Ibanez AD9 Analog DelayFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 30 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment60%
PROS 60%
CONS 40%

Rank based on 30 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a warm, dirty analog delay tone rather than a clean digital one
  • You're fine with a short max delay time around 300ms
  • You're open to modding or buying a Keeley-modded version for more flexibility

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need long delay times beyond 300-600ms without heavy distortion
  • You want a clean, clear repeat like the Boss DM-2w
  • You're bothered by a possible volume drop when the effect is engaged

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay
Great dirty/overdriven toneDistinctive dark, resonant repeatsWarm analog characterSome prefer competitors' clarityShort maximum delay timeExtended delay time sounds distorted
Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay
Great dirty/overdriven tone
Distinctive dark, resonant repeats
Warm analog character
Some prefer competitors' clarity
Short maximum delay time
Extended delay time sounds distorted

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The AD9 delivers a warm, dirty analog character that fans prefer over cleaner alternatives. Commenters consistently describe the AD9's tone as warm, dirty, and nasty compared to the cleaner Boss DM-2/DM-2w, with dark, resonant repeats some find distorted-sounding at higher feedback. Several users explicitly say they prefer the Ibanez for overdriven lead tones and general dirtiness, calling it the best delay for that character, while acknowledging the Boss is clearer for clean rhythm parts.

Short delay time is the pedal's most consistent limitation. Multiple commenters note the AD9 tops out around 300ms, shorter than many digital or other analog delays, which some find limiting. Internal trim pots let users push delay time further, up to roughly 500-600ms, but the sound reportedly becomes noticeably distorted at those extended settings, so it's a tradeoff rather than a true fix.

Modding and vintage variants keep the AD9 relevant among enthusiasts. Owners mention Keeley-modded AD9 units sounding better than both the stock Ibanez and the Boss DM-2w, and internal trim pots allow tone tweaking beyond factory settings. Vintage Japan-made originals from the 1980s and current reissues both have loyal followings, with some preferring older units while others defend the reissue's sound quality.

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