The Ibanez CS-505 Chorus is a vintage chorus pedal from Japan, first issued in the narrow box format that Ibanez used in the late 1970s and early 1980 before the pedal moved to the larger standard box shared with the 0 Series pedals such as the TS-808. TONEHOME dates the standard box production run from 1980 to 1981, and the pedal has not been reissued since12.
A narrow box chorus from Japan
The CS-505 belongs to Ibanez's narrow box series with the square switch, the smaller housing Ibanez used before its standard box era. TONEHOME's narrow box page describes the pedal simply as a chorus in the narrow box format, and notes that it runs on 18 volts, which matters for anyone planning to put one on a modern board: it will not run from a standard 9 volt daisy chain output1.
The narrow box version was followed by the standard box CS-505, which TONEHOME lists under the 0 Series alongside the TS-808, made in Japan from 1980 to 1981. TONEHOME rates the standard box version's availability as good and its collectibility as high2.
The CS-505 runs on 18 volts, not the 9 volts most modern pedals expect. It needs its own supply output or the correct original adapter1.
Versions, from flying fingers to level markers
TONEHOME splits the CS-505 into five versions, and the differences are the kind of detail collectors use to date and value a specific unit12:
| Version | Box | Identifying details |
|---|---|---|
| v1 | Narrow box | With flying fingers side graphics, extremely rare1 |
| v2 | Narrow box | Without flying fingers1 |
| v3 | Standard box | With the registered mark and knurled nut on the power jack, no level markers2 |
| v4 | Standard box | With the registered mark and plain power jack, no level markers2 |
| v5 | Standard box | Without the registered mark, plain power jack, level markers2 |
The first issue, with the flying fingers graphics on the sides, is the one TONEHOME calls extremely rare. The site's version list marks v1 as "w/ flying fingers (extremely rare)", setting it apart from the later standard-box versions, and it is the version collectors are least likely to come across1.
What it costs and what to check
For documentation, TONEHOME hosts both an owner's manual and a service manual for the CS-505 as PDF downloads from its 0 Series CS-505 page2.
Where it sits among Ibanez choruses
The CS-505 was built in Japan, with TONEHOME dating the standard box to 1980 to 19812. Ibanez's later chorus pedals include the CS9 Stereo Chorus of the 9 Series, the stereo and dual chorus designs of the 10 Series such as the SC10 Super Stereo Chorus and PC10 Prime Dual Chorus, and the compact CSMINI. None of these is a reissue of the CS-505, which remains a Japan-built original2.
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Questions
Has the Ibanez CS-505 been reissued?
No. TONEHOME records the CS-505 as never having been reissued. Ibanez has offered other chorus pedals since, including the CS9 Stereo Chorus, which was re-issued starting in 2004, and the CSMINI unveiled at NAMM 2016, but the CS-505 itself has not returned. Original units are therefore the only way to play this circuit, and the pedal's collectibility is rated high.
How rare is the Ibanez CS-505?
It depends on the version. TONEHOME rates the narrow box CS-505's availability as rare, and the first issue with the flying fingers side graphics as extremely rare, so much so that TONEHOME was still publicly asking for leads on one in January 2023. The later standard box version is rated as having good availability, making it the version most players encounter.
What power does the Ibanez CS-505 use?
TONEHOME notes that the CS-505 runs on 18 volts. That is higher than the 9 volts most modern pedals use, so it will not share a standard daisy chain or typical pedalboard power supply output. Players need an 18 volt supply or the correct original adapter, and should plan their power accordingly.
Where can I find the Ibanez CS-505 manual?
TONEHOME hosts a downloadable CS-505 owner's manual and a service manual as PDFs on its CS-505 pages. The manual link appears on the 0 Series page for the standard box version, and a separate narrow box manual is also referenced, so check both CS-505 pages on the site for the version that matches your pedal.
What was the original price of the Ibanez CS-505?
TONEHOME lists a 1979 list price of 222 DM, which it gives as $125 USD, and a 1981 list price of 269 DM. The dollar figure dates from 1979 and the later mark price from 1981, so the two are not directly comparable, but both come from TONEHOME's CS-505 pages.
What are the flying fingers on the first Ibanez CS-505?
The flying fingers are side graphics on the first issue of the narrow box CS-505. TONEHOME distinguishes the very first version by these flying finger graphics and calls that version extremely rare, so rare that the site was still asking the public for leads on an example as late as January 2023.
