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Tone King

Tone King
Tone King is an American amplifier company founded in 1993 and based in the USA. Known for their rich, vintage-inspired tones and boutique craftsmanship, they specialize in hand-built tube amps that capture the essence of classic American sound. From sparkling cleans to warm, dynamic overdrive, their amps deliver tone that resonates with purists and modern players alike. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for timeless tone, Tone King continues to honor the legacy of vintage amplification while pushing forward with thoughtful innovation.
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Tone King Imperial Pre

Tri-Tube Preamp Pedal - 3 x 12AX7 - zero watt power amp - phase Inverter, IR, MIDI

The Imperial All-Tube Preamp pedal delivers Tone King’s legendary MKII amplifier’s ‘50s tweed, ‘60s blackface, and vintage British rock tones in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format. It features the exact preamp section and phase inverter circuitry of the Imperial MKII amp, as well as Reverb, Tremolo and Attenuation, resulting in a pedal that sings with harmonic richness and blooming touch response. Powered by three 12AX7 preamp tubes running at high voltage, this preamp delivers the amp’s sound, responsiveness, and exquisite interaction with your pickups and effects. The onboard, low-latency impulse response (IR) loader (per channel), Headphones, easy integration and expansion with your existing gear, and MIDI capabilities, takes these iconic tones into the new era of guitar playing.

Tone King Editor Software

Tri-Tube Preamp Pedal - 3 x 12AX7 - zero watt power amp - phase Inverter, IR, MIDI

You can assign the Reverb, Tremolo and IR to each of the channels right on the pedal itself, making it a powerful and easy-to-use sonic tool. Tone King offers an Editor software, powered by Synergy, which takes the Pre-Amp’s capabilities to another level, allowing you to fine-tune all of the preamp’s digitally controlled parameters and save them in up to 128 MIDI presets. The Tone King Editor software also unlocks all of the Imperial Preamp’s modern control. Fully MIDI-capable, you can save your presets and access them instantly with a MIDI pedalboard controller or the laptop running your entire show. It is the perfect marriage of modern control and classic tube tone.

Greg Koch Demos the Tone King Imperial Preamp Live

See how Greg Koch uses the Imperial Preamp to expand his rig with authentic Tone King tube tone

In this video, guitar virtuoso Greg Koch demonstrates how he integrates the Tone King Imperial Preamp into his live setup to add extra channels and tonal flexibility. Drawing from the rich, vintage-inspired voice of the Imperial MKII amp, this compact tube preamp delivers the same lush cleans and dynamic overdrive in a pedalboard-friendly format. With its intuitive controls, all-analog circuitry, and reactive feel, the Imperial Preamp allows Greg to switch between pristine rhythm tones and saturated leads—all without sacrificing the touch-sensitive response and character Tone King is known for. Perfect for players looking to expand their tonal palette, this preamp is a powerful tool on stage or in the studio.