Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone

^# 22

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$139.27 to $199.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (14)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro

$109.00 - $119.00

4.5 (7)

Find out who is using Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone

12 wishlisted

43 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Price

$159.00

View Deal

$199.00

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5.0 (35)

$139.27 3 available New

$49.00 20 available Used

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$199.00

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Average Price: $151

Standard/Professional

$50

$201+

Price Tier

In the Compressor Effects Pedals category, Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unlock the potential of your guitar sound with the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone, a pedal that redefines what a compressor can do. Designed for musicians who seek crystal-clear compression without sacrificing the natural dynamics of their playing, this pedal offers a unique blend of control and expression. Whether you're looking to enhance your clean tones or add sustain to your solos, the Philosopher's Tone delivers with precision.

The pedal features a blend control that allows for seamless integration of your dry signal with the compressed signal, ensuring your tone remains vibrant and full. The sustain knob offers extensive sustain capabilities, perfect for those epic, soaring leads. Meanwhile, the treble control adds a touch of sparkle to your high frequencies without introducing harshness.

Built with rugged components and an intuitive layout, the Philosopher's Tone is perfect for both stage and studio use. Whether you're a professional guitarist or an aspiring artist, this pedal offers the versatility and reliability you need to inspire your creativity and elevate your sound.

Key Features:

Crystal-clear compression with endless sustain
Blend control for mixing compressed and dry signals
Sustain knob for extended note duration
Treble control for added high-frequency sparkle
Durable construction, ideal for live and studio settings
Used by renowned artists like Andy Summers and Weezer

Product specs

Brand	Pigtronix
Model	Philosopher's Tone
Finish	Black
Year	2012
Made In	United States
Categories	Compressor Pedals, Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of compression can I expect from the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone?: The Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone offers a smooth, transparent compression that enhances sustain without altering your guitar's natural tone, making it ideal for both clean and overdriven settings.
Does the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone include a distortion feature?: Yes, the Philosopher's Tone includes a blendable grit control that adds a layer of distortion to your compressed signal, allowing for greater tonal versatility.
Is the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone suitable for bass guitars?: The Philosopher's Tone works well with bass guitars, providing enhanced sustain and clarity while maintaining the low-end frequencies crucial for bass performance.
What power supply does the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone require?: The Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone requires a 9V DC power supply, which is standard for most pedalboards, ensuring easy integration into your setup.
How does the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone compare to other compressor pedals?: The Philosopher's Tone is renowned for its blendable grit and extended sustain, setting it apart from typical compressors by offering a unique combination of compression and distortion.

Videos

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Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone

ProGuitarShopDemos

Philosopher's Tone | Optical Compressor + Sustainer | Official Demo

Pigtronix

Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone | Reverb Demo Video

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Reviews

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PROS

Adds unique Germanium grit to the sound
Preserves low end, suitable for bass and low tunings
Offers endless sustain, enhancing playing experience
Blend controls allow for tone customization without compromise
Compatible with other pedals, like a tube screamer
Provides good value compared to more expensive pedals

CONS

Requires time to find the right settings for clean sound
Can produce line noise if not adjusted correctly

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone.

Features and functionality

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The 'grit' knob is often considered ineffective, described as producing an undesirable static-like sound.
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The Philosopher's Tone requires an 18V power supply, though it's suggested it might operate on 9V, which could complicate setup for some users.
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The treble knob on the Philosopher's Tone significantly enhances usability, particularly for the pure compressor model, allowing for easier sound sculpting.
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The Philosopher's Tone is praised for its blend knob, which allows users to achieve a highly compressed sound akin to Velvet Underground's "Venus in Furs."
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The Philosopher's Tone Micro is criticized for sounding thin and flimsy compared to the original and Philosopher King models.
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User experience

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The pedal reportedly takes time to dial in, but once adjusted, the 'blend' knob can reveal subtle sonic nuances.
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An owner of multiple compressors describes the Philosopher's Tone as one of the truest sounding and most versatile pedals, particularly valuing its small form factor and treble/blend knobs.
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Owners suggest using the Philosopher's Gold version at the end of a pedal board as an enhancer and master volume control.
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Comparisons

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Owners often compare it unfavorably to the Xotic SP and Barber Tone Press, especially concerning the pedal's noise level and natural sound.
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A user who has tried various compressors, including the Ego Comp mini, notes that while the Ego is great for set-and-forget usage, the Philosopher's Tone provides more organic and sensitive compression.
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The Philosopher's Gold version is preferred by some for its built-in distortion, especially when paired with a high amp EQ or a boost on higher frequencies.
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Build quality

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The pedal's design with jacks on one side is criticized for being inconvenient and impractical in many setups.
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Use cases and applications

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It's noted that the pedal is noisy with single-coil pickups, like those on a Strat, but performs better with humbuckers.
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The Philosopher's Tone is effective when used with an EQ for versatile tonal adjustments, providing crunchy saturation on a bridge pickup and a thick lead tone on a neck pickup.
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The Philosopher's Tone is favored by some users for adding fuzzy grit to reverb and delay when placed at the end of the signal chain.
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Critic Reviews

Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone

ovnilab.com

The Pigtronix "Germanium Gold" Philosopher's Tone impresses with its creamy vintage tone, thanks to its germanium diode. The pedal excels in delivering a smooth Grit stage, though care is needed with its intense squash. A redefined treble control and blend knob enhance versatility, while the modded threshold elevates its usability. Not for those seeking transparency, but a dynamic tone machine when used with finesse. A solid addition to any gear collection.

positive

Full Review

Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Review | A Must Have in 2025?

songproductionpros.com

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 14 Ratings

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dailydoze

385

about 7 years ago

Really good, enjoy using this.

I started using this because I needed to get that extra sustain that you can't really get from any other pedal. I usually have this on all the time because, even when you're playing rhythms you need as much sustain as you can get.