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 - The Duellist - Black, a dual overdrive pedal that bridges the gap between vintage warmth and modern clarity. By fusing the iconic circuits of the TS808 Tube Screamer and the BluesBreaker, this pedal offers a versatile palette of tones. Equipped with dedicated controls for Drive, Volume, and Tone on each side, the Duellist allows for intricate sound shaping. The unique variable settings - Fat, Stock, and Glass - provide further customization, enabling musicians to dial in their perfect overdrive texture. Whether you're looking to enrich your sound with subtle warmth or aiming for a more pronounced bite, the Duellist stands as your ally on the sonic battlefield.

Key Features:

  • Dual overdrive circuits inspired by the TS808 Tube Screamer and BluesBreaker for a versatile tone palette.
  • Separate Drive, Volume, and Tone controls for each circuit, allowing for detailed sound sculpting.
  • Unique variable settings (Fat, Stock, Glass) on each side to tailor your overdrive character.
  • Compatible with a wide range of genres, from blues and rock to jazz and beyond.

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 makes the King Tone - The Duellist - Black unique compared to other overdrive pedals?

The Duellist features a dual overdrive design, allowing for two distinct overdrive circuits in one pedal. It offers extensive tonal flexibility with easy-access side switches and a channel order selector, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

Can the King Tone - The Duellist - Black be used for both rhythm and lead guitar tones?

Yes, the dual overdrive circuits in The Duellist can be configured to provide both rich rhythm tones and cutting lead sounds, offering versatility for various playing situations.

Does the King Tone - The Duellist - Black work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

The Duellist is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, delivering clear, dynamic overdrive tones regardless of the pickup type in your guitar.

How does the King Tone - The Duellist - Black handle stacking with other pedals?

The Duellist is highly compatible with other pedals, making it an excellent choice for stacking. Its dual-channel design allows for seamless integration into complex pedalboards, enhancing your overall sound palette.

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Reviews

PROS

  • Small footprint with top mounted jacks for easy pedalboard integration

  • Exceptional overdrive quality across different amplifiers

  • Customizable controls for sound personalization

  • Sensitive to picking dynamics and volume knob adjustments

  • Offers powerful tone sculpting and articulation

  • High build quality and durable design

  • Compatible with other drives and boosts for versatile setups

  • Provides a wide range of tonal variations with top and side switches

  • Achieves clarity unmatched by other pedals

  • Both drive sides have distinct, high-quality sounds

CONS

  • High resale price can be prohibitive

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • The 2022 version allows clipping options to be adjusted via the side, enhancing convenience compared to older models requiring backplate removal.

    Source
  • The Duellist can switch pedal order using a TRS cable and a dip switch, allowing for customized signal paths.

    Source
  • The Fat-stock-glass toggle switches offer significant EQ shaping capabilities, enhancing tonal versatility.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Duellist excels in genres like Dream Pop and Jangle Pop, providing clarity without overshadowing the original guitar tone.

    Source
  • The BB side reportedly works best with a Telecaster, delivering a preferred tone compared to other guitars.

    Source
  • Plugging a Strat into The Duellist evokes tones reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Mayer, particularly when using the String Singer and Heavy Hand sides.

    Source
  • The String Singer side, especially on the glass setting, excels with the neck pickup of a Les Paul, while the fat or stock settings suit the bridge pickup.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners find The Duellist's Tube Screamer side clearer and less prone to distortion than the Gladio's Steel String side.

    Source
  • The Duellist's TS side is reported to be more dynamic and versatile than the JHS Bonsai, allowing it to replicate Bonsai tones but not vice versa.

    Source
  • Owners note that The Duellist outperforms the Analog Man King of Tone in clarity, output, and versatility, especially with its Heavy Hand side.

    Source

User experience

  • The glass settings create a chimey, sparkly effect, highly praised for achieving unique overdrive tones sought by players.

    Source
  • Owners note that stacking a Tumnus Deluxe with the TS side yields excellent results, while the BB side does not stack as effectively.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the large knobs on The Duellist for ease of use and a tactile feel.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Internal switches offer customization, including a dual or split option, though its exact function remains a query among users.

    Source
  • Adjusting the internal dipswitches on the BB side significantly impacts volume and gain, aiding in tone dialing.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review: King Tone The Duellist

guitar.com

The Duellist by King Tone stands out with its dual overdrive circuits, offering a refined take on classic tones. The String-Singer excels with its smooth, versatile output, perfect for bluesy leads, while the Heavy-Hand provides a robust alternative with a broader EQ range. However, the pedal’s complexity might be overwhelming for those seeking straightforward options, and at $349, it’s a premium investment. Its build quality and tonal versatility are commendable, appealing to professionals, but it may not suit every player's style. Overall, The Duellist is a worthy contender for players looking to elevate their sound, albeit with a learning curve.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Doyle Bramhall II uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Doyle Bramhall II

Guitarist, Music Producer

Bryan Adams & Roger Waters

...
Verified via Photo

In this post from London in 2024, Doyle Bramhall II posted a photo of a pedalboard where a Duellist from King Tone is seen with the caption:

epic board of tone

See how Phil X uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Phil X

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

in this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNGBV2HvUCY&ab_channel=Sweetwater], Phil X can be seen using King Tone - The Duellist. "-It got two sides and I love the one on the right. If I need a little more, then I can kick in the left. But the on on the right does exactly what I wanna to."

See how Vince Gill uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Vince Gill

Singer, Guitarist

Eagles

...
Verified

Vince Gill was seen using The Duellist on his 2023 pedalboard during his tour with the Eagles, as evidenced by a screenshot from a YouTube video shared on tdpri.com.

See how Ariel Posen uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Ariel Posen

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 5:53 - "And I typically have one Overdrive on the whole time. So it's either this - the next two pedals - either the Duellist by Jesse Davey, or the Revival DRIVE."

See how Álvaro Henriquez uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Álvaro Henriquez

Singer, Guitarist

Los Tres

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Los Tres, el ensayo exclusivo" on YouTube, Álvaro Henriquez's pedalboard can be seen in the studio, featuring the King Tone Guitar The Duellist pedal. There is currently no record of its use during live performances.

See how Geoff Farina uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Geoff Farina

Singer, Guitarist

Karate

...
Verified via Imgur

Geoff Farina was observed using the The Duellist overdrive pedal during Karate's performance at the Garage in London on December 20, 2024, as evidenced in the linked image on Imgur.

See how Nico Dijkshoorn uses King Tone - The Duellist - Black

Nico Dijkshoorn

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Twitter

In this twitter post he talks about playing with his pedalboard; you can spot the duellist

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 - Black, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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peterglavanov

peterglavanov

Gear IQ 713

warpedvinyl

warpedvinyl

Gear IQ 128

I

ian_kirk

Gear IQ 48

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