Ibanez TS9B Bass Tube Screamer Overdrive Review
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Pedal Info
Few effects pedals have inspired so many clones and knock-offs as the Ibanez Tube Screamer. Introduced in the late 1970s and made popular by such noted guitarists as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson, the Tube Screamer circuit has been copied, enhanced, and modded countless times. While bassists have often used various tube screamer pedals to enhance their overdriven tones, it's always been something of a compromise, since the pedals were designed for the higher frequency range of the guitar. Fortunately, Ibanez itself saw a need amongst bassists and introduced the TS9B Bass Tube Screamer Overdrive.
The TS9B includes controls familiar to anyone who has used a traditional Tube Screamer, including level, drive, bass, and treble, as well as a mix control that blends the effected sound with the dry signal, the most notable change from the guitar version. The overdrive section is designed to offer a wide range of overdriven sounds from classic fuzz to mild overdrive. The TS9B can be powered by either a 9V battery or optional DC adapter.
User Reviews
Users of the Ibanez TS9B give the pedal very high marks overall. The bulk of the reviews focus on the pedal's touch sensitivity as well as its ability to preserve the tone of the original signal with the mix control. Many players praise the pedal even though they don't add much gain, instead using the TS9B more as an EQ, since the mix and EQ controls provide a wide range of tonal adjustment. Most positive reviews appreciate the relationship between the TS9B and the original guitar-oriented Tube Screamer, preferring an overdrive to an all out distortion pedal.
Most of the negative reviews of the pedal focus on its limited gain; however, it is worth noting that the TS9B is an overdrive pedal, not a distortion pedal. Like the original, it is not intended to provide gobs of over-the-top distortion.
Summary
Name of Gear: Ibanez TS9B Bass Tube Screamer Pedal
List Price: $199.99
Street Price: $119.99
Manufacturer Info: Ibanez; ibanez.com
Pros: Excellent range of tones; preserves original signal with mix control; good value
Cons: May not be enough gain for some users
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