The MSL Metal Screamer, from Ibanez’s
long lost Master Series, features a delightful
tone control labeled “Metalix.” It is also
pink. Do you want one yet? Do you at
least want to name your band “Metalix?”
This very eighties Tube Screamer variant is
semi-rare, as it was only made for about a
year from 1985 through 1986. It features
the classic JRC4558 chip and is very similar
electronically to the more well known TS10
(AKA, “John Mayer’s favorite”), which came
along later in the 10 Series. The main
difference between them is that
response has been a common complaint
about the standard TS circuit, so it’s cool
that Ibanez made an effort to solve this
problem for the metal contingent of its
customer base. You will often see people
trying to sell Metal Screamers for exorbitant
prices, but with a little patience you should
be able to score one for under a hundred
dollars. They’re not THAT rare.
the Metal Screamer has been
engineered for a more robust
bass response, offering
some extra chunk in its
trunk when pushing
a big bruiser of an
amp into the tone
zone. Lack of bass
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TONE TALK //
Epicus Tubicus Screamicus: 5 Tube Screamers That Do Metal