Subminiature tubes meet solid-state distortion for a warm, powerful sound.

The Maxon's TBO-9True Tube Booster/Overdrive is a guitar effects pedal that features a US Military spec subminiature tube at its core. Subminiature tubes are the final frontier of vacuum tubes, as the supply of quality vintage tubes is rapidly dwindling. Used extensively during World War II, subminiatures were largely abandoned by 1955 in favor of transistor technology, leaving a healthy stock of quality NOS tubes behind.

To create its lush overdrive tone, the TBO-9 guitar pedal blends this subminiature tube stage with a solid-state distortion circuit. Unlike other tube overdrives, the TBO-9 overdrive pedal employs a unique "pre-tube" circuit configuration, where the tube comes before the solid-state distortion circuit in the signal chain. By cascading the tube stage into the distortion stage, a more realistic tube-amp tone is achieved. The result is a warm yet powerful guitar tone that is extremely interactive with the player's performance and responds exactly like a hard-working tube amp.

The Maxon TBO-9 pedal's circuit features a clean Blend function built into the Drive control. At zero Drive, the TBO-9 passes clean signal only along to the Tone and Amplifier stages of the pedal. However, this clean signal is fed from the tube section of the pedal, whose gain can be adjusted via the Boost control. As the Drive control is increased, the solid-state distortion circuit is blended with the tube-driven clean signal. In this manner a wide variety of clean boost, semi-clean, overdriven and fully distorted tones can be achieved simply by manipulating the pedal's Drive and Boost controls.

Both the tube and solid-state sections of the circuit are fed with 30 volts DC thanks to the TBO-9 pedal's internal voltage regulators. Running the circuit at higher voltage provides a more consistent tone with increased headroom and dynamic response.

The performance of the tube is kept stable and reliable thanks to Maxon's unique heater inrush current control, which feeds the tube with a lower startup voltage to extend tube life. The complex multi-voltage operation of the Maxon TBO-9 prompted Maxon to develop a unique power supply for this delay pedal: the AC2009. The AC2009 provides very consistent high current that is regulated and filtered to provide stable, noise-free power to the TBO-9's circuit. The AC2009 is auto-sensing, so it can be used anywhere in the world by simply changing out the detachable plug cord on the output side of the power supply.

Like all Maxon Nine Series models, the TBO-9 features mechanical true bypass switching for direct, unaltered signal in bypass model.

If you crave the warmth and natural dynamic response of tubes, the Maxon TBO-9 delivers a variety of true tube tones at the touch of your foot.

Maxon TBO-9 True Tube Booster/Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal Features:

• Input Impedance: 500 kOhms
• Output Impedance: 10 kOhms or less
• Maximum Gain: 52 dB (1.6 kHz)
• Equivalent Noise: -110 dB or less (IHF-A)
• Controls: Boost, Drive, Tone, Level
• Switch: Bypass/Effect (mechanical TBS)
• In/Out: Input, Output, Inverse Output
• Indicator: Bypass/Effect LED
• Internal Circuit Voltage: 30 VDC (DC-DC Converter)
• Current Consumption: 270 mA / 9 VDC
• Dimensions: 2.9" W x 2.13" H x 4.9" D
• Weight: 1.23 lb. (excluding AC adaptor)
• Power Supply: Maxon AC2009 (no battery operation)

Add the TBO-9's warm tone to your arsenal—call or click today.

Maxon TBO-9 True Tube Booster/Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal

Write A Review

1 User Rating

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Customer Reviews

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

One of the best overdrives

Posted by StratLover from Mount Vernon on Apr 5, 2009

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, Jazz, Rock

This thing KILLS. Any overdrive use you could think of, whether as a stand alone drive unit, a booster, whatever, this is it. With the drive all the way down, the level and boost up a fair amount, and the tone set to your ears liking, you get the most transparent, beautiful boost available. While some people say Tube Screamers are like "turning it up to 11," this thing truly is. By utilizing the tube, you get the most natural volume increase found in a stomp box. And as a drive unit, this thing is almost incomparable. Literally the best of both worlds. Another awesome thing about this pedal is its size. Most tube OD's (Big Ben, Chandler Tube Driver, etc) are absolutely HUGE. This thing delivers very comparable tone, and is the sive of a TS-9. Pretty cool.

Now, this thing is EXPENSIVE. Hugely expensive. I personally believe that if you're looking for a booster, don't even consider buying anything else. Save up for this. However, for an overdrive, there are very comparable units that are much cheaper. For OD, I would go with the Big Ben from Vox (if it's unorthodox size isn't a problem). And for boosters, of course, go with the Katana from Keeley for a cheaper and very similar pedal.

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

Maxon TBO-9 True Tube Booster/Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal

Read 1 Review

$262.50

MSRP: $350.00 Savings: $87.50(25%)

Finance Now for $27/mo.

Availability: In-Stock & Ready To Ship!

Gold Coverage Protection Warranty: (What's this?)

Qty:Add To Cart Add To Wishlist