The King Tone RISE V3 is a preamp and boost pedal for guitar that packs three effects into one box. King Tone describes it plainly: "The RISE is a Boost, a Drive, and a Fuzz all in one."1 Under the hood it is a reimagining of the classic germanium treble boosters of yesteryear, updated with a switchable germanium and silicon circuit so a player gets both transistor voices in a single pedal1.
King Tone pitches the result as "Your tone, but better: germanium harmonics, added clarity, warmth, and sustain."1 For a player, that means the RISE V3 can sit at the front of a boost pedal chain as a clean-ish preamp lift, or be pushed into overdrive and full fuzz territory using its own controls.
Boost, drive and fuzz in one pedal
The RISE V3 covers ground that would normally take two or three separate pedals. Its lineage is the treble booster, the 1960s germanium device players stacked in front of cranked amps, but the V3 expands that idea into a full-range preamp with drive and fuzz voices available from the front panel1.
The germanium and silicon switch is the key to its flexibility. Germanium transistors, the original treble booster ingredient, and silicon, the later, more stable type, have different characters, and the RISE V3 lets you choose either. King Tone calls this "Ge And Si Switchable For The Best Of Both Worlds."1
Within the King Tone lineup, the RISE V3 sits alongside the Duellist V3, a dual overdrive pedal with six analog tone circuits in one pedal, priced at $349.992. The RISE V3 is the smaller and cheaper of the two, at $265.00, and takes a different approach: rather than two footswitchable overdrive channels, it gives you one preamp circuit whose voice is reshaped by its controls12.
| RISE V3 | Duellist V3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Preamp, boost, drive, fuzz | Dual overdrive |
| List price | $265.001 | $349.992 |
| Size | 4.8" x 2.5" (125mm x 68mm)1 | 4.7" x 3.7" (120mm x 94mm)2 |
| Height | 2.1"1 | 1.34"2 |
| Weight | 1 lb1 | 1 lb2 |
| Made in | California, handmade1 | USA, hand-wired2 |
The controls and switches
The RISE V3 keeps its control set small, with three main elements shaping the sound1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive / Vintage / Fuzz toggle | Changes the voice of the RISE pedal1 |
| Glass knob | Goes from fuzz to overdrive all the way to bright, glassy clean tones1 |
| Tone control | Cut and boost tone control that tailors the sound and shapes the response to your rig1 |
The three-position toggle is the coarse adjustment: Drive, Vintage and Fuzz are the pedal's three basic voices. The Glass knob then works within and across those voices, sweeping from a full fuzz character through overdrive and out to bright, glassy clean tones, which is what lets the pedal act as a clean preamp at one end of its range and a fuzz at the other1.
The tone control is a cut and boost type rather than a simple high-cut, so it can darken or brighten the signal depending on which way you turn it. King Tone says it "allows you to tailor the sound even further and shape the response to your rig," which matters most when the pedal is driving an amp that already has its own character1.
Power, size and build
The RISE V3 runs on a 9V battery or DC power, and can be powered from a standard center-negative power supply, the same polarity used by most modern pedals, so it drops onto an existing pedalboard power setup without adapters1.
Physically it is a compact box: 4.8" x 2.5" (125mm x 68mm) with a height of 2.1", weighing 1 lb1. The enclosure is a custom Kingtone CNC aluminum case with laser engraving, rather than a generic cast or folded box1.
The RISE V3's 2.1" height is taller than many compact pedals, including King Tone's own Duellist V3 at 1.34"12. If your pedalboard has a tight lid or an angled tier, check the clearance above the knobs.
Each pedal is handmade in California, which King Tone states is "With The Very Best-Sounding Components."1 The pedal lists on the maker's site at a price of $265.001.
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Fede Kajganić
Questions
Can the King Tone RISE V3 run on a battery?
Yes. King Tone specifies 9V battery or DC operation, so the pedal runs on an internal 9V battery or a standard power supply. It can be powered from a standard center-negative power supply, which is the same arrangement most pedalboards already use.
What power polarity does the RISE V3 use?
The RISE V3 uses a center-negative power supply, the standard polarity used by most modern effects pedals. That means it works with typical 9V DC pedalboard power supplies without any polarity adapter or special cable.
Is the RISE V3 a germanium or silicon pedal?
It is both. The RISE V3 has a germanium and silicon switch, so you can choose either transistor type. King Tone describes this as the best of both worlds, and the circuit is a reimagining of the classic germanium treble boosters of yesteryear.
Where is the King Tone RISE V3 made?
The RISE V3 is handmade in California, which King Tone states is with the very best-sounding components. It comes in a custom Kingtone CNC aluminum case with laser engraving rather than a standard off-the-shelf enclosure.
What does the Glass knob do?
The Glass knob lets you go from fuzz to overdrive all the way to bright, glassy clean tones. In practice it sweeps the pedal's character across its full range, from a full fuzz voice through drive and into a clean, glassy boost.
How big is the King Tone RISE V3?
The RISE V3 measures 4.8 by 2.5 inches (125 by 68mm) with a height of 2.1 inches, and it weighs 1 lb. That is a compact single-pedal footprint that fits a standard pedalboard row.
Sources (2)
- RISE V3 Guitar Preamp & Boost Pedal, King Tone Guitar (www.kingtoneguitar.com), 2026-10-12
- The Duellist V3 Dual Overdrive Pedal, KingTone Guitar
