Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $164
Standard/Professional
$50
$201+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the full potential of your guitar rig with the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2. This innovative pedal reimagines the iconic optical compression of its predecessor, delivering exceptional dynamic control and tonal versatility. The Philosopher's Tone 2 is perfect for guitarists seeking a range from smooth, sustained cleans to roaring, gritty leads. Its footswitchable Grit circuit lets you seamlessly toggle between silicon and germanium grit, offering both the vintage warmth of germanium and the precise bite of silicon. This duality ensures your sound is never limited, providing a rich palette of textures to explore.
The pedal's intuitive control layout includes Volume, Sustain, Treble, and Blend knobs, allowing you to shape your tone with precision. The parallel clean blend control is a standout feature, enabling you to mix your dry signal with the compressed output, preserving your natural attack while enhancing sustain. Whether you’re looking for articulate crunch or smooth, endless sustain, the Philosopher's Tone 2 delivers with clarity and minimal noise.
Constructed with a durable metal chassis and true-bypass switching, this pedal is built to withstand the rigors of the road while ensuring your tone remains pristine. The active Treble EQ further refines your sound by offering up to 6dB of boost or cut at 2kHz, allowing you to tailor your tone to any guitar and amp setup.
Key Features:
- Optical compressor with footswitchable germanium/silicon grit modes
- Volume, Sustain, Treble, and Blend controls for dynamic tone shaping
- Parallel clean blend control for mixing dry and compressed signals
- True-bypass switching with 18V internal power supply
- Durable metal chassis with active Treble EQ for tonal refinement
Product specs
| Pedal Type | Optical Compressor |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
FAQs
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What makes the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 different from other compressor pedals?
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The Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 features an optical compression circuit that provides smooth, transparent compression. It also includes a "Grit" control, allowing users to blend in a layer of harmonic distortion for added character.
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Can the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 be used with both electric and bass guitars?
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Yes, the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 is versatile enough to be used with both electric and bass guitars, offering effective compression and tonal enhancement for both instruments.
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Does the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 require a specific power supply?
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The Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It does not run on batteries.
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How does the "Grit" feature on the Philosopher's Tone 2 affect the sound?
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The "Grit" feature allows you to blend in a layer of harmonic distortion, adding warmth and texture to your tone, which can be particularly useful for adding character to clean or compressed sounds.
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Is the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2 is well-suited for live performances, providing reliable compression and tonal flexibility that can enhance your guitar's presence in a live mix.
Videos
Pigtronix
Introducing Philosopher's Tone 2 | Pigtronix
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone 2.
Value and pricing
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Owners have found deals on the Philosopher's Tone 2, with one reporting a purchase price of £59, highlighting its affordability during sales.
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Use cases and applications
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The pedal's dirt capability is appreciated in shoegaze and gritty soundscapes, beyond typical compressor uses like chicken pickin’ and funk.
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The Philosopher's Tone 2's built-in distortion is notably quiet, although some users find its sound unappealing compared to other distortion effects.
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The Philosopher's Tone 2 excels in creating a crackly distortion when used with bridge pickups, providing a natural blend with the clean tone.
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For a super-compressed tone reminiscent of "Venus in Furs" by Velvet Underground, adjust the blend knob down and turn up sustain and treble.
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Setup and maintenance
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Single coil pickups significantly increase noise levels with the Philosopher's Tone 2 when paired with overdrive, unlike humbuckers which remain quiet in similar setups.
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Comparisons
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The Barber Tone Press performs noiselessly in setups where the Philosopher's Tone 2 exhibits noise issues, suggesting differences in noise handling between these compressors.
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Compared to the Ego Comp mini, the Philosopher's Tone 2 offers a more organic compression, responsive to the player's picking dynamics.
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Features and functionality
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Genre Usage
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