Best amp I’ve heard you play. So much fuller a sound. I went with the Imperial MKII because it was much lighter for an old timer like myself to carry around. I love it. I always look for an amp with stellar clean tones first. I can always use pedals to make a clean amp sound dirty but I could never make a dirty amp sound clean.
Had the MK2 for a few months…but had an option to trade up to the Sky King…so I did! A bit more versatile and in the pro reverb/super area with the 6L6 I wanted. My life amp!
@@gordonmosher7714 it has more tonal capability. It can sound like a MKII, but also has a Marshall-like second channel, Pentode and ultra linear modes. Sound is obviously difficult to describe, but to me the Sky king has more sparkle and layers of sound.
I have an Imperial MKii (head version w/matching cab loaded with a V30). Tone King amps have that great Fender clean, but are not as mid scooped. They’re an awesome pedal platform and the attenuators make them the ideal amp for live settings. Also, the Sky King should have more clean headroom over the Imperial because it’s 35 watts vs 20 watts. Kudos for another great video from The Studio Rats. This channel is one of RUclips’s best kept secrets. P.S. I would still go with the Two Rock over the Tone King for a studio amp.
over my playing career i tried so many amps that I cant even remember them all, so so many. What I always wanted was ONE amp that would sound incredible playing cleans and dirt through it. What I found is either an amp did one or the other but not both, and after trying so many I thought it just wasn't possible to find, it didnt exist....so I settled on finding a great clean amp and some great pedals for everything working off that clean platform. Then by chance really I found the amp I had hunted for for decades...it wasnt a mythical unicorn amp, it just hadn't been made yet. This amp plays anything from jazz to metal and does it exceptionally well. The only pedal I even use is an OKKO coca compressor pedal. My made for me amp was a Mesa Boogie Mark Five 35 head and 2x12 compact closed back cab, you should try one out, maybe it will be what you are looking for.
@@john15333 sweet! I’m still waiting hopefully by end of weekend! My birthday is this weekend so by great time have it land on my door. I need to call and check status, until then playing my Imperial MK2. Also for some FOMO reason I secured a JHS Germanium Treble Booster to go behind my DLS v3 pedal, and use on the lead channel. Not sure how well that pedal will go with the SKY KING. Bud we shall see! I may as well start a RUclips channel at this point 😆
@@mattg082 I've had a LOT of amps and I mean a LOT. I've played hundreds. The sky king is top 3 for me and the best that I own. Give it some break in time though. It really came alive after like 20 hours of play time.
@@john15333 how you compare to Imperial MK2? Is it just different flavors? I’m in a new situation. I was sent a used MK2 then was told they send me a new one..2 months later back stock. So they did the Sky King order to get sooner and got it at same price. Got a call today it’s mid February! So I can get the “new” mK2 and rerun my loaner January 1st…final sale. Or keep the loaner and wait till mid February for Sky King. I’d it worth the wait compared to the Mk2. Right now I use it with a captor for silent recording, then rock out loud at a rehearsal space on weekends. At home I’m barely using the speaker and using cab sims or heavily attenuated no matter which way I go. Gloves come off on weekend. But even with the Tone King IR cabs I found and this amp it’s way better than any Amp in a box amp DI. I’m staying with Tone King..but February is a long way out! I have to make a decision in 10 days. Also do note all my pedals work with the Imperial MK2. But the highs sometimes don’t like some pedals and I find myself returning. I heard the highs on the Sky King are a bit wider and more warm..keep the blackface sound but rounds the highs. Kind of like a Fender Super with the bright switch off. Any info to my questions would be greatly appreciated!!! This is my amp for life, and all this new stuff thrown my way.
always great content and video Paul. I had no idea there were dual attenuators on those. your a great guitar play as well. thanks again and keep those videos coming, they deffinitly help us get thru these cold winters here in Michigan lol.
Best things about this video; no1, That Guitar!! no2; the Tremelo!! Just don't get on with channel switching amps or maybe they don't like being switched too often cos they always blow something on the PCB.
Sounds like a great amp! Great playing and love the chords and lead parts to showcase the tone. I have a now 20 year old Carr Rambler (also has tremolo) and would pick this over that amp. I’m sure OD pedals would go well into the clean channel. Love the tremolo.
Hi Paul! now we need you to try Friedmans like Be50Dlx, Buxom Betty or Twin Sister..also Bogner 20 anniversary Shiva or Goldfinger. Friedman Steve Stevens V2 would be my pick for a perfect Amp. Great content, I'm a fan of the channel! Cheers guys!
I may be getting one and will post videos if I do. Since videos are limited on these amps with pedals. I play Indie Rock and hope to record some content at my band practices with different pedals to post on RUclips! I didn’t find much stuff, so someone has to do it! More need to see these amps with different pedals!
Great one Paul. Good to see you used your Gretsch for the intro! Crazy good sounds out of that Tone King man! Ever tried a Friedman Dirty Shirley or Twin Sister? Cheers, Dave
@@swardmusic yes, I've had it for a while now. It does Blackface better than my 64 custom hand wired Deluxe Reverb. It does a range of tweed tones that I love, nice and warm, none of the scratchy tones you sometimes hear from Fender tweed amps. and it does medium gain Marshall esque fairly well. the reverb and tremolo are fantastic as well. again, better than my hand wired Fender. the craftsmanship is unreal. also the master and volume work amazingly well. no attenuator needed to achieve the overdriven tones.
Different tones…Imperial MK2 is great to cut in a mix. But can be trebly and boxy at loud volumes. Also doesn’t like any gain pedals past medium. The Sky King has more bottom end, the treble highs aren’t as bothersome and it doesn’t get boxy. For the price I felt the Sky King can get you into more modern rock as well. Imperial MK2 can be very fussy outside the studio, needs a mic and even a separate cab or speaker to take it a bit. Recording wise I like the Imperial, and it works well for mellow bands that don’t go past medium overdrive. Sky King will carry all those Jack White style heavy rock riffs. The Imperial is more creamy blues rock garage rock with no bottom end to it. But the Imperial is light! Honestly it just depends on what kind of band you play in..or if you just play at home or in studio. Live the Imperial MK2 in a rock band, I needed a second amp to go with it.
Crazy good sounding amp. Too many design flaws and shoddy workmanship by B.A.D. to make an option for me. But if they come out with a MK III with the flaws corrected I'm a buyer for sure. Please return to the Mark Bartel era build quality and QC!!
Best amp I’ve heard you play. So much fuller a sound. I went with the Imperial MKII because it was much lighter for an old timer like myself to carry around. I love it. I always look for an amp with stellar clean tones first. I can always use pedals to make a clean amp sound dirty but I could never make a dirty amp sound clean.
The MKII is a brilliant amp. I have one as well and it’s a lifer.
Had the MK2 for a few months…but had an option to trade up to the Sky King…so I did! A bit more versatile and in the pro reverb/super area with the 6L6 I wanted. My life amp!
I've owned over 35 amps and this is my favorite. I traded in a MKII for it and its definitely an upgrade. Its my forever amp.
I'm torn between a MKII or a Sky King. Besides extra volume / head room does the Sky King have any advantages over the MKII?
@@gordonmosher7714 it has more tonal capability. It can sound like a MKII, but also has a Marshall-like second channel, Pentode and ultra linear modes.
Sound is obviously difficult to describe, but to me the Sky king has more sparkle and layers of sound.
I have an Imperial MKii (head version w/matching cab loaded with a V30). Tone King amps have that great Fender clean, but are not as mid scooped. They’re an awesome pedal platform and the attenuators make them the ideal amp for live settings. Also, the Sky King should have more clean headroom over the Imperial because it’s 35 watts vs 20 watts. Kudos for another great video from The Studio Rats. This channel is one of RUclips’s best kept secrets. P.S. I would still go with the Two Rock over the Tone King for a studio amp.
over my playing career i tried so many amps that I cant even remember them all, so so many.
What I always wanted was ONE amp that would sound incredible playing cleans and dirt through it.
What I found is either an amp did one or the other but not both, and after trying so many I thought it just wasn't possible to find, it didnt exist....so I settled on finding a great clean amp and some great pedals for everything working off that clean platform.
Then by chance really I found the amp I had hunted for for decades...it wasnt a mythical unicorn amp, it just hadn't been made yet.
This amp plays anything from jazz to metal and does it exceptionally well.
The only pedal I even use is an OKKO coca compressor pedal.
My made for me amp was a Mesa Boogie Mark Five 35 head and 2x12 compact closed back cab, you should try one out, maybe it will be what you are looking for.
Sounds like heaven.
Sold a tone king imperial II for this. It's a big upgrade in my opinion.
I just upgraded on a deal…waiting on the Sky King to come in. Gotta a MK2 still here till it comes through!
You won't regret that one bit. I did the same.
@@john15333 sweet! I’m still waiting hopefully by end of weekend! My birthday is this weekend so by great time have it land on my door. I need to call and check status, until then playing my Imperial MK2. Also for some FOMO reason I secured a JHS Germanium Treble Booster to go behind my DLS v3 pedal, and use on the lead channel. Not sure how well that pedal will go with the SKY KING. Bud we shall see! I may as well start a RUclips channel at this point 😆
@@mattg082 I've had a LOT of amps and I mean a LOT. I've played hundreds. The sky king is top 3 for me and the best that I own. Give it some break in time though. It really came alive after like 20 hours of play time.
@@john15333 how you compare to Imperial MK2? Is it just different flavors? I’m in a new situation. I was sent a used MK2 then was told they send me a new one..2 months later back stock. So they did the Sky King order to get sooner and got it at same price. Got a call today it’s mid February! So I can get the “new” mK2 and rerun my loaner January 1st…final sale. Or keep the loaner and wait till mid February for Sky King. I’d it worth the wait compared to the Mk2. Right now I use it with a captor for silent recording, then rock out loud at a rehearsal space on weekends. At home I’m barely using the speaker and using cab sims or heavily attenuated no matter which way I go. Gloves come off on weekend. But even with the Tone King IR cabs I found and this amp it’s way better than any Amp in a box amp DI. I’m staying with Tone King..but February is a long way out!
I have to make a decision in 10 days.
Also do note all my pedals work with the Imperial MK2. But the highs sometimes don’t like some pedals and I find myself returning. I heard the highs on the Sky King are a bit wider and more warm..keep the blackface sound but rounds the highs. Kind of like a Fender Super with the bright switch off.
Any info to my questions would be greatly appreciated!!! This is my amp for life, and all this new stuff thrown my way.
Excellent presentation and very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
The NeuralDSP Tone King model is also sick!
always great content and video Paul. I had no idea there were dual attenuators on those. your a great guitar play as well. thanks again and keep those videos coming, they deffinitly help us get thru these cold winters here in Michigan lol.
Best things about this video; no1, That Guitar!! no2; the Tremelo!! Just don't get on with channel switching amps or maybe they don't like being switched too often cos they always blow something on the PCB.
You do great demos, thought I was going to go with the independence but now reassessing that having just watched this demo
Stunning sounds, beautiful in every way. Nicely done sir.
That is truly a lovely amp, and that trem' sound, perfect.
Newest fan to this channel, well played lad!
Love that intro with the Gretsch.
One off your best demos tone wise dude mega
Man. That amp sounds great!
I just bought a TK imperial. its my dream amp. Love the attenuator
This is the very best amp i have ever played or owned
i have mkii. kinda pricey for not really handwired. would not repurchase, but it does sound great and covers a lot of bases
Sounds like a great amp! Great playing and love the chords and lead parts to showcase the tone. I have a now 20 year old Carr Rambler (also has tremolo) and would pick this over that amp. I’m sure OD pedals would go well into the clean channel. Love the tremolo.
the down side for many is ..it comes at a price...
Tasty sweet playing 👍
Hi Paul! now we need you to try Friedmans like Be50Dlx, Buxom Betty or Twin Sister..also Bogner 20 anniversary Shiva or Goldfinger. Friedman Steve Stevens V2 would be my pick for a perfect Amp.
Great content, I'm a fan of the channel! Cheers guys!
OK, I know this video is a little old... but I'm dying to see someone run one of the new SLO pedals into the front of this thing.
I may be getting one and will post videos if I do. Since videos are limited on these amps with pedals. I play Indie Rock and hope to record some content at my band practices with different pedals to post on RUclips! I didn’t find much stuff, so someone has to do it! More need to see these amps with different pedals!
I have never understood why a two channel amp wouldn't have an effects loop.
Great playing! Really shows the true sound of the amp.
Another great video. Still love to hear you play a Morgan amp.
Beautiful sounding amp!
Great demo
Great one Paul. Good to see you used your Gretsch for the intro! Crazy good sounds out of that Tone King man! Ever tried a Friedman Dirty Shirley or Twin Sister? Cheers, Dave
This amp was on my short list, so I did the logical thing and spent a couple more dollars and ordered a Bartel Roseland. Still waiting though.
Dis u get it yet? Thoughts??
@@swardmusic yes, I've had it for a while now. It does Blackface better than my 64 custom hand wired Deluxe Reverb. It does a range of tweed tones that I love, nice and warm, none of the scratchy tones you sometimes hear from Fender tweed amps. and it does medium gain Marshall esque fairly well. the reverb and tremolo are fantastic as well. again, better than my hand wired Fender. the craftsmanship is unreal. also the master and volume work amazingly well. no attenuator needed to achieve the overdriven tones.
@@BSPotter v cool thanks for feedback
And another one bites the dust 😊
Amp sounds fantastic, but I think it would have been nice if they had included an FX loop
If I would ever have that much money this is my perfect amp. :)
I’d like to keep it, but unfortunately it’s got to go to make the next vid.
This is insanely good... It does need an effects loop though.
How did you like the Tone King compared to the Two Rock?
You should make a Quad Cortex capture!
An underated but fantastic amp you may dig is the Ampeg Gemini II or a Ampeg Rocket II.
underrated because its 4 thousand dollars
@@soofitnsexy where I had one for $450 sold it for $650. Many available under $1k.
@@pastorkev777 i meant tone king
how did you record the amp.. just curious.. thanks
is that a cusyom shop fender ?? alder ash pickups? hello from nyc!! awesome playing as usual
Not a huge fan of the highest gain settings from what I could hear, but otherwise sounds fantastic to me!
Is the amp mic'd or is this through an Ox ?
The ToneKing Imperial is the better amp in my opinion, but can’t go wrong with either
Why is that.
Different tones…Imperial MK2 is great to cut in a mix. But can be trebly and boxy at loud volumes. Also doesn’t like any gain pedals past medium. The Sky King has more bottom end, the treble highs aren’t as bothersome and it doesn’t get boxy. For the price I felt the Sky King can get you into more modern rock as well. Imperial MK2 can be very fussy outside the studio, needs a mic and even a separate cab or speaker to take it a bit. Recording wise I like the Imperial, and it works well for mellow bands that don’t go past medium overdrive. Sky King will carry all those Jack White style heavy rock riffs. The Imperial is more creamy blues rock garage rock with no bottom end to it. But the Imperial is light!
Honestly it just depends on what kind of band you play in..or if you just play at home or in studio. Live the Imperial MK2 in a rock band, I needed a second amp to go with it.
very nice vidéo and palying! but…why thé sky king and not the Imperial? cheers!
Wow!
Sounds really great! Have you considered the 3rd Power Kitchen Sink 6VEL? Could be a good match for you.
Had that amp and hated it
no fx loop?
Sounds great. Must be worth keeping to do a job in the studio?
You really should look at the Revv Dynamis 7-40!
Crazy good sounding amp. Too many design flaws and shoddy workmanship by B.A.D. to make an option for me. But if they come out with a MK III with the flaws corrected I'm a buyer for sure. Please return to the Mark Bartel era build quality and QC!!
Is it any good? C’mon mate.. it’s every best.
It sounds like you..through any amp...I reckon u do this all through a Katana and show pix of the amps...lololol