JHS Pedals Bonsai 9-Way Screamer Overdrive Effects Pedal JHS Pedals

Following in the steps of the JHS Pedals Muffuletta, the Bonsai utilizes a simple rotary knob to switch through nine classic, vintage, rare, or hard to find variations of the Screamer.

Creating the Bonsai became an archeological dig of sorts that sent us deep into the history of this circuit by examining dozens of versions, variations and replications. At the end of it all, the designers chose nine favorite units and painstakingly replicated every nuance and aspect of each pedal. One of the most challenging parts of this project was accounting for component drift as many of these pedals were decades old and the internal components had strayed from their original values. Each pedal was individually replicated using our Audio Precision analyzer and various other methods that allowed us to perfectly replicate every aspect of the sound and feel of the unit. It’s important to know that the Bonsai is not a “box of mods,” it is exact replications of these nine units all house in one box!

The Bonsai is exact replication, not emulation. When you choose a mode on the Bonsai rotary, you are actually activating components specific to each mode and playing the unit that Josh choose along with all the quirks, drift, vintage mojo, and individuality that a vintage pedal has.

The nine modes of the Bonsai:

• OD-1 – 1977 – An overall brighter and slightly higher gain mode that does not utilize the Tone knob. This mode also inverts signal just like the original and has symmetrical clipping. The OD-1 is magical at boosting other drives or amps into singing saturation.
• TS-808 – 1979 – The classic low gain with that signature pronounced mid range.
• TS-9 – 1982 – Nearly identical to the TS-808 but with a slightly more pushed low-mid range.
• MSL, Power or L Series – 1985 – Though metal is in the name, this sound doesn’t quite inspire the modern metal djent one thinks of. Still it has a higher gain sound with a more low end and an overall more gooey feel.
• TS-10 – 1986 – Made famous by John Mayer, this model is a slight upgrade from the TS9 for the late ’80s. Bluesy, crisp, more low end roll off and low gain.
• Exar OD-1 1989 – The EXAR is a Polish made TS-style pedal that has a slightly different drive character with a little more gain than the classic screamers as well as a slightly more transparent feel.
• TS-7 (+mode) – 1999 – The hot mode on this version gives you the highest gain sound in the Bonsai. More low end and dirt fill out the tone to have you shredding away.
• Keeley Mod Plus – 2002 – Robert Keeley’s classic mod tightens up the tone on the original giving you smoother mid range and high frequencies, and increased bass response.
• JHS Strong Mod – 2008 – JHS own mod it’s been doing since 2008 is much cleaner and overall more powerful. The mode has more pronounced higher- and low end drop offs.

With the JHS Pedals’ Bonsai you can get the classic sounds of nine Tube Screamers in one pedal. Let the Bonsai help you find your overdrive zen.