Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer: Buy New or Used — and TS9 or TS808?
Quick verdict: Buy a new TS9 or TS808 reissue. Both current reissues run the same JRC4558D chip that's central to the pedal's reputation, at $100-115, versus $200-300+ for a clean vintage original. The TS9-vs-TS808 debate is real and comes down to two resistor values — not something a used-market premium fixes better than just picking the voicing you want new.
At a Glance
| TS9 (new reissue) | TS808 (new reissue) | Vintage TS9 (used) | Vintage TS808 (used) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$100 | ~$115 | Up to ~$200 (clean) | Up to ~$300 (clean) |
| Chip | JRC4558D | JRC4558D | Varies by era — JRC4558D common, some had TA75558 or JRC2043D | JRC4558D |
| Voicing | Brighter, more top-end | Warmer, smoother | Same as new, plus part-tolerance variation | Same as new, plus part-tolerance variation |
| Condition risk | None (new) | None (new) | Real — decades-old switches, pots, jacks | Real |
Why SRV Made the TS808 Legendary
Stevie Ray Vaughan's use of the TS808 is a huge part of why the original commands a premium today — his tone became the reference point an entire generation of blues and rock players chased, and the TS808 specifically (not the later TS9) is the model tied to that sound. That reputation is real and it's driven genuine collector demand, distinct from the Klon's more manufactured mystique. The TS808 was only in production from 1979 to roughly 1981 before Ibanez moved on to the TS9, which is part of why clean originals are scarcer and pricier than TS9 units from the same era.
TS9 vs. TS808: What's Actually Different
Both pedals use the same core circuit and — in their modern reissues — the same JRC4558D op-amp chip. The tonal difference comes down to two resistor values in the output stage: the TS808 uses a 100-ohm series resistor and a 10k resistor to ground, which loads the signal down slightly and shaves off the very top end for a warmer, rounder voice. The TS9 uses a 470-ohm resistor and 100k to ground, letting more high end through for a brighter, more aggressive character.
That's genuinely it — a real, measurable difference, not marketing. Players who prefer one over the other usually aren't imagining things. But it also means the difference between the two pedals is a couple of resistors, not some irreproducible vintage-era magic — which is exactly why mod shops have built a small industry around converting a TS9 to full TS808 spec for around $50.
The Chip Debate: Real, But Overstated
Vintage TS9 units are more complicated than the TS808 because Ibanez used several different chips across the TS9's production run — some early ones shipped with the JRC4558D, some later ones used a TA75558 or the less-loved JRC2043D. This is where a lot of the "vintage chip" mythology around Tube Screamers comes from, and where buyers get burned: two pedals both labeled "vintage TS9" can have meaningfully different chips inside.
Here's the honest read from people who've done real back-to-back comparisons, including pedal builders who mod these professionally: the chip itself makes a small but real difference, and swapping a JRC4558D into a pedal that didn't have one is a common, well-documented mod. But several detailed blind comparisons — including ones run by builders with no reason to downplay vintage mojo — have found the chip alone isn't the dominant factor in a Tube Screamer's tone. Component tolerances across the rest of the circuit vary just as much, meaning two "identical" vintage units can sound different from each other, chip aside.
What You're Actually Paying For With a Vintage Unit
- A period-correct chip, if you can verify it (you often can't from a listing alone — you may need to open the pedal or trust the seller).
- The specific tolerances of decades-old components, which introduce unit-to-unit variation you can't predict or shop for.
- Collector value and history, especially for TS808s specifically tied to the SRV era.
- Real condition risk: 40+ year old footswitches, pots, and jacks that may need work, with no warranty.
What you're not clearly paying for is a guaranteed tonal upgrade — several people who've done the comparison have gone back to a modded reissue after trying an original and preferring the modded version, or found no meaningful difference at all.
Who Should Buy New
Buy a new TS9 or TS808 reissue if: you want the sound (and the badge) without gambling on used-market condition, chip lottery, or inflated "vintage" pricing. Both reissues use the correct JRC4558D chip today, so you're not sacrificing the one component most people actually care about.
Who Should Buy Used
Buy a vintage unit if: you're specifically chasing SRV-era TS808 history for collecting reasons, you've done your own A/B comparison and have a genuine preference, or you're comfortable evaluating (or having someone evaluate) the specific chip and condition before paying a premium. Budget accordingly — a clean vintage TS808 can run up to $300, a clean TS9 up to $200, and pricing tracks documented chip and condition closely.
Final Recommendation
Start with a new reissue and pick your voicing: TS9 for brighter and more aggressive, TS808 for warmer and smoother. If you eventually want to explore true vintage character, a $50 TS808 mod on a reissue TS9 gets you most of what collectors are chasing, at a fraction of what an actual 1979-81 original costs — and skips the condition risk entirely.
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FAQ
Is the TS808 or TS9 better for SRV-style blues tone? The TS808 is the model tied to that reference tone specifically — its warmer, less top-end-forward voicing is closer to what's associated with that style.
Do modern TS9 and TS808 reissues use the same chip as the originals? Yes — both current reissues use the JRC4558D, the chip most associated with the pedal's classic sound, though vintage originals varied more across their production run.
Can I convert a TS9 into a TS808? Yes, this is a well-established mod (swapping two output resistors, and the chip if needed) that typically costs around $50 through a pedal mod shop.
Is a vintage TS9 or TS808 worth the price premium? It depends on what you're buying it for. If it's for guaranteed tonal superiority, the evidence is mixed at best. If it's for collecting or chasing a specific documented chip and era, that's a different (and legitimate) motivation.
How do I know what chip is in a used Tube Screamer I'm considering? Sellers who know it matters usually state it in the listing, but the only certain way is opening the pedal — vintage TS9 units especially can't be assumed to have any particular chip based on year alone.