Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp w/ Hamer content.

[Saul Goodman]

 

[django49]

Looks like a great way to add two channels, plus rev and trem, to an amp with a series fx loop. With actual tubes and a "zero watt power amp" after the preamp, it is said to create the feel of a full tube amp. I like that it has separate attenuators and 3 way IR selection for each channel. Hard to complain about the price. Will have to try it with my Newport 12ver as well.😏

[Dave Scepter]

Sounds like ass!.. only made it through 30 seconds of the demo 😕

[Saul Goodman]

1 hour ago, django49 said:

Looks like a great way to add two channels, plus rev and trem, to an amp with a series fx loop. With actual tubes and a "zero watt power amp" after the preamp, it is said to create the feel of a full tube amp. I like that it has separate attenuators and 3 way IR selection for each channel. Hard to complain about the price. Will have to try it with my Newport 12ver as well.😏

Let me know when you want to sell it. 

[velorush]

Balanced XLR outs! Can't say how many such preamps skip that step. Extremely well executed design and only $600.

ETA: Power Supply included. Details. 

Edited April 8 by velorush

[Disturber]

Does it chug?

[velorush]

I haven't bought any appreciable guitar gear in years, but this video I watched last night was awfully convincing:

 

[Saul Goodman]

On 4/9/2025 at 8:53 AM, velorush said:

I haven't bought any appreciable guitar gear in years, but this video I watched last night was awfully convincing:

 

I got one on the way.

[django49]

Initial reaction.....Very good. So many ways to use---Best to read the manual carefully to sort that out. Kinda wish it has stereo outs rather than just via XLR, but not a big deal. May be a great matchup with the Thermion stereo,  which also features an internal preamp bypass. (Yes, I have become obsessed with creating a board mounted./light weight rig to go with one of my shop built stereo cabinets. And this allows adding 2 channels, which can be bypassed and still add rev and trem). And I need to play around with the bypass function to pair with a second preamp section.....OR in the loop function of a tube amp.....Either way to provide more footswitchable presets. (Still in love with the Ethos Clean Fusion Deluxe!)

This also works well as a pedal platform.

I am certain you can find tons of pros and cons in the usual places.....😉

IMO, very good value. Some speculation that the unfolding issues over tariffs will make it impossible to hold the price. So be warned.

[Saul Goodman]

9 hours ago, django49 said:

 

IMO, very good value. Some speculation that the unfolding issues over tariffs will make it impossible to hold the price. So be warned.

Made in the USA. I am aware some parts come from overseas. 

[santellavision]

I got mine last week. Sounds amazing. Already started tracking with it on my new album. Recommended!

Edited Wednesday at 02:01 PM by santellavision

[Feynman]

I feel like they could have used real grill cloth there and added $100 to the price.

Those certainly look the part.  I dig it.  Since I base all of my gear choices on looks, this is perfect.

[velorush]

Just now, Feynman said:

I feel like they could have used real grill cloth there and added $100 to the price.

Yes, but for the gigging musician that would eventually have come to be known as the "beer port."  😆

[HamerHokie]

Tone King joins Friedman and others.  The appeal of these seem to be centered around the IR features - I keep looking for demos of these as live preamps feeding the return of an effects loop but little is out there.

I have considered getting the Friedman IR-D but it is pretty big for my pedalboard.

Edited Wednesday at 07:21 PM by HamerHokie

[bruce919]

I figure the Soldano IR pedal is next from the Freidman group. 

[RobB]

On 4/16/2025 at 12:36 PM, bruce919 said:

I figure the Soldano IR pedal is next from the Freidman group. 

I’d buy one. I’d love an SLO to use thru my mixer at home. 

Edited Thursday at 08:32 PM by RobB