Both classic Tube Screamers: TS9 is brighter and punchier; TS808 is smoother and warmer.

You want that singing mid push without losing your amp’s feel. I’ve been there on tight stages and in loud rooms. In the Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 debate, both pedals nail the “Tube Screamer thing,” but they do it with different flavors. I’ve gigged and tracked with both, back-to-back, and I’ll share what changed my tone and my workflow. This Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 comparison is practical, clear, and geared to help you pick the right one fast.

Is Ibanez TS9 Good?

Yes. The TS9 is great if you want more bite, output, and cut. It works well as a solo boost or as light drive. It has a slightly brighter top end and a touch more edge than the TS808. That makes it ideal for modern amps and tighter rock tones.

On a club gig, I ran a TS9 into a clean Fender-style amp. The chords stayed clear, and the leads jumped out. In the studio, I stacked the TS9 into a mild amp breakup. It added focus, kept low end tight, and sat in the mix without fighting vocals.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Classic mid-hump EQ with a slightly brighter bite than the TS808
• Drive, Tone, and Level controls for quick dial-in
• Symmetrical silicon clipping for smooth, focused overdrive
• Sturdy metal enclosure built for stage use
• 9V power (battery or standard center-negative supply)

What I Like

• Extra output makes it a killer solo boost
• Brighter top helps cut through busy mixes
• Works great before high-gain amps to tighten lows
• Simple controls; easy to set in seconds
• Usually more affordable than the TS808

What Could Be Better

• Can sound a bit sharp with single-coils into bright amps
• Less vintage “bloom” than the TS808
• Noise rises at very high drive settings (common for drives)

My Recommendation

If you want punch, cut, and value, pick the TS9. It’s a strong all-rounder and easy to stack with other drives.

Best For	Why
Solo boosts	More output and edge to lift leads
Modern rock and tight rhythm	Brighter voice tightens low end
Budget-conscious players	Lower price for classic TS tone

Is Ibanez TS808 Good?

Yes. The TS808 is great if you want vintage warmth and smooth mids. It has a rounder attack and a slightly softer top. It feels sweet under the fingers, especially into clean or edge-of-breakup amps. It is the classic “creamy” Tube Screamer sound many players chase.

I used the TS808 at a blues session into a clean Deluxe-style amp. The tone had a warm, vocal mid that sang without harshness. On a trio gig, it added sustain while keeping the guitar’s body intact. It did not fight the bass or kick. It just sat right.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Classic mid-hump with smoother, warmer voice than TS9
• Drive, Tone, Level layout with familiar Tube Screamer feel
• Symmetrical clipping and sweet sustain
• Iconic core circuit prized on countless records
• 9V power support (battery or standard pedal supply)

What I Like

• Warm, vintage feel that flatters single-coils and humbuckers
• Sits in a mix without harsh highs
• Great into clean or edge-of-breakup amps
• Feels touch-sensitive and musical
• Instant “record-ready” mid push for blues and classic rock

What Could Be Better

• Costs more than the TS9
• Less output for boosting into very loud bands
• Can feel too smooth if you want aggressive bite

My Recommendation

If you love warm, classic drive tones, the TS808 is worth it. It shines for blues, roots, and studio work.

Best For	Why
Blues and classic rock	Smooth mids and sweet sustain
Studio tracking	Mellow top that records well
Edge-of-breakup amps	Enhances feel without harshness

Ibanez TS9 vs TS808: Side-by-Side Test

I compared both on the same board, same cables, and the same amp. I matched levels and drive. I swapped order and tried stacking. Here is how the Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 shook out across real-world needs.

Tone and Voicing: Which One Sounds Right?

The goal is clear mids without ice-pick highs.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Highs	Brighter, more bite	Smoother, softer edge
Mids	Forward, a bit sharper	Rounded, vocal
Lows	Tighter, more cut	Fuller feel
Overall feel	Edgy and focused	Creamy and sweet

Rating: TS9 – 8.5/10 | TS808 – 9/10

TS808 wins for warm, classic tone. TS9 wins if you want more bite.

Gain Range and Output: Who Pushes Harder?

This checks how much drive and volume you get.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Max drive	Slightly tighter, modern crunch	Slightly softer, vintage edge
Output level	Higher; strong for solos	Lower; musical but gentler
Boost use	Excellent	Good
Stacking headroom	Firm and focused	Smooth and blended

Rating: TS9 – 9/10 | TS808 – 8/10

TS9 takes the edge for extra output and boost duty.

Feel and Dynamics: How Do They Respond?

This is about touch and pick response.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Touch sensitivity	Good	Excellent
Note bloom	Fast attack	Smoother swell
Compression feel	Tight	Gentle
Cleanup with guitar volume	Good	Very good

Rating: TS9 – 8/10 | TS808 – 9/10

TS808 feels more organic under the fingers.

Noise and Clarity: How Clean Is the Signal?

We listen for hiss and clarity at gig levels.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Noise at high drive	Moderate	Moderate
Clarity at low drive	Very clear	Very clear
Hiss in bright rigs	A tad more	A tad less
Bypass behavior	Stable and consistent	Stable and consistent

Rating: TS9 – 8/10 | TS808 – 8.5/10

TS808 edges it for smoother top; both are quiet in real use.

Stacking and Amp Pairing: Who Plays Better With Others?

How they pair with amps and other pedals matters.

Scenario	TS9	TS808
Into clean Fender-style	Cut and punch	Warm and round
Into British crunch	Tightens lows well	Sweetens mids
Before high-gain	Excellent tightener	Good thickener
Stacked with another OD	Focus and bite	Glue and smoothness

Rating: TS9 – 9/10 | TS808 – 9/10

Call it a tie: pick TS9 to tighten, TS808 to sweeten.

Controls and Usability: Which Is Easier to Dial?

Both share the same simple layout.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Control layout	Drive, Tone, Level	Drive, Tone, Level
Sweet spot width	Wide	Wide
Live tweaks	Fast	Fast
Consistency	Rock solid	Rock solid

Rating: TS9 – 9/10 | TS808 – 9/10

Both are dead simple and fast to use on stage.

Build and Footprint: Will It Survive the Road?

These pedals are built to last.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Enclosure	Metal, rugged	Metal, rugged
Footswitch feel	Firm and reliable	Firm and reliable
Jacks and knobs	Durable	Durable
Board space	Standard	Standard

Rating: TS9 – 9/10 | TS808 – 9/10

Both are tough and ready for the road.

Value for Money: Which One’s the Smarter Buy?

Price and performance matter to most players.

Aspect	TS9	TS808
Street price	Lower	Higher
Bang for buck	Excellent	Very good
Tone per dollar	High	High, if you want vintage feel
Resale	Strong	Strong

Rating: TS9 – 9/10 | TS808 – 8/10

TS9 wins on value; TS808 wins if you need its exact voice.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If you want punch, output, and cut, choose the TS9. It is the practical, flexible option for rock, heavier styles, and tight rhythm. It also wins the budget fight in this Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 matchup.

If you crave a warm, vintage mid push, go TS808. It shines for blues, classic rock, and recording. In short: TS9 for bite and boost, TS808 for smooth and sweet.

FAQs Of Ibanez TS9 vs TS808

What is the core difference in tone between the TS9 and TS808?

TS9 is brighter and punchier. TS808 is smoother and warmer. In the Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 debate, pick TS9 for cut and TS808 for cream.

Which is better for boosting solos: TS9 or TS808?

TS9. It has a bit more output, so solos pop easier. In Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 terms, TS9 is the louder boost.

Which pairs better with high-gain amps?

TS9. It tightens lows and adds focus. The Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 choice here favors TS9 for modern rigs.

Which records better in the studio?

TS808 often sits smoother in a mix. The Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 choice for tracking usually leans TS808 for its soft top.

Is the extra cost of the TS808 worth it?

If you want that classic, warm mid voice, yes. If you want value and bite, TS9 wins. That sums up most Ibanez TS9 vs TS808 decisions.