The Ibanez TC10 Twin Cam Chorus is a vintage stereo chorus pedal with dual modulation, part of the company's Power Series 10. TONEHOME describes it as a pedal that "can do everything that a regular stereo chorus can do, and then some," thanks to two individual sweep sections combined into one unit1. It was produced in Japan from 1986 to 1993 and has not been reissued, so surviving examples are scarce: TONEHOME rates its availability as rare and its collectibility as high1.
What the Twin Cam design does
The TC10's defining feature is its pair of modulation engines. TONEHOME explains the intended use: "Use Modulator 'A' for true vibrato and high speed pitch bends and modulator 'B' for normal chorusing effects"1. In practice, that means one sweep section covers faster, pitch-centered movement while the other handles conventional chorus duty, and the two are housed in a single pedal.
On the output side, the TC10 offers normal and inverted stereo outputs, which TONEHOME describes as a way to "tap into the normal and inverted stereo outputs for the ultimate in chorusing"1. The site goes further on the two-amp setup: "The TC10 is the very best effect you can use to create a stereo image using two amps"1. For players running a stereo rig, the inverted output is what spreads the chorus effect across the two channels rather than duplicating it.
How it compares to the SC10
The TC10 is a variant of the Ibanez SC10 Super Stereo Chorus, the basic chorus unit of the Power Series1. TONEHOME draws the distinction in terms of depth and artifacts: "the TC10 allows deeper and more realistic chorusing than the SC10 without as much chance of offensive side effects such as phase shifts, out of tune notes or chords and periodic sweeps unrelated to the tempo of the music"1.
| TC10 Twin Cam Chorus | SC10 Super Stereo Chorus | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect type | Stereo chorus with dual modulation | Stereo chorus pedal2 |
| Sweep sections | Two, combined into one unit1 | Single chorus design1 |
| Stereo outputs | Normal and inverted1 | Normal and inverted, for full, rich, true stereo2 |
| Availability | Rare1 | Very good2 |
| Collectibility | High1 | Average2 |
The SC10 remains far easier to find, and it has drawn press attention in its own right: Pedal of the Day published a review of the SC10 by Mike B in July 20153. The TC10, by contrast, turns up rarely on the used market, which is reflected in its high collectibility rating1.
Production and collectibility
TONEHOME dates the TC10's production run from 1986 to 1993 and records it as made in Japan, with a 1989 list price of 235 DM as stated on the site1. The pedal has never been reissued1, so the units in circulation are the originals from that run. TONEHOME's ratings place it among the harder-to-find pedals of the Power Series 10: rare in availability and high in collectibility1.
Because the TC10 was never reissued, any example a player encounters today is a vintage 1986 to 1993 Japanese original. TONEHOME hosts the TC10 owner's manual as a PDF download on its product page for players who want the original documentation1.
For context within Ibanez's chorus line, the Power Series 10 also included the Ibanez DCF10 Digital Chorus/Flanger, and the company's chorus designs continued in later models such as the Ibanez CS9 Stereo Chorus and the Ibanez CSMINI. Players researching vintage stereo chorus designs more broadly can start at the site's page on Chorus Pedals.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Ibanez TC10 and the SC10?
Both are stereo chorus pedals from Ibanez's Power Series 10, but the TC10 combines two individual sweep sections into one unit, which TONEHOME describes as allowing deeper and more realistic chorusing than the SC10, with less chance of side effects such as phase shifts, out of tune notes or chords, and periodic sweeps unrelated to the tempo of the music. TONEHOME rates the SC10's collectibility as average and its availability as very good, while the TC10 is rated rare and highly collectible.
Was the Ibanez TC10 Twin Cam Chorus ever reissued?
No. TONEHOME records the TC10 as re-issued: no. The pedal was produced between 1986 and 1993 and has not returned to production. Players looking for a current Ibanez chorus would need to look at other models in the company's range instead.
Where was the Ibanez TC10 made?
The TC10 Twin Cam Chorus was made in Japan by Ibanez. TONEHOME lists it as an Ibanez product from Japan, produced between 1986 and 1993 as part of the Power Series 10.
Does the TC10 have stereo outputs?
Yes. The TC10 has normal and inverted stereo outputs, which TONEHOME describes as a way to tap into both for the ultimate in chorusing. The pedal is described as the very best effect for creating a stereo image using two amps.
What do modulator A and modulator B do on the TC10?
The TC10's two sweep sections are labeled Modulator A and Modulator B. According to TONEHOME, Modulator A is used for true vibrato and high speed pitch bends, while Modulator B handles normal chorusing effects. Having both in one unit is what gives the Twin Cam its dual-modulation character.
Where can I find the Ibanez TC10 manual?
TONEHOME hosts a copy of the Ibanez TC10 Twin Cam Chorus owner's manual as a PDF download on its TC10 product page, linked from the pedal's listing.
Sources (3)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- Ibanez SC10 Super Stereo Chorus, Pedal of the Day, 2015-07-23
