JHS Bonsai Settings Guide
The JHS Bonsai is a 9-mode Tube Screamer encyclopedia in a single pedal — each mode accurately models a specific era or variant of the Tube Screamer circuit, from the rare 1979 TS808 to the TS10 of the 1980s to the modern Maxon OD9. Three controls (Gain, Tone, Output) operate identically to a TS, but the rotary switch changes the internal circuit to replicate different op-amp implementations and component values. The definitive answer to "which Tube Screamer is best?"
The best JHS Bonsai settings start with: Gain at 4/10, Tone at 5/10, Output at 7/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Blues (TS808 mode): Gain 3/10, Tone 4/10, Output 7/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | 4/10 | None → Full |
| Tone | 5/10 | Dark → Bright |
| Output | 7/10 | Off → Loud |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Position 1 (TS808 original) — the warmest, smoothest mode. Low Gain for pick-sensitive blues response. Tone at 4 is slightly dark — this is the famous SRV application where the Tube Screamer adds warmth and midrange rather than cutting treble. Into a slightly saturated amp, the TS808 mode produces the classic Texas blues tone.
Position 4 (TS9 reissue) — slightly brighter and more present than the TS808 mode. At moderate Gain this is the "standard" Tube Screamer application for rock rhythm. Tone at 5 is neutral. The TS9 mode is the most versatile of the 9 positions for general use.
Position 5 (TS10 — 1980s silver-era) — the most modern-voiced mode in the Bonsai. Slightly more gain on tap than the TS9, with a brighter character. Good for rock and classic rock where you want the TS midrange push with a more contemporary feel.
Position 8 (Maxon OD9) — slightly warmer than the TS9 with a more open, less compressed response. Low Gain as a country clean boost. The OD9 mode retains the Tube Screamer lineage while feeling slightly less compressed — useful for clean boost applications where the TS compression is slightly too much.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The 9 modes cover: Original 808 (1979), TS9 (1982 original), TS9 (reissue), TS10 (silver-era), OD850 (early Maxon), OD9 (Maxon), TS7 (tone-lok era), TS808 (30th anniversary), and TSMini. Each mode is a genuine circuit recreation, not a filter adjustment. Switch between them with the guitar plugged in to hear the differences clearly.
- The most consequential distinction is between the JRC4558 (TS808 original, most sought after) and RC4558P (TS9 reissue) op-amps — the Bonsai accurately models both. In practice the difference is subtle but real: the JRC4558 mode is slightly warmer and more compressed.
FAQ
JHS Bonsai — Common Questions
Best starting settings for JHS Bonsai: Gain at 4/10, Tone at 5/10, Output at 7/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Blues (TS808 mode): Gain 3/10, Tone 4/10, Output 7/10. Position 1 (TS808 original) — the warmest, smoothest mode. Low Gain for pick-sensitive blues response. Tone at 4 is slightly dark — this is the famous SRV application where the Tube Screamer adds warmth and midrange rather than cutting treble. Into a slightly saturated amp, the TS808 mode produces the classic Texas blues tone.
For Rock (TS9 mode): Gain 5/10, Tone 5/10, Output 6/10. Position 4 (TS9 reissue) — slightly brighter and more present than the TS808 mode. At moderate Gain this is the "standard" Tube Screamer application for rock rhythm. Tone at 5 is neutral. The TS9 mode is the most versatile of the 9 positions for general use.
Gain: Overdrive gain amount (None to Full). Tone: Tone / treble cut (Dark to Bright). Output: Output level (Off to Loud)
The 9 modes cover: Original 808 (1979), TS9 (1982 original), TS9 (reissue), TS10 (silver-era), OD850 (early Maxon), OD9 (Maxon), TS7 (tone-lok era), TS808 (30th anniversary), and TSMini. Each mode is a genuine circuit recreation, not a filter adjustment. Switch between them with the guitar plugged in to hear the differences clearly. The most consequential distinction is between the JRC4558 (TS808 original, most sought after) and RC4558P (TS9 reissue) op-amps — the Bonsai accurately models both. In practice the difference is subtle but real: the JRC4558 mode is slightly warmer and more compressed.
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