“We’re talking electronic alchemy,” said the firm. “During a particularly reckless experiment, Tripps implanted these diodes into his Conspiracy Theory Overdrive. In the end, the lab was still standing, and the results were mind-blowing. Smooth, velvety clipping that responds to playing dynamics like you wouldn’t believe.”

In the video below, Bonamassa puts to the test their “ultimate Klon clone” claim through a side-by-side comparison with the original 1995 Klon Centaur. On one end, we’ve got a 6-figure rig of the Klon Centaur, a vintage Burst, and a Dumble set up; On the other, the Deep State with an Epiphone Lazarus Burst and a Fender Sidekick Reverb 25.

As we switch back and forth between the two, Jobo concludes that the pedals sound “virtually identical, and I’m not just saying that!”

He adds that the second-hand market for original Klons “has gotten out of hand,” — a sentiment he believes Klon founder Bill Finnegan would echo – which is why he’s keen to bring an affordable alternative to the market in the form of the Deep State.

“It’s the toolkit,” he says. “We’re sitting here with a Sidekick and a Dumble Overdrive Special and in a roundabout way we’re achieving the exact same thing. We’re trying to debunk this mystery of what it actually takes to get a good sound. You can gig with anything… It doesn’t really matter. It’s the intent and the player behind it all that you can’t forget.”

That said, those interested will have to act fast, as there are only 550 units available for purchase. Each pedal will also be numbered and hand-signed by Bonamassa on the inside.