While $150 is still a fair amount of investment by mini effects pedal standards, the MXR Custom Shop Duke Of Tone comes from the impressive lineage of Analog Man Mike Piera's King Of Tone and the Prince Of Tone overdrive pedals. The young Duke is cheaper than both, and in the case of the former, doesn't come with a five-year waiting list (or silly used market prices). So how does it compare?
UK retailer Peach Guitars has attempted to find out with this comparison video below featuring tonehounds John Priest and Jack Griffiths going deep on the sounds. The obvious starting difference is the KOT is a dual footswitch pedal with its two separate channels, but the Duke offers the same three-mode overdrive, boost and distortion of the original pedal.
While it's true, The Prince Of Tone is the true comparison to the Duke, this 30-minute video if a treat for overdrive pedal lovers to hear what both pedals can offer.
Spoiler: it's a close call – the Duke Of Tone sounds great! So buy two Dukes and skip the queue?
Find out more at Peach Guitars.
8 cheap but great guitar overdrive pedal alternatives to boutique classics
“This thing is your one-way ticket to funky town”: Behringer’s long-awaited Mu-Tron III clone arrives and promises a rabbit-hole of retro-funk tones for just $69
“Surely the most versatile version yet, putting different flavours of gourmet crunch on the menu”: DOD 250 Overdrive/Preamp 50th Anniversary review
