The Tone City Blue Crystal is a compact analog overdrive pedal from Tone City. Its spec sheet lists an input impedance of 1M and an output impedance of 10K, and notes that it is loaded with high-spec DIP components throughout: military-grade metal-film resistors, WIMA audiophile capacitors, and screened operational amplifiers, diodes and transistors1. For the wider picture, see the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals.
Sound and design
Tone City positions the Blue Crystal as a "classic-voiced" low-gain drive in the Dumble style, meaning it takes its cue from the boutique amps associated with players like Robben Ford: warm, touch-sensitive breakup with the note staying clear underneath1. The maker also highlights the component spec, saying the pedal is "Loaded with high-spec DIP components throughout: military-grade metal-film resistors, WIMA audiophile capacitors, and screened operational amplifiers, diodes and transistors"1. That is a parts-quality claim from the maker rather than an independent reviewer's finding, but it signals where Tone City says the transparency comes from.
Power and connections
The Blue Crystal runs on a DC 9V adapter with a current draw of 8mA, and RockBoard's PedalPedia entry for the v1 describes the supply as 9V DC, center negative13. At 8mA it is a light load, so almost any pedalboard power supply output can handle it. Input impedance is 1M and output impedance is 10K1.
Tone City specifies a DC 9V adapter as the power supply, and no battery option is listed. Use a center-negative supply and do not daisy-chain it carelessly with higher-draw digital pedals.
Bypass is true bypass, so the circuit drops out of the signal path when the pedal is off1.
Size and price
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5 (L) x 6 (W) x 5.5 (H) cm1 |
| Weight | 0.49 kg1 |
| List price (US) | $121.00 USD, as of 18 September 20262 |
| List price (UK) | £110.00 GBP, as of 18 September 20262 |
The Blue Crystal is an analog design, built with high-spec DIP components including military-grade metal-film resistors and WIMA audiophile capacitors1.
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Questions
Is the Tone City Blue Crystal true bypass?
Yes. Tone City lists the Blue Crystal as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the overdrive circuit in the path. That matters on a pedalboard where several effects sit between guitar and amp, since pedals that are not true bypass can dull the signal as more of them are added.
How much does the Tone City Blue Crystal cost?
The Blue Crystal was announced at a list price of $121.00 USD on 18 September 2026, according to gearnews.com. The same announcement gave the price as £110.00 in the UK and 129.00 euros in Europe, so the figure you pay depends on where you buy it.
Does the Tone City Blue Crystal run on a battery?
Tone City specifies a DC 9V adapter as the power supply, and RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the input as 9V DC, center negative. No battery option is given, so plan to run it from a pedalboard power supply or a dedicated adapter rather than expecting to slot in a 9V battery.
How big is the Tone City Blue Crystal?
Tone City gives the dimensions as 12.5 cm long by 6 cm wide by 5.5 cm high, with a net weight of 0.49 kg. That is a compact footprint by full-size pedal standards, so it sits easily on a crowded board and travels light in a gig bag.
Sources (3)
- TONE CITY® Blue Crystal, Tone City Audio, 2026
- Tone City Releases 7 Distortion Pedals: Meet the Loong Preamp, New Legend Series, and more!, gearnews.com, 2026-09-18
- Blue Crystal v1 by Tone City, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
