switches which will allow you to extend the bass response into the circuit. There is also a last switch on the front that will reverse the order of the two slices as you see fit.

As mentioned above, the two circuits are identical to the originals except for a few details, including the quality of the components. At Nordvang, we only use the best: Vishay 1%, Wima MKP10, MKS4 and FKP2 film capacitors, Vimex knobs, Carling switches, Pure Tone jacks, silver plated teflon insulated wiring, etc…

The KLON, contrary to what many guitarists think, is not really a pedal to be used as an overdrive. It's a pedal that we will adjust with a minimum gain and a lot of volume to use it as a boost. Its very characteristic buffer and voicing will bring a boost of medium and thickness which is the reason why John Mayer and others use it. It really lets you fatten up your sound and cut through the mix by adding just the right amount of gain. Imagine the possibilities when you have two! To get all the quintessence, we recommend that you use it on a "clean" amp with a lot of dynamics and a lot of headroom. We can quote Two-Rock for example.
With the Nordvang Wingman engaged your clean sound immediately becomes more "3D", with a very fast response, a "fat" side, dense, very thick in the mediums which immediately takes you through the mix. It stacks on your clean sound by acting as a "layer" above it, preserving all the original dynamics of your sound, but adding sustain, thickness and fluidity. A bit like having your basic sound and the effect in parallel (this is also how the KLON circuit is designed).

With the Wingman, Henrik Nordvang has achieved the feat of combining high standards, extreme quality and musicality. Nothing is left to chance and you can feel the passion that he put into making this pedal. It's not only an excellent work of electronics, but it's also a kind of purely guitaristic investment through a quest for the best "sound" possible. The Wingman is a pedal of unparalleled musicality, which will allow you to sculpt your custom sound, giving it what all guitarists need: a sound that takes up even more space!