Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

JHS Bonsai 9 Way Screamer Overdrive Pedal

OR

h m s

free-shipping-icon
In Stock!
Remove one item Add one item

Compare

Compare! Here are all the serial numbers of this model we have in stock. Compare them all and select your favorite!

    2 Day Shipping Icon

    Fast & Free Shipping

    Did you know AMS is the only music distributor with four distribution centers? And that means we can offer super-fast shipping on all your music products. Whether you don’t want the spark of inspiration to fade or you really need that replacement speaker before the next show, we have you covered anywhere in the U.S. And even better, it’s FREE!

    Free Extended Warranty

    Free 12 Month Extended Warranty

    You shouldn’t have to pay extra for a little peace of mind. When you purchase from AMS, you’ll get a free 12-month extended warranty to cover your purchase — and that’s in addition to any manufacturer’s warranties! Thousands of items in our catalog feature the “Gold Lock Extended Warranty,” so you can feel confident in your purchase.

    45 Day return

    Sometimes the gear on the computer screen seems like a better fit than when you actually get your hands on it. We understand, and that’s why AMS offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with an item, you have a full month and a half to send it back! We don’t want to just sell you gear. We want to sell you the RIGHT gear — even if it takes a few tries.

    Canadian Shipping Information

    Welcome Canadian musicians! Buying your gear from AMS is as easy as going to a local music store, with more selection and more than competitive prices!

    Items with this logo are eligible to ship to Canada. Please note that you will be responsible for payment of brokerage fees, duties and other import taxes applicable to your order.

    NOTE: Free shipping offers do not apply to Canadian orders. Please be aware of custom fees - such as taxes and duties - when your order arrives. Since these fees vary from location to location, CUSTOMS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN SHIPPING CHARGES. Please check with your local customs office for more information on the fees in your areas. Refusal to pay these fees will result in an undeliverable order. If returned, we do not refund shipping charges and may assess restocking fees to cover return shipping expenses.

    Rock Now Pay Later

    0% Interest Payment Plan

    Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.

    Non Factory Sealed Items

    Non Factory Sealed are items that have been opened but are in perfect physical condition such as customer returns, open box for product photos/videos, demo stock, etc. They have been carefully inspected and repacked by qualified AMS employees to help ensure your satisfaction, allowing you to get great gear at a discounted price. They include all components, manuals and the full Manufacturer's warranty unless otherwise stated, along with the AMS 45-day Money-Back Guarantee. Special offers, promotions and rebates may not apply. The following manufacturers do not offer a warranty on Non-Factory Sealed items: Casio, Ampeg, Avalon, Chauvet, Electro-Voice, Ibanez, Mackie, Martin, Peavey

    AMS Agent

    Have questions? 
    Talk to a sales specialist!

    800-319-9043

    Finally, an overdrive that doesn’t just provide emulations, but exact replications, of 9 of the most sought after variations of the legendary ‘Screamer’! The JHS Bonsai features a 9-way knob to select the perfect overdrive, from vintage pronounced midrange to a tighter, more modern sound and everything in between. Creating the Bonsai became an archeological dig of sorts that sent JHS deep into the history of this circuit by examining dozens of versions, variations and replications. At the end of it all, Josh chose nine of his personal and 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 JHS’s 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 chose along with all the quirks, drift, vintage mojo, and individuality that a vintage pedal has.

    In the late 1970's the overdrive pedal was arguably perfected when Japanese engineers designed the sound that we now know as the heart and soul of so many artists, recordings and sounds. Players ranging from The Edge, Trey Anastasio, Buddy Guy, Kirk Hammett, John Mayer, SRV, Carlos Santana and thousands more from every possible genre have utilized and depended on this classic iconic green box. If a single effect pedal was chosen to board a Voyager 3 mission and be solely responsible for showing the universe the sound of overdrive, it would undoubtedly be the Tube Screamer. It is probably the most produced and sold pedal in the history of guitar pedals!

    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 we think 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
    Something JHS has been doing since 2008 is much cleaner and overall more powerful. The mode has more pronounced higher and low end drop offs.


    CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

    WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

    Shop Similar Models

    JHS Bonsai 9 Way Screamer Overdrive Pedal Specifications

    JHS Bonsai 9 Way Screamer Overdrive Pedal Specifications
    Product SpecificationsJHS Bonsai 9 Way Screamer Overdrive Pedal Specifications
    • Power: 9V DC Negative
    • Power Consumption: Less than 100mA
    • Dimensions: 2.2 x 4.8 x 1.6 inches

    Copyright © 1996-2025 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved