Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic 1990 - 1993

The TS10, Tube Screamer Classic, is the original Tube Screamer that Ibanez became famous for. It provides the sound of an overdriven tube amp. It features a Drive control to vary the intensity of the distortion, a Tone control for equalization, and a Level control that varies the overall gain when the distortion is engaged. This is the sound that first made rock and roll famous.

The TS10 boosts the input signal to extremes, and then clips the wave form with semiconductors that have the characteristics to distort naturally, like a tube amp. At the same time, sustain is added to the sound.

First, set up the sound you normally use for non-distorted operation of your amp (bypassing the TS10). Set the level on the TS10 low, tone at zero, then activate the pedal. Set the drive control to your taste (clockwise is most overdriven). Then switch the effect in and out while setting the level to the desired relationship with the norma sound (usually slightly louder so distorted solos cut through). Since the TS10 responds to dynamics, you may want to set the drive and level higher than necessary and back off the level on the guitar. By playing techniques and working the volume on the instrument "clean", "dirty" and in between variations are continuously variable and available "on board". This frees you from standing in front of your pedal board when stage movement is desired. These subtle changes being made while playing can make an average distorted solo into a classic. The tone control of the TS10 can be used to further contrast to the amp sound. By using the level control at higher settings your amp may be overdriven by the gain of the TS10 for different types of distortion (some solid state amps can't handle the increased level at the input and break-up undesirably). The TS10 in conjunction with amp distortion or another distortion pedal can give further variations (ex: TS10 with channel switching amp gives 4 distinct footswitchable "presets"). Note that excessive distortion adversely affects sound quality.