The mass analyzed threshold ionization spectra of anisole have been recorded by ionizing via four vibronic states. The adiabatic ionization energy of this species is determined to be 66 399 ± 5 cm(-1) , which is lower than that of benzene by 8158 cm-1. This indicates that the interaction of the OCH3 with the phenyl ring is stronger in the cationic D-0 than that in the neutral S-0 state. Most of the observed active vibrations of the cation result from the in-plane ring vibrations and substituent-sensitive modes. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.