In the late-'70s, the Maxon-made Tube Screamer changed the overdrive pedal game. While its overall gain may be mild for some, its characteristic mid-boosted sound produces amp-like overdrive that allows the true sound of the guitar and the player's technique to shine through. It is most commonly used to push the front-end of a good tube amp into creamy saturation, but it provides rich, harmonic tone through almost anything. Blues, rock, heavy metal—any time you need gain and overdrive, the Tube Screamer will cut through the mix exactly as you want it to.
When Ibanez launched the 9-Series in the early 1980s, the TS9 quickly emerged as the next evolution of the original Tube Screamer circuit. Retaining the core voice of its predecessor, the TS9 offered a slightly edgier response, improved reliability, and the now-iconic square-switch enclosure that defined the series. For many players, it became the Tube Screamer—capturing the same midrange punch and touch sensitivity while delivering a bit more presence onstage.
This silver-label 1983 TS9 was made in Japan, and it proudly features the coveted JRC4558D op-amp that is considered critical to the authentic MIJ Tube Screamer sound. It shows some paint chips, scuffs, and signs of use, but this TS9 functions 100% as it should and sounds fantastic. There is a particular tone to the MIJ originals that you'll never get from a reissue.
This 1983 Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer has no history of repairs and still has all of its original parts and components, including the battery compartment door. While the switch can get played out over time, this one turns on and off without any issue. But of course, once you turn it on, why turn it off when it sounds this good?