SeriesIbanez 9

The Ibanez PT9 Phaser is a rare phaser pedal that is intended for use with electric guitar, but suitable for use with any electronic instrument. This is an analog pedal, with 1/4" connections for input and output. It has a battery compartment for a nine volt battery, and can also be powered by a nine volt power supply if you have one. This isn't a rack mountable piece of gear in any way. UTILIZATION Using the Ibanez PT9 Phaser is really simple, as it's only got three parameters to work with. The parameters are for speed, width, and feedback, the latter two of which are pretty common for phaser pedals. If you have ever used a phaser effect before, you'll definitely know how to use this without having to do much research or playing around with it. A manual shouldn't be necessary with the PT9. SOUND QUALITY As far as the actual sound of the Ibanez PT9 Phaser goes, it's pretty impressive. I won't say that it's my favorite, as I've used a lot of different phaser pedals out there, but it's definitely up there with the best of them that I've used. It's got a really really thick sound, and it's actual possible to get a good amount of differing sounds between only the three parameters. I've only used the PT9 in the recording studio, but certainly it's suitable for any type of use. While I don't think that the sound lives up to the price, but it is a very good sounding phaser. OVERALL OPINION I don't know why there are so few of these out there, but for whatever reason it's pretty hard to get your hands on an Ibanez PT9 Phaser. For the same reason, the price of a used one of these is surely a lot. I don't think that it's worth the price based on the sound of the pedal alone, but if you're a collector and/or like rare pedals, this is a must have. For those of you who are looking to get a great phaser pedal without spending too much, there are plenty of options out there like the Boss PH-3 that can be had for a lot less than this one...

I'm writing this review based upon the newer reissue, not the original made by Maxon. SPECS Input Impedance 500K ohms Output Impedance 10K ohms Maximum Input Level +5 dBv Gain 0 dB Delay Time 20ms – 300ms Equivalent Input Noise - 100 dbm (IHF-A) Power Supply One 9 Volt Battery or external AC adaptor (9V) Size 124 (D) × 74 (W) × 53 (H) mm 4.9 (D) × 3 (W) × 2 (H) inch. Weight 580g 1.3lbs THE BUZZ The Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay Effect Pedal uses a compander with pre- and de-emphasis for an exceptionally clean delay. Time and level controls allow mixing between dry and delayed signals. Repeat control lets you adjust the number of repeats without runaway. 2 outputs enable dry and delayed signals to be routed separately. UTILIZATION The pedal is easy to use. It comes in a very durable metal housing. The fact that the pedal only gets to 300 milliseconds means it will primarily be used as a slap-back for many people. I give the pedal a 7 in this category as an Ibanez DE7 can get up to 2.6 seconds, with a similar tone, for much cheaper. SOUND QUALITY The pedal sounds great. Regeneration capabilities on this box are incredible, if you're into that sort of thing. This pedal can nail down an East Bay Ray Dead Kennedy's style like none other. There aren't any options for voicings, so you'll get a dark echo tone and like it, thank you very much. A Keeley-modded Ibanez AD9 can offer better quality tone, with a true bypass, and with some other neat features like expression pedal jacks. This pedal is worth looking at potential capability for that alone, if one has the cash to make it happen. OVERALL OPINION The stock pedal is good, but an Ibanez DE7 blows it away by providing similar tones PLUS an option for much different tones, along with way longer delay times, for cheaper on the used market. If I knew I had the extra cash to find a Keeley-modded AD9 to get the better capabilities and tones, I'd probably do it, as used Keeley AD9s can be found for reasonable prices. However, buying an AD9 and then having Keeley mod it - the costs involve seem prohibitive for the amount of features one gets in return. Bottom line - if you don't want a modded AD9, get a DE7. If you do want a modded AD9, buy a used and already modded-one, or mod it yourself!

The Ibanez SD9 Sonic Distortion is a pedal for guitar but can be used with any electronic instrument, although I'd probably recommend sticking to electric guitar with this one. It looks much like the other pedals in the Ibanez '9' series like the TS9 (Tube Screamer) and the AD9 (Analog Delay). It is an analog pedal and isn't rackable in any form. UTILIZATION The parameters found on the Ibanez SD9 Sonic Distortion are minimal and easy to follow. If you've ever used a distortion pedal before you'll recognize this make up - tone, volume, and distortion. That's all there is to the pedal and you'll see that it's a very popular configuration. There shouldn't be a use for a manual with the SD9 as it's super simple and easy to use. SOUND QUALITY While I can't say that the Ibanez SD9 Sonic Distortion would be my go to distortion if I had one (hence why I don't have one), it does have a unique sound that I can see being useful in some situations. It's a transparent sounding distortion and I'd guess I'd liken it to something like the sound of ZZ Top. It can get a pretty good amount of gain going on if you crank it up, but I probably like it best at a lower gain and for rhythm guitar parts. OVERALL OPINION The Ibanez SD9 Sonic Distortion isn't my favorite distortion pedal but I see it's value in a studio setting or if this is the sound you're going for, for your live set up. The pedal isn't too expensive, but I do think that for this price used you can find other more versatile distortion pedals out there. It's worth a try to see if it matches your sound as it is good at what it does, it's just not all that versatile.

Probably the most used stomp box overdrive on the planet. Anyone from small clubs to arenas have played this little green box. I have been using this pedal now for bout 6 years. It has remained on my pedal board since I got it in the mail. I decided to pick one up that has been modified by Mike at Analogman effects. I got the silver mod which I guess adds more low end. He says most guys wouldn't be able to tell the difference and this mod is for the picky. I probably couldn't tell the difference in this and the brown mod that he offers. I have not matched this up against the regular mod but I really found a good box for what I am doing musically. I am able to get great warm and driving tone when slamming the front of my overdriven amp and also just giving a clean amp a little hair. UTILIZATION This pedal is very easy to use. It has three knobs consisting of Drive, Tone, and Level. There are several different variations when using this pedal. You can use it in front of a clean amp with the gain on high and it gives a nice smooth overdrive suitable for classic rock and pop. You can also lower the gain to almost nothing and the level up to slam the front of of a Marshall style amp that is already overdriven to give it a pissed off Marshall tone. You'll get a good 80's tone throwing this in front of a JCM800 with a clean boost to the TS9. Keep the tone around the middle and bring the level all the way up and the drive all the way to 9:00. It just screams 80's hair metal. SOUND QUALITY There have been so many clones and knock offs of this pedal. Some good and some not so good, but that just goes to show how important this pedal has become to modern music. I ran this in various different configurations. My favorite was with a Strat into a Fender Hot Rod. I put a Line 6 DL4 in between and got some great smooth and rich tone with this combo. It was suitable for church playing and fit really well in the mix. Another favorite was using it in from of a Marshall JCM2000 on the clean channel. This pedal gave it enough drive to really give a nice Zeppelin tone or AC/DC type tones. I was very happy with this setting and pretty much kept it there when using it with this amp. OVERALL OPINION I would like to give it a perfect but the reissues need some tweaking to sound closer to the originals. I like the mod that I had done on it and it fits well with the sound I'm going for. It is probably my go to pedal when it comes to getting a little bit more hair on my tone. I also like the Boss Sd-1 and OD-2 for similar applications. I would buy this pedal again if I ever lost it or it got stolen. I think I would go with the 808 version or the DX which I prefer just a little bit over the three knob TS9. I would recommend this pedal to anyone who plays guitar. It is must own and I cannot live without it. I think the price is very fair for the pedal and with the mod at $160. Many other pedals start at that price and your paying for the boutique price rather than the functionality and economics.

The IObanez FL9 Flanger is an analog flanger. Flange is a type of phase effect that produces a wide range of "swooshing" effects on your guitar tone. It has your standard 1/4" inputs and outputs, AC adapter input, and red led, all in a sturdy duck yellow metal box. UTILIZATION Flange is a complicated effect. If you've never used one, understanding what the 4 knobs control takes a bit of experimenting. The FL9 has knobs for "delay time", "regeneration", "speed", and "width", and can be a bit daunting to master. Sometimes I create a cool sound, and then forget how to achieve it again, the tange of sounds possible and level of control is probably unmatched by any other stompbox flanger on the market. But for a devoted knob twiddler, you will be in heaven. This box is not capable of making a "bad" sound, only strange ones you may find unusable at the furthest extremes of its spectrum. SOUND QUALITY The FL9 is classic analog flange sound all the way. There is no harshness, nor thin-ness. It is a thick and warm flange, that will make your guitar warble and whoosh for days. Add in an analog delay in your signal chain, and you'll be in space cadet heaven. I especially like the ability to dial in some Andy Summer's Police sounds, which are on the more mild side, all the way to extreme whoosh effects that make the room feel like its spinning and are unusable except just to sound wicked. OVERALL OPINION Both original FL9's from the 1980's and the brand new reissues of the same era will cost you way over $100. They are worth it, if you value a warm, warbly, swooshing analog Flange effect for your guitar sound. Theres nothing about this box that I don't like.

This is the purple early 80s 2-knob Ibanez Stereo Chorus CS-9 from the popular and collectible 9 series from Ibanez. The knobs are simple, you have speed and width. Same deal, I was out on the hunt for cool gear and saw Guitar Center just brought it in on trade. It was $50. I bought it because it was a very subtle chorus compared to the newer more high tech ones out on the market today. Simple to use and a very strong casing. The pedal more or less warmed up my clean tone instead of giving it an actual chorus. The effect is subtle. If you are looking for a strong chorus effect, look elsewhere. I have the width and depth knobs cranked and there was not much of a strong effect going. Bullet proof. Metal box, metal jacks, strong knobs. This unit is nearing 30 years old and still works as good as the day it was born. If you want a subtle vintage chorus this may work for you, if you want a really fat fast moving chorus, this is NOT your pedal. The value of these pedals are going up and well worth hanging onto. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is the purple post 1981 edition of the Ibanez PQ-9 Parametric EQ pedal. I believe the first edition had script writing, the second edition which is the one I reviewed looks like your standard TS-9 Tubescreamer box and then they released a later one in a plastic casing. I found this at a Guitar Center. It was used and just brought it as a trade. It was heavily beat up, but looked like it was worth trying out, so I did and really enjoyed it. For $40 I couldn't say no. I mean these for at least double that on Ebay. The PQ-9 is a simple easy to easy parametric EQ with a 3 band EQ, Treble, Mid, and Bass. To the right is a variable midrange EQ knob which is what makes the pedal unique and versitle. Give a Strat more lows, give a Les Paul more top end sparkle, a great pedal! What's not to like? The pedal is 30 years old and still working great! I didn't notice any unwanted noise and it clicked over smooth. If I could change one thing, I would have made a bigger or brighter LED light. With a battery specifically a dull battery it is hard to tell if the pedal is on or off. Solid. A nice metal case. I could tell it was abused and neglect. Plenty of paint scrapes and it still works great. A weird, quirky pedal I never saw before, but it is well worth it. I don't know why these haven't caught on or have been reissued? Maybe someday. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I've been playing guitar & bass for over 30 years, yea an old timer. Anything from heavy metal to country and every thing in between. I have pretty much given up gigging and jam with friends on weekends. Bought this pedal new in 1982 can't remember how much it cost.I'll guess about $60. Bought it to use for guitar and then tried on my bass. I have bought a used unit to replace it, $100. The original pedal was stolen at a gig about 10 years ago. Tried Boss,DOD, Digitech & others since then. Had to have another CP9. The attack & threshold really do work, as the others seemed like knobs connected to nothing.It was the quietest of them all too. The fact that I had to buy another one cuz the first was ripped off and paid more for the used one recently. Also with age the switch has gotten a little touchy. It may take a couple of taps to engage it. But I leave it on all the time anyway, so no biggie. This pedal is built for a war zone. 1/8" thick metal case, hand wired onto a thick circuit board. Pop out battery cover on bottom, no screwdriver need, or a 9 volt adapter. Made in Japan from 1981-84 before a lot of effects started being made cheaply in Korea & Taiwan. Probably the the most solid built pedals I've seen. This pedal was made for a 6 string but really does a fantastic job for a bass, which I use it for. It is more of a sound enhancer than an effect, to balance out the whole range of notes to the same volume , be it open low E or fingered high G note. Will add tons of sustain if wanted also. Great an all counts. These are getting harder to find and prices going up, but was worth every cent. If you've got one, keep it. If not believe me,this one is tops. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought this thing used off of ebay but it was pretty much so brand new and only paid 75 bucks for it! Retail is about 100 bucks brand new This thing has the best blues and classic rock sound! You can even crank the drive and get a pretty good crunch sound, but if you really want crunchy sound your better off with the turbo version of the tube screamer. Great tone and simple 3 knob operation one pot for drive,tone and level. And it's built like a rock so you don't have to take it easy on this thing! No problems so far! Like I said...Built like a rock! Buy this pedal for your rig. You will never regret it. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this awesome little guitar effect at Guitar Center for $110. I've been trying to get that SRV sound by changing pickups, different amp, and a boss blues driver pedal. I read that Stevie used the tube screamer so I took a chance. This thing rocks!! After all this time and money all I needed was this little pedal. I'm sure the pickups and fender amp help but if you want a good blues sound or just increase the mid's from a single coil guitar this is it. Also, there are 4 different settings for the type of boost you want. The drive varies also which is good for me because I like to play clean a lot. You also have tone and level so you have plenty of leeway to get your sound. I would have to say (if anything) is the green color. I sound like a woman when I say this but when your amplifier is silver and black along with all your wah pedal and effects rack and there's this green pedal. Looks kinda weird but who cares. If it was good enough for Stevie then it's good enough for me. It's as good as any stomp pedal but a little bit heavier. Seems to be made very sturdy. For playing the blues I would highly recomend this pedal. I played the tube screamer through a friends Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and it rocked. Of course he went out and bought one. Hey Ibanez, where's my commision. I play a fender fat strat through a small 15 watt fender reverb just for fun and jamming with friends so with the tube screamer it really rocks. The Boss Blues Driver should be discontinued or changes it's name to nice looking blue pedal. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com