Tone City King of Blues - What To Know & Where To Buy

Photo of Tone City King of Blues and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and signal chain

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

$81.88

View Deal

4.0 (37)

$79.80 8 available New

$44.15 7 available Used

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Average Price: $69

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Tone City King of Blues is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Experience the authentic sound of the blues with the Tone City King of Blues Overdrive Pedal. Designed for guitarists seeking that classic warm overdrive tone, this pedal brings a rich and dynamic response to your playing. The King of Blues is renowned for its dual-channel design, allowing you to switch between two distinct overdrive tones with ease. Whether you're aiming for a smooth, creamy drive or a more aggressive, gritty sound, this pedal has got you covered.

The intuitive layout features simple controls that allow you to dial in your desired tone effortlessly. With dedicated knobs for Volume, Tone, and Drive on each channel, you have complete control over your sound. The pedal also features a true bypass switch, ensuring your guitar's signal remains pure when the pedal is disengaged.

Built to withstand the rigors of the stage, the King of Blues boasts a robust metal chassis. It's compact enough to fit on any pedalboard, making it a versatile addition to any setup. Whether you're playing in a small club or a large venue, this pedal delivers consistent performance every time.

Key Features:

Dual-channel design for versatile overdrive tones
Dedicated Volume, Tone, and Drive controls for each channel
True bypass to maintain signal integrity
Compact and durable metal chassis
Ideal for achieving classic blues tones
Compatible with a wide range of amplifiers and guitars

Product specs

Brand	Tone City
Model	King of Blues
Finish	Gold
Year	2010s
Made In	China
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Tone City King of Blues pedal?: The Tone City King of Blues pedal delivers a classic overdrive sound with smooth, warm tones ideal for blues and rock genres. It offers a dynamic response that enhances your guitar's natural tone without excessive coloration.
Is the Tone City King of Blues suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Tone City King of Blues is well-suited for live performances. Its compact size fits easily on pedalboards, and its robust sound can cut through the mix, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
Can the Tone City King of Blues pedal be powered by a battery?: No, the Tone City King of Blues pedal requires a standard 9V DC power supply and does not support battery operation, ensuring consistent performance during use.
How does the Tone City King of Blues compare to other overdrive pedals?: The Tone City King of Blues is known for its affordability and high-quality sound, offering a smooth overdrive reminiscent of vintage blues tones. It stands out for its ability to maintain clarity and articulation, even at higher gain settings.
Does the Tone City King of Blues pedal work well with other effects pedals?: Yes, the Tone City King of Blues integrates well with other effects pedals, allowing you to stack it with distortion, delay, or modulation effects for a versatile sound palette.

Videos

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House of Shred

Analogman King of Tone vs Tone City King of Blues

House of Shred

Tone City King of Blues demo (w Humbuckers)

Aaron J Livecchi

Tone City King of Blues

Sam Goffen Guitar - Gear Reviews and Lessons

Tone City King of Blues

Hermetic Basement Studios Inc

Strymon Sunset Vs Tone City King of Blues (£280 vs £70)

Thomas Heppell

Tone City King Of Blues

Wall of Sound

Reviews

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PROS

Surprisingly good quality for the price
Provides a wide range of overdrive tones
Offers warmth and grit without losing clarity
Capable of achieving high-gain sounds comparable to more expensive pedals
Suitable for electric fiddle players seeking overdrive

CONS

Output can be erratic when adjusting the knob
May not integrate well with other pedals or power supplies
Some users find it lacking compared to higher-end models

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The right side of the pedal uses a Germanium Klon circuit, known for adding a smooth, transparent overdrive.
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The left side of the pedal is based on the Bluesbreaker circuit, which provides a classic, mild overdrive with a vintage feel.
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Some users feel both sides of the pedal could benefit from additional gain, suggesting it as a potential area for improvement.
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Both engines have controls set near the middle, offering significant flexibility for adjustments either way to suit different playing styles.
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Comparisons

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This pedal is comparable to having both a Klon and a Bluesbreaker in one unit, catering to diverse overdrive needs.
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After comparing, some prefer the flexibility of using separate pedals like the Voyager and Archer over the King of Blues.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the pedal's ability to deliver both subtle and driven tones, making it versatile for blues and rock genres.
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Owners report excellent compatibility when feeding fuzz pedals into the King of Blues, enhancing the tonal possibilities.
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Use cases and applications

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When stacking both sides, it can function as a drive with a clean boost or two low drive pedals for a medium drive effect.
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Engine A is often used as an almost always-on light drive, while Engine B is set with more gain for lead tones or intense rhythm lines.
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Mods and upgrades

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It's suggested to use a clean boost pedal before or after the King of Blues to increase gain options.
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Value and pricing

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Priced around $75 new, it’s highly recommended by users as an exceptional value for those seeking versatile drive options.
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Critic Reviews

First Impressions: Tone City King of Blues Dual Overdrive Pedal – HomeToneBlog.com

hometoneblog.com

Tone City's King of Blues pedal is a commendable overdrive option that stands on its own merit, offering a unique tone reminiscent of a Tweed Deluxe. However, it falls short of being a King of Tone clone, lacking the clarity and versatility of its legendary counterpart. While it provides a soft, mid-boosted sound that some players might enjoy, it can't quite match the King of Tone's bite and transparency. The King of Blues is more compressed and offers a different tonal palette, making it a solid choice for those seeking a distinctive overdrive flavor, but not a direct King of Tone substitute.

neutral

Full Review

The Ugly Guitar Truth: Ugly Truth About Tone City King of Blues

theuglyguitartruth.blogspot.com

The Tone City King of Blues is an affordable dual-stage overdrive pedal that aims to emulate high-end counterparts like the Analogman King of Tone. With its capacity for varied tones from clean boost to saturated overdrive, it offers flexibility but falls short of being a groundbreaking addition to a pedalboard. The reviewer finds it to be a competent option for low-to-medium gain applications, outperforming some alternatives like the Fulltone Fulldrive. However, it doesn't inspire the kind of excitement that would prompt a guitarist to overhaul their setup. While it offers good value, it's not a game-changer in the world of overdrive pedals.

neutral

Full Review

Tone City - King Of Blues

samgoffenguitar.com

The Tone City King of Blues is a budget-friendly triumph for guitarists chasing the Analogman King of Tone sound without the hefty price tag. This pedal merges Tubescreamer and Klon characteristics into a compact, sturdy unit that impressively retains dynamic response and tonal versatility. While the yellow finish might not appeal to everyone, the build quality defies its price bracket, offering simple controls that deliver from a gentle breakup to rock solo tones. Despite being a blatant knock-off, its affordability and tonal prowess make it a standout choice for those unwilling to shell out £400 for the original. If you're budget-conscious yet tone-focused, this is a no-brainer.

positive

Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

eddieescalante

2038

almost 6 years ago

Meh

It's a fairly cheap pedal and while many claim it sounds close to an Analogman - I don't hear it. I found the output to be erratic as you turn the knob up. It has a sweet spot that's OK. I've taken it off my board and put it back in the box.

pkrul

1064

about 8 years ago

Sound not bad for the price, doesn't behave well on pedalboard

Considering that this is an extremely cheap pedal, it actually doesn't sound too bad. Mounted on a pedalboard it does not play nice with other pedals and the power supply. Depending on the pedals you combine it with, it becomes a terrible tone and volume drain.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country