The TS10, TubeScreamerClassic, is the original TubeScreamerthat Ibanez became famous for. It provides the sound of an overdriventube amp. It features a Drive control to vary the intensity of the distortion, aTone controlforequalization, and a Level control that varies the overall gain when the distortion is engaged. This is the sound that first maderock and rollfamous.

The TS10 boosts the input signal toextremes, and then clips thewave formwithsemiconductorsthat have thecharacteristicsto distort naturally, like atube amp. At the same time, sustain is added to the sound.

First, set up the sound you normally use for non-distorted operation of your amp (bypassing the TS10). Set the level on the TS10 low, tone at zero, then activate the pedal. Set the drive control to your taste (clockwise is most overdriven). Then switch the effect in and out while setting the level to the desiredrelationshipwith the norma sound (usually slightly louder so distorted soloscut through). Since the TS10 responds todynamics, you may want to set the drive and level higher thannecessaryand back off the level onthe guitar. By playing techniques and working the volume on the instrument "clean", "dirty" and in between variations are continuously variable and available "on board". This frees you fromstandingin front of yourpedal boardwhen stage movement is desired. These subtle changes being made while playing can make an average distorted solo into a classic. Thetone controlof the TS10 can be used to furthercontrastto the amp sound. By using the level control at higher settings your amp may be overdriven by the gain of the TS10 for different types of distortion (some solid state amps can't handle the increased level at the input andbreak-up undesirably). The TS10 inconjunctionwith amp distortion or anotherdistortion pedalcan give further variations (ex: TS10 with channel switching amp gives 4 distinct footswitchable "presets"). Note that excessive distortion adversely affectssound quality.