Available in an all-tube head or 1x12 combo format, the Royalist MKIII includes a pair of cabinet options: a 1x12 and 2x12 cabinet are also available.
Tone King has launched the new Royalist MKIII amplifier line, a 40-watt, two-channel, all-tube amp that expands on that legacy by faithfully reproducing the iconic British tones of that era. Ranging from the sweet, singing JTM45 to the iconic “Plexi” sound, all the way to the raging “Super Lead”.
Tone King Royalist 2x12"
Tone King Royalist 1x12"
Tone King Royalist Head
The Royalist MKIII authentically captures the vintage nature of these iconic amplifiers, delivering tone that spans from clean to edge-of-breakup, to the bright-crunchy leads found on countless classic rock records that helped shape music history. The Royalist MKIII Offers Three Inspiring New Features:
Two channels with independent Volume and PULL FAT feature. The Volume controls for both Channel A and Channel B feature a PULL FAT option which changes the feel of the amplifier by delivering more low-end at the first gain stage. The FAT setting is ideal for clean tones and single coil pickups or if you really want to add some juice to your lead tone.
Three-way 1964, 1967 and 1970 voicing switch, assignable to each channel. The 1964, 1967 and 1970 three-position voicing switch on each channel allows you to choose the particular preamp, tone stack and negative feedback from three of the most iconic vintage British amplifiers.
Tone King’s legendary Iron Man II attenuator, one for each channel, with HF switch. The built-in Iron Man II attenuator on each of the channels features a tuned reactive load and special compensation circuitry that allows the power tubes to be fully driven, yet only allowing a fraction of the signal through to the speaker.
Features and Pricing
Key Royalist MKIII Features:
- Two Channels with Volume Control and PULL FAT feature.
- Three-Position 1964, 1967 and 1970 Voicing Switch, Per Channel
- 6-Step Iron Man II Attenuator, Per Channel
- Wide Variety of Vintage British Tone
- Made in the USA
Pricing is as follows:
- 40W Head -- MSRP: $2,495
- 1x12” 40W Combo -- MSRP: $2,695
- 1x12” Cab -- MSRP: $695
- 2x12” Cab -- MSRP: $995
For more information visit ToneKing.com.
For over five decades, audiences worldwide have marveled at Baxter’s inimitable and instantly recognizable guitar playing and generational songcraft. His output spans classic records as a founding member of Steely Dan and member of the Doobie Brothers in addition to hundreds of recordings with the likes of Donna Summer, Cher, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, and many more. During 2022, he initially unveiled Speed of Heat, showcasing yet another side of his creative identity and introducing himself as a solo artist.
On the Storytellers Edition, his fascinating commentary pulls the curtain back on both the process and the message of the music. This version traces the journey to Speed of Heat and its core inspirations as shared directly by Baxter in the form of detailed anecdotes, candid stories, and insightful commentary on every track.
The 12-songalbum, co-produced by Baxter and CJ Vanston, is a riveting and rewarding musical experience that features a host of brilliantly crafted originals co-written by the guitarist and Vanston, as well as inspired versions of some of the great classics. Along the way, Baxter is joined by guest vocalists and songwriters Michael McDonald, Clint Black, Jonny Lang and Rick Livingstone. Baxter notably handled lead vocals on his rendition of Steely Dan’s “My Old School.” Other standouts include "Bad Move" co-written by Baxter, Clint Black, and CJ Vanston, and “My Place In The Sun”, sung by Michael McDonald and co-authored by McDonald, Baxter and Vanston.
As one of the most recorded guitarists of his generation, Baxter’s creative and versatile playing has been heard on some of the most iconic songs in music history, including “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton and “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer.
The stunningly diverse collection of material on Speed of Heat presents a 360-degree view of the uniquely gifted musician.
STREAM / SHARE / PURCHASE HERE.
If 3 Were 6
With six times the controls found on the 1 and 2 versions (if you discount the original’s on/off slider switch,) the LPB-3’s control complement offers pre-gain, boost, mid freq, bass, treble, and mid knobs, with a center detent on the latter three so you can find the midpoint easily. A mini-toggle labeled “max” selects between 20 dB and 33 dB of maximum gain, and another labeled “Q” flips the resonance of the mid EQ between high and low. Obviously, this represents a significant expansion of the LPB’s capabilities.
More than just a booster with a passive tone, the LPB-3 boasts a genuine active EQ stage plus parametric midrange section, comprising the two knobs with shaded legends, mid freq and mid level. The gain stages have also been reimagined to include a pre-gain stage before the EQ, which enables up to 20 dB of input gain. The boost stage that follows the EQ is essentially a level control with gain to allow for up to 33 dB of gain through the LPB-3 when the “max” mini toggle is set to 33dB
A slider switch accessible inside the pedal selects between buffered or true bypass for the hard-latch footswitch. An AC adapter is included, which supplies 200mA of DC at 9.6 volts to the center-negative power input, and EHX specifies that nothing supplying less than 120mA or more than 12 volts should be used. There’s no space for an internal battery.
Power-Boosted
The LPB-3 reveals boatloads of range that betters many linear boosts on the market. There’s lots of tone-shaping power here. Uncolored boost is available when you want it, and the preamp gain knob colors and fattens your signal as you crank it up—even before you tap into the massive flexibility in the EQ stage.
“The preamp gain knob colors and fattens your signal as you crank it up—even before you tap into the massive flexibility in the EQ stage.”
I found the two mid controls work best when used judiciously, and my guitars and amps preferred subtle changes pretty close to the midpoint on each. However, there are still tremendous variations in your mid boost (or scoop, for that matter) within just 15 or 20 percent range in either direction from the center detent. Pushing the boost and pre-gain too far, particularly with the 33 dB setting engaged, can lead to some harsh sounds, but they are easy to avoid and might even be desirable for some users that like to work at more creative extremes.
The Verdict
The new LPB-3 has much, much more range than its predecessors, providing flexible preamp, boost, and overdrive sounds that can be reshaped in significant ways via the powerful EQ. It gives precise tone-tuning flexibility to sticklers that like to match a guitar and amp to a song in a very precise way, but also opens up more radical paths for experimentalists. That it does all this at a $129 price is beyond reasonable.
Electro-Harmonix Lpb-3 Linear Power Booster & Eq Effect Pedal Silver And Blue
