Vintage Maxon CP-9 Compressor aka Ibanez CP9, MIJ, 1982

* Selling Vintage Maxon CP-9 Compressor Guitar Pedal, also known as Ibanez CP9
* Made In Japan in ~1982
* Cosmetically in fair shape but in 100% working order, checked by a local pro tech
* Buy quality, buy with confidence!

About the pedal:
The Maxon CP-9 aka Ibanez CP9 Compressor/Limiter is one of the ‘9’ series effects, manufactured in Japan by partner company Maxon between 1981 and 1984. The CP9 was introduced to replace the Ibanez CP‑835 Compressor II, which had the familiar square footswitch of the earlier ‘0’ series pedals. In the early 1980s, the CP9 was up against stiff competition from the likes of the MXR Dyna Comp and the BOSS CS‑1. The CP9, however, got a boost to its reputation because of its association with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. Compressors are often not the most obvious effect pedals to choose because they are relatively subtle and don’t have the more in‑your‑face impact of other effects. At its most basic, a compressor gives a more studio‑like ‘produced’ sound by cutting the peaks and boosting the troughs of a signal. The result seems to smooth out the dynamics of a signal and gives the impression of longer sustain. Quite often, it is one of those effects that is best left on, as the difference really becomes most apparent when the effect is switched off. Original CP9s are relatively common but have become increasingly collectable and therefore pricier on the vintage effect market.

Pedal Description:
Here we have a near‑mint 1982 Maxon CP-9 aka Ibanez CP9 Compressor/Limiter. All the features of the original pedal are intact, including the black ‘Made in Japan’ label on the baseplate and the Maxon‑branded battery cover. Even the often‑replaced battery clip is present and correct. In operation the all‑analogue CP9 is quieter and more refined than the benchmark MXR Dyna Comp. It is also more flexible with its separate controls for ‘Attack Time’ and ‘Threshold’, in addition to the common output ‘Level’ knob, which can also be used to boost a signal without affecting tone. Sound wise, this Maxon is excellent with a lovely blooming clean sustain. It doesn’t necessarily clip the attack in the same way as some more extreme compressors do although it does have that smooth, studio‑like sound that makes a good stomp box compressor stand out from the crowd. The CP9, like its peers, is probably one of those pedals you set and forget – leave it on and just play. Its effect is both effective and subtle. It is easy to understand why David Gilmour had a preference for the CP9 to help achieve his signature sound. If you are after a prime vintage example of the breed, you can’t get much better than this. Shush, can you hear something?

Features:
Made in Japan by Maxon in 1982
The ‘Attack Time’ knob controls the speed at which the envelope responds to the input signal
The ‘Threshold’ knob controls the compression range and the length of the sustain
The ‘Level’ knob controls the volume of the compressed signal
Red LED indicator light to show when the effect is in use
FET Q‑1 footswitch turns the effect on and off
Standard ¼” mono input and output jack sockets
9V DC power supply input or 9V battery
Black ‘Made in Japan’ label on the base of the pedal
Original ‘Maxon’ battery compartment cover
Complete with original box, bag and instruction manual
Dimensions: 74mm (w) x 124mm (d) x 53mm (h)
Weight: 570g