Analogman King Of Tone
Feb 18, 2013 Analogman King of Tone, Still Hot? Discussion in 'Effects, Pedals, Strings. I had heard these were still based on the TS-9/808 circuit. Analogman has had a pretty decent rep, and known them since they were hawking gear at guitar shows in the 90s. Thoughts, and input welcome. Will the King of Tone kick every other drive off my board?
It can sometimes be tough discussing dirt pedals here as you have to figure out what context someone is using a pedal when they discuss it. A lot of pedals that sound GREAT in a band situation sound like ass at home because they're pushing a lot of mids/high mids. Tubescreamers immediately come to mind as they sound like hell as a standalone overdrive pedal at livingroom volume; but, blast one through a cranked up tube amp and BOOM!My home sounds and band sounds are polar opposites - with my band, it's TONS of midrange to keep separation from the drums, bass and other guitar player; at home, lots of lows and highs are added to make up for the lack of bass and drums.The King of Tone is good at home as well as live, but it really shines live though. I played this one show where we had to play through house amps so I brought my LP and just the KoT; the amp I used was a Blues Jr and I set it to be mostly clean with a little bit of hair then whomped it with the KoT. The guitar player in another band playing that night complimented that my LP sounded great but I admitted to him that the pedal had a lot to do with it. Analog Mike has been a generous resource for the effects community and a real contributor to the custom/advanced pedal movement that has yielded so many great options for players. I am reluctant to credit reviews which claim, as so many do, that this or that pedal totally transformed everything, Holy-Grail-style, tonally, for the player.
If you've been playing a while, you doubtless keep moving towards sounds you have heard or want to hear, closing in as you go through guitar, parts, amps, pedals. Particularly for boost or OD, we're not really talking about some crazy new sound, are we?
We're talking about responsiveness and tone in an area that has gotten loads of really great attention from 808 days through today. Frankly, I think it's probably more reassuring to hear the tonal improvements Freddy describes than to witness some kind of miracle.
I got a Klon back when they were to be had for $400, based on one good review. That pedal, too, is not a miracle in a box. It's actually much better than that. Like the KOT, it's a helpful, useful improvement in the most basic part of the signal chain. It helps with the responsiveness of my guitars, and it improves the tones I can get.
That pedal and the KOT are the ones that IMO really do this function wonderfully. How they help is much, much better than an obvious, major change in sound. So glad to hear good reviews of the KOT. Love to reward masterful, dedicated pedal designers! I use the red side as overdrive. I set the amp up so it's in that magic spot where the output tubes just start to go non-linear.
Then when I want a heavier crunch I step on the red side with the tone set around 1 or 2 o'clock, nice bite. Then (with the red side still on)the real magic happens when I step on the yellow side.it's like a clean boost but not exactly that clean.I set the tone on the yellow side to about 10 o'clock so it's cutting highs, but what it really does is make a single note fat as hell, and I turn the volume up so it slams the poor motherlovin' input tube. The whole amp just screams then.notes seem to effortlessly explode off the fretboard, even with a strat.The amazing thing about all this is that even with dual boosts and drive the pedal is so quiet. I've used pedals in combo in the past to get this same effect but the noise was always horrendous.
Yeah, I love the KOT. When I got on the waiting list, it was like 8 months long.
Analogman King Of Tone Price
Then they went on vacation. So about 20 months later my group comes up.
This is about 6 months after I stop working - and my girl's like 'you want to buy a pedal for your guitar?! And it's HOW much?!' .But this pedal is totally worth it. I know I could probably sell it, and make around $150 profit, but what this pedal does for my sound is worth way more than the going rate to me. A friend asked me about it recently, and I told him that it won't make a crappy amp sound any less crappy, but it somehow makes an amazing amp even more amazing. Imagine you have a tone that you really like, and it's like peanut butter. Well, the KOT is chocolate.
The peanut butter is great, but the chocolate elevates and compliments it. Or imagine your tone is creamed spinach and cigarette butts. Adding chocolate will not really do that much for you.I agree with the guy above- I live in the city and most clubs have backlines and many times will discourage you from bringing along some huge rig- so when I've done gigs I bring a tuner, a Junior, some cables, and my trusty KOT. (& some adult refreshments). And I'm all set.
Click to expand.Not going to happen from me, too many great alternatives based on the bluesbreaker circuit from the Black Box 2, Doxasound, the new Keeley D&M Drive, Keeley 1962 (based on the blues breaker) or the Analogman POT while I wait for my KOT. Throw in the Lovepedal Amp 11, JHS Ruby Red, Suhr for some different style dual gang overdrives and I will wait my turn on the list. Sooner or later people who pay the used scalped price will be left holding the bag.
And as you can read from a few posts above Analog Mike is cranking the pedals out and I think supply might increase. To me paying scalping prices is not money well spent, it is money tossed down the drain. I work too hard for my money to give it to somebody who has no interest in tone and just sees this as a money making alternative. I also recognize that things happen in life and sometimes you have to sell something because of external circumstances, medical and other bills. Once again times are tough and money is tight.Do I think Analog Mike has designed an exceptional circuit, I sure do.
Is it twice as good as other variations on the same circuit, my answer is not for me. I have a Keeley D&M that is a gift for next week and I am anxious to try it out.After owning my Doxasound for awhile I can see the attraction to the bluesbreaker circuit however I can also hear why some people are selling theirs saying they did not bond with the pedal and why Keeley says he toned down some of the top end on the 1962 pedal. You have to use the right amp with the bluesbreaker pedals or it can be somewhat bright. Helps to have a full band, for the home artist the KOT might not be the right pedal.Because of this thread got a note from a local guitar player with a KOT, drove into LA and tried it this afternoon.
He was anxious to try my pedal to have for gigging. Close but not exactly the same but the difference was not a bad thing, now I want both pedals.Remember 3 Monkeys, Duesenberg, and other flavors of the month equipment? Great amps but I have a friend who can't give his away and at one time they were flying out the door. And a Reverend guitar, made in the same Korean factory as the Duesenbergs (yeah yeah a few parts added in Germany) and designed by luthier extraordinare Joe Glaser is made in the same Korean factory and is 1/3rd the price and is as good if not a better guitar. Zematis would like you to meet Mr. Welcome to the group Dave Friedman goodbye to my beloved Marshalls.I will patiently wait for my name to come up on the list.
You never know, Analog Mike might cross reference the list to see who the repeat buyers are and if they are on pedal number 3 move some people around. He does have a post on his website about buying for the purchase of resale.Having dealt with him in the past Mike does quality work, keeps his promises. When he gives you a turn around time it is either on time or ahead of schedule. And his pedals take a licking and keep on ticking. As mentioned he modified 2 tube sceamers not once but twice for me changing components, a silver mod and a brown sound plus the KWS durability upgrade and they have both been all over the world.
The extreme heat of the middle east or freezing cold of the Austrian Alps and have never given me any trouble. Click to expand.That is the rule for the POT where you have already paid for the pedal and he has to refund the money. The rule states after 3 orders your 4th order will be cancelled and money refunded. In the case of the KOT where there has been no money exchanged and Mike has a written policy against repeated selling on eBay/Reverb he can choose whatever he wants to determine what repeated is and cancel or not contact you when your name reaches a point on the list.
Further in order to duplicate the KOT with the POT you have to buy 2, one for each side so it would not be surprising that the KOT threshold would be lower. Not going to happen from me, too many great alternatives based on the bluesbreaker circuit from the Black Box 2, Doxasound, the new Keeley D&M Drive, Keeley 1962 (based on the blues breaker) or the Analogman POT while I wait for my KOT. Throw in the Lovepedal Amp 11, JHS Ruby Red, Suhr for some different style dual gang overdrives and I will wait my turn on the list. Sooner or later people who pay the used scalped price will be left holding the bag. And as you can read from a few posts above Analog Mike is cranking the pedals out and I think supply might increase. To me paying scalping prices is not money well spent, it is money tossed down the drain.
I work too hard for my money to give it to somebody who has no interest in tone and just sees this as a money making alternative. I also recognize that things happen in life and sometimes you have to sell something because of external circumstances, medical and other bills. Once again times are tough and money is tight.Do I think Analog Mike has designed an exceptional circuit, I sure do. Is it twice as good as other variations on the same circuit, my answer is not for me. I have a Keeley D&M that is a gift for next week and I am anxious to try it out.After owning my Doxasound for awhile I can see the attraction to the bluesbreaker circuit however I can also hear why some people are selling theirs saying they did not bond with the pedal and why Keeley says he toned down some of the top end on the 1962 pedal.
You have to use the right amp with the bluesbreaker pedals or it can be somewhat bright. Helps to have a full band, for the home artist the KOT might not be the right pedal.Because of this thread got a note from a local guitar player with a KOT, drove into LA and tried it this afternoon. He was anxious to try my pedal to have for gigging. Close but not exactly the same but the difference was not a bad thing, now I want both pedals.Remember 3 Monkeys, Duesenberg, and other flavors of the month equipment? Great amps but I have a friend who can't give his away and at one time they were flying out the door.
Analogman King Of Tone Wait
And a Reverend guitar, made in the same Korean factory as the Duesenbergs (yeah yeah a few parts added in Germany) and designed by luthier extraordinare Joe Glaser is made in the same Korean factory and is 1/3rd the price and is as good if not a better guitar. Zematis would like you to meet Mr.
Welcome to the group Dave Friedman goodbye to my beloved Marshalls.I will patiently wait for my name to come up on the list. You never know, Analog Mike might cross reference the list to see who the repeat buyers are and if they are on pedal number 3 move some people around. He does have a post on his website about buying for the purchase of resale.Having dealt with him in the past Mike does quality work, keeps his promises.
When he gives you a turn around time it is either on time or ahead of schedule. And his pedals take a licking and keep on ticking. As mentioned he modified 2 tube sceamers not once but twice for me changing components, a silver mod and a brown sound plus the KWS durability upgrade and they have both been all over the world. The extreme heat of the middle east or freezing cold of the Austrian Alps and have never given me any trouble. Click to expand.What are you implying about Mike and using examples of 3 Monkeys? That his time will pass? Because that's complete.
He makes outstanding pedals that go beyond hype. Show me a better in production pedal than a Sunface? Same with the compressor. That thing is amazing, and for me, does a lot that Keeley didn't. KOT is more of the same. The guy builds amazing pedals and isn't a flash in the pan. The peppermint fuzz is another.
I could go on.It just sounds to me that you are frustrated you have to wait. I'd rather have experienced builders that make CONSISTENT pedals, than like so many other companies that up production by hiring sloppy people off the streets, or worse yet, creating overseas. Then you have even more demand for certain model years and versions because the new stuff doesn't have the magic.
What are you implying about Mike and using examples of 3 Monkeys? That his time will pass?
Because that's complete. He makes outstanding pedals that go beyond hype. Show me a better in production pedal than a Sunface? Same with the compressor.
That thing is amazing, and for me, does a lot that Keeley didn't. KOT is more of the same. The guy builds amazing pedals and isn't a flash in the pan. The peppermint fuzz is another.
I could go on.It just sounds to me that you are frustrated you have to wait. I'd rather have experienced builders that make CONSISTENT pedals, than like so many other companies that up production by hiring sloppy people off the streets, or worse yet, creating overseas. Then you have even more demand for certain model years and versions because the new stuff doesn't have the magic. Click to expand.Hey Newbie, wondering when you would show up. Until your arrival this has been a decent exchange of information, ideas and alternatives primarily for people on the waiting list for a KOT.
Let me help you out. At one time, much like now, people were paying way above retail for one of the in demand products, Three Monkeys amps. However like many things on this forum when the frenzy dies down and the 'I want it but can't buy it so I will pay anything for it item' arrives in quantity the scalping price dimishes and prices return to normal retail.
However for those unfortunate souls who paid double or triple retail price they are left holding the bag. So if you think that paying 900.00 for a pedal that sells for 300, there is a white one on Reverb right now, is a good idea then rock on.Further this thread is about alternative options to the KOT.
There have been no derogatory comments about Mike, as a matter of fact just the opposite. I admit it is hard however I will refrain from making any negative comments about you considering you obviously failed to read any of my prior posts concerning this subject. Mike makes excellent products that I have been using for years and will continue to use.You were correct about one thing, I don't like people buying KOTs with no intention of using them in an attempt to inflate the price to make a profit on Reverb or Ebay.For the Love of Pete, I went back and read my entire post. Not only did you not read any of my previous posts, you didn't bother to completely read this one. I know it was a lot of words so I have placed some items in bold to help you out.From the post you quoted:Do I think Analog Mike has designed an exceptional circuit, I sure doHaving dealt with him in the past Mike does quality work, keeps his promises. When he gives you a turn around time it is either on time or ahead of schedule.
And his pedals take a licking and keep on ticking. As mentioned he modified 2 tube sceamers not once but twice for me changing components, a silver mod and a brown sound plus the KWS durability upgrade and they have both been all over the world. The extreme heat of the middle east or freezing cold of the Austrian Alps and have never given me any trouble. As relatively new Prince of Tone owner, I can confirm that turning off DIP switch #1 (lo-mid) changes the character of the pedal quite a bit as described above by others.
With it on, I would describe it as a refined tube screamer of sorts. I'm sure that switch makes a great deal of sonic sense when used in conjunction with a 'scooped' amp/guitar set up, or perhaps Mike just added it to make more options available. Either way, with my stuff (humbuckers, Vox Ac15hw or silverface Bassman) it was a very good OD in that setting. Once I turned that switch off, THEN I finally understood what the buzz was all about.
It's a GREAT OD with that switch off. I'm now VERY confident that that is what one high gain side of a KoT sounds like given what others who have directly A/B'd the two together have said above.So, go ahead, put yourself on the KoT list, and buy the PoT - and as tonemeister20 said above, BUY IT DIRECTLY FROM MIKE unless you can find one used for $150 or less. DO NOT PAY the inflated prices seen on Reverb or eBay; there's simply no need to do so. That stuff is some serious bu.lsh.t as tonemeister20 has pointed out. I bought directly (total cost $142. 50), and Mike has them in stock all the time now, you just have to check his page a bit as they go in and out of stock for short periods. Also, I can confirm that his customer service is 2nd to none.I will say I disagree with tonemeister20 (despite his very rational argument) above in that I think that the TPS guys DID in fact have the lo-mid switch engaged!
Analogman King Of Tone
Mistakes happen!Also - one final note - if you are into certain kinds of 'British rock' guitar sounds, perhaps those made by Blackmore or May or Iommi (and some others) or perhaps you are into Mr. Billy F Gibbons, do yourself a massive favor and buy an Analog.Man Beano Boost (if you do this it will explain like 75% of Iommi tones you've heard).
It takes some taming at first, but once you wok it out, IT IS AWESOME! It stacks beautifully with the PoT as well. Again, no need to pay an inflated price - you can buy it directly from Analog.Man and it's always in stock. Just my $0.02! In my opinion, some MUST HAVES from ANALOG.MAN are:the SUNLION, is a fuzz on the east side and a BEANO BOOST on the westPrince of Tone while on the KOT list - a must have excellent freakin pedal!BAD BOB BOOSTER - just killer.And just sayin'. I got a mini chorus a while back with the toggle option. Totally.in badass.
And I'm not a chorus kinda player. DO GET THE TOGGLE option if you get the chorus. You'll have one of the best sonic play toys to keep you happy fer hours.The ARDX20 delay. TOP NOTCH PRO FESH E NOL.
When people say 'don't judge a book by its cover', that would apply to the delay. You can do a lot once you dig into what they have provided in that pedal build. And it sounds GREAT.FUZZ? They bring the fuzz.I'm just enjoying what I have on my board and checkin in every one in a while just WAITING to see what genuine and completely useful thing that he and his team bring to the table next. I DO HOPE that we will all be pleasantly surprised at something that will be 'released' some time in the near future.^ I have a good feeling ^. I'm very fortunate to live one town over from Mike's shop, and had the opportunity to stop by and play through a few of his pedals. His staff was very friendly, and accommodating to say the least, and even answered all of my stupid newbie questions.
I wound up getting a very cool KOT pedal with the Gain mod on the red channel, and the external toggles to change the gain stages without having to open the pedal to access the dip switches. Totally a great, and highly recommended upgrade IMHO. Worth the wait!!! I have a real issue with people getting on the list and buying with the intent of scalping on Ebay and Reverb. I refuse to buy from a scalper. To me they are the same as a drug dealer- the pusher. If the flow of pedals from Analogman were to increase this would stop or at least curtail.
The POT is more readily available however if you look at the face of Mick at 28.13 in the video at the bottom of this page he goes on to say he is really 'crestfallen' that the POT does not sound like Dan's KOT. I wish it were an exact copy of half of the KOT. Click to expand.Mike has done quite a bit of work to prevent the resale prices from getting overly inflated and stop those looking to take advantage of the system. You can only buy 1 pedal when your name comes up. He also will occasionally post new KOT pedals for sale on eBay at the normal retail price.
Not sure if he's doing this on Reverb as well now. Personally I don't think it's fair to hold the build times against him. But, I do completely understand and feel your frustration with the scalpers. I put my name on the list, waited a year before my name came up, then I waited another 3-6 months for him to get in the alternative color boxes. Now I own a sick looking blue KOT and it was worth the wait.I'm a big fan of the OD + Boost KOT type pedals. I recently bought the Keeley D&M Drive.
The OD is definitely Marshall-ish voiced, but not as smooth as the KOT. It's more crunchy. The Boost side, however, is more Klon-ish with a mid hump.
I prefer the KOT with humbuckers and the D&M with single coils.