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Average Price: $2,400

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$701+

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Description

Celebrating two decades of sonic excellence, the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary edition seamlessly blends vintage charm with modern innovation. This limited edition gem elevates the classic Tone King Imperial experience, integrating a specially designed speaker and a unique cabinet tweak to deliver unparalleled tonal richness and versatility. It's not just an amplifier; it's a companion for your musical journey, offering the warmth of hand-wired craftsmanship combined with the precision of a custom-built attenuator. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, this combo amplifier promises to breathe new life into your guitar's voice, ensuring every note and chord resonates with clarity and depth.

Key Features:

  • Limited Edition model celebrating 20 years of Tone King Imperial excellence
  • Specially designed speaker for superior tonal quality
  • Custom-built attenuator allows for precise volume control without sacrificing tone
  • Tweaked cabinet design for enhanced sound projection and resonance
  • Hand-wired construction ensuring meticulous attention to detail and quality

Product specs

Brand Tone King
Model Imperial 20th Anniversary 1x12 Guitar Combo
Finish Cream
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
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 kind of tones can I expect from the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary amp?

The Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary amp offers a range of classic American tube tones, from spanky blackface-style sounds to '50s-era tweed grit, making it versatile for various genres including blues, rock, and country.

Is the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary suitable for gigging?

Yes, with its 20-watt output and 1x12" Celestion G12M65 Creamback speaker, the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary is powerful enough for small to medium-sized gigs, while the built-in Ironman Attenuator allows for volume control without sacrificing tone.

Does the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary take pedals well?

The Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary is known for handling pedals effectively, thanks to its handwired circuitry and tube-driven design, making it a great choice for guitarists who use a variety of effects.

What are the main features of the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary amp?

Key features include a tube-driven spring reverb, tube-driven tremolo, a 20-watt output with 6V6 power tubes, and handwired circuitry, all contributing to its rich, vintage-inspired sound.

How does the built-in Ironman Attenuator benefit the Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary?

The built-in Ironman Attenuator allows players to achieve cranked tube amp tones at lower volumes, making it ideal for both home practice and live performances without losing tonal quality.

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Tone King Skyking & 20th Imperial Guitar Amp Demo - Killer cleans & Vintage drive

Video thumbnail for Tone King Skyking & 20th Imperial Guitar Amp Demo - Killer cleans & Vintage drive by Rob Chapman

Tone King Skyking & 20th Imperial Guitar Amp Demo - Killer cleans & Vintage drive

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Tone King Imperial Amp: 20th Anniversary Tone Review And Demo by MusicStoreLive.com

Tone King Imperial Amp: 20th Anniversary Tone Review And Demo

MusicStoreLive.com

MusicStoreLive.com

Video thumbnail for Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary Review by GuitarStuff

Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary Review

GuitarStuff

GuitarStuff

Video thumbnail for Tone King Sky King and 20th Anniversary Imperial Combos by Guitar Player Magazine

Tone King Sky King and 20th Anniversary Imperial Combos

Guitar Player Magazine

Guitar Player Magazine

Video thumbnail for NAMM '13 - Tone King Amplifiers 20th Anniversary Imperial and Sky King Demo by Premier Guitar

NAMM '13 - Tone King Amplifiers 20th Anniversary Imperial and Sky King Demo

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary - Full Mix Demo & Playthrough by ChoptonesOfficial

Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary - Full Mix Demo & Playthrough

ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Video thumbnail for Max Guitar - Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary Combo by Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar - Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary Combo

Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar B.V.

Video thumbnail for In the shop with the 20th Anniversary Tone King Imperial by ToneKing Amps

In the shop with the 20th Anniversary Tone King Imperial

ToneKing Amps

ToneKing Amps

Reviews

PROS

  • Hand-wired construction ensures top-notch quality

  • Beautiful aesthetics enhance visual appeal

  • Includes both reverb and tremolo effects

  • Two-channel versatility for varied tonal options

  • Superior clean sound quality, best some users have owned

  • Attenuator offers great control over volume without sacrificing tone

  • Highly versatile, covers a wide sonic range effectively

  • Responsive customer support for technical queries

CONS

  • Attenuator can't be limited to just the lead channel on the 20th Anniversary model

  • Requires specific tubes (sovtek 12ax7wa) for optimal preamp sound

  • Some may need to adjust to its "Fender type" sound character

  • Adjustments needed (e.g., changing V1 and V2 to 5751) for more clean headroom

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary.

Build quality

  • Early models may be entirely hand-wired by Mark Bartel, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the unique turquoise and brown colorways, offering a visual distinction from traditional black Tolex designs.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The new Tone King Imperials offer a more advanced attenuator compared to older models.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners describe the Imperial as the most versatile and best-built amp they've ever owned, often favoring it over other high-end and vintage models.

    Source
  • An owner noted the amp's loudness across settings, suggesting it may be best suited for larger spaces or venues.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The amp excels in blackface and tweed styles, suitable for those seeking these specific tones rather than mid-heavy crunch sounds.

    Source
  • Some users find the Tone King Imperial more versatile than both the Fender Princeton and Champ, excelling in clean tones while occupying less space.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Eirik Stordrange uses Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary

Eirik Stordrange

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Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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