One of the most talked-about pedals to emerge from the 2025 NAMM Show was the Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp, a two-channel stereo preamp with tremolo and reverb voiced after the company’s namesake amp, and based on a circuit featuring not one but three 12AX7 tubes.
Just like in the amp, the two footswitcheable channels are optimized for Rythhm, with a cleaner tone and EQ controls for Bass and Treble, and Lead, featuring a different EQ configuration with a Tone knob and a Mid-Bite control to precisely set how much you want your solos to cut through the mix. The other two controls in each are Tone King’s signature Attenuator control and a Volume out knob.
What’s not in the amp is a 3-way cab sim switch for extra coloring options, which can be personalized via IR loading thanks to the USB port.
The third tube in the circuit is used to drive the two effects, the spring reverb and stereo tremolo, which can also be triggered via footswitch (the left one).
The pedal also features presets, Midi compatibility, XLR and headphones outs, and an FX Loop.
