Harley Benton California TrueTone

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Harley Benton California TrueTone

Harley Benton

California TrueTone

4.8 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 256820
Model: California TrueTone
Price: $32.89

* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.

The California TrueTone is a surprisingly decent little distortion pedal for the price. It delivers a warm, usable overdrive tone that's great for blues, classic rock, or adding a little grit to your clean amp. It's an excellent entry point for players on a tight budget wanting a simple, straightforward distortion effect.

Product Description

  • Harley Benton California TrueTone
  • Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar
  • Distortion
  • TrueTone series
  • Sound control: Level
  • voice
  • drive
  • 3-Band EQ control: Low
  • High
  • Size (HxWxD): 38 x 87 x 118 mm
  • Can be operated with 9V battery (Article Nr. #132579#) or power supply (Article Nr. #409939#) - both not included
PROS
  • • Surprisingly warm distortion, avoids harshness common in budget pedals.
  • • 3-band EQ provides decent tone shaping for various amp setups.
  • • Voice control offers a subtle shift between brighter and darker distortion flavors.
  • • Compact size makes it easy to integrate into crowded pedalboards.
CONS
  • • Plastic enclosure feels flimsy; potential for damage with heavy use.
  • • True bypass implementation isn't pristine; slight signal coloration noticed.
  • • Limited gain range; won't satisfy players seeking extreme high-gain distortion.

Product Video

Key Features

Distortion Type Overdrive/Distortion (based on a classic amp circuit)
Controls Level, Voice, Drive, Low EQ, Mid EQ, High EQ
Bypass Type True Bypass (with slight coloration)
Power Supply 9V DC battery or external power supply (not included)
Connections 1 x Input, 1 x Output, 1 x DC 9V power jack
Dimensions 38 x 87 x 118 mm

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Voice control subtly adjusts the mid-range frequencies, shifting the tone from a more scooped, darker sound to a brighter, more aggressive one.
No, it's not really designed for high-gain metal. It excels at lower-gain overdrive and crunchy rhythm tones, but won't deliver the extreme distortion needed for modern metal.
The build is adequate for the price point; the enclosure is plastic and feels less robust than premium pedals, but it's functional. Treat it with care, and it should hold up reasonably well.

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