Photo of Ibanez Tone-Lok SM7 Smashbox and more gear in a pedalboard

Ibanez Tone-Lok SM7 Smashbox

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$74.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (19)

6 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Ibanez SM7 Smashbox

2 community setups

2 wishlisted

47 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (15)

$74.00 10 available Used

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Average Price: $74

Budget/Beginner

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Ibanez Tone-Lok SM7 Smashbox is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Ibanez Tone-Lok SM7 Smashbox, a piece of gear that offers an incredible distortion experience without burning a hole in your pocket. Part of the renowned Tone-Lok Series, this pedal is packed with features to help you dial in the exact tone you're after. It boasts Lo/Hi EQ knobs, Drive and Level controls for precision, a unique Void switch to ward off unwanted noise, and an Edge switch to add color to your preamp - ranging from sharp to smooth. This dynamic pedal also has Push-Lok rotary pots to ensure your settings stay intact.

Key Features:

Part of the Ibanez Tone-Lok Series
Lo/Hi EQ knobs for tonal versatility
Drive and Level controls for precision
Void switch to eliminate unwanted noise
Edge switch for coloring your preamp
Push-Lok rotary pots to secure your settings

Product specs

Brand	Ibanez
Model	SM7 Smash Box, SM7 Smash Box Distortion
Finish	Gray, Grey
Year	1990s
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Fuzz Pedals and Effects

FAQs

What type of distortion can I expect from the Ibanez SM7 Smashbox?: The Ibanez SM7 Smashbox offers a high-gain distortion ideal for heavy rock and metal genres, delivering aggressive tones with a tight low-end and pronounced midrange.
Does the Ibanez SM7 Smashbox have any unique features compared to other distortion pedals?: Yes, the SM7 features the Tone-Lok series' signature push-lock knobs, which prevent accidental changes to your settings, and a 3-way switch for adjusting attack and edge.
Is the Ibanez SM7 Smashbox suitable for use with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitars, the SM7 can be used with a bass guitar, though it may require additional EQ adjustments to preserve low-end clarity.
What power supply does the Ibanez SM7 Smashbox require?: The SM7 Smashbox operates on a standard 9V battery or a compatible 9V DC power adapter, making it easy to integrate into most pedalboards.
How does the Ibanez SM7 Smashbox handle dynamics and playing style?: The SM7 is responsive to playing dynamics, allowing for expressive control over the distortion level, which can enhance both rhythm and lead playing.

Videos

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intheblues

Ibanez SM7 Smashbox Pedal Demo

intheblues

GAS N' GO - Ibanez SM7 Smash Box

60 Cycle Hum

Ibanez SM7 Smash Box

Wall of Sound

Rectifier In A Box? Is It Worth The Hype? | Ibanez SM7 Smash Box Distortion

Robert Jackson

The Stone Temple Pilots pedal - Ibanez SM7 Smash Box

We As A Company

Tone lock Series, a good idea done... mediocre! Ibanez Smash Box SM7 Pedal Review (Pedal Vault)

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Reviews

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PROS

Wide range of high gain distortion tones
Exceptional at producing tight, chugging tones
Durable and reliable over many years
Built-in noise gate for quieter operation
Intuitive EQ controls for tonal shaping
Offers both smooth and edged distortion options
Bass knob enhances fullness without muddying tone
Can compete with much pricier pedals
Through-hole components for quality build
Easy battery change with simple button push

CONS

Not suitable for nuanced tone adjustments
High gain may be excessive for some players
EQ knobs have limited impact on tone shaping
Some users find the distortion harsh and unappealing
Not ideal for players seeking modern high gain tones

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Tone-Lok SM7 Smashbox.

Use cases and applications

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A favorite for metal and heavier music, providing biting leads and clear full-string chords when paired with the right amp settings.
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Paired with a Peavey Bandit, the SM7 is noted for delivering a strong performance in metal and nu-metal bands, even on a budget.
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Features and functionality

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Works well as a preamp for amps like the 6505, enhancing virtual setups and delivering strong tones with various amp models.
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Owners highlight the pedal's ability to sound good with virtual setups, including use with tools like nux-mg and fractile.
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The SM7 circuit combines elements from Big Muff, Tubescreamer, and MXR Distortion Plus, with EQ applied after these stages.
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The SM7 includes a built-in noise gate, which users find essential for handling super gainy sounds without needing a separate noise gate pedal.
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User experience

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Some owners report difficulty in dialing in solo tones, dependent on the setup, but find it excels in rhythm and chugging applications.
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Owners report the pedal's sound is reminiscent of the nu-metal era, making it ideal for recreating that style.
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Comparisons

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The pedal has been likened to the sound of a dual rectifier, offering a close tonal match according to some users.
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Users liken the SM7 to a "Mesa in a box" style distortion, suggesting it emulates that specific sound.
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The SM7's sound has been likened to a mid-late 90s Mesa Rectifier, providing a retro vibe with a distinct nu-metal tone.
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Mods and upgrades

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It's rumored all Smash Box series pedals share a circuit board, differing only in component population, but this remains unverified.
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Build quality

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The Tone-Lok design includes a tone knob locking feature and an easy-access battery compartment, appreciated by users for ease of use and maintenance.
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Setup and maintenance

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Even if the plastic knob part is missing, the pedal remains functional; replacement knobs can fit over the existing mechanism without issues.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 19 Ratings

5 star

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gorillamac

706

almost 3 years ago

Fantastic Mesa-in-a-Box for the money!

These can be had for dirt cheap nowadays (I got mine for $50 Canadian at a pawn shop), and they absolutely hang in there with the best of the Mesa-in-a-Box style pedals. Lots of gain on tap, intuitive EQ controls, and the "edge" switch really helps with either cutting through a mix or chilling out the fizz depending on your needs. If you play any sort of high-gain music, you can't go wrong with this.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Death metal Old school death metal canadian death metal

simonleefun

267

about 3 years ago

Pratical distortion

Less aggressive dirt box than I thought and it’s really fitting my playing style. Killing weapon for grunge music.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Indie rock

From Gear Setup

themetalviking

107

almost 9 years ago

Hidden Gem

I bought this pedal back in 2005 and it still works today as of july 2017. Thats over 12 years of use and it has stood up to alot. It is durable and the tone is quite usable for both recordings and for attaining a good distortion from solid state amplifiers. I use the smooth setting, gate 1 sometimes but mostly gate 2, gain at 4 or 6, the level i use as needed, both tone knobs maxed out so that the amps EQ does all the shaping. Minor shaping of the tone before hand with overdrive also helps the end result but even without it still a great sound,

blondguru

2065

about 10 years ago

Fun for Metal

My friend gave me a Guitar Center gift card when I was starting to play guitar and this was all I could get with my $25, pedal wise. 12 year old me thought it was cool. Current me thinks it sounds terrible. Harsh distortion that's best kept off the board. It possesses a sound only a mother could love, as long as she's deaf.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Pop Alternative rock

From Gear Setup