Fortin Kali Pre-Amp Distortion Pedal - Image 2

Fortin Kali Pre-Amp Distortion Pedal

Name: Fortin Kali Pre-Amp Distortion Pedal
Brand: Fortin
SKU: FT-KALI
Availability: InStock

Retailing in the region of £319.00

On the menu for January 2026 are the Fortin Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Fortin Guitar Pedals today.

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Description

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The Fortin Kali Pre-Amp Distortion Pedal is the latest evolution in high-performance guitar tone, designed to bring the legendary Fortin amp sound directly to your pedalboard. Building on the success of the NATAS® and MESHUGGAH pedals, Kali offers unmatched versatility and sonic depth inspired by the iconic Fortin CALI® Amp. Whether you crave vintage Plexi sparkle or full-throttle modern metal aggression, Kali delivers a rich palette of tones with impressive clarity and dynamic response.

Featuring switchable gain modes (VINT, SAT, RAW), dual gain stages, and an active 3-band EQ, the Kali pedal provides unparalleled control over your sound. Its three-position bright switches further tailor your tone for exquisite articulation and presence at every gain level. An additional stomp switch adds even more gain, making Kali a powerhouse that outclasses typical M-style preamps. With true bypass and relay-based switching, your signal remains pristine, while the pedal powers up in the same state it was turned off for seamless live performance.

Hand-built in the U.S.A. using the highest-grade materials, Kali is engineered for superior sound, reliability, and responsiveness. Whether you perform in a studio or on stage, this pedal empowers you to craft tones ranging from vintage warmth to aggressive modern saturation with ease and authenticity.

Key Features

Switchable Gain Modes – Choose between VINT, SAT, and RAW modes to shape your distortion character, from vintage-inspired chime and compression to raw, natural tone and classic Fortin saturation.
Dual Gain Stages with Bright Switches – Two gain controls with individual 3-way bright switches allow precise adjustment of gain and brightness, offering a wide range of tonal textures from sparkling cleans to searing leads.
Active 3-Band EQ – Customise your bass, midrange, and treble frequencies actively, giving you full control to sculpt your sound exactly how you want it in any playing situation.
True Bypass with Relay Switching – Ensures your signal remains clear and unaffected when the pedal is off, with soft footswitch activation and memory of the last on/off state for ease of use during performances.

Vintage to Modern Tone

The Kali pedal honours decades of amp design heritage with its VINT mode, delivering vintage sparkle and compression reminiscent of a pushed Plexi amp. Alternatively, the SAT mode recreates the feeling of a tube amp driven to saturation, while RAW mode offers a pure, uncoloured preamp sound. This flexibility allows players to explore a vast tonal spectrum from classic blues-rock to aggressive metal.

Precision Gain and Tone Control

With two gain channels and dedicated bright switches, Kali lets you dial in the perfect amount of gain and articulation for your style. The active EQ lets you fine-tune your low, mid, and high frequencies, ensuring your guitar tone sits perfectly in any mix or live setting.

Robust and Reliable Design

Handcrafted in the U.S.A. with premium components, the Kali is built to perform reliably gig after gig. Its relay-based true bypass switching minimizes signal loss, and the pedal’s compact dimensions make it an easy addition to any pedalboard.

Specifications

General

Hand-built in U.S.A.
Power Supply: 9vDC centre-pin negative (regulated), external adapter only (not included)
Power Draw: 115mA @ 9vDC
True Bypass Switching: DPDT relay-based
Dimensions (W/D/H): 122mm x 67mm x 39.5mm (excluding knobs and switches)
Weight: 0.4kg
Warranty: Fortin limited 1-year warranty

Controls

On/Off: True bypass with relay soft footswitch, powers up in previous state
CH 1/2 Switch: Adds an extra gain stage (channel 2)
Gain 1: Gain boost amount for channel 2 with 3-way bright switch
Gain 2: Main gain control with 3-way bright switch
Bass: Active bass frequency control
Mid: Active midrange frequency control
Treble: Active treble frequency control
Master Mode Switch: Select between VINT, SAT, and RAW gain modes

Additional information

Weight	1 kg

Brand

Fortin

Tags

Boost

Compressor

Distortion

Distortion pedals take your clean guitar signal and transform it into something bigger, bolder, and full of attitude. By clipping the waveform, they add sustain, bite, and aggression, creating that thick, compressed tone that’s powered rock music for decades. From the growling crunch of classic hard rock to the tight, saturated roar of modern metal, distortion is all about energy and presence. It gives every note weight and authority, pushing your amp to its limits and beyond.

There are countless flavours of distortion, each with its own texture and edge. Some sound smooth and creamy, others raw and gnarly like tearing fabric. It’s the sonic equivalent of turning up the heat until the sound cooks — rich, sizzling, and perfectly seasoned to taste. Whether used for rhythm muscle or soaring leads, a good distortion pedal doesn’t just add volume; it adds personality, grit, and that unmistakable sense of power under your fingers.

EQ

While Ed Sheeran primarily relies on the natural sound of his acoustic guitar and vocals, he occasionally uses EQ (Equalization) to shape and enhance his tone during live performances or in the studio. EQ pedals or onboard preamps can allow him to adjust the frequency response of his guitar signal to suit the acoustics of different venues or to achieve specific tonal characteristics. Here’s how EQ might be utilized in Ed Sheeran’s setup:

1. **Tonal Shaping**: EQ can be used to adjust the balance of frequencies in the guitar signal, allowing Ed Sheeran to shape his tone to his liking. For example, he might boost the midrange frequencies to bring out the warmth and presence of his acoustic guitar, or cut certain frequencies to reduce any harshness or mud in the sound.

2. **Feedback Control**: In a live setting, EQ can help control feedback by notching out problematic frequencies that might cause the guitar signal to feed back through the amplification system. This can be particularly useful when performing in venues with challenging acoustics or high volume levels.

3. **Room Correction**: In situations where the venue’s acoustics are less than ideal, EQ can be used to compensate for any deficiencies in the sound. By adjusting the EQ settings, Ed Sheeran can tailor the guitar tone to sound more balanced and natural, regardless of the room’s acoustic properties.

4. **Matching Gear**: EQ can also be used to match the tone of Ed Sheeran’s guitar to the sound of other instruments or equipment in his setup. For example, he might adjust the EQ to complement the tonal characteristics of his vocal microphone or to blend seamlessly with backing tracks or other instruments.

Overall, while EQ may not be a central component of Ed Sheeran’s guitar effects setup, it can still play a valuable role in shaping his tone and ensuring that he achieves the desired sound in different performance environments. Whether used subtly for tonal shaping or more aggressively for feedback control, EQ allows Ed Sheeran to tailor his guitar tone to suit his musical vision and performance needs.

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Preamp

A preamp pedal shapes and boosts your guitar’s signal before it reaches your amp or recording interface, giving you control over tone, gain, and headroom. It acts as the first stage of amplification, adding warmth, clarity, and character while preparing your signal for the next part of the chain. Some preamps emulate the response of classic valve circuits, while others offer clean, transparent tone shaping ideal for acoustic instruments or direct recording setups.

Used on its own, a preamp pedal can serve as the foundation of your tone, providing a consistent core sound wherever you play. When combined with other effects, it enhances dynamics and helps each pedal sound more defined and natural. Whether you’re looking to push your amp harder, bring life to a dull signal, or refine your sound for the studio, a good preamp pedal adds presence, punch, and musicality to any rig.

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