The KingTone HeavyHand is a limited edition overdrive pedal from KingTone, first released in 20211. KingTone describes it as Side "B" of the Duellist, the maker's dual overdrive, taken from that pedal and expanded with its own controls and clipping options2. The maker says it delivers thick, chewy drive tones with exceptional sustain, and a transparent, open sound stage without the usual mid-hump found in many overdrives2.
Where the Duellist packs two overdrives in one box, the HeavyHand takes just the second side and gives it more to adjust. Aion FX, which traced the circuit in 2022, notes that compared to the Duellist the HeavyHand adds a Body potentiometer, a new diode selector switch, and swaps out the "Fat" toggle mode for an "Edge" mode1.
The controls and clipping options
The HeavyHand's controls go beyond the usual drive, tone and level knobs. The headline feature is the Body control, a rotary knob that replaces the standard "Fat" switch found on the Duellist's side B. KingTone says this control allows users to dial in the precise amount of added low-end to the tone, rather than picking between fixed settings2.
Two three-position toggle switches shape the clipping character2:
| Toggle | Positions | What KingTone says each does |
|---|---|---|
| Clipping toggle | Stock, Glass, Edge | "Edge" adds an edgy, tube-like quality to the tone2 |
| Mode toggle | Stock, Open, Comp | Selects the pedal's gain stage voicing2 |
The mode toggle feeds into the pedal's named modes. KingTone describes the "KingTone" setting as altering the overall voicing of the pedal, giving it an edgy bite in the top end while the low end offers a tube-like chug tone, fattening the tone and adding edge bite for what the maker calls a unique massive tone2. The "Amp-Like" setting produces a cranked amp tone, with a wide open sound stage, enhanced dynamics and chunkiness2. Distortion Mode adds a distortion clipping circuit, giving the HeavyHand what KingTone calls a tube'y, Marshall-esque style gain stage2.
On top of the toggles, dip switches inside the pedal adjust the clipping symmetry. KingTone says the new dip switches let you adjust the symmetry for gritty, harmonic rock lead tones, and that the symmetrical and asymmetrical options give the overall tone of the pedal a warm, characterful, harmonic rich tone2.
For players comparing circuits, the symmetry switch is the same idea behind the difference between pedals like the Boss SD-1 and Ibanez TS9: asymmetric clipping leaves part of the wave less clipped than the rest, which changes the harmonic content. The HeavyHand puts that choice on a switch instead of fixing it in the circuit.
Build, power and reliability
The HeavyHand is built in a custom designed CNC 6061 aluminum case and uses a soft footswitch2. It runs from a DC supply or a 9V battery, so it works on a pedalboard power brick or standalone, and KingTone covers it with a 30 day money back guarantee2. The maker lists its weight at 1 lb and its dimensions as 6 x 6 x 6 in2.
The HeavyHand is a Limited Edition pedal2. It was in stock on the maker's site as of October 2026, but a limited run can sell through and not return.
Price and where it sits in the KingTone range
The HeavyHand's original price was $299.99, and KingTone has it on sale at $249.99 as of October 20263. It sits alongside the maker's other overdrives, including the Duellist it is derived from, the Soloist and the Blues Power V2.
The DIY trace
Aion FX traced the HeavyHand circuit in 2022 and publishes it as a DIY project called the Xiphos1. The project documents the circuit and confirms the pedal's relationship to the Duellist, including the added Body potentiometer, the diode selector switch and the Edge mode replacing the Fat toggle1. For a player who builds, that makes the HeavyHand one of the fewer boutique overdrives with a documented, buildable schematic.
Videos
THE GUITAR STUDIO - Chris MCKELVIE
Questions
Is the KingTone HeavyHand true bypass?
Yes. KingTone lists the HeavyHand as true bypass with no tone loss, so the pedal is fully out of the signal path when it is switched off. It also uses a soft footswitch rather than a heavy mechanical click switch.
What chip does the KingTone HeavyHand use?
KingTone specifies Performance 4558 chips for the HeavyHand. The 4558 is the same dual op amp family found in many classic overdrive circuits, and KingTone describes its chosen version as a performance grade part.
Is the KingTone HeavyHand a limited edition?
Yes. KingTone sells the HeavyHand as a Limited Edition pedal, and it was first released in 2021. As of October 2026 the maker's page still lists it in stock, but a limited run means availability can end without notice.
Is there a DIY clone of the KingTone HeavyHand?
Yes. Aion FX traced the circuit in 2022 and publishes a DIY project for it, called the Xiphos, on its site. The project documents the circuit and the changes the HeavyHand makes compared to the Duellist, so builders can make their own version.
Sources (3)
- Xiphos Amp Overdrive / King Tone Heavyhand, Aion FX, 2022-05-13
- HeavyHand, KingTone Guitar
- THE SOLOIST DELUXE, KingTone Guitar
