Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $305

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Introducing the King Tone Guitar The Duellist, a versatile and dynamic overdrive effects pedal that offers two classic circuits in one compact unit. Uniquely designed, this pedal harnesses the power of the legendary TS808 Tube Screamer and BluesBreaker, creating an impressive spectrum of overdrive tones. From the subtle warmth of the Tube Screamer to the crisp punch of the BluesBreaker, this pedal provides a vast sonic palette for guitarists to explore and customize. Its intricately crafted controls for Drive, Volume, and Tone, along with the unique Fat, Stock, and Glass settings, offer an unparalleled level of tonal shaping. Engage and combine these two iconic effects to unlock a world of musical creativity.

Key Features:

  • Two-in-one overdrive pedal
  • Boasts circuits of TS808 Tube Screamer and BluesBreaker
  • Independent Drive, Volume, and Tone controls
  • Unique Fat, Stock, and Glass settings for tonal variation
  • Allows for engaging and combining of two effects

Product specs

Brand King Tone Guitar
Model The Duellist Dual Overdrive
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What are the main features of the King Tone The Duellist overdrive pedal?

The King Tone The Duellist is a dual overdrive pedal combining two circuits inspired by the TS808 Tube Screamer and the BluesBreaker. It offers independent controls for Drive, Volume, and Tone on each side, with selectable Fat, Stock, and Glass settings for versatile tonal shaping.

Can the King Tone The Duellist be used with a bass guitar?

Yes, the King Tone The Duellist can be used with a bass guitar. Its versatile overdrive circuits can enhance bass tones, though the specific sound will depend on your setup and playing style.

What power supply is required for the King Tone The Duellist pedal?

The King Tone The Duellist requires a 9V DC power supply and has a current draw of less than 100mA. Ensure your power source meets these specifications for optimal performance.

How does the King Tone The Duellist compare to other overdrive pedals?

The King Tone The Duellist stands out due to its dual-circuit design, offering both TS808 and BluesBreaker-inspired sounds in one pedal. This provides a wide range of overdrive tones and greater flexibility compared to single-circuit pedals.

Is the King Tone The Duellist suitable for live performances?

Yes, the King Tone The Duellist is well-suited for live performances. Its robust build and dual overdrive circuits allow for quick tonal adjustments, making it versatile for various musical styles on stage.

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Best Of the Best Dual Overdrive Pedals? [KOT, Gladio, Duellist, Protein] That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for Best Of the Best Dual Overdrive Pedals? [KOT, Gladio, Duellist, Protein] That Pedal Show by That Pedal Show

Best Of the Best Dual Overdrive Pedals? [KOT, Gladio, Duellist, Protein] That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for THE DUELLIST - DUAL OVERDRIVE PEDAL by Jesse Davey

THE DUELLIST - DUAL OVERDRIVE PEDAL

Jesse Davey

Jesse Davey

Video thumbnail for Introducing...The King Tone Duellist 2022 Edition | Our First Impressions! by Peach Guitars

Introducing...The King Tone Duellist 2022 Edition | Our First Impressions!

Peach Guitars

Peach Guitars

Video thumbnail for King Tone Guitar - The Duellist by Guitars Rebellion by Guitars Rebellion

King Tone Guitar - The Duellist by Guitars Rebellion

Guitars Rebellion

Guitars Rebellion

Video thumbnail for BATTLE OF THE TITANS: Cornerstone GLADIO x King Tone DUELLIST by Max Guitar B.V.

BATTLE OF THE TITANS: Cornerstone GLADIO x King Tone DUELLIST

Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar B.V.

Video thumbnail for NEW Kingtone Duellist 2022: Should You Upgrade? by JamesOnGuitar

NEW Kingtone Duellist 2022: Should You Upgrade?

JamesOnGuitar

JamesOnGuitar

Video thumbnail for KingTone The Duellist Demo - SRV Tones by Hector Grecco

KingTone The Duellist Demo - SRV Tones

Hector Grecco

Hector Grecco

Video thumbnail for King Tone Guitar "The Duellist" Dual Overdrive Pedal by Peach Guitars

King Tone Guitar "The Duellist" Dual Overdrive Pedal

Peach Guitars

Peach Guitars

Video thumbnail for KingTone / THE DUELLIST by K Sakuma

KingTone / THE DUELLIST

K Sakuma

K Sakuma

Reviews

PROS

  • Small footprint with top mounted jacks for easy pedalboard integration

  • Versatile overdrive, works well with different amplifiers

  • Customizable controls for tailored sound

  • Sensitive to picking and volume knob input

  • Superior tone sculpting and articulation

  • High build quality

  • Compatible with other boosts and drives for varied textures

  • Offers tonal variation with top and side option switches

  • Enables unmatched clarity compared to other pedals

  • Both drives deliver exceptional sound quality

CONS

  • High market price may deter some buyers

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about King Tone The Duellist.

Comparisons

  • The Duellist is compared to the Protein for its more aggressive and biting TS side, while the Protein's blue side is praised for smoothness.

    Source
  • Users compare the Duellist unfavorably to the Crazy Tubes Limelight for brightness and clarity, suggesting the latter might suit those seeking a brighter overdrive.

    Source
  • The pedal is considered less versatile than expected, described as more of a "big hammer" than a "Swiss Army knife."

    Source
  • The Duellist maintains low-end integrity better than the Wampler Pantheon and Browne Protein, offering a fatter midrange suitable for cutting through a mix.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Duellist's newer version includes side switches that haven't been explored yet by owners, indicating potential for tonal customization.

    Source
  • The Heavy Hand side is noted for being exceptionally dark, limiting its compatibility with certain guitars.

    Source
  • The Tubescreamer side offers a unique tone that deviates from traditional Tubescreamer expectations.

    Source
  • The Duellist offers three sound settings—Fat, Stock, and Glass—allowing tonal customization based on guitar type, providing brightness with single coil-like edge for LPs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Combining both sides of The Duellist achieves a rich, "meaty" sound reminiscent of John Mayer's lead tones, appealing to those chasing similar sonic qualities.

    Source
  • Playing through a Katana amp at low volumes may not showcase the pedal's full potential, as noted by an owner feeling underwhelmed.

    Source
  • When combined with a Klon pedal, The Duellist can achieve a wide range of tones from heavy-handed to nuanced, making it versatile for different musical styles.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners prefer the Duellist's core sounds without engaging with additional features, highlighting strong out-of-the-box appeal.

    Source
  • Some owners find the tone controls ineffective for achieving classic TS tones, despite the available dipswitch settings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners suggest purchasing a used Duellist if available, due to its high resale value if it doesn't meet expectations.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review: King Tone The Duellist

guitar.com

King Tone Guitar's The Duellist is a high-quality dual overdrive pedal that blends the classic tones of a Tube Screamer and a Marshall Bluesbreaker with modern versatility. The String-Singer circuit offers dynamic, polished overdrive tones ideal for Stratocasters, while the Heavy-Hand channel delivers a refined, touch-sensitive breakup. Both circuits can be used independently or stacked for a powerful lead tone. With additional tone-shaping options via internal dip-switches, The Duellist is praised for its robust build, tonal versatility, and professional sound, making it a favorite among renowned guitarists. Despite its premium price, it's regarded as one of the most versatile overdrive pedals available.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joey Landreth uses King Tone The Duellist

Joey Landreth

Singer, Guitarist

The Bros. Landreth

...
Verified via YouTube

During this episode on That Pedal Show, Joey Landreth comes back to UK with new effects on his pedalboard. At 9:40, he shows off the King Tone Guitar The Duellist, a boost & overdrive pedal that is based on a mix within a Bluesbreaker and the classic Tube Screamer 808 sounds in one box with some added features.

See how Nick Zinner uses King Tone The Duellist

Nick Zinner

Guitarist

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

...
Verified via Photo

On his main pedalboard above the Strymon Zuma

See how Josh Smith uses King Tone The Duellist

Josh Smith

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

The Duellist can be seen in this video where Josh Smith discusses his new pedalboard

See how Dan Patlansky uses King Tone The Duellist

Dan Patlansky

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video with Anderton's, Dan is asked about his pedalboard and specifically The Dualist. He says:

I’m a big fan of Jesse Davey. His guitar playing, his tone, I mean good God his tone is just silly, you know? And he makes this range of pedals called King Tone and he makes this Dualist that is kind of two overdrives.

The right side is a tube screamer. If I’m not mistaken, it’s based off Jesse’s personal vintage 808, and wow. It’s got this cool thing over here which is fat, stock, and glass, which is a kind of switch. And the way I understand it is, that affects the tone going into the pedal, not coming out. The tone knob, that affects the top end going out, and the switch effects the top end going in. So if I switch on and go to the tube screamer side and go to fat, I think it boosts a lot of the bottom end.

Stock, I suppose, is like a classic Tube Screamer, and glass, is kind of like a bright switch I suppose. I kinda like the glass setting, but I suppose it depends on the room you are in.

Then the other side is a Blues Breaker kind of circuit, but its got a little dip switch inside where you can add more gain, so I do that. I use this side as a slightly more gainy kind of riff so it can get more gainy than the other side. My favorite side is that string singer side, it’s just wow, it makes so much sense. One of the best tube screamers I’ve heard.

See how Stijn Vanhoegaerden uses King Tone The Duellist

Stijn Vanhoegaerden

Guitarist

Brutus

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Brutus live | Rock Hard Festival 2024 | Rockpalast" by WDR Rockpalast, Stijn Vanhoegaerden uses the King Tone Guitar The Duellist pedal. You can see Duellist pedal at 12mn 08s.

See how Artur Menezes uses King Tone The Duellist

Artur Menezes

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video "AO VIVO LÁ EM CASA - CONVIDA" by Junior Rossetti on YouTube, Artur Menezes, celebrated as the Gibson Blues Guitarist of the Year, uses the King Tone Guitar The Duellist overdrive pedal, showcasing his energetic style and vintage-inspired sound.

See how Jesse Davey uses King Tone The Duellist

Jesse Davey

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Jesse Davey demos his The Duellist pedal and explains its features.

E

Eric “King” Zapata

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video from Vertex Effects about King Zapata's pedalboard, a King Tone The Duellist is seen at 9:59.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use King Tone The Duellist, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
alecani

alecani

Gear IQ 2413

fabianrink

fabianrink

Gear IQ 669

5 alternative and related items for King Tone The Duellist, curated by the Equipboard community.

King Tone Soloist
similar sound

The Soloist is the String Singer half of the Dualist dual overdrive pedal. It is a Tube Screamer style pedal.

Keeley D&M Drive

$142.50 - $309.00

similar sound

Based on Keeley's Red Dirt and 1962 pedals, the D&M is an evolved version of both Tube Screamer and BB circuits.

King Tone Heavy Hand
similar sound cheaper alternative

A standalone version of the Duellist's Bluebreaker side.

Pedal Pawn BluesPrint Dual Overdrive

 

similar sound

While these pedals have overlap as far as the types of circuits featured, the Pedal Pawn Bluesprint is a more classic recreation type pedal.

JHS Double Barrel V3

$175.00 - $345.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

Another TS and BB style option, earlier versions of the Double Barrel feature the brand's Bluesbreaker derived Morning Glory plus a more straightforward TS circuit.

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Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    lobberuno
    lobberuno

    Gear IQ 822