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 →

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