Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo

$1,635.00 Price Tier: High-end

0 wishlisted

0 saved

Page last updated Jun 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 2, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (10)

$1,635.00 2 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $1,635

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

Price Tier

In the Combo Guitar Amplifiers category, Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Step into a world of classic tone with the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo, a guitar amplifier that brings vintage sound to the modern stage. This amp is a testament to the golden era of rock and blues, offering a handwired design that ensures each note resonates with authenticity. The Imperial 1x12 Combo features two distinct channels—Rhythm and Lead—each crafted to deliver unparalleled sound quality and versatility. The Rhythm channel provides clean, articulate tones that hark back to the iconic sounds of the 1960s, while the Lead channel offers a more aggressive, overdriven sound perfect for solos that demand attention.

Built with a custom-designed 12" speaker, the Imperial 1x12 Combo ensures your guitar's voice is always heard, whether you're playing in a small venue or a larger setting. The onboard spring reverb and tremolo add depth and character, allowing musicians to shape their sound with precision. This amp also features a selectable power switch, offering both full power and half power modes, so you can tailor your output to suit any environment, from intimate practice sessions to energetic live performances.

Ideal for musicians who appreciate the warmth and dynamics of tube amplification, the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo is more than just an amp—it's an expression of musical legacy.

Key Features:

Handwired design for authentic tone
Two channels: Rhythm and Lead
Custom 12" speaker
Onboard spring reverb and tremolo
Selectable full and half power modes
Vintage-inspired tone with modern reliability

Product specs

Brand	Tone King
Model	Imperial 1x12 Guitar Combo
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects	Built-In Effects
Color Family	Black
Electronics	Tube
Number of Channels	2 Channels
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	20
Power Tube Type	6V6
Reverb	Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration	1x12"

FAQs

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo?: The Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo is known for its vintage American tone, offering lush, clean sounds with plenty of headroom and a rich, harmonic overdrive. Its 6V6 power tubes contribute to a warm, full-bodied sound ideal for classic rock, blues, and country styles.
Is the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo suitable for gigging with a drummer?: Yes, the 20-watt output of the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo is powerful enough for small to medium-sized venues, making it suitable for gigging alongside a drummer. Its efficient speaker and tube design ensure it cuts through in a live band setting.
Does the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo take pedals well?: Yes, the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo is well-regarded for its pedal-friendly nature. Its clean channel provides a great platform for overdrive, distortion, and modulation pedals, allowing for versatile sound shaping.
What built-in effects does the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo offer?: The Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo features built-in spring reverb, which adds depth and ambiance to your playing. This classic effect is perfect for enhancing clean tones and adding texture to overdriven sounds.
How does the channel configuration work on the Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo?: The Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo features two channels: a rhythm channel for clean tones and a lead channel for more gain and overdrive. Each channel is independently voiced, providing a wide range of tonal options for different playing styles.

Videos

Add video

Peach Guitars

American Clean Amp Shootout: Fender Deluxe Reverb, Tone King Imperial & Two Rock Studio Signature

Peach Guitars

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Lightweight and portable design ideal for gigging musicians
Exceptional tremolo surpasses many vintage amps
Built-in attenuator allows for quiet practice sessions
Rich, warm tones reminiscent of classic Fender sound
Highly responsive and dynamic playability
Eye-catching design that stands out on stage
Versatile two-channel setup for a range of classic tones
Headroom and chime provide clarity and warmth
Scooped sound offers pleasant tone and 3D soundstage
High build quality with enduring reliability

CONS

Reverb could benefit from more extreme settings when maxed out

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tone King Imperial 1x12 Combo.

Comparisons

0 0

The Sky King offers more low end and sound spread than the Imperial MK2 Combo, especially with a 65w/16ohm Celestion speaker.
Source
0 0

The Tone King Imperial MKII can achieve pristine clean tones and handles pedals well, whereas the Gremlin is better for lower volume breakup tones.
Source
0 0

The Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb offers a digital attenuation down to below 1 watt, which might be more suitable for apartment use than the Imperial MKII.
Source
0 0

The Tone King Imperial MKII is praised for capturing vintage '60s and '70s sounds, making it ideal for fans of those eras compared to Mesa amps.
Source
0 0

The Tone King is often compared to classic Fender models; however, at its price point, there may be better options available for blackface tones.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The Imperial MK2's attenuator allows whisper-level playing and can attenuate only the lead channel for more headroom.
Source
0 0

The Imperial MKII has an attenuator that effectively maintains sound quality, though it still requires a minimum volume to shine.
Source
0 0

The Imperial MKII's rhythm channel lacks attenuation, potentially limiting its use to the lead channel for low-volume play.
Source
0 0

The Imperial MKII is noted for having a more comprehensive feature set than typical Fender amps, including an effective attenuator and a lead channel.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Imperial MK2 Combo's sound varies significantly with placement; it suits small venues for blues or jazz more than live rock bands without a mic.
Source
0 0

The Imperial MKII is noted for sounding better at higher volumes, making it less ideal for low-volume apartment settings compared to the Gremlin.
Source
0 0

Some users prefer the Tone King for its versatility with various instruments, including Yamaha silent classical guitars, eliminating the need for additional amps like the Bose.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Swapping the stock speaker or opting for the head version improves the Imperial MK2's performance significantly.
Source

Other

0 0

The Imperial has a smooth, crystal-clear sound with a chewy compression, but lacks the Fender chimey top end.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Some users believe the Supro Delta King 12 offers superior tone and value compared to the Imperial MKII, with impressive performance at a lower price point.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners report that the Imperial MKII can feel "sterile" and lacking character compared to other amps like the Supro Delta King 12 or Milkman The Amp (50).
Source