Analogman King Of Tone
As far as the layout working? Yes, it works perfectly. And it sounds really, really good going into a clean channel on a 50w tube head.I used 1N914 for the quad set of diodes, and 1N457a for the duo. But, you could just as easily run two wires to a rotary switch and run any combination of diodes you want!OR, instead of soldering a pair of diodes to the board, put sockets in their place and test whatever diodes you want. That's really the whole point of it, isn't it?The layout above is simply a canvas to experiment with!!Good Luck!!
Well, I said I'd post a review.here goes!Well, I finally got my King of Tone pedal a week or so ago after a 2+ year wait. I packed up almost all my other effects and went to town with the KoT!I spent most of the time with my #1 Telecaster, my Strat and my 58 reissue Les Paul. The amp I leaned on the most was my 62 brown Fender Deluxe but my Mission Amps Super and my 69 Twin reverb did get some time too.First off, this is an amazing looking pedal.I got v4 which is the newest at this time, it's finished in hammer tone purple paint with yellow/gold graphics, it sports 6 external controls and 3 internal controls. The controls on the outside are a pair of volumes, a pair of tones and a pair of drive controls. On the inside there are 2 treble boost (or cut) mini pots and a bank of 4 dip switches. The KoT v4 is more or less 2 OD pedals in one box that share a common power supply but that’s it.they have all their own controls and each side can be set in a number of different ways.
There is more to it and if you want more about the specs of the pedal check it out at AM's web site.I also have to say this.the KoT is a VERY well made pedal.great parts, high quality and made very well, solid as a tank. Very well thought out design and VERY user friendly.There are 3 modes that can be had on either of the 2 channels of this pedal.'
Clean', 'od' and 'dist'.I will say this, this pedal is NOT a TS type unit and sounds NOTHING like one to my ears but for comparison purposes Mike uses a TS as a measuring stick if you will, this is from his site and will break down the 3 modes.1) Normal Overdrive mode (OD mode): This is the standard King Of Tone sound- a little less drive available than a tube screamer. Factory DIP switch setting has this mode on the right (red) channel. This mode can get about 4 times louder than a tube screamer if desired.2) CLEAN mode: This mode has less drive, can be used for clean boosts or clearer, louder sounds. It's like a clean boost with an overdrive knob. CLEAN MODE is even less compressed than the standard OD mode.
The factory DIP switch setting uses this mode on the left (yellow) channel. This mode can get twice as loud as the OD mode. You can think of the clean mode as the OD mode with the overdrive removed, allowing louder, clearer tone. But the drive knob still functions and can add some drive to the sound, and volume as it's turned up.3) DISTORTION mode: This mode has more drive than the standard OD mode- a touch of hard distortion. The sound is more compressed, yet retains the King Of Tone character.
This mode can get about twice as loud as a tube screamer. Think of this mode as a cross between a Boss DS-1 distortion and OD-1 overdrive, with more clarity. We recommend most players use the OD and CLEAN modes. While the DIST mode sounds great, and I like to use it on certain occasions, it does not allow the pedal to get its absolute BEST tones.
You can put an aged single malt Scotch whisky on ice, but it would be a shame to dilute it!This pedal is simply one of the best (if not THE best) Overdrive pedals I've ever heard! It keeps all the bass in your tone, it doesn't muddy up the mids and the treble never gets harsh or fizzy. The tone control(s) have a very broad range but never get muddy or harsh in either extreme of it's rotation, the drive control(s) are very useable as well, and the volume controls can be used to get less than unity gain (if need be) and way beyond it if you want it.this pedal has LOTS of volume on all 3 settings! If you like the tone you get from your guitar/amp combo as is you'll love the KoT, if you have a crappy tone don't expect the KoT to 'fix' it. This is what I have found so far and what I’m using the pedal for.if I’m at home (I live in an apartment) and can't crank my amps I'll set the red channel for the 3rd mode (distortion) and use that side as a stand alone crunch box.it's not high gain by any means but. does it have killer tone!!! It's a nice crunchy tone and responds to all your playing changes like a cranked amp does, it's full of very natural sounding harmonics and let’s the tone of the guitar and amp really shine through.
Good review.Pretty much what I found. I normally use the normal mode as it's the best sounding to my ears. Lately, I've been using the KOT in my Northern VA apartment during the week.and I've been using the distortion mode. The distortion mode is really too thick for any tube amp that's already crunching but is still fun. In front of my Super Champ it's a load of fun.but the distortion mode gets squishy.This isn't the stomp box for a crap amp. If you've already got a good sounding tube amp, this is an awesome pedal to put in front.
Don't expect magic from a Gorilla or other junk amp. But in front of my '65 BFDR.the tone is maaaaahvelous!and there's the Stupid Wait.Compared a/b with my Klon, I'd really have to give the nod to my Klon.
It's a little better but we're talking about a very slight differences. But.then again, the Klon doesn't have that second channel.Maybe think of it as a Klon with an OCD after it? It's the only overdrive I've kept besides the FD2. I wish the FD2 had two seperate channels like the KOT does. I'd set one for comp-cut and one for FM. The KOT is great, I can't imagine getting rid of it. Star trek pc mods. I use it to push an already-pushed tube amp farther into overdrive territory, and it works great for that.
As a clean boost, I prefer the FD2 comp-cut, but as an overdrive, both pedals rock incredibly. The seperate channels (with seperate vol, tone, and drive controls) really sets it apart. And it's in a relatively small box. KlonsThere's no 'Boost' side of a Klon per se. There's only three control: drive, volume and tone.
If what you're asking is whether a KoT sounds as good as a Klon being using as a clean boost (meaning drive set to low; volume high).then, my experience is that it's pretty close. I really haven't heard anything yet that is as transparent as a Klon but again.the differences are very slight once you're in the realm of these boutique pedals.The KoT does the clean boost very well.
However, I think there are a number of very good clean boost alternatives that will sound almost as good for a lot less $$$. I think what sets the KoT apart really is that the channels act a lot more independently than other dual pedals.that and that the OD seems to mate well with a variety of amps. It also seems to very easy to dial in two sounds that work well together.whether that be clean boost/OD or OD/distortion.
Analogman King Of Tone Clone Kit
KOT v4 volume range?Well, I just got mine hooked up this weekend but have some questions about the volume range on each channel before I go and bug Mike about it (bear in mind I've been usng a FD2 for a number of years now so that's what I'm used to). At what volume knob setting (with the others at 12 o'clock high) do you get unity volume and how much volume increase range after that? I have attenuation at volumes below 2 o'clock in either channel, and unity between 2-3, running either a battery or adaptor power.