Tone King Imperial Mk II Head Black – Vintage Boutique Tone, Modern Flexibility

The Tone King Imperial Mk II Head Black stands apart as a flagship all-tube amplifier head for guitarists who want iconic American sounds paired with advanced versatility. Expect the crystal-clear cleans of a mid-'60s blackface and the punchy, harmonically rich overdrive found in '50s tweed designs. Dual footswitchable channels, genuine tube-driven effects, and the integrated Ironman II power attenuator make this head suitable for stage, studio, and home use. The Imperial Mk II Head Black is a benchmark for those demanding uncompromising tone and dynamic response.

Standout Features: Boutique Craftsmanship & Reactive Attenuation

Handwired board construction, a Baltic birch chassis, and the proprietary Ironman II reactive load attenuator are key ingredients. Players benefit from meticulously voiced rhythm (blackface) and lead (tweed) channels, each tuned for clarity and dynamic feel. With Ironman II, you can push the power tubes for saturated tones at any volume—ideal for a wide range of playing environments.

Touch-Sensitive Performance – Optimized Controls

Fast adjustments for every style are possible thanks to a nuanced control layout. Intuitive channel switching, a three-band EQ on the rhythm channel, and unique Mid-Bite and tone controls on the lead channel give instant access to a broad palette of American-voiced sounds.

• Channels: 2 (Rhythm & Lead) — enjoy seamless switching between pristine clean and classic grit
• EQ: 3-band on rhythm, Tone/Mid-Bite on lead — shape your tone for any genre
• This head comes bundled with a 2-button footswitch, making live control of channel and tremolo straightforward for performers.

Tube Tone & Effects – Classic American Circuitry

Built for expressive playing, the all-tube signal path provides lush harmonics and dynamic touch response. Tube-driven spring reverb ranges from subtle ambiance to deep surf washes, while bias-modulated tremolo adds pulsing, authentic movement.

• Output Power: 20 W (all-tube) — enough headroom for intimate venues and big dynamics
• Tubes: 2 x 6V6 (power), 4 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 (preamp), 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
• Rich, vintage-correct onboard effects thanks to the tube-driven, bias-modulated reverb and tremolo circuit.

Ultimate Volume Control – Ironman II Reactive Attenuator

Players can achieve the sensation of a cranked tube amp at any loudness with the onboard Ironman II attenuator. Its reactive load preserves dynamics and frequency response, while HF Compensation and Rhythm Bypass switches provide further fine-tuning options.

• Attenuator: Ironman II reactive, 6-step — enjoy saturated tube tone at quiet or gig-ready levels
• With Rhythm Bypass, users can independently balance channel volumes, tailoring clean and drive headroom to taste.

Built for the Demanding Player

Musicians seeking authentic American-voiced tube tones, robust build, and gig-ready convenience will find the Imperial Mk II Head Black a top foundation. It excels for blues, rock, surf, country, or indie—where touch sensitivity and flexibility matter most. Baltic birch housing and versatile output are suited to both stage and home setups, making this head a future-proof investment for dedicated players.

Tone King – Boutique Heritage & Legacy

Since 1993, Tone King has set benchmarks for hand-built American-voiced amplifiers. The Imperial series is noted for capturing the subtleties of vintage blackface and tweed circuits. The Mk II Head Black carries this legacy forward by combining classic tone with innovative features for today’s guitarist.