Feature – 1978/79 Ibanez PT-909 Phase Tone

Model Description:

Between 1974 and 2002, Japanese Ibanez effect pedals were made and marketed internationally under a partnership agreement with another Japanese company, Maxon. Ibanez produced a wide variety of pedals in many different designs before their reputation peaked with the ‘0’ series pedals, which included the classic TS‑808 Tube Screamer overdrive pedal. The blue and white PT‑909 Phase Tone had its origins in the ‘first series’ (as the PT‑900 and PT-999 Phase Tone – 1974‑1976) and the ‘wide box’ (PT‑707 Phase Tone II – 1976‑1980), as well as the ‘narrow box’ PT-909 pedals with the normal round footswitch (1977‑1979) or with the familiar square footswitch (1979‑1980). Even the ‘narrow box’ PT‑909 pedals had 4 different incarnations in 4 years before the standard ‘0’ series boxes were introduced in c.1980. Ibanez further refined the offer in the form of the orange PT9 (1982‑1984). Two versions of the early ‘narrow box’ PT‑909 carried a ‘flying fingers’ graphic comprising a stylised hand with butterfly wings on the side of the pedal, firstly without and then with external power supply inputs. Commercially, being a bit work-in-progress, it wasn’t hugely successful but then again it was up against some very stiff competition from the likes of BOSS, Electro‑Harmonix and MXR.

Pedal Description:

This small and particularly lightweight pedal is a first version ‘narrow box’ Ibanez PT‑909 Phase Tone. The details of the pedal include the round footswitch, ‘Flying Fingers’ graphic (a nice touch) and no power jack, which therefore dates it either to 1978 or early 1979. Although produced in large numbers, each pedal version only lasted about a year, so each of them is relatively rare and therefore collectable, although still reasonably priced. This particular stomp box is in pretty good condition for its age with just a few cosmetic scuffs, nicks and bumps to the paintwork. It is all‑original, bar a couple of missing baseplate screws, which is pretty normal, as removing them is the only way to access the battery. It functions perfectly and the sound is pretty much what you’d expect from a 1970s 4‑stage analogue phaser, perhaps a little thin sounding to my ears compared with the best of breed. The 3 controls add flexibility missing from some of the competition. If you want to get away from the mainstream ‘usual suspects’, the dainty little Ibanez Phase Tone may make an interesting alternative choice.

Features: