The Tone City Model M-Classic British Style Distortion is an analog distortion pedal that puts classic British amplifier tones, Plexi style, on a pedalboard. Tone City describes it as a "Plexi in a Box": a 2-in-1 pedal with two distortion modes and a separate boost circuit, which the maker calls "amazingly versatile"1. It sits in the maker's range alongside other drive pedals such as the Tone City Golden Plexi and the Tone City Black Tea, and it belongs to the wider family of distortion pedals.
Plexi in a Box: what it does
Tone City bases the Model M on classic British amplifiers, saying that "the classic British amplifiers that the Model M is based upon covered generations of different tones." In practice that means the pedal covers the crunch and high-gain territory of those amps, with the two modes giving you a choice between them1.
The pedal's two-in-one layout is its main feature:
- Two distortion modes, switchable with the mode switch, emulating classic British amplifiers' crunch and high-gain tones1
- A separate boost circuit in the same enclosure, giving the pedal a second function beyond the distortion1
Controls and specifications
The mode switch is the pedal's defining control, letting you swap between the two distortion modes. Tone City gives the following electrical specifications for the Model M1:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Normal input level | -10dB |
| Input impedance | 1MΩ |
| Output impedance | 10KΩ |
| Max output level, boost on | 17dB |
| Current draw, boost on | 45mA |
| Power supply | DC 9V adaptor |
| Dimensions | 12(L) x 10(W) x 5.2(H) cm |
| Net weight | 0.35kg |
Tone City specifies a current draw of 45mA with the boost switched on. When budgeting a pedalboard power supply, use that figure rather than assuming a lower idle draw, since the boost is part of how the pedal is meant to be used.
Power and bypass
The Model M runs on a DC 9V adaptor and is listed by Tone City among its analog pedals and power supplies. Bypass is true bypass, so the distortion circuit drops out of the signal path entirely when the pedal is off1.
Videos
TONE CITY
Questions
Is the Tone City Model M true bypass?
Yes. Tone City lists the Model M-Classic British Style Distortion as a true bypass pedal, so when it is switched off your guitar signal passes through without the distortion circuit loading it. That matters on a pedalboard where several pedals sit in front of the amp, since buffered stages can add up.
What power supply does the Tone City Model M need?
The Model M runs on a DC 9V adaptor, according to Tone City's product page. There is no mention of battery operation, so plan on a standard 9V pedal supply or an isolated output on your brick. Note that the current draw rises to 45mA with the boost engaged, which is worth knowing when sharing a daisy-chained supply.
Is the Tone City Model M analog?
Yes. Tone City lists the Model M among its analog pedals, meaning the distortion and boost circuits process your signal in the analog domain rather than converting it to digital.
How much current does the Tone City Model M draw?
Tone City specifies a current draw of 45mA with the boost switched on. That is the figure to use when budgeting the output of a pedalboard power supply, especially if you plan to run the pedal with the boost active for long stretches.
What are the two distortion modes on the Model M?
The Model M offers two distortion modes, selected with a mode switch, that emulate the crunch and high-gain tones of classic British amplifiers. Tone City describes the pedal as a Plexi in a Box, and the mode switch lets you swap between these two distinctive sounds.
