The Ibanez PT-9 Phaser is a vintage phaser pedal produced from 1982 to 198412. It is a phaser in the classic sense: the pedal sweeps a series of phase shift stages through your signal to create the swirling, jet-like effect players associate with the effect type. Ibanez says the PT9 uses eight phase shift networks that provide rich, deep phasing for guitar, keyboard or bass, and describes it as offering versatility and sonic quality for stage or studio2.
The controls
The PT-9 keeps its panel to three knobs, each covering one of the usual phaser dimensions: how fast it sweeps, how wide the sweep is, and how intense the effect gets2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Controls the speed/rate of the LFO wave that controls the effect2 |
| Width | Controls the depth/amplitude of the modulation, the size of the range in which the effect sweeps2 |
| Feedback | Sets the amount of effected signal fed back into the effect, for a stronger effect2 |
Ibanez describes the PT9's sweep circuit as exceptionally smooth, with adjustable sweep width and speed2. That combination of three controls gives a player direct command over the character of the phase sweep rather than a single speed knob, which is what separates the PT-9 from simpler phasers of its era.
Using it with bass or keyboard
Although it is a guitar pedal, the PT-9 is not limited to guitar. Ibanez's own description states that its eight phase shift networks provide rich, deep phasing for guitar, keyboard or bass2, so bass players and keyboard players can run it in their signal chains as-is.
Finding one today
The PT-9 has never been reissued, according to TONEHOME, a reference site for vintage guitar effects pedals1. Any PT-9 on the market is an original from the 1982 to 1984 production run. TONEHOME rates the pedal's availability as very good and its collectibility as average12, which places it among the more findable vintage Ibanez phasers rather than the rare ones.
Godlyke Distributing, Ibanez's distributor, has listed a B-stock PT-9 Phaser, described as showing signs of use with no box, at a regular price of £115.00 GBP, and it is sold out2. The listing price is in British pounds as stated by the seller.
Players interested in Ibanez's phaser lineage may also want to look at the Ibanez PT-999 Phase Tone, the Ibanez PH99 Classic Phase, or the Ibanez PH10 Bi-Mode Phaser.
Videos
Caleb Kilen
Phil Carlson (Music Go Round Louisville)
MSMWorkshop
Questions
Can the Ibanez PT-9 be used with bass or keyboard?
Yes. According to Ibanez's product description, the PT9 Phaser uses eight phase shift networks that provide rich, deep phasing for guitar, keyboard or bass, so it is not limited to six-string use.
How many phase shift stages does the PT-9 have?
Ibanez describes the PT9 as using eight phase shift networks, which the maker says provide rich, deep phasing. That is more stages than the four-stage design found in many classic phasers.
Has the Ibanez PT-9 been reissued?
No. TONEHOME, a reference site for vintage Ibanez pedals, lists the PT9 as not re-issued. The pedal was produced from 1982 to 1984, so any example on the used market is an original from that period.
Is the Ibanez PT-9 hard to find used?
TONEHOME rates the PT9's availability as very good and its collectibility as average, which suggests it turns up on the used market regularly without commanding the prices of rarer vintage Ibanez pedals.
Sources (2)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (tonehome.de)
- IBANEZ PT-9 Phaser (B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
