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Description
The Artisan by Kingsley Amplifiers is a hand wired valve (tube) overdrive and fuzz pedal using a 12ax7 tube pushed by a JFET transistor.
The Artisan is powered by a traditional 9VDC power supply, which is stepped up inside the pedal to around 237VDC for the tube plates.
The Tone circuit is pre-drive and features a tone control and a 9-position rotary switch that selects 9 different tone capacitor values.
This allows for a huge range of tonal responses, from very warm and fat though squarky midrange to bright and cutting.
The input impedance control (labeled Input Z) varies the input impedance from 10K ohms up to 1M ohms.
This control also functions as a high pass filter as it is rotated counter-clockwise, making it an effective bass control.
The combination of the Tone pot, 9-way Tone capacitor selector switch and Input Z control allows the circuit to interact directly with your guitar's pickups and alter the guitar's resonant frequency in subtle or dramatic ways.
This enables a huge array of tonal responses and also allows the crcuit to be dialed in to significantly increase your guitar's clean up ability.
The Bias pot sets the operating point of the tube's 2nd gain stage and can be set anywhere from hot biased to cold biased for spitty, gated fuzz sounds.
The Gain control in standard mode goes from mild to medium gain. Stepping on the "More" footswitch adds a preset amound of gain for a higher gain tone.
This feature is also remote selectable via the ring connection of the TRS output jack.
Note that the Artisan wants to be first in line to function properly.
The whole circuit is all about how it interacts directly with your guitar's electronics.
Placing another pedal that is turned on or a buffer before the Artisan will ruin this interaction and the resultant sounds will be rather bright and harsh.
Other true bypass pedals can still be placed before the Artisan as long as they are turned off when the Artisan is selected.
Note that this is also the case with many other fuzz pedals and treble boosters.
Measurements: 3 7/8” wide x 4 ¾” deep x 2.56" tall
Power requirements: 9VDC @ 500mA, center negative, 2.1mm jack
Weight: 1.27 lbs (575g)
Product specs
| Brand | Kingsley |
| Model | Artisan |
| Year | 2021 - 2025 |
| Made In | Canada |
| Categories | Fuzz Pedals and Effects, Overdrive and Boost Pedals |
| Pedal Format | Standard |
FAQs
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What type of fuzz tones can I expect from the Kingsley Artisan pedal?
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The Kingsley Artisan delivers a rich, vintage-inspired fuzz tone with a warm, organic character. It's designed to capture the classic fuzz sounds of the late '60s and early '70s, making it ideal for rock and blues genres.
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Can the Kingsley Artisan pedal be used with both guitar and bass?
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Yes, the Kingsley Artisan is versatile enough to be used with both guitar and bass, providing a thick, full-bodied fuzz tone that complements both instruments.
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Does the Kingsley Artisan work well with other pedals in a signal chain?
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The Kingsley Artisan is designed to integrate smoothly with other pedals, allowing it to be placed anywhere in your signal chain without losing its distinctive fuzz character.
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What power supply does the Kingsley Artisan pedal require?
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The Kingsley Artisan operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most pedalboards and power bricks.
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Is the Kingsley Artisan suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Kingsley Artisan is well-suited for live performances, offering robust construction and reliable operation, along with a dynamic fuzz tone that cuts through the mix.
Videos
Simon Jarrett
Kingsley Artisan feature run down/demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kingsley Artisan.
Features and functionality
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The Tone Cap rotary switch offers 9 distinct capacitor values from .001uF to .1uF, allowing for a wide range of tonal adjustments.
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Input Z control varies input impedance from 10K Ohms to 1M Ohms, effectively acting as a bass control for the pedal.
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The Bias control adjusts the second gain stage, allowing for HOT settings with spitty tones or COLD settings for gated sounds with mild octave effects.
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The Artisan's gain range is noted to be quite limited, offering mostly high gain, requiring guitar volume roll-off for cleaner, overdrive-like tones.
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User experience
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Owners note the pedal's exceptional touch sensitivity and dynamic response, significantly transforming the sound of solid-state amps like the Orange CrushPro.
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The Artisan is praised for its ability to replace other pedals, such as the Jester, due to its versatile tone and sound quality, especially for blues and rock.
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Users find the Artisan cleans up exceptionally well with guitar volume adjustments, similar to a Fuzz Face, providing a glassy high end.
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Use cases and applications
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Recommended to be first in the signal chain for optimal guitar interaction, enhancing tonal flexibility.
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Works particularly well in a setup with the Maiden and Page DS for blues and rock genres, offering a robust tonal palette.
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The Artisan can mimic distortion characteristics when the Input Z is set below 12:00, making it versatile for those seeking distortion-like fuzz tones.
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Build quality
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The pedal's unique "Grimace purple" color is noted, though not universally loved, highlighting its distinct aesthetic.
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Value and pricing
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Purchasing directly from Canada can reduce freight and import costs, making it a more accessible option for international buyers.
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Comparisons
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While the Artisan is favored for rock and blues, some users transitioned to more versatile gear like the AXE FXIII for broader musical applications.
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The Artisan's tone is likened to Eric Johnson's signature sound, distinguishing it from traditional fuzz pedals like Fuzz Face, Muff, or Bender.
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The Artisan is combined with the WOW Fuzz Lands for achieving better Fuzz Face and Bender tones, suggesting it complements rather than replaces other fuzz pedals.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
1320
Versatile and powerful tube fuzz
This is an incredibly versatile and powerful tube fuzz. The Input Z control in particular allows you to tailor this to a wide range of rigs (guitars and amps especially). The other controls allow you to create a wide range of fuzz tones from very wooly to very sharp; again, allowing tailoring to your specific rig and signal chain.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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