TS10

Why should you buy a Tube Screamer TS10?

Ever since the tail end of the 1970s, with their release of the classic TS808 Overdrive Pro, Ibanez have put out dozens of variations on their Tube Screamer pedal. All the way back to that first model, the basic aim of the Tube Screamer has been to create an overdrive pedal that never compromised the integrity of the performer’s skill and technique. That being said, with so many variations on the Tube Screamer to choose from, many are given to wonder what it is that makes the Ibanez TS10 so special.

The Great Debate

If you go looking for it, you’ll find a lot of debate online about which Tube Screamer has the best sound.  Some people will list off their favourite guitarists and which ones they use, others will speak from personal experience, and a few will even start hooking up oscilloscopes to prove that one is superior to another. It’s worth noting that a lot of this debate is subjective as one person’s “fuzzy background noise” will be another’s “classic rock sound”, but, with that in mind, we thought we’d weigh in on the debate with a few key points about why the Ibanez TS10 is worth buying.

Why buy the Ibanez TS10?

Released in 1986, the Ibanez TS10 is an iconic pedal. Perhaps most famously used by the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn and John Mayer, the TS10 is famous for its success in creating a classic overdrive sound without overwhelming the skill of the guitarist using it. Put simply, this is a pedal for a guitarist looking to enhance their sound by working with their technique.

Comparing the Ibanez TS10 and the TS9

In many ways, the Ibanez TS10 is a reskin of the TS9 series. The case has a new, more stylish design, but under the hood, there aren’t really any significant differences between the two. Some have noted that the TS9 has a superior build quality, but others have praised the TS10 for its transparent boost and lack of background noise. At the end of the day, there’s no clear consensus on which is better, so it’s up to you to decide which sound you prefer. Here on TonePedia you can do just that, and hear the two side by side before making your choice. As far as we’re concerned, whichever you pick, you’ll be getting a great pedal with an iconic sound.