Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (1981-1985)

About the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (1981-1985)

The Ibanez Tube Screamer is the archetypal overdrive: a mid-focused drive that pushes the midrange while rolling back some lows and highs, which is exactly what makes it so effective as a boost in front of an already-driven amp. The TS9 is the classic green version; earlier and boutique variants such as the TS808, TS808HW, OD9 and various minis differ only subtly, largely in output impedance and component tolerances, and pedals like the JHS Bonsai gather several of the circuits into one.

In one paragraph

The page's figures as one paragraph, assembled for quoting; not written by hand.

Listings of the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (1981-1985) we watched from listing to sale typically went in 37 days (9 watched), a steady; it sells for a median of €370 over the last 90 days across 12 recorded sales, with most examples landing between €270 and €410. The current version, the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer (1979-1981), costs €185 at Thomann (read 5 October 2026). The sale median is up 21% on the €306 of the 90 days before. There are 71 listings live right now across Reverb, eBay Germany, eBay United States, from €204 asking, a median ask 8% over the sale median. Figures computed 19 October 2026 by Doirado from cross-platform listing data.

What owners have said elsewhere

Paraphrased from 2419 discussion threads among 16 owners, 2024. No names, nothing quoted.

The Tube Screamer's mid-forward voice divides owners: many treat it as an essential boost that everyone should own, while others prefer a flatter, more transparent overdrive or a Klon-style pedal instead. Where it clearly earns its keep is as a boost into a cleaner, Fender-style amp, pushing it over into overdrive; owners find it less at home in front of already mid-rich amps such as a Vox. It stacks in classic ways: a Klon-style pedal such as a Soul Food or Tumnus in front of it, or the Tube Screamer itself in front of an OCD to tighten the low end for lead tones. As for the many variants, from the TS808 to the minis, owners broadly agree the differences between them are subtle.