Let's start with Ibanez Guitar Effects, and one of the most famous, The Tube Screamer. We start with this and go so in depth because the Ibanez Tube Screamer is such a legend among guitarists, and it just sounds so damn good.

An Ibanez Tube Screamer is an overdrive/distortion pedal that is mild compared to many, but allows the true sound of the guitar and player's technique to come through. The most popular use of a tube screamer is to push a tube amp to make it overdrive more, but they sound good through almost anything.

The first Tube Screamer was the green TS-808 overdrive pro in the late '70s. It was preceded by the Orange "Overdrive" and green "Overdrive-II" which came in narrower boxes without the battery cover, and the reddish "Overdrive-II" which had a box very similar to the TS-808. The lighter green OD-855 Overdrive-II is also in the TS-808 style box and has a circuit which is similar to the 808 - the board part numbers only differ by one digit. The overdrive and OD-II had a different, much more distorted, fuzzy circuit. The TS-808 and its generation have small square chrome on/off touch-buttons. Almost all TS-808's sound great. There were some TS-808s made in the 1979 period, mostly for other than USA markets, that came in a narrower box. These have a bottom plate that unscrews to change the battery like an MXR pedal, no plastic battery cover. This narrow TS-808 had a different circuit with more distortion. It uses two 1458 chips which are the 1st version of the low-tech dual op-amp. Also the LEVEL knob on these is labeled BALANCE and the external 9V power jack is next to the input jack. It used the same case as the earlier OVERDRIVE and OVERDRIVE-II pedals which used stomp switches. Ibanez probably had many left over and remade them as "TS-808" pedals to sell off the remaining cases.

Early TS-808's have the Ibanez (R) "trademark" logo which some people seek. There is really no difference, although some that sound awesome have a Malaysian Texas Instruments RC4558P chip instead of the normal Japanese JRC4558 chip.

SRV used the TS-808 for his trademark juicy strat tone. When he used smaller Fender amps that had natural overdrive, he used the TS set clean (low drive setting) with the level up high to push the amp for more distortion (see my CLEAN BOOST info below). When he played through big clean amps he turned the drive up more, about 1/2 way, with tone on about 3 and level about 7 to get the distortion from the TS.

The TS-808 is a smoother, richer sound with less harshness in the high end. It is more transparent and allows more of the guitar's true tone and your playing to come through. The tonal spectrum is wider and more natural. It is a subtle difference but it's enough that TS-808s are going for $450

Around 1982 the Ibanez pedals were repackaged and the 9-series of effects came out. The most popular is the TS-9 tube screamer, which is almost the same as the TS-808 internally. Externally the on/off switch grew to fill about 1/3 of the effect. The main change in the TS-9 circuit is in the output section. This caused the tube screamer to be a bit brighter and less "smooth". The Edge from U2 uses a TS9 for most of his overdrive tones, as do countless other famous rock and blues players. In later years the TS-9s were put together with seemingly random op-amp chips, instead of the JRC-4558 which is called for in the schematics. Some of these sound BAD, especially the JRC 2043DD chips. If you have an original TS9 with the 2043 chip the mod from AnalogMan.com (Who we give credit for the information of the tube screamer on this website) will make a huge difference in tone.

A few years ago, Ibanez started to make the TS-9 again due to popular demand. This "reissue" is basically identical to the last "original" TS-9s in sound, circuitry, and appearance. The IC chip they use in the reissue is the same as some later original TS-9s, the Toshiba TA75558. They are a higher tech chip that will work good in higher tech equipment (where you want a low noise op amp) but are not the best for a tube screamer.

In about June of '96 the reissue TS-9 was changed slightly, and finally can be told from an "original" TS-9 easily. There is a "CE" symbol on the back, which is required for selling electronics in Europe. Also a capacitor was added to the back of the board (the only component ever used on the back of a tube screamer board). This is to help with the switching circuit and should not affect the sound. The extra capacitor is no longer used, now they changed the value of C113 from 102 to 103 (10,000pF). C113 is between the wires labeled 3 and 4 on the back of the board. If you have a 102 you can change it to 103 to improve switching (the one thing about TS-9s that sucks!). I think the new TS-9 sounds the same as the earlier reissues and last originals.

If you want a great deal on a TS-9 Reissue then please visit MusicPower.com which sells for around $98. If you are a "Vintage" person that wants the sound of a TS-808 but can't afford the cash then we suggest getting a Re-Issue TS-9 From MusicPower.com and getting the mod from AnalogMan.com.

Ibanez made many other pedals during the 70's and 80's including EQ's Analog Delay's, Phasers, and more. Currently, Ibanez is making the "Tone-Lok" series guitar effects which are pretty impressive. With the set and forget push-lok rotary pots you can set your tone and never lose them again. On the inside these pedals feature hi-fidelity components that are tweaked from today's modern minds and players. Check out some of the pedals below or visit MusicPower.com for the latest.

Ibanez Guitars:
Ok, let's get to what this web site is all about, Ibanez Guitars. Ibanez Guitars have also been famous and living legends for years. Among the most famous endorsers is Steve Vai, the 7 string model, and many others. Joe Satriani is also a famous Ibanez lover. Among the models are the Jem Series, The Joe Satriani JS Series, The sleek S470, The affordable GS series, The Cool RG Series, of course The UV777 Series 7 string, and sooo many more.

Let's see what people are saying about the UV777:

"Full, rich tone with lots of harmonics - if you like Vai, Satch, Petrucci, etc - you can approxomate or duplicate their tone depending on equipment. I'm more a product of 60's/70's rock (more blues based) but play a combo of modern rock/"classic" rock - and wanted more whammy control and metal tone than can get with my PRS. Very surprised by the versatility - can cop a wide variety of tones. I ended up using it more than I planned (about 50/50 with the PRS). Hard to dial in on my MarkIII boogie - came across a little thin and brittle (especially if playing live and alternating with the PRS and not changing amp settings), but my new rig has much more flexibility: multiple preamps (markIII preamp section/Bradshaw CAE SE3+/Bogner Fish) thru CAE Line Mixer to effects: Digitech Whammy,Morley Bad Horsie,CAE Black Cat vibe,CAE tremolo,TC 2290,Eventide 3000D-SX controlled by Rocktron/Bradshaw RSB-18 to Mesa 2:90 driving 2 boogie Thiele cabs with EV's (wet) with dry feed into power section of Mark III and internal EV. Can nail Vai's tone with the Bogner - but can't match the technique (damn small hands). Can be a little noisy with the high gain channels (especially if the digitech loop is in - weakest link in a chain) but the Hush in the switcher keeps it manageable. Still prefer the PRS for the really bluesy stuff (fuller mids which is how I like my blues) - strat style afficiando's might prefer the UV. Despite having the right gear to cop Vai's tone - can still dial in my own sound - a big plus (It's cool to emulate but better to originate!!)"

Guitarists are so emotional. (LOL). The only thing to do when it comes to Ibanez Guitars is try one on for size and see why people are saying the things they are. When all is said and done, and you pick up an Ibanez whether it's a low end model or the highest of quality, Ibanez-Guitar.com knows you will be able to hear why so many guitarists out there are choosing Ibanez, and this is why we created this web site because "We Love These Darn Guitars."

But wait, what about Bass Guitars, and Acoustic Guitars?

Ibanez makes a ton of awesome sounding bass guitars and many, although low priced, are still quality instruments for the Pro.

• The BTB Series provides an extra long 35' neck, 18 volt circuitry, and a tight tension providing deep lows and ringing highs.

• The EDA Series basses are certainly the future of bass, (as told by Ibanez), we certainly agree, you need to check these basses out if you are a serious player.

• Ibanez Bass Guitars are flat out some quality instruments and you really need to check out all their models to make a choice. There are so many quality models available with so many great features we had a tough time choosing, WE WANTED THEM ALL.

Models Include: EDB, EDC, SR4, GSR, SR5, SR6, SRX, and more. There is virtually a bass for everyone, and every playing style, which is very cool. Check out MusicPower.com for great deals.

From Jam Paks to quality instruments Ibanez has an acoustic for everyone.

Models Include: AW, PF, GA, Talman, Masa, AE, and more.

Ibanez Amplifiers:

Ibanez amplifiers are innovative to say the least. At Ibanez they are always thinking "Modern" when it comes to design and features.

Amplifier Models: Toneblaster, Soundwave, and Troubadour.