Guitar Pedals · owner-verdict comparison

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer vs MXR Carbon Copy: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 73% of 52 Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer owners recommend it, vs 71% of 31 for the MXR Carbon Copy.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

73%of 52 owners recommend
73% recommend · 14% neutral · 13% don't
Owners praise
  • Classic, great-sounding overdrive tone
  • Excellent boost to overdrive a tube amp
  • Popular, reputable industry-standard pedal
Owners complain about
  • Mid-heavy voicing that cuts low-end and suits some styles more than others
Full owner report →

MXR Carbon Copy

71%of 31 owners recommend
71% recommend · 13% neutral · 16% don't
Full owner report →

What Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer owners say

“I love my TS9 that I've had since the 90s, but I have an EQ pedal after it, which has made all the difference.”
— @DonaldMerand on YouTube
“This really is the greatest distortion pedal I’ve ever owned.”
— @TheDCGuitar13 on YouTube
“Only thing I’d change is the TS for a DS1 or a Boss Super Distortion or an MXR distortion. I was never a fan of the Tube Screamer.”
— _1JackMove on Reddit

What MXR Carbon Copy owners say

“Easily my favourite delay pedal!”
— @thejosebatista on YouTube
“Love the CarbonCopy.”
— @northof50now on YouTube
“j'ai acheté cet effet c'est loin d'être ça !”
— @francoisb4830 on YouTube