I just bought one bro. I was searching for months, it's all about the tone irregardless of brands, boutique or not. I finally found the One, this Tone King Metropolitan. Yes, it's pricey but I have no compromise when it's about Tone!
Wow....stunned. What a magnificent amplifier. A no-compromises approach to amazing tone, combined with channel switching, scaled output, and amazing reverb as well. Thank you for this video demo. Loved the Imperial for everything from angelic cleans through swampy break-up, can't wait to try the Metropolitan! Mark might be the first guy to successfuly combine early Americana/early British defining tone, and do so outshining the originals. Did I say Wow already???
Very nice playing and a very good demo; infiromative and well recorded. What an amazing amp. I'm very impressed that you can get those quality tones at lower volumes. Thanks for a good demo.
Some kinda demo, man. That's an incredible amp and your playing brings out the best in it...as do the guitars. I'm mainly into single coils, lately...but that Fibenare's fantastic. I expected the great distortion tones, but the clean sound is so crisp and defined. The amp really brings out the character of both guitars so nicely. Thanks. Enjoyed this a lot.
It's an amazing amp. The PCB on the TK is like no other. This is still the best amp I have ever laid ears on. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hi Roy, in my opinion, each method has its own distinct quality. In the Phase-4 method, the power supply doesn't sag when you are fully attenuated, so the overdrive tone is punchier, tighter, and more saturated. The Ironman attenuator (Sky King, Falcon, 20th Anniv Imperial) allows the output stage to operate exactly as it does when driving a real speaker load, so it preserves the feel and the harmonic balance as you attenuate. The min volume with the Ironman is about 10db quieter vs Phase-4
@SuperSilentLightning The amp he's playing is stock, with the stock tubes. For another sample of the Metropolitan, check out this post I found today on the Gear Page, entitled "How good is the Tone King Metropolitan's Phase 4 Power Scaling? [Videos Inside]" that was posted on 1/2/12, I would post a link but CZcams isn't letting me
Hey guys, I had the rhythm channel set up pretty hot for my tone. The voicing on Channel one reminds me of a great black face and the gain channel sort of a tweed or Marshall.. Very nice.. Sorry it took so long to answer the questions.
Hi Lance, What pickups are you running? sounds Great as always! Also would you say this amp follows a fender or Marshall base. It seems to have a throaty Marshall type of tone which I prefer.
Question: You say you've got the output power of the rhythm channel set up at around 2 for a Texas blues sound at the beginning. In order to get that kind of break up out of the amp, do you have the rhythm channel volume cranked? Or how does it work? I know Mark's amps have tons of headroom normally. Thanks for the demo. My Metro won't arrive for another 6-8 weeks or so.
Just got one, F amazing !!! SOLD everything (kids, wify, girl friend, dog..) to get this. My Tom Anderson through this, does it get any better, I think not
@tonekingamps is this particular metropolitan biased hot? All the other metropolitans I've tested don't sound like this. The youtube metro sounds better than the ones in stores that I've tried. Its not the guitars he uses because the tone is still there between pickup cahnges. Are there special tubes in his? Is there a different speaker on this demo? Really want this tone but can't find it in the store metropolitans. Please advise
I play in r'n'r/swing 9 piece band and it doesn't stay clean beyond volume 3, However, it sounds great when little dirty and has a los of dirty clean sustain....
Yes, it is. The MSRP is $2995. Take off approximately 30% for the street price stores will charge, and it's around $2100, which isn't a bad price at all for a boutique quality hand made amp. You have obviously never played a Tone King.
Oh no. Here we go. Another genius who finally caught wind of the PCB myth and now must share his expertise. Fartsallot please spare us the amateur comments on how you "found out some very unsettling things about PCB's". Most are fully aware of this argument and it has grown tired. Fact is, provided a quality material is used, a PCB is just as reliable and more efficient. Vics are great amps, but they are hardly the "Mother of all...". You are obviously proud of your purchase. Great!
Dude, I'm so close to buying the Tone King Metropolitan. I've had several Mesa's go out on me and was thinking I would go in this direction. I also don't believe the bs about the PCB boards so what have you found to be the most reliable?
It's not a discount. If any stores are selling close to the MSRP, they are ripping you off. It's a common practice in business to take 20-30% off of the MSRP.
@newking70 Compared to a vintage Tweed Deluxe and a vintage Blackface Deluxe? And minimal chance it will need serviced in the next 10 years? Yeah, I'd say it's affordable.
@fartsallot So one would assume you are sponsored by Victoria? I mean certainly you didn't go out and buy three, especially if your a 30 year pro. Where can we see and hear some of your tunes? I assume after 30 years pro, 43 of playing you have plenty of recordings out there for us to hear? Which vintage Fenders do you have that you have compared these amps side by side too? Please post videos asap as many of us are dying to learn what you have obviously learned and no one else knows.
For those of you who are saying it's a lot for just an amplifier -- remember, a Picasso painting is just made up of paint and canvas. It's what the artist does with it that gives it its value, not its individual parts.
@fartsallot Agreed. Nuff said. You played with Marc? I met Marc back in the early 70s and have followed his career and struggles since. Did you play at the show this year? What happened with the Mesa? Regardless, I'd still question what's wrong with your ears that a Mesa was able to hang with a TK but yep, personal pref. You started this comment trail by erroneously bashing PCB though and anyone with half the sense of a billy goat knows your argument holds no water in quality amps.
@fartsallot after talking to MB myself (we're old friends), I'd have to say keep on buying fartsallot. Wow. Bored or do you just like having a lot of furniture? Or maybe I'm mistaken and you do actually gig and record?
@fartsallot I play local and work as a Trust Officer for the Bank of NY. I have spent many hours in my friends workshops watching them build the amps that you pay full price for. I don't do demos. Don't have time. I also won't sit here on CZcams spreading BS about PCB boards that isn't true. Most know that this is more of a 'relgious' argument than anything else. I find it hard to believe that a 30 year pro decided on those 3 Vics over a TK. Vics are def great so don't get me wrong here.
I disagree. A foolish man would spend close to $3,000.00 on a 1x12 combo amp without questioning its seemingly overpriced value and (full) sonic capabilities.
That's what I thought until I heard it. I tried all the two rock amps around the 2 to 3k mark, lazy j, flagship fenders (bassman, twinolux, bandmaster, vibroking) and top end Marshalls. Also a bunch of so called "amazing" boutique amplifiers that I can't remember the name of (that "amazing"). I bought with my ears, not with a brand in mind; I'd never heard of tone king, and I can tell you, this was head and shoulders above everything else. These things are totally subjective i know and yes it's a shit load of cash for an amp, but that's just what I heard. It moved me Haha
Thanks for the input. I know the Pro builders guild quite well. I have a Fano and a B3. hope to complete the trinity with a Koll. I am now looking at an Imperial 25th ann. Thanks again.
Am I the only dude just freaking LOVING this tone?
I have it and LOVE it. It sounds exactly like this in real life. I've had vintage Blackfaces, Mesas, you name it and this thing kills them all.
Excellent demo Lance! Thanks.
This is the best demo of the Tone King I've seen. I've bought one, and it's without doubt the best amp I've heard. Thanks Lance for the great vid.
I just bought one bro. I was searching for months, it's all about the tone irregardless of brands, boutique or not. I finally found the One, this Tone King Metropolitan. Yes, it's pricey but I have no compromise when it's about Tone!
Wow....stunned.
What a magnificent amplifier. A no-compromises approach to amazing tone, combined with channel switching, scaled output, and amazing reverb as well.
Thank you for this video demo. Loved the Imperial for everything from angelic cleans through swampy break-up, can't wait to try the Metropolitan! Mark might be the first guy to successfuly combine early Americana/early British defining tone, and do so outshining the originals. Did I say Wow already???
just recieved mine sounds every bit as juicy and clean and robust as the one in the vid!! thank you Troy at Wildwood guitars!! amazing amp
Very nice playing and a very good demo; infiromative and well recorded. What an amazing amp. I'm very impressed that you can get those quality tones at lower volumes. Thanks for a good demo.
Some kinda demo, man. That's an incredible amp and your playing brings out the best in it...as do the guitars.
I'm mainly into single coils, lately...but that Fibenare's fantastic. I expected the great distortion tones, but the clean sound is so crisp and defined. The amp really brings out the character of both guitars so nicely.
Thanks. Enjoyed this a lot.
I am simply stunned by the tone that's coming out of demo clip.
I'm going to pickup the phone first thing tomorrow morning and order me one of these.
Awesome Demo great playing and great Sounding Amp ❤🎸👍👍
WOW! Holy Wow! Friggin' amazing!!!
that's about the best amp I've ever heard. wow!
It's an amazing amp. The PCB on the TK is like no other. This is still the best amp I have ever laid ears on. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I've ordered one. Delivery March/April time. Can't wait!
Great demo! Got to use one of these at a gig recently and I almost cried. Incredible amp! Thanks
So I got one coming. It should be here in few weeks. can't wait!
Lance proves soul = tone and self-restraint. This guy is better than all these guys.
Awesome!
Holy hot damn. I am SO checking this amp out. And saving like crazy if I like it. Wild. Nice playing too.
This sounds better in 240p than most other amps in HD. Really Sweet amp dudes. Nice job.
0ntheWaydown Cause he actually mic'd it up! Way better than camera audio
Killer amp !
Hi Roy, in my opinion, each method has its own distinct quality. In the Phase-4 method, the power supply doesn't sag when you are fully attenuated, so the overdrive tone is punchier, tighter, and more saturated. The Ironman attenuator (Sky King, Falcon, 20th Anniv Imperial) allows the output stage to operate exactly as it does when driving a real speaker load, so it preserves the feel and the harmonic balance as you attenuate. The min volume with the Ironman is about 10db quieter vs Phase-4
This was recorded with the guitar plugged straight into the amp - no effects.
@SuperSilentLightning The amp he's playing is stock, with the stock tubes. For another sample of the Metropolitan, check out this post I found today on the Gear Page, entitled "How good is the Tone King Metropolitan's Phase 4 Power Scaling? [Videos Inside]" that was posted on 1/2/12, I would post a link but CZcams isn't letting me
Hey guys,
I had the rhythm channel set up pretty hot for my tone.
The voicing on Channel one reminds me of a great black face and the gain channel sort of a tweed or Marshall..
Very nice..
Sorry it took so long to answer the questions.
I so so love the tone and response of this amp...one of the best with a good strat...Too bad you don't make a 220V/50hz verson....bummer...
@dimekit Wait...you have dealers in Europe so you do have 220V50hz version available..Fantastic!!!
Great video's thanks Lance! What would you do to get tremolo on this amp, too bad it doesn't have on built in? Thanks!!
Hi Lance, What pickups are you running? sounds Great as always! Also would you say this amp follows a fender or Marshall base. It seems to have a throaty Marshall type of tone which I prefer.
omg there is a killer new one of these on EBAY for 1400! new
My friend makes these amps for a living
Question: You say you've got the output power of the rhythm channel set up at around 2 for a Texas blues sound at the beginning. In order to get that kind of break up out of the amp, do you have the rhythm channel volume cranked? Or how does it work? I know Mark's amps have tons of headroom normally.
Thanks for the demo. My Metro won't arrive for another 6-8 weeks or so.
Hi Lance, What pickups are you running? sounds Great as always!
Just got one, F amazing !!! SOLD everything (kids, wify, girl friend, dog..) to get this. My Tom Anderson through this, does it get any better, I think not
Killer Amp!! What is the Mic being used here?
How would you describe the voicing on the two channels?
nice IKEA lamp !
@tonekingamps is this particular metropolitan biased hot? All the other metropolitans I've tested don't sound like this. The youtube metro sounds better than the ones in stores that I've tried. Its not the guitars he uses because the tone is still there between pickup cahnges. Are there special tubes in his? Is there a different speaker on this demo? Really want this tone but can't find it in the store metropolitans. Please advise
I want this amp so bad but amp just worried about headroom. Any thoughts from anyone? Will it stay clean with a full band?
+Shawn Mazzei its 40 watts you'll be beyond fine
I play in r'n'r/swing 9 piece band and it doesn't stay clean beyond volume 3, However, it sounds great when little dirty and has a los of dirty clean sustain....
Yes, it is. The MSRP is $2995. Take off approximately 30% for the street price stores will charge, and it's around $2100, which isn't a bad price at all for a boutique quality hand made amp. You have obviously never played a Tone King.
Oh no. Here we go. Another genius who finally caught wind of the PCB myth and now must share his expertise. Fartsallot please spare us the amateur comments on how you "found out some very unsettling things about PCB's". Most are fully aware of this argument and it has grown tired. Fact is, provided a quality material is used, a PCB is just as reliable and more efficient. Vics are great amps, but they are hardly the "Mother of all...". You are obviously proud of your purchase. Great!
Dude, I'm so close to buying the Tone King Metropolitan. I've had several Mesa's go out on me and was thinking I would go in this direction. I also don't believe the bs about the PCB boards so what have you found to be the most reliable?
It's not a discount. If any stores are selling close to the MSRP, they are ripping you off. It's a common practice in business to take 20-30% off of the MSRP.
@newking70 Compared to a vintage Tweed Deluxe and a vintage Blackface Deluxe? And minimal chance it will need serviced in the next 10 years? Yeah, I'd say it's affordable.
fantastic! how much?
The Amp
@fartsallot So one would assume you are sponsored by Victoria? I mean certainly you didn't go out and buy three, especially if your a 30 year pro. Where can we see and hear some of your tunes? I assume after 30 years pro, 43 of playing you have plenty of recordings out there for us to hear? Which vintage Fenders do you have that you have compared these amps side by side too? Please post videos asap as many of us are dying to learn what you have obviously learned and no one else knows.
For those of you who are saying it's a lot for just an amplifier -- remember, a Picasso painting is just made up of paint and canvas. It's what the artist does with it that gives it its value, not its individual parts.
That was beautiful.
That's really odd. I know a lot of boutique guitar gear companies who wouldn't dare sell so close to or at MSRP
wow! what a great sounding amp! Yay! an amp that wont break my back (I'm a girl).
ill break your back
Great sounding amp, but then again for the money it BETTER be. Very ZZ type of sound. Great demo just a LLLIIITTTTTTLLLEEE out of my price range.
$2,999.00 list for a little combo amp that a bop-jazz kit would drown out...jeezus the world is truly coming to an end.
wait till 2020......
Player or amp?
@fartsallot Agreed. Nuff said. You played with Marc? I met Marc back in the early 70s and have followed his career and struggles since. Did you play at the show this year? What happened with the Mesa? Regardless, I'd still question what's wrong with your ears that a Mesa was able to hang with a TK but yep, personal pref. You started this comment trail by erroneously bashing PCB though and anyone with half the sense of a billy goat knows your argument holds no water in quality amps.
@fartsallot after talking to MB myself (we're old friends), I'd have to say keep on buying fartsallot. Wow. Bored or do you just like having a lot of furniture? Or maybe I'm mistaken and you do actually gig and record?
@fartsallot I play local and work as a Trust Officer for the Bank of NY. I have spent many hours in my friends workshops watching them build the amps that you pay full price for. I don't do demos. Don't have time. I also won't sit here on CZcams spreading BS about PCB boards that isn't true. Most know that this is more of a 'relgious' argument than anything else. I find it hard to believe that a 30 year pro decided on those 3 Vics over a TK. Vics are def great so don't get me wrong here.
So you are saying it is "idiotic" to question the value and full capabilities of a very expensive 1x12 combo amp?
ok the 2 people that dont like this ? what dont you like ? curious
It is a shame to be so expensive
seems pricy for 4 wood panels and some resistors and glass
$3k affordable? lol
I disagree. A foolish man would spend close to $3,000.00 on a 1x12 combo amp without questioning its seemingly overpriced value and (full) sonic capabilities.
Way overpriced.
Totally disagree. When you see what you're up against for the price it's got way more going on. Amazing amp.
What are we up against for example? : I agree it's a lovely amp. I just think it's too expensive.
That's what I thought until I heard it. I tried all the two rock amps around the 2 to 3k mark, lazy j, flagship fenders (bassman, twinolux, bandmaster, vibroking) and top end Marshalls. Also a bunch of so called "amazing" boutique amplifiers that I can't remember the name of (that "amazing"). I bought with my ears, not with a brand in mind; I'd never heard of tone king, and I can tell you, this was head and shoulders above everything else. These things are totally subjective i know and yes it's a shit load of cash for an amp, but that's just what I heard. It moved me Haha
Thanks for the input. I know the Pro builders guild quite well. I have a Fano and a B3. hope to complete the trinity with a Koll. I am now looking at an Imperial 25th ann. Thanks again.
Oh cool! The holy trinity Haha!