Item Reviews for:
Subject
hard to imagine a better gain box
paul from N Dallas TX
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
1st class. hard to imagine a better tube dist preamp. This is NOT designed to sound clean or like an OD.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
This is a superior build and designed pedal. You will not regret the $150 for it, I sure didn't.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I was impressed by this unit before i took it out of the box. Heavy. it waas also bigger than I expected, this was no hollow weightless toy. Supurb quality and design. A spectrum of great distortion voices, dark, bright, punch, special noise reduction to compress the lows for better metal chuga if that is your thing. My fav dist after so many I cannot count.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Brings all I require in dist pedal and can be adjusted quite a bit.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Major playability.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
It looks better in your hands than in pics. Larger, heavier, color is deep and it is vented and protected from the tube heat.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Pure tube reponse and feel, has a better tone shape than my amp at high gain.
Subject
seriously, hard to imagine a better dist
darkhorse from TX USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
FYI- use the power wart that comes with this YOU CANNOT use another supply unless you match the high voltage and current needed. This is a very high voltage and mA current pedal no brick can power it and there is no way anything can do the dumb daisy chain thing. I can see some nitwit trying to underpower this unit and complaining about the sound.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Hard to imagine anything going wrong with this puppy, EXCEPT, the tube runs hot and it is going to need replaced, the EH in it is fine, those saying toss the tube and put in a Tung Sol are imagining differences probably because they have not tweaked around on it. Really not that much difference in 12AX7s, not really much at all. Not worth screwing with the unit. I use different tubes all the time, it is not worth tossing a brand new tube for the illusion of a better tone. if you want less gain like a 5751 might offer, just get the OD unit.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Few things impress me these days but this puppy is impressive. Before I took it out of the box I was amazed how heavy it is, and it is much bigger than the pictures might indicate. The spectrum of tones out of this pedal are impressive. It has a better gain voice than the gain channel on my half stack. This feels, looks at sounds like a very high end pedal, for $150, please, i am getting the White OD asap.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
I think it sounds great, better dist voices than anything else I can muster.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
I dig it, amazing box, the best and my fav dist in a ghreat many years. I intend to get the white OD asap.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
looks better in person than pictures, you will be impressed by the weight and look before you even turn it on.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Impressive build, feel and tones. Hard to imagine a better unit and this is a REAL tube dist, not a mimic or FETs made to act like a tube.
Subject
seriously, amazing all around
darkhorse from Sw USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
How does it get any better, I have no idea. I would expect to pay $3-400 for a boutique pedal that is made this well.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I hate to use the expression built like a tank, it would probably endure a bomb blast.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Just got this, I was just amazed how heavy, large and well built this pedal is compared to the pictures. Very solid, very heavy, everything seems like a toy compared to it. AMS, hello guys, stock up on these two Ibanez tube monsters!
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Distortion of all types and gain voice, just tweak away. I really like it and I am hard to please w distortions.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
If you do not like this box, seriously, I cannot imagine what would float your boat.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Seems like I keep getting red boxes for some reason, I now have 4. It looks better than the pictures. Box is super heavy duty and the front switch has a slight tilt which is not evident in the pics. Again I was rather amazed at the quality for $150. Ibanez has a new fan, I will serously have to look at their gear from now on.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
na
I hear a lot of guys saying toss the tube and change it. Having used and a collection of all 12AX7 type tubes including JAN 5751s. The EH 12AX7 included is a good quality tube, rated very well. It's a gainer, changing to Tung Sol is really no difference and others will lower the fizz high end of the distortion. I doubt if I will change it, we'll see, I use 5751s in my amp but this is a ripper box.
Subject
Best Distortion Pedal Ever.
Ben Spremulli from Bethel, CT
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
This thing couldnt be any more well made. The gain and level knobs have a great feel and are far away from the footswitch. The knobs are impossible to step on by accident when navigating through your pedalboard. Perfectly laid out, built like a tank.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I got this pedal very recently and haven't gigged with it yet, but judging by its massive size, weight, and sturdy body, the probability of this thing breaking is pretty low.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I had heard great things about this pedal, so I had to buy it. I took it out of the box and plugged it in - Unbelievable. It turned my Vox AD-15 into a Mesa Dual Rectifier in a second.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
It plays however you want it to. The EQ is the most important part of the pedal. I usually have the lows at around 5 or 6, the mid at about 2, and the treble at 5. Sounds amazing. You can also get a really bluesy, rocky, or overdriven metal sound out of it with just a few changes.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Sounds like a Mesa Dual Rec. Amazing tone.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
This thing just LOOKS like it would kill.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Amazing. No stuck knobs or switches, LED indicator was super bright, and the tube was warmed up in seconds.
Subject
Simply the best!
Tele335 from Midland, MI
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
My Ibanez TS9 is 11 years old and works perfect. My guess is this will do the same.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Wow, I have been playing around with overdrive pedals for years. Have had an old Ibanez TS9 tube screamer for the last 11 years. The Tube King is the the best "tube drive" distortion pedal I have ever heard. From creamy tube drive to super heavy, this thing is awesome. The build in noise gate is like having a second pedal and works perfect with the drive. I'm not shopping anymore...this is the one.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Power it up and play with it. Its very simple. You will need to play with the noise gate depending on your pickups. I use P90's which are inherently noisy, this added bonus does the trick.
Subject
WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gus Montalvo from Burlington, WA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
As stated before, I expect a long lasting relationship with this pedal and since i am married to a beautiful lady; I could care less if it attracts all the attention.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I just bought it but my experience with Ibanez tells me that I will be very happy for a long time.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I did a lot of research before purchasing this pedal. $150 dollars is not a lot of money but I wanted to make sure that this was going to be an adition to my pedalboard that i would be happy about. This product delivers.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
I can't rate playability of the pedal but my SG, Les Paul and AM Strat sound amaizing while going through it.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
After the surgery to upgrade the tube AMAZING!!!
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
This is a pedal that will make a "show off" guitarist mad. When the audience sees the beautiful color of this pedal with a little "light" glowing (LOL), they will forget that you are playing and focus their attention on the pedal. Blame Ibanez for putting way too much effort on the looks of the pedal and for you going home alone AGAIN. If you want a date, leave the pedal at home.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
NA
Subject
Bzzzzzzzzzz!!!
Jarvis Breadcrumbs from Atlanta, GA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Great so far....heavy, durable.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
NA....new!
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
This thing is great. The variety of tone/drive you can get is unsurpassed. Adds warmth to a solid state amp.....will not make it sound like a tube amp but does add a bit of warmth and fullness.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
The best distortion box I've played. Very versatile. You can dial in a 70's Aerosmithy kind of sound all the way to a super heavy fuzzy Fudge Tunnel
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Versatile...easy to adjust and responsive.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Nice bright red color....not sure who buys effects based on color buts......pretty!
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Easy to use.
Subject
Distortion Monster!!!!
Jimmy from Charlotte
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Had it for a short while, but it really looks good
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
N/A
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I just recently purchased this product and it very sturdy and seems like it can take a beating. This is a distortion monster...It can cover any genre im sure without a problem. I play indie/alt rock and im done looking for distortion pedals. Works well with my tube amp. Comes with EH12ax7, Amp can become a little cleaner and organic with a 12at7 or 5751 tube. Real heavy distortion with the electro harmonix tube in there.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
N/A
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
The finish is red and this is a big pedal, Looks like Jupiter and my other pedals are like earth. Weird Shape, Tube looks cools thru the glass window!!!! You can use it as a weapon if u need to...lol!!!
Action
How was the action out of the box?
N/A
Subject
Great tube drive
Matt "FatFingers" Clapper from Colorado
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Seems to be made of a solid metal casing.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
The solid metal casing, footswitch, tubeholder, controls seem to be well made and will last a long time.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Has great sounding drive and tone.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Has a good footswitch and controls. The only thing I hate about this pedal is the way they make i diamond shaped instead of square or rectangle. I know this sounds stupid but if you want to line it up with your other pedals its annoying.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Has great tone. I get a great midrange crunch out of it and you can get a good scooped drive out of it too. I put a boss superoverdrive in front of it to give it a boost.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Has a cool read paint shop on its solid metal casing. The glowing tube looks cool.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Footswitch works good.