The Ibanez TM5 Trash Metal is a discontinued distortion pedal from Ibanez's Soundtank 5 Series, produced from 1989 to 1990 in a metal case, with metal enclosure production also listed as running to 19911. TONEHOME describes it as a Pro Co Rat derivative, meaning its circuit follows the design of the Rat, one of the best known distortion pedals1. It sits among Ibanez's other distortion and metal pedals of the era, such as the Ibanez Soundtank PL5 Powerlead Distortion and the Ibanez MS10 Metal Charger.
What the TM5 Trash Metal does
The TM5 is a distortion pedal aimed at high gain sounds, built on a Rat derived circuit1. TONEHOME's assessment of its sound is blunt: "It is quite harsh and not very subtle." The same page adds that it "doesn't really deliver in the tone department"1. Players looking for a more refined take on Ibanez distortion from the same era might compare it with the Ibanez MT10 Mostortion or the Ibanez SD-9 Sonic Distortion, while the Ibanez SML Super Metal and Ibanez MSL Metal Screamer represent the brand's heavier metal oriented designs.
Versions: metal case and plastic case
The TM5 went through two enclosure types during its life:
| Version | Production | Case | Collectibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 1989 to 1990 (also listed as 1989 to 1991) | Metal | High1 |
| Reissue | 1991 to 1998 | Plastic | Not rated high1 |
The metal case original and the plastic case reissue are different versions of the same pedal. TONEHOME gives the high collectibility rating only to the metal case version, so the case type matters when identifying which one a pedal is.
Collectibility and availability
TONEHOME rates the metal case TM5's collectibility as high and the pedal's general availability as average1. In 1991, the pedal carried a list price of 98 DM1. As a discontinued vintage pedal, it turns up on the used market rather than in current production, and TONEHOME has listed rare vintage Ibanez pedals for sale on its site in the past1.
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Questions
Is the Ibanez TM5 Trash Metal based on the Pro Co Rat?
TONEHOME, a reference site for vintage guitar effects pedals, describes the TM5 Trash Metal as a Pro Co Rat derivative. That means its distortion circuit follows the general design of the Rat, a well known distortion box, though the TM5 was sold under the Ibanez name as part of its Soundtank 5 Series in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What is the difference between the metal case and plastic case TM5?
The TM5 was first produced from 1989 to 1990 in a metal case, with TONEHOME also listing metal enclosure production as 1989 to 1991. From 1991 to 1998 it was reissued in a plastic case. The metal case version is the one TONEHOME rates as highly collectible, while the plastic case reissue is the later, more common form.
Is the Ibanez TM5 Trash Metal collectible?
According to TONEHOME, the metal case version of the TM5 Trash Metal has high collectibility, while the pedal's general availability is rated average. The plastic case reissue from 1991 to 1998 is not given the same collectibility rating, so the earlier metal enclosure is the version collectors look for.
Sources (1)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effects Pedals, 1991
