The Joyo R-20 King of Kings is a dual overdrive pedal: two Bluesbreaker-style drive circuits in one box, each with its own controls, clipping options and footswitch. Joyo describes it as a classic vintage overdrive circuit with a 1+1 dual channel design, producing warm overdrive, fierce crunch or vintage distortion depending on how the two channels are set and whether they run in series1.
The pedal drew attention at its October 2021 release because of what it resembles. Guitar World reported that it seems inspired by Analog Man's revered King of Tone2, and Gearnews wrote that it is based on two Marshall Blues Breaker-style overdrive pedals that can be stacked together, reminiscent of Analog Man's King of Tone23. A later Gearnews piece put it more directly, calling the King of Kings a clone of the Analog Man King of Tone V4 overdrive pedal4.
Controls and channels
Each side of the pedal is a complete overdrive with its own set of knobs and switches321:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume, Gain, Tone | Each channel has its own set of these three controls2 |
| Clipping mini-switch | Varies the diode clipping of that drive section; each channel has an independent diode clipping circuit13 |
| Feedback switch | A second mini-switch that varies the feedback of each drive section13 |
| Footswitches | Separate footswitches for each side of the pedal5 |
The two channels can be used alone or connected in series1. Guitar World described the practical result: either channel can be used independently for overdrive or crunch tones, or placed in a series circuit to push things into more distorted territory2. Guitar.com added that stacking the two sides with different clipping options offers a massive range of boost, overdrive and distortion tones5, and the series arrangement is how Joyo frames the pedal's three characters of overdrive, crunch and distortion1.
Joyo's own product page currently shows stock of 0 for the R-201, so availability may vary. The R-20 manual PDF on that page, dated 27 May 2022, carries the full specifications1.
What reviewers said
For players comparing it within Joyo's own range, the R-20 sits alongside other dual-circuit and multi-mode drives like the Joyo Baatsin and the Joyo R-01 Tauren, and among single-channel options such as the Joyo Sweet Baby and the Joyo JF-01 Vintage Overdrive. See the full range on the overdrive pedals type page.
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Questions
Is the Joyo King of Kings a King of Tone clone?
Press coverage at its 2021 release described the R-20 as inspired by, or a clone of, the Analog Man King of Tone V4. Guitar World said it seems inspired by Analog Man's revered King of Tone, and Gearnews called it a clone of the King of Tone V4. Its circuits are Bluesbreaker-style overdrives that can be stacked, which is the same basic approach as the King of Tone, but at a much lower price and with no wait to buy one.
Can you stack both channels on the Joyo R-20?
Yes. The pedal uses a 1+1 dual channel design, and Joyo says the channels can be used alone or connected in series. Guitar World noted that either channel works independently for overdrive or crunch tones, or the two can be placed in series to push into more distorted territory. Separate footswitches let you switch each side on its own.
What power does the Joyo R-20 need?
Joyo's product page lists the power requirement as 9V. As with most 9V pedals, a standard center-negative DC supply is the usual arrangement, and Joyo's R-20 manual PDF, posted in May 2022, carries the full power details.
What does the Feedback switch do on the Joyo King of Kings?
Each channel of the R-20 has an independent diode clipping circuit and a Feedback switch, according to Joyo's product page. Gearnews described two mini-switches on the front panel that vary the diode clipping and the feedback of each drive section, giving each side different clipping and feel options before you stack them.
Sources (5)
- R-20 KING OF KINGS_JOYO, JOYO, 2022-05-27
- 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
- Best Effect Pedals 2021: Did your favourite make our Top 10?, Gearnews (www.gearnews.com), 2021-12-26
- Is the new R-17 Dark Flame from Joyo an affordable Djent pedal?, gearnews.com, 2021-10-28
- Joyo’s new R20 King Of Kings overdrive gets you classic dual-Blues Breaker sounds, guitar.com, 2021-10-28
