guitar buyer review

Jester

arrow Smaller Enclosures

The Jester now ships in a new smaller (version B) enclosure that measures 5.25” wide x 5” deep. The front is 1.75” tall, sloping up to 2” at the back. This represents a very considerable space savings over the previous version.

The audio circuitry and components are all just the same as before, as is the sound. However, the new Jester uses a different power supply design, which has enabled this smaller footprint. The two Tungsol re-issue 12ax7s are now housed completely inside the pedal and still run at high voltage (around 250VDC).

arrow Overview

The Kingsley Jester is a hand-wired tube overdrive and boost pedal that uses two 12ax7 tubes running at high voltage. The circuit is hand wired and features hard-wire by-pass on/off footswitches. The overdrive circuit is designed to capture the essence of the Kingsley Deluxe series overdrive tone in a footpedal format. The circuit is based on the overdrive channels of the Deluxe 32 and ToneBaron amplifiers, with the necessary adjustments made to allow the circuit to drive the front end of other amps.

arrow Features

The overdrive controls are: gain, volume, treble, middle and bass, with a three-way voicing switch that changes the gain range from low to medium to high. Mode 1 is for lower gain sounds and produces the fattest sounds. Mode 2 provides more gain and a more focused sound. Mode 3 is higher gain still with an even tighter sound for better definition at high gain settings.
A separate foot-switchable tube boost function is also included with a boost level control and 3-way mode switch. Mode 1 is the fattest boost while mode 2 has incorporates a tasteful treble boost. Mode 3 is a mid boost. This boost circuit can function with the Jester overdrive circuit or independently as a clean boost. The boost is situated after the overdrive circuit, so that when combined with the overdrive, it acts as a true boost. Effectively this means that the user has four foot-switchable sounds available: by-pass, clean boost, overdrive and boosted overdrive. The boost on its own works great for a clean boost or for pushing the front end of an amp into overdrive.

Power requirements:
12VDC @ 500mA, with a center positive 2.1mm plug.
The Jester ships with its own power supply, which works at any mains voltage from 120VAC up to 240VAC, allowing use in most countries around the world. However, a pin adapter plug may be required depending on the particular country.
If you wish to use an alternative power supply please make sure that it has the right specs and in particular note the center positive polarity requirement.

Measurements:
The Jester measures 5.25” wide x 5” deep. The front is 1.75” tall, sloping up to 2” at the back.

Weight: 1.8 lbs (815g)

 

Check out "That Pedal Show" featuring the Jester:

 

arrow Jester Custom Option

The Jester Custom (available as of August 2019) is an up-dated version of the Jester. The modifications include:

The Overdrive cicuit now includes a control on the back panel that when rotated clockwise, takes the stock Jester V2 tone and adds brightness or "sizzle" to the sound. This makes the overdrive channel sound more present with more top end bite - great for rock tones. For the smoother stock V2 response, roll the "Sizzle" control anti-clockwise.

A switch on the back panel increases the overdrive channel's output and clarity, making the Jester suitable for preamp use. This mode can also be used for a louder, brighter front of amp tone.

The Boost is still after the Overdrive and Boost modes 1 is the same as on the original Jester. 
Boost mode 2 is now the mid bost mode and boost mode 3 is modified to have a considerably brighter tone than the regular Jester Boost bright mode. This makes mode 3 suitable as a clean preamp, so the Jester Custom can be used straight into a power amp or as a foundation of a direct rig....for both clean and overdrive tones.

Price $485 USD.  

 

 

arrow Jester Sizzle Option

The Jester Sizzle is exactly the same as the regular Jester except for the addition of the "Sizzle" pot, which is one of the additional features of the Jester Custom (see above). This feature adds more top end cut and sizzle when desired, making the Jester Sizzle a more versatile front of amp pedal than the regular Jester.

Price: $450 USD. 

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Site by Blaise Jarrett