Tubescreamer Advice

I am looking for a tubescreamer. I origionaly wanted a TS-9, but I figuired I'd ask for input from you gentlemen first.

My buddy recently got a TS-7 from the music store that has had the TS808 mod done to it. I REALLY dont want a TS-7....does this mod make it any better? I know he'd sell it to me cheap but....what about durability?

TS-9; any thoughts? What about the Maxon, is it really worth the extra $30-$40?

I own a TS9,a Boss sd-1 and a Maxon OD 808 and there all build the same way.You can almost use the same PC board in all three of them
The TS9 is working great with a tube amp that already slightly overdriven.
The Maxon has somewhat more distortion,and works very well on a cleanchannel,but also on a overdriven channel
The Boss is farout the cheapest one.Gives the most overdrive and has an a-symmatric
distortion.People say that the SD1 works the best on humbuckers.
These opinions are based on my own experience.So there will be people out there that won't agree with me.
Look for the one that sounds the best in your ears.

I got one of these; very flexible, great tones, bit expensive at 239 from RK.

http://www.robertkeeley.com/images/other/ts9flexi.jpg

TS-9's are okay, they have a nice mid-range hump, but they lose too much low-end for me. Works find with a Les Paul, but too thin for the Tele.

I really like Robert Keeley's TS-9 mod, it retains the low end and is much smoother. HBE (Homebrew Electronics) makes a great TS-9 clone called the Power Screamer which has a mode to emulate a stock TS-9, plus a diode switch and fat switch to get the low end back. Analogman also has a nice modded TS-9. All of these "boutique" models are more expensive than a stock TS-9, but they really do sound quite a bit better. Just my opinion.

JP

If you can handle a soldering iron I'd say just grab the TS7 and mod it yourself. Not as high a build quality as the TS9 or TS808 and ugly as sin, but IIRC the only difference between it and the TS808 is two resistor values. Shouldn't take more than a half and hour to do, and at less than 1/5th the cost of the TS808RI. Just make sure it has the 4558 chip inside and you're set.

Another alternative would be to pick up a Bad Monkey. Cheap and very good TS-type circuit.

I think the TS7 is a very underrated pedal. The tubescreamer is one of the most popular guitar pedals out there and for that reason there are several clones that sound really good. Side by side with the TS9 and TS7 they sounded identical. The only difference was the pot value of the volume knob but that doesn't effect the sound.

The BBE green screamer is worth checking out. I like my Keeley modded TS9 personally but there alot of great clones out there.

Personally I find the OD-808 (re-issue) from Maxon the most usable TS. Sounds a little less mid-hump like than the 'newer' TS pedals.

If you want more flexibility, go with a Fulltone Fulldrive. Not instantly a TS, but almost similar and also offers a clean boost and less midds setting and a boost.

If you can handle a soldering iron I'd say just grab the TS7 and mod it yourself. Not as high a build quality as the TS9 or TS808 and ugly as sin, but IIRC the only difference between it and the TS808 is two resistor values. Shouldn't take more than a half and hour to do, and at less than 1/5th the cost of the TS808RI. Just make sure it has the 4558 chip inside and you're set.

Another alternative would be to pick up a Bad Monkey. Cheap and very good TS-type circuit.


Already done. Tried it out with my twin reverb today, sounded mediocre to my ears, BUT I wasnt able to test it out at stage volume, so that must be a factor.

I guess it would be important to describe my rig!

I use a 2003 MIM Tele with a 1970 Fender Twin Reverb (non-master volume) which was blackfaced. For other pedals I usually run a TU-2, V847 Wah, and a Marshall Bluesbreaker II. Occasionaly an ibanez reverb/echo which EATS batteries.

The main reason I am so interested in this pedal is because I am getting very tired of bending over and changing the settings and mode on the bluesbreaker II (I usually have to do this every 3rd or 4th song). I figuire if I get a tubescreamer type pedal as well, I could use that for the boost and the marshall for the overdrive; OR vise virsa.


Thank you for all the input/suggestions so far, really appreciate it!

The TS-808 gets my vote for being a good pedal.

i have this one and the regular TS9 and prefer this one. The diff settings on this one is like having a regular TS9 and some mods all in the same pedal. The (+) setting is my favorite--- it beefs up the low end and adds a little clarity but still retains enough mids to cut thru for leads.

cletus

http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-TS9DX-Turbo-Tube-Screamer-Effects-Pedal-150285-i1124252.Music123

Why don't you just buy another Marshall Bluebreaker? I dunno about the BB but I know the Gov2 is going really cheap nowadays. If your comfortable with ebay you might try buying a TS9 on there. I got mine for 60 bucks and then I got it modded at Keeley. The TS7 I had was noisier than my TS9 but it was used so who knows.

There's a TS808 in the classifieds. Looks like a good deal. no affiliation.

cletus

Years ago I got a TS-7 modded by Keeley - it was my first foray into 'modded' pedals.
It's my 2nd favorite TS and I use it all the time. And though it might look cheap, it's held up to the rigors of gigging for at least 6 years or more.
(My favorite is an MJM 'Blues Devil' - but that's in an entirely different class, both quality and price wise.)

To be the oddball... I'm not a very big fan of the TS pedals. OF the ones I've tried (not a large sampling, mind you) the Bad Monkey gets my vote. I think it's as good as many of the others but has the advantage of a few extra tone knobs.

If you're looking at using it for a clean boost, I'd suggest looking at some other products. But if you're looking for the TS mid-hump boost, then give several of the suggestions already made a try.

One thing I have definitely found is that a TS pedal really needs tubes going good already. IF you're trying to get good breakup at bedroom/small jam level, it just doesn't do the trick... least never for me.

I have had both a ts-9 and this Outlaw Supply Mans Ruin OD

its a clone of the JRC tube screamer....but affordable and it comes with a 3 way toggle switch. that is by far my favorite feature on the pedal

left position is for higher gain, middle cuts the OD and is clean boost or light grit, and far right gives you a middle ground.

most transparent pedal I own next to my bill whizzer moded muff

check em out, at 109 dollars you cant go wrong for an amazing pedal
http://www.pureanalogeffects.com/mansruinoverdrive.aspx

oh yeah

and its true bypass