Ibanez BC 9

very easy to get a good sound. two of the most pristine chorus's ive heard, and to top that off in one single pedal! i give it an eight cause turned all the way up it isnt very useful. but few chorus's are. the only one ive used that was good at every setting was the guyatone micro chorus.

Ok now i had been curious about these for the last couple of years. well i finally had the bucks to dish out for one so i just waited till one showed up on ebay. having heard the other maxon 9's i knew it had to be at least interesting at the least. not exactly. this is the best sounding chorus pedal ive ever heard. didnt even know they could sound this good. i had heard a boss digital dimension and its about the only thing i would think that could compare in quality. but id rather have this any day. the chorus's "both of them" are very shimmery. soft high's. incredibly well leveled. all the tones in the perfect place. and if you can believe it it seems tyo be the only chorus ive used that has NO volume jump or loss. no noise. doesnt muddy your signal and with its age i figured it might. nope not at all. defenetly as good as the fl-9 maxon years that is. i hope they dont rerelease this one cause theres no way theyd do it justice. my guess is the only ones that come close to this is the super expensive boutique box's that i dont have the bucks for and wouldnt buy even if i did. this IS the best chorus pedal ive ever heard. hands down.

the 9 boxs are built just as stable as boss pedals. id bet money on its structure.

im not gonna get into what i play cause its buyest and this isnt that kinda pedal. wheather your into the robert smith chorus or the randy rhodes kind, or the pumpkins or police.korn or the cranberries this is by far the most versitile chorus pedal ive heard. and it actually does it well. nothing sounds cheap on this thing. its safe to say these will skyrocket in value in the years to come just based on the fact that nobody can find em anywhere. if you see one get it. unlike so many boss rare pedals this pedal is worth the bucks in its sound. if this pedal was stolen id most likely flip and go bananas! id pretty much dare you to find a more reliable compact chorus that sounds this good.

As easy as it gets.The hardest part is figuring out which out-jack o use.

To all you other reveiwers....SHHH!! Hey man,can't you guys keep a secret??
Well,since the "cat's out of the bag",I'll say this...the BC-9 is probably the BEST chorus stomper ever made!! Yep,better than the MXR.
The BC-9 is more dist./od friendly and won't cloud up your attack.Also,it's a DUAL CHORUS pedal.In stereo mode,you can have TWO choruses running at different speeds!
The leslie effect isn't as natural sounding as the MXR,but it's just as powerful.
What's true about the CS-9 is doubly true about the BC-9!

Had it for 3yrs. The switch is a little moody.I have to hit it twice to engage it somtimes.

???

Imagine having TWO CS-9's running at different speeds.........

There don't seem to be too many guys out there using this unit, so maybe my review might be of some help. I don't think it's easy to use, because the four knobs interfere with each other in a way that is quite unique - I haven't come across a chorus pedal that allows such a versatile way of combining speed and depth. On the other hand, that means that there are a lot of different combinations - which allows a very personal use of settings. And isn't that what we're all striving for - the individual sound?
I've written down several settings that I'd describe as "accoustic", "spacy" or "linear" - which might give anyone interested an idea about HOW many possibilities there are to use the four knobs. Just one exampe: "accoustic" would be Speed 1) at 9 o'clock, Speed 2) at 12, Width 1) at 11 and Width 2) at 1.
I've hardly tried real stereo - i.e. with two seperate amps, since I've used it before the overdrive section whatsoever (which is monaural). My idea of "chorussing" a sound is to have it pretty clean, so there's only an MXR Dynacomp in between the guitar and the BC9.
I've never had a manual, since I had it traded it in years ago (lucky me), but I'd be surprised if it would be of any use - you just have to search for your own sound.

OK, here we go - the part which is rather painful because most vintage freaks would kill me for sure, because I DO mod my guitars, amps and FX to a certain degree, or I have them modded. I mainly use a Fender Tele Thinline from 75 (with humbuckers), on which I had a Seymor Duncan PU installed in the bridge position, as well as a push/pull poti to split them (yes, it IS possible to split an old Seth Lover FENDER humbucker, and they sound beautiful, especially when combined). For jazz gigs (big band etc.) I also play a Gibson Johnny Smith (roundabout 75 as well). I do have a Jaguar from 65, which is pretty original, since I bought it long before the Curt Cobain-hype in this sort of guitar.
My gear is probably pretty weird, since I love nice vintage FX and come to disgust digital equipment for the same reasons that most guitarists do: The "real" stuff just gives you much more freedom to chose, because you don't just have the 0/1 option. I spare you the details of the rest of my FXs ecxept for the ProCo Rat which is a classic as well.
Here's the amp part: After using a lot of different amps (including a 70ies Twin which almost broke my spine), I've pretty much settled for a Fender Blues Deluxe, which is no good WITHOUT modding (speaker, tubes etc.), but - YOU CAN CARRY IT BY YOURSELF. I've just tried a few NOS tube, especially Eurpean types like Siemens, RFT and Telefunken, which seem to be more available here in Germany (one advantage of living outside the US). And I've just ordered a Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog 12", which I hope will help to improve the sound of this amp. For recording, I use a Boogie Studio preamp which is amazing, as well as an ancient Dynacord I got from my father, dating back to the late 50ies.
Yes, the BC 9 is a bit noisy, and it "colours" the sound a bit, that is to say it adds some frequencies to the pure signal (which is acceptable due to taste). Compared to, let's say, a TC chorus pedal, it is NOT as clean.
Here's the most important thing about the BC 9: If you're interested in the "Scofield"-type-of sound, there are only 2 alternatives: This very chorus pedal or the mono version, which is a darker purple (just referring to the actual colour of the device). I know (by checking out John Scofield's homepage) that HE IS USING THE MONO THING, which appears logical, since he's normally using only one Boogie on stage. So now you know who's my greatest idol.

Yes, you can depend on the the BC9, if you don't suffer from stepping on the connected AC/DC adapter like I did. No big deal, since I knew a great local tech who was able to resolder the adapter plug to thePCB in a way that it is unbreakable. If not, no sweat.
I don't have a backup, but I'd cry if it got stolen. Nothing that comes close.

As I've said: If you take care, nothing to worry about. I just lately had all my FXs installed on a board with professional wiring.
Customer support: Forget it, this thing is just too old. If you can't repair it yourself, you should be able to find a local tech.

Most about the style of music etc. is stated above: Fusion in the broadest sense of the word: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Soul, Latin. I'm a professional player for 5 years now, and if I'd had a chance to get another one, I'd certainly do it. The BC9 is a great effect pedal if you're interested in experimenting with your sound - and you like vintage chorus pedals.

Pretty easy to use, it is basically two chorus pedals in one box. As long as you keep the speed at 1/4 or below you can get pretty wide with it and get a great shimmery sound.

I have used this pedal my entire 20 year guitar playing career, I would not give it up. This one is definitely a sleeper, you can get wicked shimmery chorus using both sides at the same time. I use it with my 79 25th anninversary strat and a Roman Quicksilver which is a PRS-style guitar through a pedalboard into a 72 twin reverb. I don't find this effect to be noisy, maybe some are and some aren't? Another thing I love about this pedal is that for whatever reason I get just a very slight boost when I kick it on. I use it alot when I feel a solo or whatever isn't quite making it out of the mix; stepping on this guy usually gives it the sparkle and boost to bring it out front.

I have depended on this thing for 20 years without a backup, if it ever dies I'll be heartbroken because they'er pretty difficult to find.

never dealt with them, not sure they could be any help with this pedal anyway. Also, the "bucket brigade" chips are hard to get, I doubt they would have any.

This pedal is to me the best of the 9 series Ibanez pedals. I also own the delay and tubescreamer, but this one really sets my sound apart from other guitar players. If you put two different makers' single mode chorus pedals side by side you would have a pretty good approximation of what this thing is capable of. I wish they would reissue it!!

very easy to get a good sound, in my opinion, every sound this pedal makes is a good one. four knobs, two for depth, two for speed, its essentially two different chorus pedals in one, awsome blending of sounds

not noisy to my ears, strong, clear effects that never get muddy. thwere is enough control that you can emulate basically any warm chorus sound

i have never had a problem with this product, the battery even lasts (if you unplug the guitar

i think this product is good for anyone looking for any warm chorus sound, if it were lost i would definately search the country for another one, they don't make them anymore, but the should

Well, this pedal is essentially just two chorus pedals combined in one box. There are four knobs, speed and depth for each chorus effect. If you you think the that 2 knob chorus pedals are easy to operate, then take that thought a step further. Its not hard to get a good sound. I've only had it for two days. I still probably need a little more time to find a nice "airy" setting.

WOW! This is the chorus pedal to have. Let me try to explain each chorus mode as it was explained to me. The first chorus mode (the one controlled by the knobs on the left side of the pedal) closely resembles that of an EH Small Clone. Having never tried a small clone, I can't really back this up. I have to agree that this mode sounds very organic, can get very fast when the speed knob is cranked, and is much more swirly sounding than mode 2. Mode 2 on the other hand sounds like the chorus sound produced by Boss pedals, such as the CE-2. I have tried the CE-2 and I'll have to say that I agree with that description. This chorus is a little more clean sounding, not quite as radical, and has more of a "crystaline" sounding quality to it. By turning either chorus mode's depth knob down to the Zero position, you can get either of the chorus modes in isolation. However, if you want to get full use of the pedal, try different combinations of depth and speed for both modes. Can get very wacky sounding with everything cranked to full on.

Well, the one I have was in pretty good shape when I got it. Only a few paint chips, but no major damage done to the pedal that would affect the functionality. I think that most Ibanez 9 series pedals are pretty solid. I have previously had two of the 9 series compressors and both of them were completely reliable. However, you always hear those stories about the footswitch failing. Hopefully that will never happen to this one.

Well, I don't know if I can expect any since this effect is so old. I would probably rely on the online effect user community for my customer support issues.

This is a very awesome chorus pedal. Its got the best of both chorus worlds. Pedals have come and gone from my collection, but this one is a keeper. I tend to play spacey, textural sounds. Combine this with a ton of reverb, some delay, tremolo or some phase shifting and there's my sound. Seems like this pedal is somewhat of a rarity, but not quite as much so as other famed 9 series Ibanez pedals, such as the Auto Filter (AF-9 I think) and the rare Overdrive (OD-9). Pick one up while they are still relatively cheap. Its very versatile and can get sounds that most other pedals aren't capable of making.

It took some tampering with for about 5 minutes to get the sound I was chasing....kind of like a 'crystal wash'. The four knobs took a bit of getting use to...especially since I didn't have a manual (got it from my Bass player in my band).

I found it to be just a tad noisy but nothing to get overly upset by.
I also own a Boss CE-5 and this sounds a great deal more organic...more earthy. Boss products I find can be at times too clean and a bit synthetic. What I like about this BC 9 is that it doesn't really have that sound quality at all.
The settings I use are to have both of the width knobs (the two lower ones) turned on full and also to have the top left hand knob fixed at zero and the top right hand knob (speed) set at about 9 o clock.
I use a flextone line six....and while there are plenty of effects on that unit...there is just something about old fashioned pedals that you can't beat. And besides....I find that the Tap Tempo on Line 6 products never allows me the EXACT sound that I'm after....whereas with pedals...you useually have complete tonal control.
I like listening to a lot of acoustic artists like Luka Bloom....Grant Lee Phillips....even some early U2 stuff and this little pedal let me get that chime like ring to my guitar sounds.

Well...it does have an AC hole up the top of the unit, but my BOss adapter doesn't fit it...so I'm using batteries.
It doesn't have the casing to hold the battery in at the back of the unit so I will have to use some gaffa tape to hold the battery in place.
I haven't used it in a gig scenario yet....I do have a backup in the form of the Boss CE 5....so yeah.....I suppose I can depend on it.
It seems very sturdy....metal casing. It would be reliable I would imagine.

As I said earlier...I like acoustic type of artists and this pedal fits nicely into the kind of music I play.
I have been playing for 10 years and have seen a number of chorus pedals out there...this certainly is one of the more organic ones I have heard...it has a 'thicker' sound compared to my Jen Variospectra which has a similar 'earthy' sound.....but it lacks the amount of control I can obtain with the BC 9.
If it were stolen or lost....I'm not sure I'd get a replacement as I haven't seen too many of them around to be honest. Does any body know when this pedal was made and what year?
I really like it for it's sound but it has four knobs to play with which is always fun.
There are so many pedals out there at the moment...it can be really hard sometimes to know what to get to make your sound really good. I think I would recommend this pedal to anyone...I think you're probably only going to find this pedal in a pawn shop/ garage sale/ website auction. It does sound good....give it a try