Following the “Pedal of the Year” success of last year’s American-voiced Imperial Preamp, Tone King has officially unveiled its successor at NAMM 2026: the Royalist Tube Preamp Pedal. Priced at £599, this high-voltage floor unit brings the legendary “British” roar of the Royalist MKIII amplifier into a compact, direct-out solution for the modern stage and studio.
While the previous Imperial model focused on the glassy cleans of 1950s and 60s California, the Royalist is a sonic tribute to the UK’s golden age of tube saturation.
The Technology: 12AX7 Power at High Voltage
The Royalist isn’t a digital modeler; it’s a genuine tube preamp. It features three 12AX7 vacuum tubes running at high internal voltages to provide the dynamic sag and harmonic “bloom” typically reserved for heavy tube heads.
A standout feature is the “Zero Watt Power Amp,” which uses a dedicated phase-inverter circuit to replicate the interaction between an amp’s preamp and power section.
This allows guitarists to experience the “feel” of a 100-watt stack being pushed to its limit, even when listening through headphones or a PA.
Pre-Order – Available at Andertons – £599
Three Eras of British Rock
Each of the Royalist’s two identical channels features a three-position “Era” switch:
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1964: Inspired by early JTM45 designs—smooth, warm, and highly touch-sensitive.
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1967: Captures the aggressive midrange and “chirp” of the classic Plexi.
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1970: Replicates the high-gain, tight crunch of the Super Lead arena stacks.
Royalist vs. Imperial: Last Year’s King vs. The New Challenger
With two Tone King preamps now on the market, the choice comes down to your tonal foundation.
| Feature | Tone King Royalist (2026) | Tone King Imperial (2025) |
| Sonic Identity | British: JTM, Plexi, Super Lead | American: Tweed & Blackface |
| Tone Stack | Top: Vintage JTM; Bottom: British Lead | Rhythm: 2-band; Lead: Mid-Bite & Tone |
| Onboard Effects | Convolution Reverb | Reverb & Tremolo |
| Gain Range | High-gain crunch to searing leads | Sparkly cleans to “spongy” grit |
| Best For | Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Blues | Indie, Country, Jazz, Americana |
Technical Specifications & Features
Detailed Connectivity
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Inputs: 1/4″ Instrument Input; From Amp Send/Return (for 4-cable method integration).
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Outputs: Dual Stereo Balanced XLR Outputs with Ground Lift; 1/4″ Headphone Out; To Amp In.
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Digital/MIDI: USB-C for the Tone King Editor Software; 5-pin MIDI In (supports 128 presets).
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FX Loop: Stereo Series Effects Loop (assignable per channel).
Included IRs (Impulse Responses)
The Royalist comes pre-loaded with high-fidelity OwnHammer IRs, selectable via a 3-way toggle per channel:
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OH 412 Pinstripe H25: 1967 Celestion G12H-25s in a vintage 412.
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OH 112 Imperial TK1660: The signature Tone King 1×12 combo sound.
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OH 412 M75BB: 1975 “Black Back” G12M-75s for heavy, focused crunch.
Dimensions & Power
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Size: 7.2” (W) x 5.7” (D) x 2.75” (H)
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Weight: 1.9 lbs (0.86 kg)
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Power: 12V DC (Universal Power Supply included)
FAQ
Can I run the Royalist into the front of my regular amp?
Yes. You can use it as a drive pedal into the front of an amp, but it shines brightest when used as a “replacement” preamp via your amp’s FX Return or as a direct-to-PA solution.
Does it have the same “Mid-Bite” control as the Imperial?
No. The Royalist replaces the Mid-Bite with the Era Voicing Switch (1964/67/70) and the PULL FAT feature on the volume knobs, which better suits the British gain structure.
Can I load my own IRs?
Yes. Using the Tone King Editor software, you can swap the factory IRs for any third-party .WAV IR files.
Pre-Order & Pricing
Guitar Bomb Thoughts
The Tone King Royalist Tube Preamp is a professional-grade tool for guitarists who refuse to compromise on tube feel. This could well be the preamp pedal of 2026 for guitarists looking for a British-voiced preamp.
This compact pedal is perfect if you’re looking to add two “Marshall-esque” channels to your Fender-style amp or need a reliable, high-end silent stage rig. The Royalist delivers British heritage with modern flexibility.
They will, no doubt, sell like hot cakes!
More Information
#Tone King #Royalist Tube Preamp
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