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Tube preamp voor elektrische gitaar

  • 2 Kanalen
  • De legendarische MKII-versterker van Tone King met de Tweed-, Blackface- en Vintage British Rock-Sounds uit de jaren 50 in een compact, pedalboard-vriendelijk formaat, met de exacte voorversterkersectie en schakelaar voor fase-omkering van de Imperial MKII-versterker, evenals reverb, tremolo en attenuation
  • De DSP IR Cabinet / Power Amp Simulation stuurt een cab en mic-sound van studiokwaliteit naar een DAW of mengpaneel
  • Maximaal 128 presets kunnen worden opgeslagen om direct op te roepen via een externe MIDI-switcher
  • Buizen: 3x 12AX7
  • Controls voor reverb: Reverb, Dwell
  • Controls voor tremolo: Depth, Speed
  • Controls voor Rhythm Channel: Attenuation, Bass, Treble, Volume
  • Controls voor Lead Channel: Attenuation, Mid-Bite, Tone, Volume
  • Schakelaars: Ground Lift, 3-voudige CAB / IR-keuzeschakelaar per kanaal
  • Effects loop: Serieel
  • Ingang: 6,3 mm jack
  • Send: 6,3 mm jack
  • Left & Right Return: 2 x 6,3 mm jack
  • Left & Right Balanced uitgang: 2 x XLR
  • To Amp In: 6,3 mm jack
  • From Amp Send: 6,3 mm jack
  • To Amp Return: 6,3 mm jack
  • Hoofdtelefoon: 6,3 mm stereo jack
  • Midi in: 5-pins
  • USB-C
  • Netadapter aansluiting: Holle connector 5,5 x 2,1 mm, minpool binnen
  • Stroomverbruik: 800 mA
  • Stroomvoorziening met een 12 V DC netadapter (inbegrepen bij de levering)
  • Afmetingen (B x D x H): 183 x 145 x 70 mm
  • Gewicht: 0,9 kg
  • Leverbaar sinds April 2025
  • artikelnummer 612642
  • verkoopseenheid 1 stuk
  • Design Stompbox
  • Tube(s) Yes
  • Amp Modeling No
  • Effects Yes
  • Headphone Output Yes
  • Direct Out Yes
  • MIDI Interface Yes
  • Integrated Expression Pedal No
  • Connections for Pedals or Switches No
  • Aux-Input No
  • Integrated Tuner No
  • USB-Port Yes
  • Drum-Computer No
  • Effect Types Preamp
€ 666
Alle prijzen incl. btw
Direct leverbaar
1

Vintage sound in pedal format

The Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp was developed to authentically reproduce the sonic characteristics of the Tone King Imperial MKII, a 20W 1x12" all-tube combo, for use on pedalboards and in home studios. Designed in the spirit of classic vintage gear, the pedal features two channels, capturing the essence of the revered amplifier and delivering everything from rich, characterful clean sounds to responsive crunch and classic lead tones with plenty of presence. Its three footswitches capture the soul of the entire amplifier in a versatile and accessible format, while a built-in bias tremolo and spring reverb simulation add depth and atmosphere to the sound. An onboard power amp and cabinet simulation in turn provide convincingly direct tones, complemented by a comprehensive effects loop with stereo return for flexible signal routing, and the pedal is even MIDI-compatible.

Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp

Two-channel preamp

Channel 1 of the Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp offers warm, clean tones and light overdrive, and the player can easily dial in their sound using the volume, bass, and treble controls, creating a sound that blends naturally with pedals placed further up the signal chain and with a tonal character clearly inspired by the classic Blackface-era amps. The lead channel, with its dense, harmonious, and dynamic distortion, is based on the cranked-up Tweed amplifiers of the 1950s, and features level and tone controls as well as a mid-bite control to refine the definition and character of the drive. Designed with versatility in mind, the Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp can be used as a standalone preamp in conjunction with a power amp or as an additional channel for existing amps via an effects loop. The power amplifier and speaker simulation via the XLR sockets also allows operation without accessories – for recordings and for that next session at the mixing console. A headphone output rounds out the setup and offers a useful option for practising in silence.

Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp, detail

Power amp saturation included

The Tone King Imperial MKII is a combo amplifier without a master volume control, which allows the natural saturation of its power amp to play a central role in shaping its lively, responsive sound. To control the volume while maintaining this characteristic behaviour, the original amplifier features the Iron Man II attenuation control, a function that is closely linked to its sound. To replicate this experience in a pedal format, the Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp incorporates a dedicated 0-watt power amplifier with phase inverter and transformer, which is driven by one of the three 12AX7 tubes, to faithfully reproduce the dynamic response of the original design. The degree of saturation is controlled via the volume controls, which gradually bring the virtual power amplifier section into a smooth overdrive, while the channel attenuation controls allow for precise level matching.

Tone King Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp, logo

About Tone King

Founded in 1993 by Mark Bartel and based in Baltimore, Maryland, Tone King has built a sterling reputation for its USA-made tube amplifiers, renowned for their vintage-inspired tones. A standout feature is the integrated Ironman attenuator, which allows lower-volume operation without sacrificing tone. Confident in their craftsmanship, Tone King offers a lifetime warranty to first-time buyers. In addition to full amplifiers, the company now produces preamps, speaker cabinets, and standalone Ironman attenuators.

Effects and simulations included

A special feature of the Imperial Tri-Tube Preamp is the built-in digital bias tremolo, which can also be found in analogue form in the original Tone King and numerous vintage amplifiers. This creates a pulsating volume modulation and can be adjusted for speed and intensity, whereas activation can be individually set for each channel. For added ambience, the unit also features a spring reverb based on a realistic impulse response, with controls for level and decay time and the option to assign it to each channel. Both tremolo and reverb operate in stereo, in addition to which the preamp provides power amp and cabinet simulation using impulse responses, offering three selectable IRs for each channel. A free editor for Windows and Mac also gives users even more options, providing access to fifteen additional speaker simulations from OwnHammer for flexible sound design.

In the spotlight

90 Klantenbeoordelingen

4.7 / 5

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65 Recensies

Sd
Very good, almost perfect.
S. de Munnik 16.03.2026
Great pedal. The sounds are very good and 'royal' indeed. This pedal feels solid and is plug and play. The two channels are very different but work very well together. To match the channels tone/volume wise it takes some listening and turning knobs. Reberb and tremolo are great as well.

The XLR's out are fine, but i wish it had the 6,3 mm jacks as well. Now I had to buy some cables.

4 stars, because of 2 things:
- the wire of the power supply is really short.
- Why is the 3rd button not used for a boost? Just like the IR-X and IRD. Who needs a bypass-switch on stage? This could be on the back of the device...
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google translate gb
Helaas is er een fout opgetreden, probeert u het a.u.b. later nogmaals.
B
Surprisingly great!
Bosil 23.08.2025
Bought this a bit on impulse for trying out in my home studio. Regretted it at first as I should really use my money on other stuff. I have a Tone King Gremlin, which sounds great on my recordings, but I usually need to record DI and reamp afterwards, which is a tedious process.
I’ve tried a lot of software amp modellers and found noone that has impressed me. I’m mostly after a clean guitar sound.
The imperial preamp pedal sounds like an amp and the cleans are really great. I can actually record through this and it sounds just as good or even better than when I record through my Gremlin with a Royer mic.
Updated impression:
I was a bit disappointed with the tremolo at first, but now it's hard to not have it on in a rather subtle setting. The reverb is also really nice and is always on.
My only complaint is that a couple of the jack connections seems a bit loose, depending on which cable I use. I keep it connected in the studio all the time, so not a big issue, but if I were to use it live it could have been a problem. That's why I give it 4 stars on quality and handling.
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google translate gb
Helaas is er een fout opgetreden, probeert u het a.u.b. later nogmaals.
N
It totally lives up to the hype!
Noisy_Models 10.04.2026
The Imperial pre-amp really is superb! The rhythm channel is simply gorgeous, offering shimmering clean tones through to quite driven sounds - and it's wonderfully responsive to playing dynamics when in the "edge of breakup" zone. Add in the top quality reverb and tremolo and it's perfect for the bulk of my playing without the need for external pedals. That said, it handles an overdrive on the input beautifully, and something like a Cloudburst sounds superb through the send/return, making this a great pedal platform.

The lead channel is excellent too - quite a lot hotter, but easy to tame and balance against the rhythm channel for some extra kick when you need it. Tone King's editing software worked seamlessly and did an automatic update as soon as I connected the pedal - and it's definitely worth trying some of the options such as the HF Comp to maintain brightness as you use the attenuator.

I've been very happy using a Tonex pedal (also purchased from Thomann), but I've got to say the Imperial will oust it from my main rig. It just "feels" better somehow - I guess it's down to playing directly through valves/tubes, as against a capture of them and then relying on how the Tonex itself overdrives. True, an audience might not notice the difference, but you're definitely aware of it when playing and it feels really good.

After the glowing reviews I'd seen of the Imperial, it really had a lot to live up to, but it absolutely delivers. I was lucky with the timing and spotted it in Thomann's spring sale, but it would be totally worth it at full price. If you're after classic "Fender-ish" amp tones in a versatile pedal format, you won't be disappointed with the Imperial.
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google translate gb
Helaas is er een fout opgetreden, probeert u het a.u.b. later nogmaals.
A
Toneking is the king indeed!
Arno_Spies 20.05.2025
I've tried every digital pedal friendly solution out there.
Finally, the King is here.
Easy to use great sounds and fantastic feel, nothing comes close.
The verb and trem are heavenly.
A keeper for sure.
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