Ibanez 1981 TS9 Tube Screamer (Black Label) W/Highly sought after JRC4558D

For some helpful information.

Google this below. Talks about the IBANEZ TS-808 & TS-9 guitar pedals.

If you Google: (When we’re Ibanez TS-808’s manufactured). Then scroll down to Ibanez Tube Screamer/Vintage Guitar Magazine “click on it” will pull up a lot of info on TS-808’s & TS-9’s. Here is a paragraph below I copied and pasted. Google and read the whole thing it’s pretty cool.

This paragraph talks about the TS-808. A major component of the Tube Screamer’s tone came thanks to its operational amplifier (opamp) integrated-circuit chip. The early versions of the TS-808 (which featured the Ibanez logo followed by the trademark symbol) used either Malaysian-made Texas Instruments RC4558P or Japanese Radio Corporation JRC4558D chips. Both have their fans, though some also love the rare TL4558P chip that was sometimes used. But if a simple integrated-circuit opamp chip can boast cachet, it’s the JRC4558D. The TS-808 ended production in1981. At the same time the 1981 the TS-9 with the JRC4558D started production.

Around 1982 until 1985 the Ibanez pedals were repackaged and the 9-series of effects were made. The most popular was 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 other 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.

Copied from Analog Man-The last listing photo goes with this paragraph. Here are the bottoms of the four different TS9s. On the right is an original with black label, easy to tell and date, if 1st digit is a 1, that would mean 1981 (a VERY early TS9!). These usually have the JRC4558D chip, or sometimes the lousy JRC2043D chip. The picture that goes with this paragraph is the last picture in listing photos. Nothing in the last picture is for sale!

*FOOD FOR THOUGHT. IF THE ORIGINAL IBANEZ TS-808 IS CONSIDERED THE HOLY GRAIL OF PEDALS. THE TS-808 WERE MANUFACTURED FROM 1979-1981 MANUFACTURED WITH THE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER JRC4558D OP AMP CHIP. WHY WOULDN’T YOU WANT TO FIND AND PURCHASE THE RARE FIRST PRODUCTION 1981 TS-9 WITH THE JRC4558D CHIP? I FOUND THIS RARE TS-9 ITS AVAILABLE TO YOU.

THIS PEDAL IS VERY RARE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. THIS 1981 TS-9 HAS BEEN TESTED EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT DID IN 1981. I GUARANTEE YOU’LL LOVE THIS PEDAL.

I also recently just sold an 81’ TS-9 on Reverb. I can’t tell what people say on their feedback after a purchase. If you read all the feedback it should give you a piece of mind if you buy a TS-9 from me. The last person who bought a 1981 TS-9 from me said, HE WAS IN A DREAM. LOVES THE PEDAL.

PLEASE LOOK AT MY SELLER FEEDBACK. 5* A+ BUYERS TALK ABOUT THE VINTAGE TS-9 TUBE SCREAMER PEDALS I SOLD TO THEM. TS-9’s EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN LISTINGS. AWESOME PEDAL THANKS.

I GUARANTEE IF YOU PURCHASE A TS-9 FROM ME YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PEDAL. LOOK AT LISTING PHOTOS. THIS PEDAL CAN BE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU AND GIVE YOU THAT VINTAGE AWESOME TUBE SOUND THAT EVERY GUITARIST IS LOOKING FOR. TS-9 HAS BEEN CHECKED. IT’S READY TO GO. TAKE CARE OF IT. PEDAL SHOULD LAST YOUR LIFETIME.

THIS LISTING IS FOR A VINTAGE BLACK LABELE 1981 IBANEZ TS-9 TUBE SCREAMER PEDAL WITH THE RARE AND HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER JRC4558D OP AMP CHIP. SERIAL NUMBER ON THIS TS-9 PEDAL IS #196858. I WILL ALSO INCLUDE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNERS MANUAL.

Some helpful information:

There is a lot of information on vintage TS-9’s on the internet. Look for yourself. You’ll see this information down below on the internet if you search it out.

On all true vintage black labeled Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer pedals. The first number of the serial number is the year the TS-9 was manufactured by Maxon. For example, the serial number of this TS-9 is #196858. So the first number of the serial number is 1. So this means this TS-9 was manufactured in 1981. If the TS-9 has this serial number #256218. This TS-9 would have been manufactured in 1982. And so on.

TS-9’s manufactured with a silver label are the same as the black labeled TS-9’s. The first number on the silver label IS NOT THE YEAR THE PEDAL WAS MANUFACTURED. The first number on the silver label of the TS-9’s is not the year manufactured. I believe Silver Labeled TS-9’s were made in Malaysia. Only the black label the first digit is the year the pedal was manufactured. I don’t know why Ibanez/Maxon did this but, they did. The silver labeled TS-9’s were probably manufactured at a different facility or plant. The silver labeled Tube Screamers pedals are probably a later model or the reissued TS-9.

On all true vintage black labeled TS-9 Tube Screamer pedals are manufactured with all green resistors. If the TS-9 Tube Screamer was manufactured with brown resistors it’s a later model, reissue or silver labeled TS-9.

On all TS-9’s Tube Screamer pedals were manufactured with blue capacitors manufactured with a 4 digit number on the blue capacitor. The first 2 numbers is the year the TS-9 was manufactured. Like in my listing photos you’ll see the first 2 numbers on the blue capacitors is 81. So this means this TS-9 Tube Screamer pedal was manufactured in 1981. That’s why I always take a couple pictures of the blue capacitors to verify the year my TS-9 listed was manufactured.

The TS-9 in this listing it was manufactured with the rare and highly sought after JRC4558D op amp chip. How to tell between a true vintage op amp chip and a newer op amp chip. JRC chips are made by the Japan Radio Company. Every true vintage JRC4558D chips have a shinny gloss finish. If the JRC op amp chip has a dull finish it’s not a true rare vintage JRC4558D op amp chip. The common and less desirable JRC2043DD has a gloss finish. These chips are vintage Op amp chips. These chips are very common and less desirable to a collector of TS-9’s. If the JRC Op amp chip has a dull finish or has a letter after the number 4558D. For example, if the chip has a number like JRC4558DB or JRC4558Dg? All these chips with a letter after the 4558D guarantee they have a dull finish not a glossy finish. These chips are not a true vintage 80’s JRC4558D chips. These chips were manufactured later. Not in the 80’s.

True vintage TS-9’s the circuit board has Maxon printed at the top as well as on the battery cover. Maxon is stamped on pedal case itself under the foam for the battery. Original foam is a light yellow. Not grey or black. The original battery clip is grey. Not black. The circuit board also has 4558D printed on the circuit board. That tells you what chip was supposed to be used in manufacturing.

Like I said, look for yourself this info is easy to get on the internet.

Look at listing photos. I think this pedal is in great shape for being made in 1981. I think this pedal sounds awesome! All knobs work as suppose to. This pedal all pots are original and working as suppose to. No scratchy pot here. This pedal is what you want if you want an original vintage 1981 black labeled TS-9 Tube Screamer pedal with green resistors, blue capacitors with 81 on them. Manufactured with the JRC4558D true vintage very rare op amp chip. Green resistors. All blue compacitors have 1981 printed on them. Has Maxon stamped on aluminum casting as well as the circuit board and battery cover as seen in pics. Great pedal. Will go quick! First come first serve.

Cables, power supply and battery not included. Want to show it powers on.

Please make sure you want this vintage 81 TS-9 before committing to the purchase of this item. I tested and played this pedal and works as supposed to. My opinion I think this pedal sounds phenomenal. Would go great in your arsenal. 😀🤘🏻

No returns only if you receive something other than what’s listed. That’s not going to happen. What you see in the listing photos is exactly what you’re going to receive. This rare vintage 1981 Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer pedal with JRC4558D op amp chip. S# 196858.

15% restocking fee is assessed to all returns.

I will guarantee item will be shipped out the same day purchased if before 5pm. Then will ship out early next day. Item is packed very well packed ready to drop off at USPS. Will go out 2-3 day Priority Mail. With signature required.

If you have any doubts look at my seller and buyer feedback. I’ve been a Reverb and ebay user for over 10 yrs. I have 100% positive seller and buyer feedback. Read the feedback on all the rare vintage TS-9’s I have sold. As well as other pedals and musical equipment.

Thanks for looking. Good luck. You’ll love this pedal.