You know what this is.

If you’re reading the reviews you already know what this is and its pedigree. Everything you read is true, what this pedal does defies explanation, the yellow side is a great tone shape and the red an organic overdrive. I would never be with out mine now

Accept no substitute

If you're in the market, or waiting your turn on the list, you already know what you need to know about the sound of this pedal. So I've pasted my comment on that below this. So here's what you need to know- First, get the toggle switch option. Yeah its $50, but being able to switch between Clean, OD, and Distortion modes without getting a screwdriver and then looking up how the dipswitches work again is worth every penny and then some. Second, as far as high gain goes, get it on the red side only. In my opinion this was meant to be played with clean boost on the yellow side, so save the ten bucks. Besides, one side high gain and the other side normal basically gives you 6 different pedals in one box. Finally, I thought I needed the four jack option, but I'm not sure I'd put anything in between now. You can't go wrong with more options though.

Oh, and keep your tube screamer too. Put it after the KoT and go crazy. If you want to know what that sounds like check out Kenny Wayne Shepard's Rig Rundown.

Okay, the review: My title isn't fair. There are plenty of great substitutes out there. That said, the King is in a class by itself. If you're looking for an overdrive that's going to hit you in the face, you'll be disappointed. Sure, you can do that, but it's gonna take a lot of cranking. That's not the point. The range of this OD is what its all about. From subtle to full blast, the KoT covers all the ground without doing anything drastic to the EQ. The distortion setting retains the smooth character of the OD, with extra bite. The clean boost is one of the loudest things you'll ever hear if you manage to get everything cranked.

Great but be sure its what you want.

I bought this in a drunken stupor of madness, sat in my back garden eating barbecue one night, armed with an Ipad and a credit card. I thought lets see what all the fuss is about. I paid a small fortune for it on reverb but waiting lists are for suckers right??! anyway it arrived and i plugged it in. just as I did that a small unicorn foal, being ridden by a pixie landed at my pedal board and farted a rainbow... nah. mine is the high gain red side version. it does exactly what is says on the tin. one side for a bit of crunch the other for a bit more. simple as. I don't wanna get into the whole snobbery of transparency and all that palarva, but it does sound very very good. its build quality is excellent and lets be honest it does look amazing. I over paid for it though and I don't think any overdrive is worth the inflated price. if you can be bothered to wait its worth the asking price from analogman but in my opinion not the asking prices used.

My go to lead boost.

My go lead boost using a Les Paul into a Marshall combo. Great clarity and cuts through the mix beautifully.

From Gear Setup

Excellent pedal.

It is a very interesting overdrive, as I believe it's so transparent it adapts to the sound of the amplifier you're playing through. If you're playing through a Fender, it sounds like a cranked up Fender, and if you're playing through a Marshall, it will sound like a cranked up marshall, just a little bit more open and rich.

Excellente pedal, overall.

A bit too much hype, but great nevertheless

A great sounding pedal. I own most of the best overdrive pedals and compared them all. The King of Tone is staying on my pedalboard. Personally I like the boost and overdrive settings best.

From Gear Setup

Simply an awesome pedal and one every guitarist should own.

I've owned a lot of pedals in my lifetime and I have to say this is one of my favorites of all time. Just makes everything sound good.

The King of Tone

Truly a remarkable Pedal by a phenomenal Craftsman. The KoT v.4 has been on my Pedalboard for very close to a decade now and not going anywhere.

Great base sound pedal

Fantastic pedal I use for my base tone and build from there. I utilized the dip switches to switch the drive and boost from the stock settings.

KOT

What else can I say? I waited 2 years. And it was worth it.

From Gear Setup