The JHS Bonsai puts nine versions of the Tube Screamer circuit in one pedal.
Following the same approach they used for the Muffuletta, JHS sourced original vintage and rare Screamer variants, measured them, adjusted for decades of component drift , and replicated each one as a genuine analogue circuit. A rotary knob selects which version you’re playing.
The Tubescreamer family is one of the most documented and discussed circuits in guitar history.
Ibanez produced the TS808 from 1979, the TS9 in 1982, and dozens of variations followed from Ibanez, Boss, and independent builders, such as Maxon, who actually built the things for Ibanez!
.The differences between versions are real but often subtle. Component values, op-amp choices, clipping configurations are all in teh mix and JHS spent months building the Bonsai to capture those differences accurately rather than approximating them.
The Nine Modes
- TS808: The original 1979 Ibanez Tube Screamer. Smooth, warm, musical. The one most players are chasing.
- TS9: The 1982 Ibanez TS9. Slightly brighter and more present than the 808, with a different clipping character.
- TS10: The Ibanez TS10 from the mid-to-late 1980s. More compressed and brighter than the TS9.
- MSL: The rare Maxon ST-9 Super Tube. More open and less mid-heavy than the standard Screamer variants.
- OD850: The Maxon OD808/OD850, considered by many as the origin point of the Screamer circuit.
- XR: The Ibanez TS808 with EXAR op-amp — a subtle but real difference in harmonic character.
- MODDED: A popular Keeley-modded TS9 with true bypass and expanded bass response.
- CLASSIC: A classic TS9 with the original op-amp but updated components.
- JHS: JHS’s own take on the Screamer circuit.
Controls
- Volume: Output level.
- Tone: High-frequency character.
- Drive: Gain level.
- Mode selector (rotary): Selects between the nine circuit variants.
Key Features
- Nine Tube Screamer variants in one pedal
- All-analogue circuit recreations built from vintage units
- Component drift accounted for using Audio Precision analyser
- TS808, TS9, TS10, MSL, OD850, XR, Modded, Classic, JHS
- True bypass
- 9V DC centre-negative, 20mA
- Made in Kansas City, USA
Power
9V DC centre-negative at 20mA.
Watch The JHS Pedals Bonsai In Action
FAQs
Yes, the differences are real but sometimes subtle. JHS used an Audio Precision analyser to measure each original pedal and replicate its exact character.
TS808 (1979 original), TS9 (1982), TS10 (mid-late 1980s), MSL (Maxon ST-9 Super Tube), OD850 (Maxon OD808/OD850, the original circuit), XR (TS808 with EXAR op-amp), Modded (Keeley-modded TS9 – The Phat Mod), Classic (updated TS9), and JHS (JHS’s own take).
The TS808 is the logical starting point as it’s the original and the one most players are familiar with. The OD850 is worth trying if you want something slightly more open and less mid-heavy than the standard Screamer voicing. The Modded mode gives the TS9 with expanded bass response, which many players find more useful than the stock TS9.
Actual circuit recreations. JHS specifically say in the product notes that the Bonsai is not a box of mods — each mode recreates the complete analogue circuit of the original pedal, including component drift from aged units. The digital switching only routes the signal; the processing is entirely analogue.
Yes.
9V DC centre-negative at 20mA.
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