Yep, after 3 years of saving and negotiations with the wife I bought the Imperial Mark 2. 1 month in I am astonished at the vast amount of different tones you can get. I use the lead Chanel as a tweed set up and the rhythm channel is as clean as it gets. Favourite amp I have ever played by a long shot! (The ironman 2 built in keeps the wife happy)...brilliant.
Yes, from one left handed guitarist to another I can honestly say its the best amp I've ever had. During the week I play mainly at home, which means attenuation. On the lead (tweed as far as I am concerned) you can have the amp fully attenuated and it still sounds fantastic, takes time for the ears to adjust but all the nuances of the amp are right there. On the weekends, amateur band work with my friends and the amp gets full throttle with the Bypass option (very smart function) getting used a lot to balance out the rhythm and lead channels. Every touch of the dials brings you different tones. Great with the tele (single coils), tweed channel with the 335 just pops with beautiful compression. Takes pedals well, I only user Wampler (mini ego and Tumnus) and they sound brilliant. Wasn't cheap for me here in Oz, but well worth it. Will definitely have this amp till I fall over at which time my boys can fight over it (and my collection of lefties). Can't recommend enough...
rydes68 I hope it's as good as you say it is. I've seen all the demos of this amp too many times already. I just sold my vintage Marshall a few days ago and decided that I'm going to make the jump to this amp. I've been playing on a a plexi Marshall for the last 11 years so I hope this one will do the justice to take over. Now I just have to wait for a used one to come on the market. Thanks again for your response
Well, remembering that taste is subjective and that its not a Marshall Plexi for sure, I hope that you are pleased with it. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything. Let me know how you go...
Just took delivery of my new Imperial Mk II ! Smells like a new car and looks like a vintage TV ! Controls feel like butter, build quality is 2nd to none, sound is like the best vintage Fender Deluxe AND Tweed you ever heard ONLY BETTER! (and at ANY volume thanks to the attenuator) This is hands down the best amp I have ever owned. I can't image a combo amp sounding better. TOTALLY STOKED!
Marty G I'm looking for an equivalent to my all original 1965 Deluxe Reverb as I'm not wanting to take it out any longer. I'm definitely looking into this one.
I've owned soooo many guitars and amps over the last 20 yrs. When I discovered Tone King Amps and Tom Anderson guitars, that was it for me. I've owned pretty much ever tone king model. The TK Metro is my favorite with the Falcon a close second.
I just bought the beautiful tweed version......very costly in the UK, so now my credit card is bruised and battered,, but boy oh boy was it worth it !! the best amp ever owned by a mile. ( inc DR Z, fenders, marshalls, old ac30's, musicmans, mike marsh vibroverb, etc etc)........... I have to say that I had a couple of tech questions for tone king, and got some very detailed, instant responses from the man himself......what a star ! I cannot see how I will ever need another amp, but it took 40 yrs to get here !!
My name is on one of the brown ones. On my definite must-have list. You can really let rip on these in a house without annoying the neighbours but still getting the right dirty tone. No-brainer. You're a genius!
I've owned a regular Imperial and a 20th Anniversary Imperial before, today I bought a MKII which is better than both of those. Great job on the new version, Mr. Bartel!
What a great idea to set the attenuator bypass to the rhythm channel only! Effective. I plan to buy one in a week or two when I can get down to Chicago.
Well thought out design and great tones! Does the speaker differ from the standard Imperial and will there still be a standard Imperial? Or is this the only Imperial model going forward? (not a bad thing. Sounds great!)
For the most dynamic, versatile, tight, screaming amp on Earth...for me, is this beast. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SS-100 This is Eddie's old Marshall brought to even a higher level of perfection. Find one and plug in. I can't imagine any guitarist not loving this amp. I've played through 3 or 4 different Tone King amps. Just beautiful. Dime the mid bite and Hell's Bells start to ring. Roll back the vol. and it's still 3D fat and dynamic. I really enjoyed playing through these. Fender stratocaster + Tone King amp = Sonic bliss. Who wants some sonic bliss? Me!
Old but just to put this out there…I’ve had the entire line after BAD took over. They did not mess with the Imperial MK2 build outside the speaker. And it stands up real well, and is popular for a reason. I had 3 Sky Kings that were redone by BAD in 2018-2023 new launch. All duds man, and resale is horrible on the used market. Buying a new Imperial MK2 is rock solid these days. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, and speaker choice is up to you. But I didn’t like what happen to the Sky King. I went back to the Imperial MK2, still produced by BAD and it’s THE amp. The Sky King is not a better version in 2023. It is a relaunched version, that I feel is not engineered very well. However the Imperial MK2 is still a flagship product for a reason, and has stood the test of time. I’ll always take a Imperial MK2 over Fenders current Reissues. But I’d take a Fender stock cheap HRD over a Sky King. Not to knock on the company at all, as I’m an owner of the Imperial MK2 and they offer good support. But BAD does not work on the amps anymore. It’s a swap out like most companies. So if the build already is prone to issues, you aren’t going to get something better….just maybe more tame. But I def vouch for the Imperial MK2 being the absolute best by Tone King even under BAD company.
Hi Bern, Thanks for checking out the Imperial MK II. The primary differences between the 20th Anniversary Imperial and the Imperial MK II are as follows: - The MK II has the Ironman II attenuator, which is more sophisticated and effective at delivering transparent attenuation than the original Ironman design used in the 20th Anniv Imperial. - The 20th Anniv Imperial uses the Celestion Creamback speaker, while the Imperial MK II uses the same custom Eminence speaker that was used in the origingal Imperial since 1993. - The Imperial MK II has a new attenuator bypass feature which allows you to bypass the attenuator when the rhythm channel is selected.
+tonekingamps wow thanks for the quick response... and detailed info... i would love to know whats the diff between the cream back speaker vs the eminence speaker? i will purchase this amp soon just wanna know whats the right one for me... thanks for the big help
Hi Balex, It's about the same volume as a Deluxe Reverb. Lots of folks use the Imperial with a full band, but if you have a loud drummer, and need a loud, crystal clean sound with a lot of headoom, it might not cut it.
+Burnwash That clipping may be in the recording or just the settings Mark's choosing. As an owner of now 3 Imperials over 15 years, I can tell you that the rhythm channel is the king of clean headroom. It's a sight to behold . . . er, I mean hear.
I do not believe that there are any better amp on the market (maybe Jim Kelley amp are in the level of yours). I like clean sounds, it is the only way for you to really show your tone and to create music. If you have talent, you play clean... or with just a little bit of dirt.Otherwise, it is the same senseless noise.
Agreed. Guitar players like Jimmy Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page and Duane Allman (to name a few) often compensated for their lack of talent by using distorted, dirty tones. Which is why everyone agrees that they all sound like the same senseless noise.... Jackass.
+MarkKiddGuitar Mark, I couldn't agree more. My comment above was dripping with sarcasm and was written in response to Ivan Carlos Santiago who stated that "If you have talent, you play clean... or with just a little bit of dirt.Otherwise, it is the same senseless noise," a comment that I consider utterly ridiculous. My extremely sarcastic comment was meant to illustrate the same point you made-- the suggestion that the guitar players (who often used heavily distorted tones) did not have talent because they did not play clean is preposterous. I stand by my original comments. Santiago is a jackass.
Hand wired board construction improves midrange heft while improving the highs.... this is from their ads. not really, tone king is pcb. sound good but $3k? for pcb? not! look up pics online to prove my point
If you are basing your opinion on the audio quality of this video, and not on real-life experience playing both for hours using different settings and volumes, then you really don’t have a valid basis to say anything. I played Carr’s amps before settling on an Imperial Mk II and a Sky King, and the ToneKing amps run circles around the Carr designs I found. You might have a specific sound you heard in the Carr you liked but ToneKing can hit it too. And at full volume on the lead channel the Imperial and Sky King don’t take back seats to any other amps.
Yep, after 3 years of saving and negotiations with the wife I bought the Imperial Mark 2. 1 month in I am astonished at the vast amount of different tones you can get. I use the lead Chanel as a tweed set up and the rhythm channel is as clean as it gets. Favourite amp I have ever played by a long shot! (The ironman 2 built in keeps the wife happy)...brilliant.
Thanks for your feedback !! I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it. - Mark
rydes68 I'm hoping to get one soon. Do you still enjoy it as much as when you got it?
Yes, from one left handed guitarist to another I can honestly say its the best amp I've ever had. During the week I play mainly at home, which means attenuation. On the lead (tweed as far as I am concerned) you can have the amp fully attenuated and it still sounds fantastic, takes time for the ears to adjust but all the nuances of the amp are right there. On the weekends, amateur band work with my friends and the amp gets full throttle with the Bypass option (very smart function) getting used a lot to balance out the rhythm and lead channels. Every touch of the dials brings you different tones. Great with the tele (single coils), tweed channel with the 335 just pops with beautiful compression. Takes pedals well, I only user Wampler (mini ego and Tumnus) and they sound brilliant. Wasn't cheap for me here in Oz, but well worth it. Will definitely have this amp till I fall over at which time my boys can fight over it (and my collection of lefties). Can't recommend enough...
rydes68 I hope it's as good as you say it is. I've seen all the demos of this amp too many times already. I just sold my vintage Marshall a few days ago and decided that I'm going to make the jump to this amp. I've been playing on a a plexi Marshall for the last 11 years so I hope this one will do the justice to take over. Now I just have to wait for a used one to come on the market. Thanks again for your response
Well, remembering that taste is subjective and that its not a Marshall Plexi for sure, I hope that you are pleased with it. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything. Let me know how you go...
Just took delivery of my new Imperial Mk II ! Smells like a new car and looks like a vintage TV ! Controls feel like butter, build quality is 2nd to none, sound is like the best vintage Fender Deluxe AND Tweed you ever heard ONLY BETTER! (and at ANY volume thanks to the attenuator) This is hands down the best amp I have ever owned. I can't image a combo amp sounding better. TOTALLY STOKED!
Marty G I'm looking for an equivalent to my all original 1965 Deluxe Reverb as I'm not wanting to take it out any longer. I'm definitely looking into this one.
Gary Jarvis it's not a deluxe... doesn't come close....
its its own beast very different from vintage fender amps...a great amp nonetheless! i owned 3 tone kings
I've owned soooo many guitars and amps over the last 20 yrs. When I discovered Tone King Amps and Tom Anderson guitars, that was it for me. I've owned pretty much ever tone king model. The TK Metro is my favorite with the Falcon a close second.
I have one on the way. Can't wait! What sold me was the attenuator bypass. Really nice feature.
I love the sound you’ve gone for. Great look. Practical set up. Wow. I must have one.
My dream amp
Sounds great. Really like the sound and new features, Mark.
I just bought the beautiful tweed version......very costly in the UK, so now my credit card is bruised and battered,, but boy oh boy was it worth it !! the best amp ever owned by a mile. ( inc DR Z, fenders, marshalls, old ac30's, musicmans, mike marsh vibroverb, etc etc)........... I have to say that I had a couple of tech questions for tone king, and got some very detailed, instant responses from the man himself......what a star ! I cannot see how I will ever need another amp, but it took 40 yrs to get here !!
My name is on one of the brown ones. On my definite must-have list. You can really let rip on these in a house without annoying the neighbours but still getting the right dirty tone. No-brainer. You're a genius!
One of the most interesting amps on the market. Thanks for sharing. ✌🏼
Great sounding amp. Very impressed by it's clarity and versatility.
I have one if those and it is Fantastic! Nice job Mark!
I'm really love Imperial tone and sound!
That tone is awesome
I've owned a regular Imperial and a 20th Anniversary Imperial before, today I bought a MKII which is better than both of those. Great job on the new version, Mr. Bartel!
I know as a new 2021 owner of the Falcon Grande amp, I found "my" amp.....sweet for days
What a great idea to set the attenuator bypass to the rhythm channel only! Effective. I plan to buy one in a week or two when I can get down to Chicago.
World class tone Mark! Nice job!
love this amp!!
I'm so in love right now
Well thought out design and great tones! Does the speaker differ from the standard Imperial and will there still be a standard Imperial? Or is this the only Imperial model going forward? (not a bad thing. Sounds great!)
Great video Mark. Is there any way to get that attenuator bypass on my 20th anniv imperial?
Love the amp... nice paying. Would be nice if it were in focus though!
Is the MkIII coming soon? Now that the Royalist has been updated. The MKIIs came out... both is 2016.
Coda UK, Here I come.
A sensational amp, a little costly but still... it sounds super!!
For the most dynamic, versatile, tight, screaming amp on Earth...for me, is this beast. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SS-100 This is Eddie's old Marshall brought to even a higher level of perfection. Find one and plug in. I can't imagine any guitarist not loving this amp. I've played through 3 or 4 different Tone King amps. Just beautiful. Dime the mid bite and Hell's Bells start to ring. Roll back the vol. and it's still 3D fat and dynamic. I really enjoyed playing through these. Fender stratocaster + Tone King amp = Sonic bliss. Who wants some sonic bliss? Me!
Old but just to put this out there…I’ve had the entire line after BAD took over. They did not mess with the Imperial MK2 build outside the speaker. And it stands up real well, and is popular for a reason. I had 3 Sky Kings that were redone by BAD in 2018-2023 new launch. All duds man, and resale is horrible on the used market.
Buying a new Imperial MK2 is rock solid these days. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, and speaker choice is up to you. But I didn’t like what happen to the Sky King. I went back to the Imperial MK2, still produced by BAD and it’s THE amp. The Sky King is not a better version in 2023. It is a relaunched version, that I feel is not engineered very well. However the Imperial MK2 is still a flagship product for a reason, and has stood the test of time. I’ll always take a Imperial MK2 over Fenders current Reissues. But I’d take a Fender stock cheap HRD over a Sky King.
Not to knock on the company at all, as I’m an owner of the Imperial MK2 and they offer good support. But BAD does not work on the amps anymore. It’s a swap out like most companies. So if the build already is prone to issues, you aren’t going to get something better….just maybe more tame. But I def vouch for the Imperial MK2 being the absolute best by Tone King even under BAD company.
so whats the difference between the Imperial 20th Anniversary and the MKII? i need help... thanks
Hi Bern, Thanks for checking out the Imperial MK II. The primary differences between the 20th Anniversary Imperial and the Imperial MK II are as follows:
- The MK II has the Ironman II attenuator, which is more sophisticated and effective at delivering transparent attenuation than the original Ironman design used in the 20th Anniv Imperial.
- The 20th Anniv Imperial uses the Celestion Creamback speaker, while the Imperial MK II uses the same custom Eminence speaker that was used in the origingal Imperial since 1993.
- The Imperial MK II has a new attenuator bypass feature which allows you to bypass the attenuator when the rhythm channel is selected.
+tonekingamps
wow thanks for the quick response...
and detailed info...
i would love to know whats the diff between the cream back speaker vs the eminence speaker? i will purchase this amp soon just wanna know whats the right one for me... thanks for the big help
More Fender than fender ....
Effects loop would be nice for delay......
I cant find one anywhere to play through.
I just finally played one. I am in love.
Tweed yes blackface deluxe No way...
Why didnt you use a channel select footswitch to go from rythmn to lead?
Is it loud enough for drums
Hi Balex, It's about the same volume as a Deluxe Reverb. Lots of folks use the Imperial with a full band, but if you have a loud drummer, and need a loud, crystal clean sound with a lot of headoom, it might not cut it.
Just tell the drummer to play with more feel and less volume.
rrrrdavid1 💯👌🏽
Doesn't really sound all that clean to me; I'm hearing peak clipping everywhere.
+Burnwash That clipping may be in the recording or just the settings Mark's choosing. As an owner of now 3 Imperials over 15 years, I can tell you that the rhythm channel is the king of clean headroom. It's a sight to behold . . . er, I mean hear.
+mixville2 I'm not likely to ever hear one in the flesh, so I'll take your word for it. I like Fender amps for that sort of thing.
I do not believe that there are any better amp on the market (maybe Jim Kelley amp are in the level of yours). I like clean sounds, it is the only way for you to really show your tone and to create music. If you have talent, you play clean... or with just a little bit of dirt.Otherwise, it is the same senseless noise.
Agreed. Guitar players like Jimmy Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page and Duane Allman (to name a few) often compensated for their lack of talent by using distorted, dirty tones. Which is why everyone agrees that they all sound like the same senseless noise.... Jackass.
+Julian Allatt You are more stupid than It seems.
+MarkKiddGuitar Mark, I couldn't agree more. My comment above was dripping with sarcasm and was written in response to Ivan Carlos Santiago who stated that "If you have talent, you play clean... or with just a little bit of dirt.Otherwise, it is the same senseless noise," a comment that I consider utterly ridiculous. My extremely sarcastic comment was meant to illustrate the same point you made-- the suggestion that the guitar players (who often used heavily distorted tones) did not have talent because they did not play clean is preposterous. I stand by my original comments. Santiago is a jackass.
Haha what bullshit
you are a complete idiot. all thoise guys played very clean he meant the noise of today grandpa
Hand wired board construction improves midrange heft while improving the highs.... this is from their ads. not really, tone king is pcb. sound good but $3k? for pcb? not! look up pics online to prove my point
the first version is much better, this is a step back. was thinking of buying one back then, but if this is going to replace it, I'll be buying none
The Mk II 20th anniversary is a better sound IMO if you have to use the IronMan attenuator. At full volume with no attenuation it should be a draw.
Carr Skylark annihilates this amp for a small, all tube, attenuated, Fender voiced 1x12 combo.
If you are basing your opinion on the audio quality of this video, and not on real-life experience playing both for hours using different settings and volumes, then you really don’t have a valid basis to say anything. I played Carr’s amps before settling on an Imperial Mk II and a Sky King, and the ToneKing amps run circles around the Carr designs I found. You might have a specific sound you heard in the Carr you liked but ToneKing can hit it too. And at full volume on the lead channel the Imperial and Sky King don’t take back seats to any other amps.