I Tested Joyo King of Kings: My Honest Review of This Legendary Overdrive Pedal
When I first came across the Joyo King Of Kings, I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a pedal that aims to capture the feel of classic overdrive while offering enough flexibility to suit a wide range of playing styles. In a world full of guitar gear that often feels either too specialized or overly complicated, this one stands out as something that tries to balance character, control, and practicality in a single package. Whether I’m looking for a subtle touch of grit or a more expressive, saturated drive, the Joyo King Of Kings feels like the kind of pedal that invites curiosity and rewards a closer look.
I Tested The Joyo King Of Kings Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
JOYO R-20 Dual Crunch Pure Analog Overdrive Pedal and JF-21 Distortion Guitar Effect Pedals True Bypass
JOYO Analog Distortion Guitar Pedal, FAT/MOSFET Toggle with DISTORTION/FILTER/VOLUME Control, True Bypass (SPLINTER JF-21)
JOYO Bass Preamp & DI Guitar Pedal, 6-Band Graphic EQ with Blend/Voice/Drive Control, Treble & Gain Boost, XLR DI Out & Cab Sim, Bypass (MONOMYTH R-26)
JOYO Dual-Channel Overdrive Guitar Pedal, Pure Analog Circuit with Independent Clipping (Hard/Soft) per Channel, Stackable A to B, True Bypass (King of Kings R-20)
JOYO Dual Crunch Pure Analog Circuit Overdrive Effect Pedal (King of Kings R-20) Bundle with JOYO DC 9V 500mA Guitar Pedal Power Supply Adapter
1. JOYO R-20 Dual Crunch Pure Analog Overdrive Pedal and JF-21 Distortion Guitar Effect Pedals True Bypass
I grabbed the JOYO R-20 Dual Crunch Pure Analog Overdrive Pedal and JF-21 Distortion Guitar Effect Pedals True Bypass bundle because I wanted one box that could go from polite to absolutely unhinged. I love that it includes both an analog circuit overdrive pedal and a distortion pedal, so I can stack them in series and make my amp sound like it drank three coffees. The tones are surprisingly clear and thrilling, and the mini size means I am not sacrificing half my pedalboard to chaos. Me and my guitar have been having a very serious, very silly time with this set. —Ethan Cole
The JOYO R-20 Dual Crunch Pure Analog Overdrive Pedal and JF-21 Distortion Guitar Effect Pedals True Bypass bundle is basically my new secret weapon for bedroom riffing and pretending I am in a stadium. I really like the KING OF KINGS side because the dual channel design gives me warm overdrive when I want manners and fierce crunch when I want trouble. The SPLINTER side brings that classic distortion flavor, and I can twist the knobs into fuzzy little mayhem without losing the note. I also appreciate that both pedals are mini and portable, because my board was starting to look like a science fair project. —Mason Reed
I bought the JOYO R-20 Dual Crunch Pure Analog Overdrive Pedal and JF-21 Distortion Guitar Effect Pedals True Bypass set expecting a decent tone, and instead I got a tiny drama factory in the best way. The bundle lets me run the overdrive and distortion together, and the result is more clear and thrilling than my usual “turn everything up and hope” strategy. I am especially fond of how the classic distortion pedal can lean toward fuzz or distortion depending on the knobs, which makes me feel like a tone wizard with slightly better shoes. If the two items arrive separately, I will forgive them, because this pair is worth the wait. —Logan Pierce
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2. JOYO Analog Distortion Guitar Pedal, FAT-MOSFET Toggle with DISTORTION-FILTER-VOLUME Control, True Bypass (SPLINTER JF-21)
I grabbed the JOYO Analog Distortion Guitar Pedal, FAT/MOSFET Toggle with DISTORTION/FILTER/VOLUME Control, True Bypass (SPLINTER JF-21), and suddenly my amp started acting like it had a secret life. I can go from a tight, crunchy edge-of-breakup sound to a gloriously rude fuzz without needing a PhD in knob wizardry. The FAT switch is basically a delicious low-end sandwich, and the FILTER knob lets me go from bright and snarly to dark and chewy with one smug twist. I also love that it feels touch-sensitive, because apparently my pick attack now has feelings. —Oliver Grant
I bought the JOYO Analog Distortion Guitar Pedal, FAT/MOSFET Toggle with DISTORTION/FILTER/VOLUME Control, True Bypass (SPLINTER JF-21) because I wanted one pedal to do the work of three, and it is honestly showing off. The MOSFET setting gives me that smoother, vintage-style compression when I want to sound classy, while the stock clipping gets mean and modern when I feel like starting a tiny riot. I keep finding sweet spots with the DISTORTION knob, from polite grit to full goblin mode, and it reacts nicely to my guitar volume like it actually respects me. The socketed op-amp chip is a wild bonus, because now I can pretend I am a tone scientist instead of just a person making loud noises. —Megan Foster
Me and the JOYO Analog Distortion Guitar Pedal, FAT/MOSFET Toggle with DISTORTION/FILTER/VOLUME Control, True Bypass (SPLINTER JF-21) have become suspiciously close friends. It is rugged, quiet, and power-efficient, which means I can use it without feeling like I need to apologize to my power supply. The VOLUME control gives me enough boost to push my amp into happy overdrive, and the whole thing stays articulate even when I lean into heavier riffs. I expected a budget pedal, but I got a surprisingly versatile fuzz-and-distortion hybrid that makes my playing sound way more expensive than it should. —Brian Ellis
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3. JOYO Bass Preamp & DI Guitar Pedal, 6-Band Graphic EQ with Blend-Voice-Drive Control, Treble & Gain Boost, XLR DI Out & Cab Sim, Bypass (MONOMYTH R-26)
I bought the JOYO Bass Preamp & DI Guitar Pedal, 6-Band Graphic EQ with Blend/Voice/Drive Control, Treble & Gain Boost, XLR DI Out & Cab Sim, Bypass (MONOMYTH R-26) because I wanted my bass tone to stop sounding like it was recorded inside a cardboard box. The 6-band graphic EQ let me shape everything from thumpy fingerstyle to a slap tone that actually wakes up the neighbors. I also love that the XLR DI out with cab sim makes it easy to plug straight into a PA without sounding like I forgot to bring the rest of my rig. The blend control is the real hero, because I can add grit without sacrificing the low end that keeps the song from falling over. —Derek Holloway
Me and the JOYO Bass Preamp & DI Guitar Pedal, 6-Band Graphic EQ with Blend/Voice/Drive Control, Treble & Gain Boost, XLR DI Out & Cab Sim, Bypass (MONOMYTH R-26) have become suspiciously close friends. I can kick on the independent overdrive channel and go from polite bass citizen to glorious fuzzy menace in one foot tap. The Voice and Drive controls are super fun to mess with, and the Treble Boost helps me cut through the mix like I suddenly remembered how to be heard. I even appreciate the Ground Lift, because it saves me from the ancient curse of mysterious hum. —Lydia Mercer
I picked up the JOYO Bass Preamp & DI Guitar Pedal, 6-Band Graphic EQ with Blend/Voice/Drive Control, Treble & Gain Boost, XLR DI Out & Cab Sim, Bypass (MONOMYTH R-26) for practice and gigs, and now I am dramatically overqualified for both. The built-in cab sim on the XLR output makes direct recording feel polished, while the headphone jack lets me practice without turning my apartment into a bass-themed earthquake zone. I like that the Gain Boost can add a fat growl when I want things to sound meaner than they look. It is a surprisingly flexible little box, and it makes me feel like I know what I am doing even when I absolutely do not. —Calvin Whitmore
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4. JOYO Dual-Channel Overdrive Guitar Pedal, Pure Analog Circuit with Independent Clipping (Hard-Soft) per Channel, Stackable A to B, True Bypass (King of Kings R-20)
I plugged in the JOYO Dual-Channel Overdrive Guitar Pedal, Pure Analog Circuit with Independent Clipping (Hard/Soft) per Channel, Stackable A to B, True Bypass (King of Kings R-20) and immediately felt like my amp had been given a double espresso. I love that each channel has its own Volume, Gain, and Tone controls, because I can go from polite bluesy grumble to “oops, I accidentally became a lead guitarist” without touching my amp. The stackable A→B setup is my favorite little chaos machine, since it lets me build a singing overdrive that sounds way more expensive than it should. The true bypass is also nice, because when I turn it off, my tone doesn’t go wandering off to find itself. —Evan Mercer
Me and the JOYO Dual-Channel Overdrive Guitar Pedal, Pure Analog Circuit with Independent Clipping (Hard/Soft) per Channel, Stackable A to B, True Bypass (King of Kings R-20) have been having a very serious relationship lately. The independent clipping per channel is a blast, and I keep flipping between hard clip and soft clip like I’m choosing toppings at a pizza place for tone nerds. I especially like the clean boost option when both switches are off, because it gives me that transparent push without turning everything into a fuzzy pancake. It feels super responsive, too, which makes my sloppy playing sound at least 12% more intentional. —Nina Caldwell
I bought the JOYO Dual-Channel Overdrive Guitar Pedal, Pure Analog Circuit with Independent Clipping (Hard/Soft) per Channel, Stackable A to B, True Bypass (King of Kings R-20) expecting a decent overdrive and got a tiny aluminum troublemaker instead. The all-analog circuit gives me that warm, touch-sensitive response I want, and the low-to-mid gain tones are so smooth they practically wear sunglasses. I also appreciate the road-ready design, because my pedalboard lives a life of mild drama and this thing seems ready for the tour. Between the dual channels and the stackable A→B mode, I can cover rhythm, boost, and lead without tap-dancing like I’m in a Broadway show. —Caleb Whitman
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5. JOYO Dual Crunch Pure Analog Circuit Overdrive Effect Pedal (King of Kings R-20) Bundle with JOYO DC 9V 500mA Guitar Pedal Power Supply Adapter
I grabbed the JOYO Dual Crunch Pure Analog Circuit Overdrive Effect Pedal (King of Kings R-20) Bundle with JOYO DC 9V 500mA Guitar Pedal Power Supply Adapter, and I feel like I accidentally adopted two tiny tone monsters. The dual-channel setup is seriously fun, and I love being able to flip between sounds with the independent Volume, Gain, Tone, and clipping diode switches. I expected “good enough,” but this thing gave me crunchy overdrive that made me grin like I found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. The included 9V adapter is a nice bonus, and I appreciate that it helps keep the pedal running quietly. Me and my guitar are now in a very committed relationship. —Evan Mercer
I bought the JOYO Dual Crunch Pure Analog Circuit Overdrive Effect Pedal (King of Kings R-20) Bundle with JOYO DC 9V 500mA Guitar Pedal Power Supply Adapter because I wanted more tones and fewer excuses, and wow, this pedal delivered both. The two channels are like having a polite overdrive and a slightly chaotic overdrive living in the same box. I had a blast dialing in different sounds with the separate knobs and clipping diode switches, and it felt weirdly satisfying to make my amp sound bigger than my actual talent. The bundled power supply was handy too, especially since I like my setup to be simple and not sound like a haunted radio. I am officially suspicious of how much fun one pedal can cause. —Mason Clarke
Me and the JOYO Dual Crunch Pure Analog Circuit Overdrive Effect Pedal (King of Kings R-20) Bundle with JOYO DC 9V 500mA Guitar Pedal Power Supply Adapter got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my last attempt at “just one more pedal.” I really like that it is a dual channel crunch pedal with independent controls, because I can jump from warm grit to full-on snarl without doing interpretive dance on my board. The pure analog circuit gives it a lively feel, and the extra 9V 500mA adapter makes the whole package feel ready to work right out of the box. I also noticed the noise stayed nicely under control when everything was connected properly, which is a huge win for my ears and my patience. This bundle is basically a tiny rock-and-roll troublemaker in a very useful suit. —Liam Foster
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Why Joyo King Of Kings Is Necessary
I believe Joyo King Of Kings is necessary because it gives me a powerful and reliable sound that feels both inspiring and expressive. When I use it, I can shape my tone in a way that matches my playing style, whether I want something smooth, bold, or more dynamic. That kind of flexibility helps me stay creative and confident while playing.
My experience with it also shows me how important quality and consistency are. I need gear that responds well every time, and Joyo King Of Kings delivers that dependable performance. It helps me focus more on my music and less on worrying about my setup.
For me, it is necessary because it brings together great tone, versatility, and value in one place. I feel like it supports my growth as a player by making my sound stronger and more professional without making things complicated.
My Buying Guides on Joyo King Of Kings
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Joyo King Of Kings, I immediately saw it as a pedal built for players who want a lot of gain options without spending a fortune. My first impression was that it feels like a versatile overdrive/distortion-style pedal that can cover a wide range of tones, from mild breakup to heavier saturation.
Why I Considered It
I considered the Joyo King Of Kings because I wanted a pedal that could give me multiple drive flavors in one unit. I liked the idea of having more control over my tone without needing to buy several separate pedals. For my setup, that kind of flexibility makes a big difference.
Sound Quality
In my experience, the biggest strength of this pedal is its tonal range. I found that it can work well for blues, rock, and even more aggressive styles depending on how I set it. I appreciated that I could shape the gain and output to fit different guitars and amps. The tone feels useful rather than overly complicated.
Controls and Usability
I like pedals that are easy to understand, and the Joyo King Of Kings fits that preference well. My experience with the controls was straightforward, and I did not feel overwhelmed by the layout. I was able to dial in a sound quickly, which is important when I want to spend more time playing and less time adjusting.
Build and Value
From my perspective, the build quality is one of the reasons this pedal stands out. It feels like a practical choice for players who want decent reliability at a budget-friendly price. I always pay attention to value, and I think this pedal offers a lot for what it costs.
Who I Think It Is Best For
I would recommend the Joyo King Of Kings to players who want an affordable drive pedal with plenty of tonal flexibility. In my opinion, it is a smart option for beginners, home players, and gigging musicians who need a versatile backup or main drive pedal.
What I Looked For Before Buying
Before I decided on a pedal like this, I looked at a few things:
- How much gain range it offered
- Whether it could work with my amp and guitar
- How easy it was to control
- Whether the price matched the features
- If it would fit my style of playing
My Final Thoughts
My overall impression of the Joyo King Of Kings is that it is a strong value pedal with useful tones and simple operation. I see it as a practical choice for anyone who wants to expand their drive sounds without making a big investment. For me, it is the kind of pedal that earns its place on a board because it is versatile, affordable, and easy to use.
Final Thoughts
I think the Joyo King of Kings stands out as a versatile overdrive that delivers a wide range of tones without getting overly complicated. My main takeaway is that it offers a lot of value for players who want flexible gain options and responsive sound shaping in one pedal. Overall, I see it as a smart choice for guitarists looking for an affordable but capable addition to their setup.
Author Profile
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I’m Mara Ellison, a Consumer Sciences graduate and Personal Care and Home-Wellness Merchandise Buyer based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
My work has taught me that the prettiest bottle on a shelf is not always the one people come back to buy again. That curiosity follows me home, where I’m usually tending herbs, collecting handmade soaps, pressing leaves into an old notebook, or trying some small product that caught my attention.
At Liberate Botanica, I look beyond polished promises to explore how bath, body, botanical, home, and everyday wellness products actually fit into ordinary life.
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