Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp w/ Hamer content.

[Saul Goodman]

 

[django49]

Looks like a great way to add two channels, plus rev and trem, to an amp with a series fx loop. With actual tubes and a "zero watt power amp" after the preamp, it is said to create the feel of a full tube amp. I like that it has separate attenuators and 3 way IR selection for each channel. Hard to complain about the price. Will have to try it with my Newport 12ver as well.😏

[Dave Scepter]

Sounds like ass!.. only made it through 30 seconds of the demo 😕

[Saul Goodman]

1 hour ago, django49 said:

Looks like a great way to add two channels, plus rev and trem, to an amp with a series fx loop. With actual tubes and a "zero watt power amp" after the preamp, it is said to create the feel of a full tube amp. I like that it has separate attenuators and 3 way IR selection for each channel. Hard to complain about the price. Will have to try it with my Newport 12ver as well.😏

Let me know when you want to sell it. 

[velorush]

Balanced XLR outs! Can't say how many such preamps skip that step. Extremely well executed design and only $600.

ETA: Power Supply included. Details. 

[Disturber]

Does it chug?

[velorush]

I haven't bought any appreciable guitar gear in years, but this video I watched last night was awfully convincing:

 

[Saul Goodman]

On 4/9/2025 at 8:53 AM, velorush said:

I haven't bought any appreciable guitar gear in years, but this video I watched last night was awfully convincing:

 

I got one on the way.

[django49]

Initial reaction.....Very good. So many ways to use---Best to read the manual carefully to sort that out. Kinda wish it has stereo outs rather than just via XLR, but not a big deal. May be a great matchup with the Thermion stereo,  which also features an internal preamp bypass. (Yes, I have become obsessed with creating a board mounted./light weight rig to go with one of my shop built stereo cabinets. And this allows adding 2 channels, which can be bypassed and still add rev and trem). And I need to play around with the bypass function to pair with a second preamp section.....OR in the loop function of a tube amp.....Either way to provide more footswitchable presets. (Still in love with the Ethos Clean Fusion Deluxe!)

This also works well as a pedal platform.

I am certain you can find tons of pros and cons in the usual places.....😉

IMO, very good value. Some speculation that the unfolding issues over tariffs will make it impossible to hold the price. So be warned.

[Saul Goodman]

9 hours ago, django49 said:

 

IMO, very good value. Some speculation that the unfolding issues over tariffs will make it impossible to hold the price. So be warned.

Made in the USA. I am aware some parts come from overseas. 

[santellavision]

I got mine last week. Sounds amazing. Already started tracking with it on my new album. Recommended!

[Feynman]

I feel like they could have used real grill cloth there and added $100 to the price.

Those certainly look the part.  I dig it.  Since I base all of my gear choices on looks, this is perfect.

[velorush]

Just now, Feynman said:

I feel like they could have used real grill cloth there and added $100 to the price.

Yes, but for the gigging musician that would eventually have come to be known as the "beer port."  😆

[HamerHokie]

Tone King joins Friedman and others.  The appeal of these seem to be centered around the IR features - I keep looking for demos of these as live preamps feeding the return of an effects loop but little is out there.

I have considered getting the Friedman IR-D but it is pretty big for my pedalboard.

[bruce919]

I figure the Soldano IR pedal is next from the Freidman group. 

[RobB]

On 4/16/2025 at 12:36 PM, bruce919 said:

I figure the Soldano IR pedal is next from the Freidman group. 

I’d buy one. I’d love an SLO to use thru my mixer at home. 

[Saul Goodman]

I got mine Monday. So far it sounds best going through my Cali Tweed's FX loop. Haven't tried recording with it yet. Lots of recording options through my REVV D20 as it has the Two Notes capabilities which are endless. 

[django49]

21 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

I got mine Monday. So far it sounds best going through my Cali Tweed's FX loop. Haven't tried recording with it yet. Lots of recording options through my REVV D20 as it has the Two Notes capabilities which are endless. 

And I imagine if you matched it up with the Friedman IR-D (Dirty Shirley type preamp)  that you'd have a lot of tones to footswitch between......

[Saul Goodman]

And my favorite duo just released their video of the Tone King Tri-Tube.