The Tone City Model V is a compact analog overdrive pedal voiced after a VOX AC30 style amplifier. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as part of a range of amp-like overdrive and distortion pedals, and classifies it as an overdrive, booster and equalizer in one box1. It belongs to the same family as pedals like the Tone City Model S, Tone City Bad Horse and Tone City Sweet Cream.
What it does
The Model V's central feature is its pair of amp voices. according to RockBoard's PedalPedia's product information, "they have modeled not one but two different amp models for you to play with", so the pedal can cover two distinct takes on that AC30 style voicing rather than a single setting1.
Delicious Audio's buying guide to VOX-style "amp in a box" pedals, written by Griffin Jennings, describes the Model V as "A larger foundation style pedal with two gain stages and a ton of drive on tap", and notes that "A boost can be engaged into the front of the pedal as well"2. In practice that means the pedal has more gain available than a typical light overdrive, with a separate boost stage that can push the front end for extra drive.
Power and placement on the board
The Model V runs on a 9V DC, center negative supply and draws 25mA, which is within reach of most pedalboard power supplies1. As an analog circuit, it sits in the signal chain like any conventional overdrive, typically ahead of modulation and time effects.
Tone City classifies the Model V as an overdrive, booster and equalizer combined, so it can serve as a standalone drive channel or as a boost into another drive pedal1.
Where it sits in Tone City's range
Tone City's amp-style drive range includes a number of related pedals a player might compare it with:
- Tone City Model S, the other "Model" series pedal1
- Tone City Bad Horse and Tone City Nobleman, amp-style drives from the same maker1
- Tone City King Of Blues and Tone City Kaffir Lime, further overdrives in the range1
For a wider view of the category, see the site's pages on Overdrive Pedals, Boost Pedals and Preamp Pedals, or the comparison of the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
ChrisPedalDemos
The Rolling Store
Questions
Is the Tone City Model V analog or digital?
The Model V is an analog circuit, according to Tone City's product information on the RockBoard PedalPedia. It runs on a 9V DC, center negative supply and draws 25mA, so it fits a standard pedalboard power setup without special requirements.
What kind of pedal is the Tone City Model V?
It is a compact effect pedal classed as an overdrive, booster and equalizer. Tone City describes it as part of a range of amp-like overdrive and distortion pedals, with the Model V voiced after a VOX AC30 style amplifier and offering two different amp models to switch between.
Sources (2)
- Model V by Tone City, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- The 20 Best Vox-Style Pedals & Vox-In-a-Box Overdrives In 2024, Delicious Audio, 2024-12-02
