Guitar Pedals · owner-verdict comparison

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer vs Walrus Audio Slo: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Walrus Audio Slo: 88% of 307 owners recommend it, vs 73% of 52 for the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.

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 →

Walrus Audio Slo

88%of 307 owners recommend
88% recommend · 8% neutral · 4% don't
Owners praise
  • Lush, dreamy ambient reverb tones
  • Infinite sustain/latch footswitch for drones and pads
  • Favorite Dream mode beloved by owners
Owners complain about
  • Learning curve to dial in the sounds
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer if
  • ✓Tube amp owners wanting to push their amp
  • ✓Blues and classic-rock players
  • ✓Fender Strat and Tele guitarists
  • ✓Anyone needing a lead boost or overdrive platform
Skip it if
  • Players running hot, modern high-output pickups
  • Those who dislike a mid-forward tone
Get the Walrus Audio Slo if
  • ✓Ambient and shoegaze players wanting lush, dreamy reverb
  • ✓Players who want infinite sustain and latching drones
  • ✓Guitarists wanting deep ambience in little board space
  • ✓Synth users layering pads and textures
Skip it if
  • Players wanting standard spring, hall, or plate reverb
  • Thrash and metal players with no live use for ambience

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 Walrus Audio Slo owners say

“Yes this is the looking out the car window being sad sound I needed”
— @coolrecorderguy4206 on YouTube
“Oh god my wallet”
— @UncoolOcean on YouTube
“Walrus audio slo, I love the art but it's just another shitty Fv-1 reverb with uninteresting algorithms.”
— tails_the_gay_fox on Reddit

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer vs Walrus Audio Slo: frequently asked questions

Is the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer or the Walrus Audio Slo better?

Real owners lean toward the Walrus Audio Slo: 88% of 307 owners recommend it, vs 73% of 52 for the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.

Who should get the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer?

Owners point the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer at tube amp owners wanting to push their amp, and blues and classic-rock players.

Who should get the Walrus Audio Slo?

Owners point the Walrus Audio Slo at ambient and shoegaze players wanting lush, dreamy reverb, and players who want infinite sustain and latching drones.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is mid-heavy voicing that cuts low-end and suits some styles more than others. For the Walrus Audio Slo, it's learning curve to dial in the sounds.