Ibanez Tube Screamer vs Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
The Ibanez Tube Screamer and the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive are both pedals sharing mid-forward, bright. The Ibanez Tube Screamer leans dynamic and sustaining. The Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive leans transparent and saturated.
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Blended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.49% — somewhat different
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- mid-forward
- bright
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$210.34via Reverb
The Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 is a classic low-to-medium gain overdrive built around soft-clipping distortion with a prominent mid-frequency bump that rolls off low end. Ideal as a mid-focused boost into already-breaking-up amps or for players favoring a focused, punchy attack with a gentle cushion, it became a favorite for blues and rock.
The Walrus Audio 385 MkII is the updated second version of Walrus Audio's overdrive inspired by the tube amp built into a vintage Bell & Howell 385 Filmosound film projector, whose dual-6V6 output stage gives the circuit its core character. Volume, Gain, Bass, and Treble controls let players boost or cut bass and treble independently, opening up genuine mid-scoop or mid-bump tonal shaping rather than a single fixed voicing. The gain range spans from fairly transparent, low-gain boost tones up through a thick, incredibly compressed, heavily saturated distortion when the Gain is cranked, with the EQ staying powerful and reactive to playing dynamics across that whole range. Some players find the Treble control's sweet spot narrow, requiring a bit of compromise. It suits players wanting a versatile overdrive that runs from clean-ish push to full compressed saturation with real EQ shaping rather than a one-trick drive voicing.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Rock
- Blues
- alternative
- rock
- blues
- dynamic
- sustaining
- transparent
- saturated