Toneking Sky King Incoming NAD

So I was looking for a Fender DRRI style amp but in a smaller head form but gave up. Some of the smaller builders have great options but the prices were way too high ($2k in most cases) in my opinion for an amp that really isn’t very versatile to justify spending that much. Even Fender’s smaller tube amps like the 12 watt Princeton’s were over $1k. Just can’t spend that much on something so basic.

I figured if I’m gonna drop the $$$ I might as well go big or go home so I ordered a Toneking Sky King. I’m hoping it’s like the Imperial MKII but with more headroom and volume control with the duel attenuators on each channel. One thing I didn’t like about the MKII was the lead channel was so loud compared to the clean channel on the same shared attenuation setting. I did really like the lead channel on the MKII though.

Amp gets here tomorrow. Actually pretty excited about this one. Something a little different than my Bogner and Mesa I’ve been playing for the last 4-5 years. Mostly just high gain stuff with these amps but I’m experimenting with different playing styles lately.

I didn't care for the Imperial for the same reason. The Sky King is more versatile IMO. I hope you love it!

Good luck!

“Basic” doesnt mean “cheap” when expertise and high quality parts are used (see: 8k usd 50s bolt-on builders).

searswashere said:

Good luck!

“Basic” doesnt mean “cheap” when expertise and high quality parts are used (see: 8k usd 50s bolt-on builders).

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Yeah I feel you there and I’m usually all about a simple setup. Just can’t bring myself to spend that much money on a single channel amp even if the parts are higher quality. The Fender 64’ handwired DRRI for example is $3.2k. I love a good DRRI but I’d rather get a something like a Toneking that will give me a few more quality options for a little less. And by little less I dropped $2.4k on the Toneking and that’s still a lot of money lol.

MichaelAndrew3435 said:

Yeah I feel you there and I’m usually all about a simple setup. Just can’t bring myself to spend that much money on a single channel amp even if the parts are higher quality. The Fender 64’ handwired DRRI for example is $3.2k. I love a good DRRI but I’d rather get a something like a Toneking that will give me a few more quality options for a little less. And by little less I dropped $2.4k on the Toneking and that’s still a lot of money lol.

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Oh i wouldnt pay new price for pretty much any amp or guitar. A used drri is still around $700usd here and the odd head version pops up. Or i’d look for a used trinity head.

searswashere said:

Oh i wouldnt pay new price for pretty much any amp or guitar. A used drri is still around $700usd here and the odd head version pops up. Or i’d look for a used trinity head.

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Dang where are you seeing used DRRI’s going for $700? I haven’t seen a price that low in about a decade

So I’ve been playing with the Toneking Skyking for about 2 weeks now. I usually wait a bit to review something so I’m not just speaking from the Honeymoon phase and actually spend time with the new toy before I formulate an opinion lol. It’s a great amp and I’m really liking it so far. The lead channel is sweet and nails the old school 50’s Tweed tones. It’s still a bit too loud and hard to manipulate the volume even with duel attenuation, but it’s definitely better in this area than the Imperial MK II. I’ll post a crappy cellphone clip of me playing it using only a wah pedal.

MichaelAndrew3435 said:

Dang where are you seeing used DRRI’s going for $700? I haven’t seen a price that low in about a decade

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$700usd might be a tad low but i dont think any drri’s are selling used in canada for over $1k cad.

Alright took forever but here it is

Toneking Skyking Jam

Just using a Tele and a wah