King of Tone pedal. Gig Tested.

[Telenator]

I used my new KoT pedal last night and I'm very impressed with it. It is advertised as being able to make a clean amp sound like a dirty amp at reasonable volume levels, and it sorta does that, kinda. I'm not real impressed with that aspect of the pedal though.

Where this pedal really seems to shine is in the area of a clean boost and adding a little hair to amp that is already on the verge of breaking up. In this application the KoT pedal adds a sweet, thick boost that is nearly transparent except for the enhanced low end response it gives the amp. When I use this pedal together with my modded TS9, I get a fat, thick, screaming solo tone that sounds better than anything I have every used before!

I also enjoy using the pedal to thicken or accent certain parts of songs. And it comes in real handy when I'm soloing and the band starts to get loud. In the past I would just tough it out with my TS9 and get through the solo. Now, I just kick in the clean boost on my KoT (on top of my TS9) and essentially, go to "11."

This pedal is a bit subtle at livingroom levels and it's true character doesn't come through until you're at a gig. When it's in it's element, it totally shines and is very useful.

As a traditional OD pedal, I'm not particularly amused. Not for the way I play and set up my gear. It seems that this pedal would work great for a little amp like a Champ that is already on the verge on an aneurism. Kick in the KoT and make it bleed! It seems like it may work very well in that application. Not for me.

The affect it has on my sound is quite transparent yet very effective. An extremely useful tool for a live gigging player. Worth the price of admission.

 

[Telenator]

No King of Tone fans here?

 

[andrew]

I am a fan of the sound cips I have heard from that one site of Mike's, and I am on the waiting list, but just not thrilled with your review. LOL

I wanted you to say this thing had tone for days no matter the volume level, and it played your guitar for you!!

Still waiting for that day when I get the email.

 

[ruger9]

It's hard to get excited about a pedal that you know you won't be able to own for years- unles you want to spend $1000 on ebay for one. I'm on the waiting list, but my name won't wome up until late next year, I expect.

Sounds like a cool pedal- altho I don't like the whole "the amp has to be cooking for the pedal to sound great" part... my FD2 is like that- great at volume, sucks at home. I don't need another one of those...

 

[Big John]

Sounds like a cool pedal- altho I don't like the whole "the amp has to be cooking for the pedal to sound great" part...

+1 !, when my amp is at that 'cooking' stage i don't NEED a pedal !

I am wondering about a 'sparkle drive' though.................

 

[Telenator]

The cool thing about this pedal is that, if you don't like it, you can sell it for more than it cost you!

There are plenty of OD pedals out there that will get you what you want if a simple OD is what you're after. I'm not particularly fond of this pedal as a stand alone OD as much as I am about the way it supports my TS9 and the the way it adds 3 very useful gain levels to my sound.

I play primarily through a Rivera Chubster 40 which has a very Fender-like channel and a very British sounding channel.

The KoT pedal has two OD sections that can be used seperately or together. (3 choices) The left side is a clean boost/mild OD, while the right side has a little more rasp to it.

Using this pedal, I can set my sound up as follows:

Rivera on Fender-like channel, right side of KoT pedal gives me just a little bit of grit through the amp. Kick on the left switch and boost that sound.

Rivera on British-type channel, left side of KoT pedal gives me a big, fat crunchy sound. Kick on the right side of the KoT and get a sweet, lightly driven solo tone that cuts right through the mix.

Add my TS9 to either of these set-ups and fasten your seat belt! I get the thickest, sweetest solo tone I've ever had.

The KoT seems to enhance the best attributes of your amp more than, say, impose it's own sound on your amp. It is very transparent and works differently than any OD/boost pedal I've ever used. You won't be seeing mine on ebay any time soon.

You really do need to be playing at gig levels to appreciate the true character of this pedal though. I was actually a bit disappointed with it when I first tried it at home. It just sounded kind of flat. Then I went to the gig that night and YOWZA! It's a real sweet piece!

 

[ramseybella]

I have been holding my breath for six months now on my Timmy pedal!!
But Paul.C is a cool cat and has been working hard on over a dozen orders plus building Amps.
At $119.00 i can hold on longer.