Tone King Metropolitan: Reunion

[CitizenAudio]

4 months ago, I sold the most important part of my live rig in a search for something better and more portable. Without mentioning names of brands that I bought, nothing brought the satisfaction I had with my old Tone King Metropolitan. In fact, amps that cost hundreds more and and hundreds less were coming into my home only to be quickly sold and shipped out.

I wrote a review last year and I am happy to say that everything that I wrote back then still is valid today. This is the amp for the gigging musician. It is a wonderful amp that is characterized by its form, features, and tone. The sound is to die for and I am glad that I have gotten another. This is probably the last amp I will ever need.

Of these features, the power scaling attribute is what counters what is often the hardest thing for a tube amp to control: Volume. Much is the case where musicians have never used the "sweet" spot of their amp because of the high amounts of watts and volume that would be produced as a by product. So musicians have to rely on pedals and external attenuators and quite often, have to sacrifice tone and familiarity of how their amp reacts.

More to come...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/mchoi32/TheRig.jpg

[NeilYoungFan]

These are expensive, but must really be excellent amps! I could easily live with one of these, as it would probably cover most of my needs...

[remocity]

Cool!

Finally a pic of a black one.

[riffmeister]

Congrats on your re-aquisition, CA!

I have a Meteor II 1x12 and damn, is it ever a fine amp for my work in the band!!

[Jujo]

Cool man, its great when you can lock in with a product. I always like TK's on paper, but never in person. My latest approach is to keep a nice oversize 1x12 and rotate through heads to hopefully end up with 3 or 4 heads that I really love. Then I'll still be very portable. I'll just stick the head and cab on my cart and wear my guitar on my back.

[strat56]

Nice amp, I'm learning how to use mine. What kind of music do you play with it?

[CitizenAudio]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=537497&highlight=Metropolitan

Here is my old review.

I play blues/jazz (Hendrix, SRV, Metheny, BB King) as well as heavy influences by U2, the Police, Muse for the more contemporary stuff. The amp is perfect for me because it is an amazing platform for pedals as well as a perfect guitar to amp combo because of the 2nd channel is the most organic sounding lead tones I've ever heard. Like I said, what makes this amp killer to me is that I love the tone. On top of that, I am able to dial in the tone and the "sweetspot" of the amp no matter what venue it is. 20 people to 200 people. It sounds so good. So I have my full tube tone at any volume and even bedroom levels.

By the way, I just want to give props to the designer, Mark Bartel, for his awesome communication and customer service. He really pulled through in a big way! Thanks Mark!

[goodandswarty]

thumbs up! I've really been enjoying mine as well.... super versatile, very organic, love the power scaling and it sounds great with lots of different guitars. Plus, it's super compact and sounds huge for it's size. I think it makes an awesome compliment to my Swart MKII and my newly acquired Top Hat Club Royale....

[kjriel]

Back in October I special ordered a custom built red one that I just picked up this weekend. I have had many really good amps, but this one is something else. The cleans that this amp has is impossible to describe. The gain channel is very versatile and can do one of the best tweed sounds I have heard. Yes, it is very expensive, but so far it's the combo I've been looking for a long time.

[Joe Porto]

I'd like to throw in some more love for the Metropolitan. I've been playing one in my band (original rock) for several months. I don't even use pedals anymore.

Mark really is the best too, answering e-mails, and even calling me back on the phone. Great customer service, and he obviously takes a lot of pride in what he does.

And this amp is in good company too: Fargen Hand Wired Deluxe Reverb, Carr Mercury, Bogner Shiva, THD Plexi.

[sublimeaudio]

It's funny - I did the same thing with the Meteor II. I sold mine and ended buying one about a year later after going through a bunch of amps. It's a keeper!

Mark is the best! I've been down to his shop a few times and he does whatever is humanly possible to keep his customers happy.

[GTRJohnny]

Mark is tops in customer service. I don't know another builder that is as detail oriented. Enjoy it!

[riffmeister]

Damn, it looks like the reunion has ended already. :(

Bet of luck to you, CA.

[Blueswede]

Yep, I"m another happy TK Metro owner. My band has been on a rehearsal hiatus due to doing some recording.....we got back together last week for the first time in a couple of months. Man, my Metro sounds so good.....! Really takes pedals well. I stayed on the clean channel most of the evening. Great tones coming out of it......Mark really has made a wonderful amp.

[CitizenAudio]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the support! I really stand by what I said. I think I have an interested buyer!

Third times a charm right? Maybe next time.

[CitizenAudio]

By the way I will be going ampless for a while :( I need some mojo coming my way...