Maxon TBO-9 True Tune Overdrive Pedal

Full Description

Compact Tube-Based Overdrive

The TBO-9's circuitry takes its inspiration on the Maxon OD820, featuring the same dual-function Drive pot that blends clean and dirty signals while increasing saturation. The circuit starts with a tube gain stage featuring a mil-spec 5703WB JAN Raytheon sub-miniature vacuum tube positioned at the front of the audio path. This tube stage does not provide any distortion, with the exception of overdriving the input of the clipping op amp. The TBO-9’s secondary gain section features a dual-stage clipping design, combining the classic “808” clipping with a pair of diodes to ground ala’ the SD-9 and RAT. This design effectively clips the signal twice, and the round smooth clipping of the feedback loop followed by the edgier diodes to ground adds a slight “chewiness” to the pedal’s overdrive voice.

Extra Headroom

The TBO-9 features internal voltage doublers that bump the incoming 9 VDC up to 30 VDC for stable tone with massive headroom and zero harmonic distortion. Like all Maxon pedals, the TBO-9 also features true bypass switching which ensures silent operation and zero “tone suck” when the unit is between your guitar and amplifier.

Maxon’s Note on Powering the TBO-9 Pro+

This pedal’s voltage regulator IC requires a high inrush current of approximately 2000 mA upon startup. When using with a Power Brick such as the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2+, this pedal should be connected to a high current power jack when possible.

About Maxon

Maxon started out in Japan in 1965 under the name Nisshin Onpa, manufacturing guitar pickups before producing OEM products for other companies. Nisshin Onpa was responsible for designing and manufacturing many legendary pedals while working in partnership with Ibanez, including the TS-808/TS808 and TS9 tube screamers. Although many of the pedals Maxon created were released under the Ibanez name, Maxon was producing pedals under their own name, and in 2002 when the two companies parted way, Maxon began to push its name as a manufacturer of high-quality effects pedals. Today Maxon produce "hard-to-find" vintage type effects pedals, and are used by many artists such as Pearl Jam, Troy Van Leeuwen, Steve Stevens, Brad Whitford, and many more.

Reviews

"The Maxon TBO-9 True Tube Booster is well designed, well constructed, and sounds great in virtually all settings and applications" Music Players

Read the full review here.

Features

• World's smallest tube-based booster/overdrive with Tube gain stage
• Provides comfortable and powerful tube sound which is very difficult to create
• Employs mil-spec sub-miniature vacuum tube
• Great as a tube amp booster to add warmth to your sound
• Boost knob controls level of tube gain
• Dual-purpose Drive control with clean blend function
• Internal voltage regulator runs 30 Volts to tube
• Heater In-rush current control warms tube upon power-up
• True Bypass Switching for a clean sound when not in use
• Roadworthy design is suitable for all levels of players

Specifications

General

• Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
• Output Impedance: 10K Ohms or Less
• Maximum Gain: 52 dB (1.6 kHz)
• Equivalent Input Noise: -110 dB or Less (IHF-A)
• Controls: Boost, Drive, Tone, Level
• Switch: Bypass/Effect (Mechanical TBS)
• Indicator: Bypass/Effect LED
• Accessories: Maxon AC2009

Power Specs

• Internal Circuit Voltage: 30 VDC (DC-DC Converter)
• Power Consumption: 270 mA / 9 VDC
• Power Supply: Maxon AC2009 (No Battery Operation)

Dimensions

• Width: 74mm
• Depth: 124mm
• Height: 54mm
• Weight: 560g (Approx.)