Radial Tonebone Classic Tube Distortion Pedal

No longer available at zZounds
This pedal offers a distortion reminiscent of 60s and 70s overdrive sounds. It has knobs for Level, High, Low, Filter, and Drive.

The Tonebone Classic is Radial's most flexible distortion pedal. With 3 drive settings and a variable drive control, you can dial in everything from dirt to drastic and everywhere in between.

The Classic's design is based on vintage overdrive sounds that started in the 1960's and 1970's and today remain some of the most sought after tones. The Classic is exceptionally dynamic and transparent and as such, is extremely adept at retaining your playing style and signature.

Even at high distortion settings, you can turn your guitar level down and the Classic cleans up naturally and without the noise, hum or buzz that is common with most other pedals. At higher settings, every note remains distinct and the natural tone of the instrument shines through.

About Radial Tonebone
Welcome to a world where Tone reigns supreme, where dynamics live and breathe, and where uniqueness and individuality shine through. Welcome to Radial Tonebone.

Over 20 years ago, Radial started developing tube amplifier and tube pedal technology with a single goal in mind: To create devices for professional musicians that would combine exceptional sound quality with straight ahead functionality. In other words, build products that are intuitive and musical. Ultimately, they believe that these 'tools' will have achieved their goal by spurring on the creative process.

Radial products are used by many of the world's most notable professionals. These include Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Seal, The Rolling Stones, read more k d lang, Celine Dion, Nine Inch Nails, Journey, I Mother Earth, Randy Travis, The Barenaked Ladies, Tony Levin, Faith Hill, Janet Jackson, The Yellowjackets, Alain Caron, Al Demiola, The California Acoustic Trio, Any Difranco, Will Lee, Def Leppard, Styx, Santana, and so many others.

Radial, True to the Music.
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- Circuit Type: Hybrid tube / proprietary circuit
- Tube Type: Standard 12AX7 vacuum tube
- Input Impedance: 1meg Ohm at input jack
- Output Impendence: 10K Ohm

Drive Gain:
Used in conjunction with the drive gain control. Drive switch selects the gain range of the overdrive circuit.

- Low: Normal mode (+0dB Nominal)
- Med: Medium distortion (+9dB)
- High: High distortion (+20dB)

Drive: Used in conjunction with the drive gain switch, used to adjust the overall amount of gain to the overdrive circuit.

Mid Boost:
Three position switch to accentuate lead tone and sustain.

- High: +12dB @ 620Hz
- Medium: +4dB @ 390Hz
- Bypass: No boost

- Filter: Allows you to reduce the high frequency content and compensate for overly bright amplifiers.

Top End:
Three position switch sets the overall tonal character to best match the amp and guitar. Brighter amps are normally compensated with darker settings.

- Bright: Boosts +6dB @ 10kHz
- Flat: No boost or cut
- Dark: Cuts -6dB @ 1.8kHz

High & Low EQ:
- Low: +/- 14.5 db @ 100Hz
- Hight: +/- 10 db @ 4.3kHz

- Footswitches: True bypass with green on/off status LED
Heavy-duty high-cycle switch
- LED indicators: Large 3mm OD ultra-bright LEDs
- Construction: 14 gauge steel, baked enamel finish
- Size: 7"w x 4 1/4"d x 2"h (174 x 108 x 51mm)
- Weight: 2.15lb (1kg)
- Power Supply: 15VDC 400mA, center pole positive

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 604-942-1001

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (36 ratings)
Submitted December 19, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com

"simple, solid, sweet"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
the only thing that could make this more inticing to me would be to add another channel to it, oh wait that's the tri-mode. thanks radial.

Sound
this box has made playing guitar at modest levels enjoyable again. It covers ground from a "classic" overdriven amp to pretty thick higher gain settings. I personally like playing chords with it in the low gain setting with the gain knob at around 2:00. this sounds natural, quite similar to every pedal manufacturer's proverbial "fully cranked vintage amp".

Features
the 15v powersupply is a little odd but necessary to get the proper voltage across the tube, sorry kids, no daisy chaining with a "one spot". Other than that it's pretty simple, like an old amp with a mid-boost and filter. the midboost is pretty cool for single note runs and the filter helps you find the right balance between the pedal and your amp. Not a bells and whistles machine, but it's got what you need.

Ease of Use
if you can't make this thing sound good with the slightest bit of knob twiddling, i'd hate to eat your cooking.

Quality
solid, these folks make roadworthy equipment that is made to last.

Value
for about $20 more than a new tube screamer and much more versatile, this is a steal, solid, made by people who care about what they do and it sounds amazing.

Manufacturer Support read more
i can't imagine a better group of people, prompt and informative email responses, a sense of humor and polite.

The Wow Factor
i have it. what it lacks in "boutique pedal flash" it makes up for in sound, personally i think the "tone bone" name is a bit tacky, i never was one for "woman tone" and junk like that but guitar-speak aside, it's a simple great overdrive/distortion.

Musical Background:
live/recording engineer, touring musician for about 15 years

Musical Style:
avant-rock, drone
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