A Shenzhen maker of affordable gear
Joyo's address places it in the Baoan district of Shenzhen, and its pedals are made in China: when the R-01 Tauren launched, Gearnews described it as a "new budget overdrive pedal made in China"5. The company sells directly through joyoaudio.com, where its product pages carry specifications and downloadable manuals.
The breadth of the range is unusual at its price level. Beyond pedals, Joyo makes amplifiers for guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and busking, plus practice amps and live streaming amps, interfaces, audio equipment, tuners and metronomes, and accessories1.
Known for the R series and low-cost pedals
Joyo announced the R series in November 2018, with the R-01 Tauren overdrive as the first release5. The series has since expanded across effect types:
| R series pedal | Type |
|---|---|
| R-01 Tauren | Overdrive5 |
| R-09 Vision | Dual channel stereo modulation7 |
| R-12 Band Controller | 10-band graphic EQ2 |
| R-20 King Of Kings | Overdrive8 |
Reviewers have consistently flagged the value. Pedal of the Day's take on the R-09 Vision7:
"Cheers to Joyo on creating an affordable, versatile and powerful modulation pedal for players of all skills and budgets"7
Pedal of the Day, on the R-09 Vision7
On the R-12 Band Controller, Gearnews wrote that the pedal is "extremely cheap for what you are getting" and called it a cheap, useful tool the writer would buy if it proved quiet in operation2.
Outside the R series, Joyo's effects catalog covers a range of pedal types: the JF-330 Ocho octave pedal, the JF-24 Orthros Selector channel pedal, and the TC-2 Tonechain, a multifunction effect pedal combining distortion, overdrive, delay, cabinet simulation, a tuner and an FX loop91011.
The King of Kings and the King of Tone
The R-20 King Of Kings, announced in November 2021, drew attention because of its apparent inspiration. Guitar World reported that the dual-drive pedal "seems is inspired by Analog Man's revered King of Tone"8. For comparison, Analog Man's King of Tone includes a master DRIVE control for drive amount and a master TONE control on its four-knob version12. Joyo's version sits at the affordable end: Guitar World described the company as an "affordable effects builder"8. See the JOYO R-20 King of Kings page for more.
Rebadges and other brands
Joyo pedals have appeared under other brands. Guitar.com reported in October 2023 that the Epiphone Power Players Multi-Effects Pedal appears to be a rebadged Joyo Tone Chain TC-1: "both of these units have the same casing, the same effects, the same I/O layout, even the same knobs"13. The same report noted a precedent, the Joyo American Sound sold as the Harley Benton American TrueTone, and that Gibson did not respond to a query about technical differences between the Epiphone and the Joyo TC-113.
Support and manuals
Joyo's contact details are listed on its own site: email info@joyoaudio.com314 and fax +86 755 29765389, with headquarters at 2/F, Lushi Industry Building, 28th District, Baoan, Shenzhen, China3. Manuals are posted on product pages, including an English manual for the Baatsim15; the Baatsim's page on RockBoard's PedalPedia also links an English manual15. Joyo makes the JP-02 Power Supply 2 among its accessories16.
The range (136)
News
Questions
Where are Joyo pedals made?
Joyo pedals are made in China. The company is headquartered at 2/F, Lushi Industry Building, 28th District, Baoan, Shenzhen, China, and its R-01 Tauren overdrive was reported at launch as a budget pedal made in China.
What is the Joyo R series?
The R series is a pedal range Joyo announced in November 2018, beginning with the R-01 Tauren overdrive. It has since grown to include overdrives, EQs such as the R-12 Band Controller 10-band graphic EQ, and the R-09 Vision dual channel stereo modulation pedal.
Is the Joyo King of Kings based on the King of Tone?
Guitar World reported that the R-20 King Of Kings, announced in November 2021, appears inspired by Analog Man's King of Tone overdrive. Analog Man's own King of Tone includes master DRIVE and TONE controls alongside its two channels.
Is the Epiphone multi-effects pedal a rebadged Joyo?
Guitar.com reported in October 2023 that the Epiphone Power Players Multi-Effects Pedal appears cosmetically identical to Joyo's TC-1 Tone Chain, with the same casing, effects, I/O layout and knobs. Gibson did not respond to a query about technical differences.
Does Joyo make bass pedals?
Joyo's catalog spans amplifiers, effects, interfaces, audio devices, tuners and accessories, and its amplifier range includes electric guitar and bass amps. Its pedal lineup covers overdrive, distortion, octave, EQ, modulation and cabinet modeling, among other types.
How do I contact Joyo support?
Joyo lists its contact details as telephone +86 755 29765381, fax +86 755 29765389, and email info@joyoaudio.com. Product pages on joyoaudio.com also host downloadable manuals for pedals such as the JP-02 power supply.
Does Joyo make power supplies?
Yes. Joyo makes the JP-02 Power Supply 2, and its site hosts a JP-02 manual PDF for download. Power supplies fall under the accessories section of its product range.
Sources (16)
- Effects_PRODUCTS_JOYO, JOYO
- Joyo introduces R-12 Band Controller, a 10-band graphic EQ pedal, gearnews.com, 2019-03-02
- GEM BOX K8_JOYO, JOYO
- R-30 TIDAL WAVE_JOYO, JOYO
- Joyo launches new R Series with R-01 Tauren overdrive pedal, gearnews.com, 2018-11-22
- JF-19 BUFFER TUNE_JOYO, JOYO
- Joyo R-09 Vision Dual Channel Stereo Modulation, Pedal of the Day, 2020-09-11
- Joyo's R-20 King of Kings overdrive is an attempt to channel Analog Man's King of Tone in a budget box, Guitar World, 2021-11-01
- JF-330 OCHO_JOYO, JOYO
- JF-24 Orthros Selector by JOYO, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- TC-2 Tonechain_JOYO, JOYO
- King Of Tone, analogman.com, 2015
- Epiphone’s new multi-effects pedal sure looks like a rebadged Joyo unit from 2020, Guitar.com, 2023-10-25
- Acoustic Preamp pedals_PRODUCTS_JOYO, JOYO
- baatsim by JOYO, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
- JP-02 POWER SUPPLY 2_JOYO, JOYO