MXR GT-OD VS Ibanez Tube Screamer: Which is Better?

I know it is a tough call to choose one between the Ibanez tube screamer and the mighty MXR GT-OD. Which one should you choose between MXR GT-OD VS Tube Screamer?

This guide will help you out. Let us get into it, as I will be getting into the details as much as I can.

MXR GT-OD

If you’re a fan of the 70s and 80s rock music, MXR GT-OD is definitely worth considering. The GT-OD delivers a punchy, bright sound perfect for riff-heavy guitar parts and leads solos. With its solid-state circuitry and sleek design, the MXR GT-OD is a reliable choice for guitar players looking to add some classic overdrive to their rig.

MXR GT-OD boasts three knobs that provide a lot of control over the sound. The Tone Knob is particularly useful, allowing you to shape the sound by tuning down the treble or tuning up the bass. This feature makes it easy to dial in just the right tone for your playing style and musical preferences.

The Gain Knobs control the level of distortion, which is especially useful if you want to go from light overdrive to full-on distortion.

Finally, the Output Knob controls the master volume, so you can easily adjust the overall output of the pedal to match the rest of your gear.

MXR GT-OD is versatile and works well across a range of genres, including rock, metal, blues, alternative, jazz, country, and surf. With its classic overdrive sound and versatile controls, the GT-OD is a great option for guitar players who want a pedal that can handle a wide range of musical styles.

Whether you’re after gritty rock riffs, bluesy solos, or smooth jazz tones, the MXR GT-OD can deliver. The MXR GT-OD features a die-cast aluminum enclosure that is sturdy and built to last. This type of enclosure is known for its durability and ability to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. The aluminum construction also provides protection for the internal components, ensuring that they are safe from damage and external interference.

Overall, the MXR GT-OD’s enclosure is built to withstand the rigours of regular use, making it a reliable choice for guitar players who need a pedal that can handle the demands of touring, recording, and gigging.

The MXR GT-OD is an excellent value-for-money pedal that offers a lot of features and versatility for its price. It is often priced in the mid-range for overdrive pedals, making it a great option for guitar players who want a high-quality pedal without breaking the bank. The pedal’s versatile controls and classic overdrive sound make it a popular choice for guitar players across a range of genres, further increasing its value for money.

Ibanez Tube Screamer

Ibanez’s Tube Screamer series of distortion/overdrive boxes has a reputation that has turned them into musical folklore.

The TS series as a whole has a comparable technical design, with the commonalities considerably outnumbering the differences.

Ibanez released the TS9 as the first version of the original TS808.

The TS9 was first produced in 1981, and despite all of the Tube Screamer modifications, it is still one of the most popular.

The Ibanez Tube Screamer is a pretty simple design with three knobs:

Drive: Controls the amount of gain.
Tone: Adjusts the tonal character.
Level: Controls the output signal.

The TS9 and the TS808 are the two most popular full-size pedals, but the Mini TS is a great alternative at a lesser price. I will be going into the details of each of these tube screamer pedals for better comparison

TS9

In every way, the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer exudes simplicity. The look, functionality, and dependability leave little to be desired.

It’s really easy to operate, making it one of the best pedals to add to your pedalboard regardless of your skill level.

The Tube Screamer also produces a pleasant and direct tone. It’s not a hazy tone, nor is it a whiny, sobbing tone.

Instead, it produces a sound that is silky smooth, beautiful, and reliant on the tone of your guitar and amplifier.

One of those guitar effects that have nearly mythological status is the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer overdrive pedal.

CHECK TS9 PRICE HERE

It’s a simple green stompbox with three little knobs, but it delivers a punch in the right hands.

The pedal gives a little muddy approximation of the natural sound coming from the amp on a clean setting when the drive knob is dialled down.

It is, nevertheless, smooth and evocative of the guitar’s inherent tones.

The tone stays smooth and complementary as you turn up the volume knob, without going too far in the wrong direction and generating too much string and pickup noise.

Working with the tone knob, from the lowest to the maximum setting, keeps it well within acceptable and enjoyable limits.

You might wonder how the TS9 is used for metal and hard rock. Well, let’s look at the following options;

The initial concept is to combine the gain from the pedal with the gain from your amplifier.

This increases the amount of overdrive in your amp, but it also colors the signal with the tone from the pedal.

CHECK TS9 PRICE HERE

The idea is to find a pedal and amp distortion combination that you like.

The TS9 can also be used as a boost in the second option.

For guitarists using amps that already produce high-gain distortion, this may be the best option.

The objective of the pedal in this arrangement is not to create distortion directly but to tighten up and compress the sound by pushing the amp harder (indirectly causing a little more distortion).

This pedal has everything you need, whether you’re a lead or rhythm musician.

It helps you to be heard without being too strident when you want to break through the mix and show off your fretboard talents.

It will allow you to blend in and feel comfortable and stoic when you want to hang back and keep down the back rhythm.

The Ibanez TS9 is one of the most desired pedals in electric guitar history.

CHECK TS9 PRICE HERE

TS808

Its primary applications are as a mellow overdrive for pushing clean tones into hotter regions and as a signal booster before a strong amp distortion. This last use case is highly popular among metal players because it alters the amp’s character.

The signal is boosted to the point of being compressed in a very specific way when the pedal’s volume is set to the maximum level.

CHECK TS808 PRICE HERE

The pedal is sturdy and long-lasting in terms of construction. The die-cast chassis is impenetrable to denting and damage. It includes an LED indicator that shows the battery and effect status.

On the surface, the classic version appears to be identical to the original TS808. A brilliant green frame with a vintage-looking footswitch is available.

The TS808 classic is identical to the original model in every way. Overall, the product is lightweight, compact, and easy to transport, and store.

Everything about the Tube Screamer TS808 in terms of performance is fantastic. The pedal may be found in practically any guitarist’s arsenal. The pedal can help you create beautiful, smooth tones without sacrificing quality.

Within minutes after setting up the pedal and turning the volume knob, all of your sound’s flaws will be gone.

CHECK TS808 PRICE HERE

TS10

The three controls of the TS10 are the same: Drive, Tone, and Level.

This type in particular is incredibly sensitive to your playing dynamics, making it a perfect pedal to crank up and then regulate via your guitar’s volume knob for complete overdrive control.

The TS10 also works well with other pedals, particularly a strong boost, which can force the overdriven sound to drive your amp nicely, just beyond break-up but still clean and clear.

TS Mini

Ibanez released the tube screamer mini as a current version for musicians looking for a more compact overdrive solution.

CHECK PRICE HERE

It has a lovely overdrive sound that really brings out the midrange. When you need to pop through the mix for your next solo in a live environment, this mid-range peak is fantastic. If you don’t want as much of a middle peak, simply reduce the tone control for a smoother rhythm overdrive tone.

Tube Screamer Comparison

In comparing these three versions of the Ibanez Tube Screamer, I will be looking at sound, control, and power.

Sound

Despite Mini’s size, the full-size Tube Screamer TS808 and the Tube Screamer Mini sound identical. Because the Mini is based on the original TS808, it has everything of the TS808’s mid-boosted overdriven tone and power, but in a smaller package.

Some will argue that the TS Mini sounds less smooth than the TS808, but it’s nearly impossible to discern the difference if there is one at all. So, if the mini fits the bill for you, don’t pass it up simply because you’re scared it won’t sound as good as the full-size TS808, as this isn’t the case.

The TS9, on the other hand, sounds nothing like the TS808 or the Mini. The Tube Screamer TS9 is a newer version of the Tube Screamer with a brighter, grittier tone than the original TS808, which sounds smoother. In comparison to the more classic TS808, the TS9 is designed to give a more current tone.

Control

The drive, tone, and level controls are the same on both full-size Tube Screamers (TS9 and TS808) and the Mini version.

The controls are;

Overdrive: controls the amount of overdrive.
Tone: it controls the tonal quality. Moving it anti-clockwise emphasizes the bass and produces a warm tone while turning it clockwise emphasizes the treble and produces a crisp and incisive tone.
Level: it controls the output.

These three controls let you utilize the pedal in a variety of ways to generate various effects.

Power Source

The power supply is one of the most noticeable changes between the full-size TS9 and TS808 Tube Screamer and the mini version.

Tube Screamers in full size are powered by either an internal 9V battery or an external power supply (usually in your pedal board). The Tube Screamer Mini, on the other hand, requires an external power supply to operate and does not have room for an internal battery.

This can be a hassle because you’ll need to buy an additional power supply if you don’t already have one, which raises the price, making the tiny version less affordable than it appears if it’s your first pedal.

However, connecting the power source is simple; simply plug in a DC 9V power supply or use a pedal board power supply to connect the pedal directly to the mains.

MXR GT-OD VS Ibanez Tube Screamer: Our Choice

Now, to the big show. Which is better between the MXR GT-OD and the Ibanez Tube Screamer?

The two pedals are both incredible in my own opinion, and should be chosen based o your needs as a guitarist. I am sure that if you read the guide, you most likely already know which of the two fits your narrative as a guitarist.