Ibanez FL-9 vs. Maxon FL-9

[Ryan Mohr]

The Ibanez is priced at 119 and the Maxon at 262. What is the difference? Is the flanging on the Maxon worth the money?

[bongomania]

Interesting question! Maxon used to make all of Ibanez's effects units, which is why they have like 90% overlap in the look and naming of their product lines.

Based on the advertising hype alone, I'd say that the Maxon-branded version is made in Japan of higher-quality components, plus a 4PDT switch for "true bypass"; while the Ibanez is probably made in Taiwan of the cheapest components and a cheap/common buffered bypass. But I haven't got them in front of me to confirm the facts.

[fuNKmaster83]

i would say... if you have an old Ibanez version thats pre 1990 or a Maxon any age its the same... but reissues are under big question!!!
i have the old ibanez FL9... its a psychedelic little thing with a mind of its own

[i2k]

From what I've read (dont remember the source, sorry) :
Ibz reissue series is not the same with the old Ibz pedals made by Maxon and new Maxons. Some of the differences are :
Different component layout, the PCB layout of the new Ibz are poorly designed compared to the Maxons. This sometimes causes noise issues. Ibz cannot simply copy the layout from Maxon due to copyright issue.

Different components quality, especially for chorus/flanger/delays. Old Ibz/Maxon and new Maxons use NOS Panasonic MN3xxxx BBD chip, while new Ibz use BBD chips coming from Belling China. Again, lower quality parts = higher noise.

New Maxons are true bypass, they use 4PDT footswitch which can cost more or less 25$ for the switch alone.

Hope it helps.

[TaySte_2000]

I can't get my Ibanez FL-9 to work does nothing with either power or battery can't get a signal through it clean or effected.

Any ideas

[bongomania]

I bet there's a loose wire, probably off the input jack. Take it to a tech.