THE IBANEZ TUBE Screamer is one of the most popular stomp boxes of all time, used by dozens of famous guitarists on hundreds of well-known tracks —but the main reason for its perennial success is overwhelmingly due to its association with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
If you’ve looked around for info on the Tube Screamer model that Vaughan used, you’ll likely see the first iteration TS808 lauded as the ne plus ultra version for authentic SRV tone. This is usually repeated ad infinitum by writers who haven’t done thorough research or, even worse, by pedal designers and vintage guitar dealers who are likely more concerned about profit than truth or historical accuracy. While it is indeed true that Vaughan once used a TS808, it was only for a very brief period from late 1981 through early 1982, and he never used an 808 on any of his officially released recordings.
Vaughan’s actual Tube Screamer of choice was the circa 1982-85 TS9 model. Vaughan consistently used a TS9 on stage and in the studio from mid-1982 through mid-1988 on the bulk of his peak career output. The only exceptions are the In Step and Family Style albums and the studio version of “Boot Hill” on The Sky Is Crying where he used the TS10 Tube Screamers that replaced the TS9s in his rig. Vaughan’s use of the TS9 is exceptionally well documented in live photos and videos from 1982 onwards and numerous inventory, insurance and customs declaration documents.