The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is an Ibanez overdrive pedal. Close alternatives include the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive and the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Electra-Dyne Simul-Class 45/90-Watt 1x12" and the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt).
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez · pedal
The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is among the most influential overdrive pedals ever built, a 1982 evolution of the TS808 using the same mid-focused circuit with a slightly brighter, more aggressive output stage. It produces a smooth, compressed overdrive with a pronounced midrange hump that helps single-coil and humbucker guitars cut through a band, and a gentle low-end rolloff that keeps the sound tight. Most players use it not for heavy gain but as a low-gain drive or as a boost stacked into an already driven tube amp, the classic way to fatten and focus a lead tone. Closely associated with Stevie Ray Vaughan and a huge range of blues and rock players, it remains one of the most cloned circuits in existence and a benchmark for mid-rich overdrive.
- overdrive
- mid
- midrange
- drive
- boost
- lead
- thin
- rolloff
Genres the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is commonly used in
- Blues
- Metal
- Alternative Rock
- Rock
- Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Mesa Boogie Electra-Dyne Simul-Class 45/90-Watt 1x12"
Mesa Boogie
28% matchMesa Boogie Electra-Dyne Simul-Class 45/90-Watt 1x12" stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt)
Mesa Boogie
26% matchMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt) layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal — also used together by 2 artists
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchPut Friedman BE-Mini Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 for more high gain on top
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Synergy SL2 Module for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head for more high gain on top
Ceriatone Son of Yeti
Ceriatone
tonal matchPut Ceriatone Son of Yeti in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Pedals that stack with the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
30% matchCusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
27% matchPut Suhr Rufus Reloaded in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark
Fuzzrocious
18% matchKeep Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark after Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer in the signal chain, clear of Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer's own gain stage
ThorpyFX The fat general
ThorpyFX
17% matchThorpyFX The fat general leans toward warm, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Walrus Audio Fable
Walrus Audio
14% matchKeep Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer's mid-forward voice out front: Walrus Audio Fable goes after Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer in the signal chain so its full voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Mr. Black Bloodmoon
Mr Black
12% matchKeep Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer's mid-forward voice out front: Mr. Black Bloodmoon goes after Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer in the signal chain so its dark voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz for more high gain on top
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchPut Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
74% similarityShared character: pedal, simple_three_knob_layout, boost
Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini
Ibanez
73% similarityShared character: tube_screamer, single_coils, most_players
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
73% similarityShared character: power_tubes, single_coils, full
Fender Hammertone Metal
Fender
73% similarityShared character: noise, true_bypass, pedal
MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive
MXR
73% similarityShared character: alternative, pedal, tone_control
Dean Markley Overlord
Dean Markley
73% similarityShared character: tone, noise, high_gain_settings
Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer
Ibanez
72% similarityShared character: tube_screamer, settings, boost
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET
Fulltone
72% similarityShared character: pedal, tube_screamer, warm
Silktone Overdrive Plus
Silktone
72% similarityShared character: rich, high_gain_settings, wide_range
Maxon OD808
Maxon
72% similarityShared character: metal, power_tubes, pedal
Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive
Keeley
72% similarityShared character: tube_screamer, tone_control, boost
JHS Pedals JHS Bonsai
JHS Pedals
72% similarityShared character: original, high_gain_settings, wide_range
See all alternatives to the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer?+
The closest matches in character are the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive, the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini, the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer.
What pairs well with the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie Electra-Dyne Simul-Class 45/90-Watt 1x12", Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt), Friedman BE-Mini Head — Mesa Boogie Electra-Dyne Simul-Class 45/90-Watt 1x12" stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here.