Presenting the all new Tone King Imperial MKII Tri-Tube Preamp Pedal, The Heart of the Imperial MKII Combo, Now on Your Pedalboard....
The Imperial All-Tube Preamp pedal delivers Tone King’s legendary MKII amplifier's '50s tweed, '60s blackface, and vintage British rock tones in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format. It features the exact preamp section and phase inverter circuitry of the Imperial MKII amp, as well as Reverb, Tremolo and Attenuation, resulting in a pedal that sings with harmonic richness and blooming touch response.
Powered by three 12AX7 preamp tubes running at high voltage, this preamp delivers the original amp's sound, responsiveness, and exquisite interaction with your pickups and effects.
The onboard, low-latency impulse response (IR) loader (per channel), Headphones, easy integration and expansion with your existing gear, and MIDI capabilities, takes these iconic tones into the new era of guitar playing.
Legendary Vintage Tube Amp Tones: The Imperial Preamp Pedal features two distinct channels, each mirroring the '50s and '60s flavors of the Imperial MKII:
- The Rhythm Channel evokes the essence of a classic '60s blackface combo's pristine cleans with a touch-sensitive response that transitions smoothly into overdrive.
- The Lead Channel is inspired by the iconic tweed amps of the '50s’ with the ability to glide between warm articulate cleans and aggressive midrange bark. This channel's Mid-Bite control adds a further layer of tone shaping, focusing the low-end, while adding high-end presence and gain for a British-flavored rock crunch.
Built-In Zero Watt Poweramp - Phase Inverter: The Imperial Pre-Amp Pedal includes the exact phase inverter circuitry of the actual Imperial MKII amp, utilizing one of its three 12AX7 tubes. This built-in “0 watt poweramp” authentically provides the harmonic and dynamic content of the Tone King poweramp section. This revolutionary design is the cornerstone that delivers the ENTIRE Imperial MKII experience right on your pedal board and in direct-in situations.
Stereo Convolution Spring Reverb & Stereo Tremolo: Like its namesake amp, the Imperial Preamp boasts foot-switchable spring reverb and tremolo (digital on the preamp pedal) which are assignable to each channel. A signature of the Tone King Imperial MKII tube amplifier, these era-correct effects add dimension and movement while transporting you to a golden age of electric guitar tone.
Impulse Response (IR) Cabinet & Power Amp Sim: The Imperial Preamp pedal's low latency IR and power amp simulation technology delivers its tube tones directly to the front of house or your interface. That’s especially evident in the 15 included OwnHammer-made IRs.
Each channel has three of Tone King's favorites, preloaded, and selectable via dual 3-way toggle switches:
- OH 112 Imperial TK1660: Tone King 1660 speaker in a Tone King Imperial 1x12 combo. Captured using a Shure SM57, a Neumann U87, and a Royer 121 through '70s API 312 preamps.
- OH 212 Class A Blue: Celestion Blues from 1963 in a Vox AC30 2x12 combo. Captured using a Shure SM57, a Neumann U87, and a Royer 121 through '70s API 312 preamps.
- OH 412 Basketweave M25: Celestion G12M-25 speakers from 1971 in a basket-weave 1960B 4x12 cabinet. Captured using a Shure SM57, Telefunken MD421, and Royer 121.
There are 12 additional IRs to choose from in the included Tone King Editor software (powered by Synergy) which are easy to swap in and out of the pedal's six available slots. You can also disengage the onboard IR loader entirely to use the preamp with an external IR loader or powered cabinet.
Tone King Editor Software: You can assign the Reverb, Tremolo and IR to each of the channels right on the pedal itself, making it a powerful and easy-to-use sonic tool. Tone King offers an Editor software, powered by Synergy, which takes the Pre-Amp's capabilities to another level, allowing you to fine-tune all of the preamp's digitally controlled parameters and save them in up to 128 MIDI presets
Savable Parameters:
- Control the independent power amp simulation HF Comp and Low-Pass filters
- Access all 15 included OwnHammer IRs
- Easily load your own IRs and manage your IR library
- Assign any of your IRs to the pedal's six available slots (three per channel)
- Control your reverb, reverb tails, tremolo and effects loop bypass settings
- Save these settings to up to 128 presets for instant recall via MIDI
Expanded Control Via MIDI: The Tone King Editor software also unlocks all of the Imperial Preamp's modern control. Fully MIDI-capable, you can save your presets and access them instantly with a MIDI pedalboard controller or the laptop running your entire show. It is the perfect marriage of modern control and classic tube tone.
Expanding Your Rig's Capabilities: The Imperial Preamp Pedal is the perfect DI recording and performing solution. But that's just scratching the surface.
Add Channels to Your Current Guitar Amplifier: A standout feature of the Imperial preamp pedal is its ability to easily integrate with your existing amplifiers (must have a series effects loop). A straightforward 3-cable connection is all it takes, and you can instantly alternate between the Imperial Preamp as your amp's front end or your amp's preamp channels.
Networking with Other Effects-Loop-Equipped Preamp Pedals: Create the ultimate pedalboard-based rig with other preamp pedals (with effects loops). Using the same 3-cable method, you get both Imperial channels, your other preamp’s tones, the Imperial's stereo effects loop, and its onboard IRs. Additionally, you can assign the Imperial's spring reverb and tremolo effects to your other preamp channels.
Classic American Tube Tone for Every Stage & Studio : Whether you're a gigging musician, a recording artist, or simply a tone enthusiast, the Tone King Imperial Preamp pedal offers endless possibilities. Use it as a standalone preamp for recording or for silent stages and practice, add its two channels to your existing amplifier, pair it with a power amp and cabinet to move some air, or combine it with other preamp pedals for an even wider range of pedalboard-based tones.
Two Channel High-Voltage preamp – DI
3 x 12AX7 preamp tubes running at proper high voltages
Built-In zero watt poweramp - phase inverter circuit
Two channels with independent Volume and Attenuation controls
Rhythm Channel (top)
'60s-era American blackface combo tone
Bass and Treble controls
Lead Channel (Bottom)
'50s-era American tweed combo and British rock tones
Tone and Mid-Bite controls
Spring Reverb (convolution)
Reverb and Dwell controls
Independently assignable to each channel
Tremolo (digital)
Depth and Speed controls
Independently assignable to each channel
Stereo, Series FX loop (bypassable)
MIDI programmable
Save up to 128 presets for instant recall via an external MIDI switcher
Presets save:
- Channel selection
- Master bypass setting
- IR selection
- IR bypass setting
- Effects loop bypass setting
- Reverb bypass and tails settings
- Tremolo bypass settings
Onboard Impulse Response (IR) Technology
- Low-latency Impulse Response cabinet simulation (bypassable)
- 3-position CAB/IR select switch per channel (programmable via software) Included OwnHammer IRs
Poweramp simulation with software editable HF Comp and Low-Pass filters (per channel)
Connections:
Dual stereo balanced XLR outputs with Ground Lift Switch
¼" Headphone output
Effects Send and Stereo Return Jacks
MIDI 5-pin standard connector
USB-C connector for use with the included Tone King Editor software editor
To Amp In, From Amp Send and From Amp Return Jacks – for adding Imperial channels to your amp or preamp
• Included
o 6’ USB Cable
o Universal 12V Power Supply
• Dimensions: 7.2” (W) x 5.7” (D) x 2.75” (H)
• Weight: 1.9 lbs.
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.

Product Videos
Videos Hide Videos Show Videos
-
Tone King "Imperial" Tri Tube Preamp Pedal Demo: Hear it Direct, A/B W/ Head, and more....
? New Tone King Imperial Preamp Pedal | Vintage American Tone ...
-
TONE KING IMPERIAL PREAMP - ALL TUBE, 2 CHANNELS, IR'S!
The Tone King Imperial Preamp, features reverb, tremolo, 2 cha...
-
Tone King Imperial Tri Tube Preamp
Shawn Tubbs Lessons https://www.soundslice.com/store/demolitio...