Guitar Journal: Klon Lawsuit Dismissed
New Maybach T61 Custom revealed
3,7 / 5,0 | 
This week, we look at the news that the Klon Centaur lawsuit against Behringer has been closed, then we check out the new Maybach T61 Custom models, which are due out very soon. Finally, luthier Ken Parker has lost his battle with cancer.
Klon Centaur vs Behringer
It looks like he court case against Behringer has been dropped by Klon Centaur maker Bill Finnegan. Court documents posted online this week have now confirmed the lawsuit’s dismissal, and so we must assume that either an out-of-court settlement has been agreed upon.
Zentara
Or, that Behringer has changed their clone of the Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal enough to satisfy the dispute. Behringer has rebranded the pedal, the Zentara, and has placed a different graphic on the front of the pedal, along with their own name.
Centaur
The original release was very close to an original Klon Centaur pedal in terms of the graphics and had the Centaur name. This is what caused the original court case in the first place, a case that has been dismissed by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
I would say that this court case was probably good publicity and free advertising for both parties, as it has been talked about on guitar forums for months.
If you want one of the new rebranded versions, then they can be ordered now at Thomann, priced at $68/£59/€69, which is a lot more affordable than an original Klon Centaur Overdrive in 2025.
Maybach T61 Custom
Maybach Guitars has shared the news that their new T61 Custom (T-Style) models are now available in
Moondust (grey), Cosmic Wine (purple), Papaya (orange), and Dark Wasabi (green) finishes. Each one also has light ageing applied to the nitrocellulose finish.
Key Specifications
Features include an alder Body, a flamed maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, and a Maybach T-Tune Bridge, with a set of LeoSounds Maybach Special pickups.
As of yet, they are not listed on the Maybach site. If you want a premium T-Style guitar in an exclusive finish, then these are certainly worth checking out. They come PLEK’d and set up to perfection, along with a hard case and a certificate of authenticity.
They should be available very soon at Thomann, with the Moondust and Dark Wasabi models available to order now, priced £2299/€2650 each.
Ken Parker
Last week, the news broke that Ken Parker had launched a GoFundMe to pay for his cancer treatment. Unfortunately, Ken lost his battle with the disease over the weekend just gone and passed away peacefully at his home in Gloucester, MA, on October 5, 2025, with Susan Kolwicz by his side.
He will be remembered for his Parker Fly design and his later work on acoustic guitars, which followed the same innovative designs and ideas as the Fly. He was a humble man and much-loved in the guitar community. Everyone I knew who had spoken with Ken always commented on how helpful he was and how generous he was with his time and his vast knowledge.
Ken’s Final Statement
Hi, I’m Ken Parker, and I’ve been building guitars for as long as I can remember. Throughout my life, I’ve done something that I love and am proud of—making guitars that advance the art, science and craft of building far beyond traditional methods. Most importantly, it has been a true joy and especially gratifying experience to see my guitars in the hands of all of you gifted and aspiring players, and I thank you for that opportunity.
In early 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has slowly been debilitating me. It hasn’t been easy living with this nasty disease, having chemo treatments that zapped my energy and slowly took away my ability to earn a living. Now, I’m on a breathing machine 24/7, and I’ve started to lose the use of my left arm. I humbly ask for your support to reduce the medical and personal debt that I’ve incurred and to help with my family’s expenses.
I know times are tough for all of us, and I sincerely thank you for any support that you can offer.
With sincere thanks,
Ken Parker
GoFundMe
At the time of his passing, Ken Parker’s GoFundMe for cancer treatment had raised $134,000 towards its $450,000 goal. You can still donate money, as his treatment has left a large debt, and they will need to raise money to cover the costs.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time, and if you would like to donate to help with the medical expenses, the link is below.
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