King of Tone
The King of Tone is a highly sought‑after overdrive pedal made by Analog Man’s Mike Piera. Released in 2003, it’s a two‑sided take on Marshall’s Bluesbreaker and gives players a flexible range of clean boost, overdrive, and distortion without changing their guitar tone too much.
Mike Piera started Analog Man in the 1990s after a career in software and a stint in Japan where vintage gear was in high demand. He began building and selling pedals in Bethel, Connecticut, in 2000 and became known for customizing orders and sticking to a small, hand‑made approach. His work centers on reviving classic effects that are no longer in production.
Technically, the King of Tone has two sides. Each side has volume, tone, and drive controls, with extra options inside the pedal for selecting clean boost, overdrive, or distortion. There are also internal options for shaping high end and switching between modes. Piera designed it so it’s not a heavy overdrive; it’s meant to preserve your guitar and amp tone while offering more dynamic range and versatility.
The pedal became legendary after Piera appeared on the YouTube channel That Pedal Show in 2017. Demand exploded, and orders quickly reached hundreds per day. A years‑long waiting list formed, and used King of Tone units began selling for well over the original price. Piera’s careful sourcing and hand‑built approach kept production slow, and he resisted cheapening the process or lowering standards just to speed things up.
To meet demand, Piera created the Prince of Tone (a single‑sided, higher‑gain version made in China) and worked with MXR to produce the Duke of Tone, a mini, mass‑produced version released in 2022. In 2025, he teamed up with Chase Bliss Audio for the AM Brothers overdrive, a collaboration that blends analog and digital elements for extra tonal control.
Today, the King of Tone is still highly prized. It’s praised for its responsive, clear gain and its ability to work with a wide range of amps and guitars. Guitar World called it one of the century’s 50 greatest guitar pieces, and fans include players like Ed O’Brien, Brad Whitford, Tom Bukovac, and Noel Gallagher. Prices have risen over the years; a standard King of Tone was about $245 in 2019 and around $335 in 2025 due to tariffs and sourcing costs. Production remains deliberate: about 50–60 units a week, with a waiting list of roughly four years in 2025 and new applicants adding their names at a rate of 20–30 per day.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:05 (CET).