The Ibanez SS20 Session-Man II is a distortion and delay combination pedal made in Japan, produced from 1987 to 1993 and never re-issued1. It packs two effects into one enclosure: a distortion stage and a short delay that Ibanez said gives the guitar "a depth and presence not possible" with distortion alone, with doubling or "reverb" echo effects over the distorted sound1. TONEHOME lists it as rare and rates its collectibility as high1.
Controls and how the two effects combine
The pedal's front panel carries the main controls, and a Series/Parallel toggle decides how the two effects interact2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distortion | Sets the depth of your gain2 |
| Dist-Level | Sets your output2 |
| D-Time | Controls your delay time, with a short range from 7 ms to 70 ms2 |
| Series/Parallel toggle | Lets you run the effects in either Series or Parallel2 |
| MODE switch | Selects between serial and parallel connection of the two built-in effects1 |
Two further controls hide inside the pedal: internal trimpots under the footswitch, one for the delay's Feedback/Repeats and the other for the overall mix of the delay in the signal2. That means the repeat count and delay blend are set with a screwdriver, not a knob, which is worth knowing before you buy or service one.
The short 7 to 70 ms delay range is the point of the design: at these times the delay works as doubling or a reverb-like thickening behind the distortion rather than as an echo effect12. Because the MODE switch can place the delay after the distortion (series) or alongside it (parallel), the same settings can sound quite different depending on the routing1.
Versions and history
The SS20 is the second version of the Session-Man concept. Pedal of the Day notes that "the controls on the Session-Man II are the same as on the original version, with a couple of additions for tweakability"2. The original SS10 Session-Man, a distortion and chorus pedal from the same 1980s Power Series, was covered in a separate 2025 review by the same site3.
The SS20 was produced from 1987 to 1993 and has not been re-issued, so any unit on the market today is a vintage original. TONEHOME lists its availability as rare1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's 2020 review was struck by how far the pedal can be pushed, describing it as "making some of the wildest sounds we've heard come out of a pedal before"2. The same review was candid about its narrow appeal: "this pink gem is not for everyone….but if you dig it, you REALLY dig it"2. The pink enclosure is part of the pedal's identity, and the reviewer's "pink gem" phrasing reflects how collectors see it2.
For players who want the distortion side of the Ibanez family without the delay, the range runs from the Ibanez MT10 Mostortion to the Ibanez DS10 Distortion Charger, and the broader field is covered on the Distortion Pedals and Delay Pedals pages.
Videos
Six string to rock
Pedal of the Day
Ed Waltermanians
Questions
Was the Ibanez SS20 Session-Man II ever reissued?
No. According to TONEHOME, the SS20 was produced from 1987 to 1993 and has never been re-issued. It is listed as rare and highly collectible, so players looking for one today are hunting the vintage original rather than a modern reissue.
What is the delay time range on the SS20?
The D-Time control covers a short range from 7 ms to 70 ms, according to Pedal of the Day. That puts the delay in doubling and slapback territory rather than long echo, which is what gives the distorted sound its depth and presence.
Where is the Feedback control on the Session-Man II?
It is not on the top panel. The delay's Feedback/Repeats is set with an internal trimpot under the footswitch, alongside a second internal trimpot that controls the overall mix of the delay in the signal. You will need to open the pedal to adjust either.
Can the SS20 run distortion and delay in parallel?
Yes. A toggle switch lets you run the two effects in either Series or Parallel, and the MODE switch selects between serial and parallel connection of the two built-in effects. That changes how the distortion and delay interact, from delay-after-drive to the two running alongside each other.
Where was the Ibanez SS20 made?
Japan. TONEHOME lists the SS20 Session-Man II as a Japanese-made Ibanez pedal, with a 1989 reference listing for the unit.
Where can I find the SS20 manual?
TONEHOME hosts a downloadable copy of the Ibanez SS20 Session-Man II owner's manual as a PDF on its SS20 product page.
Sources (3)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME, 1989
- Ibanez SS20 Session-Man II Delay Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2020-06-20
- Ibanez SS10 Session-Man Power Series Distortion Chorus, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2025-05-22
