The Ibanez CM5 Classic Metal is a compact distortion pedal from Ibanez's 5-series Soundtank line, first produced in 1989. TONEHOME, the independent Ibanez reference, calls it "one of the few pedals from the 5-series that sounds good into a clean amp," and describes it as providing "some good tones from overdrive to big saturation"1. It sits in the same family as other 5-series drives like the Ibanez TM5 Trash Metal and the wider range of distortion pedals Ibanez built through the late 1980s and 1990s.
Circuit and sound
TONEHOME describes the CM5's circuit this way: "It is yet another MXR Distortion+ derivative with added bass end and sweeter top end"1. For a player, that places it in the lineage of the MXR Distortion+ approach to gain, but with a fuller low end and a smoother high end than that circuit is known for. The pedal's range runs from overdrive-style gain up to heavy saturation, and TONEHOME singles it out among the 5-series pedals for working well into a clean amp1.
Metal case and plastic case versions
The CM5 was made in two distinct versions, and the difference matters to players and collectors alike1.
TONEHOME rates the collectibility of the metal case version as high, and lists the pedal's current availability on the used market as average1. One TONEHOME page gives the metal enclosure run as 1989-1991, while another gives 1989-1990; the two listings disagree on the end year1.
The original CM5 came in a metal case; the 1991-1998 reissue came in a plastic case. Collectors value the metal case version more highly1.
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Questions
Is the Ibanez CM5 based on the MXR Distortion+?
TONEHOME, the independent Ibanez reference site, describes the CM5 Classic Metal as "yet another MXR Distortion+ derivative with added bass end and sweeter top end." In other words, the circuit follows the general approach of the MXR Distortion+ but extends it with more low end and a smoother top, which is why it is described as working well into a clean amp.
Is the metal case CM5 more collectible than the plastic one?
Yes. TONEHOME rates the collectibility of the metal case version as high. The original CM5 was produced from 1989 to 1990 in a metal case, while the reissue made from 1991 to 1998 came in a plastic case, so the earlier metal enclosure is the one collectors look for.
Was the Ibanez CM5 Classic Metal reissued?
Yes. After the original metal case run of 1989 to 1990, the CM5 Classic Metal was reissued with a plastic case and produced from 1991 to 1998, according to TONEHOME.
What was the original list price of the Ibanez CM5?
TONEHOME lists the 1991 list price of the CM5 Classic Metal as 98 DM (Deutsche Mark). The pedal was sold in Germany at that time, and no US dollar figure is given.
Sources (1)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME, 1991
