Favorite TS Clone?

What is your favorite TS clone? I'm looking at the green screamer (808), the actual ts9, the bad monkey, the green rhino, and the maxon 808 clone. Any other suggestions are welcome, I just don't want to spend more than $150.

Other: Find a used HBE Power Screamer. 3 different diode settings and a boost. $195 new so usually about $100 used on eBay.

To boost a "Metal" amp=BBE Green Screamer
For pure Blues OD=HBE Power Screamer
For Tele=VDL Sparkle Drive:mrgreen:

My favorite is either the Fulldrive on CompCut setting, or a Sparkle Drive.

OCD in LP mode does the TS impression for me...
I've owned several ts'alike pedals, and so far this is the one that convinces me the most, plus the HP mode can get a little more grit and gain that sometimes comes handy

The Green Rhino surprised me, for some punch with a bit of grit on a clean amp it's heavenly. I liked the Sparkle drive as well but I'd have to the Rhino. It's on 90% of the time :)

My favorite 808 clone is the "Tejas" by PedalWorX. It has the "Spice" knob and that is where all the magic lies.

I also have an Ibanez TS808HW. The Tejas does the true 808 thing 1:1 plus a lot more.

Cost $160 new but you can grab one used for around $100.

I voted BBE Green Screamer as I have owned 3 of the 5 listed and of those, thought the BBE just had a clearer tone (could use a bit more output), I now own a "TS" not on this list, but I have just come to the conclusion that these all sound more similar than not, or can be dialed in that way (I know some have bass boosting, I prefer w/o), so as long as I have any kind of "TS" OD and something else next to it, that just seems to be important than which "TS" - to quote Bill Murray in 'Meatballs' ("obscure reference lost on younger generation, Oh Great One...") "It just doesn't matter!!"

edit: I just mean to say get one that makes you happy (affordable, size, tone, cool look) and don't overthink it :wink:

Not really a clone, but...

Xotic BB Preamp.

Thanks guys! I am proud to say that this helped me not one bit. #GAS

I currently own The BBE GS and the Bad Monkey. I used to have a TS9. I like the BBE of these three. It just has a clarity. Its transparent. You can really hear the nuances of the particular guitar your playing at the time.

Not to say the others are bad. Cause they are good. I have mixed feelings about the Bad Monkey. Its cool and all, but sometimes I just dont like it. Sometimes I do. Hard to explain.

The TS9 is cool. I just feel its kinda overused.

Bad Monkey. It's not just a clone, it's an improvement... a "modded" 808, if you will. And the addition of the bass control is just awesome, like an adjustable "phat" switch. And you CAN'T BEAT the price. Pure genius on Digitech's part (one of the rare times.)

I sold mine, but this thread makes me want to go pick up another one!!!!

If it's transparent, it's not a TS. A TS has a mid hump. Transparent implies that it doesn't change the EQ of your sound any.

It's like of like being a sober alcoholic, just doesn't work :lol:

Of these, the Green Screamer for sure.

Don't forget the MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe -- highly tweakable TS.

If it's transparent, it's not a TS. A TS has a mid hump. Transparent implies that it doesn't change the EQ of your sound any.

It's like of like being a sober alcoholic, just doesn't work :lol:

Transparency wasn't the best term to use, I should have said that I like to hear my strings and picking come through. I play with the lightest of drive, and I pick heavy.

Transparency wasn't the best term to use, I should have said that I like to hear my strings and picking come through. I play with the lightest of drive, and I pick heavy.

Clarity. I don't hear that as a hallmark of the TS sound, tho.

Clarity. I don't hear that as a hallmark of the TS sound, tho.

Me neither- IMO when you get a "Tube Screamer" (at least the way I use one, at a medium/high Drive range), you are getting the sound of a "Tube Screamer!" (kind of my point in an earlier post). I think it is a great sound, perhaps a must have for many of us that want a good crunchy mid-strong lead or rhythm tone that cuts thru...You don't get a "TS" to let the clarity and transparency of your guitar>amp sound come through; there are just better, other style OD's for that. Of course all OD's change your tone somewhat but the with a "trans" OD the first thing you hear is your clean guitar,followed by a trail(?)of a breakup to some degree....A "Tube Screamer" wraps its tone around your guitar sound- takes it over.

edit: this is well, my experience, and I know it is because I do use it at high Drive/low Level to get distortion from a TS....low Drive/ high Level does produce a cleaner/boosted signal...

BBE

Why is the TS9 a clone choice?

When someone says "Tubescreamer" always think "TS9".

Does "Tubescreamer" = TS808 for you?

The BBE is modeled after the 808 therefore I probably have my lingo goofed up.

Oh no....I'm the problem.

BBE. I love that pedal.

For me threre is just one answer:

Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive

For me threre is just one answer:

Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive

Now THERE'S a TS with clarity... clean blend. The Pork Loin has the same feature (but have no idea if it's a TS-based thing... certainly sounds like it).

Woo! Thanks for all the advice. I guess change my question to favorite OD with low gain and clarity?

Nobody mentioned the MJM Phantom Drive? That's one I've been pretty curious about.

I recently picked up a Bad Monkey to see if I could get along with Tube Screamers again... Not really that into it. I keep thinking maybe the Phantom is the one I might enjoy...

I was out Tuesday and another guitar player had a TS type pedal and it sounded great. The other guitar player in my band has an 808 and loves it and sounds pretty good with it. But for whatever reason, I just never seem to find a tone I'm happy with...

Maybe I'll keep an eye on this poll?

one more vote for sparkle drive. but if you're gonna use "humbuggies" as Gearmanndude would say, I'd seek a transparent alternative with no mid hump. don't get me wrong, the VDLSD does transparent, but by the time you dial in the clean side to even things out with the drive circuit (my HB axes have enough mids thank you very much,) you lose most of the dirt... I like dirt AND my own EQ. :grin: but for standard teles and... what's that other single coil based axe?.... :razz: oh well... sparkle drive is great!

Woo! Thanks for all the advice. I guess change my question to favorite OD with low gain and clarity?

In THAT case, Fulldrive. Or Barber LTD/LTD-SR, or Timmy.

Not exactly a "clone", but the Vox Ice 9 has a nice vintage TS mode, but with a bass control. Cleans up real nice with the volume knob, as well.

Don't forget the MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe -- highly tweakable TS.
This.

Funny, I always thought the Ibanez 808 was a re boxed Maxon 808... Voted for the Maxon. I like it more than the Bad Monkey and there's no luther drive in the equation.

I like the "original clone," which is the Boss SD-1.

It arguably pre-dates the 808, since the OD-1 came out around the same time, or even just before. But that was back when the "tone control concept" was really just starting to evolve with drive pedals, and the OD-1 was simply a SD-1 without the tone control.

...And IMO, Boss does it just a little better than Maxon/Ibanez with some of their circuit variations. If you look at "newer" TS clones, many borrow elements from the SD-1, like the "asymmetrical clipping" that is found in TS clones like:

- the Fulldrive pedals
- most Landgraff variations
- someone mentioned the Xotic variations (both the RC and BB have it IIRC)
- many of the Lovepedal "Son of Screamer" clones all have it
- the Gristle King has a variation of it
- the Tim(my) has switches that allow it
- the Zendrive has an "evolution" of it

...and the Sparkle Drive alters an interstage component or three that are more similar to the SD-1 as well.

I realize that since SRV didn't get "the ugly yellow OD" on his trip to the pawn shop that day, that lots of folks will always pass on the SD-1, and that it is much less perceived as a blues/hot country pedal, and more of a "rock overdrive," but IMO it is "the better original clone that isn't."

Kinda like a Ford vs. Chevy/Coke vs. Pepsi thing. Or maybe Fender vs. Peavey is more accurate.

My favorites are the Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive and the Maxon OD808.

I have a few TS types on my board but I do give the nod to the Green Rhino. The RI is a fantastic and versatile pedal especially in the EQ department. Also the new MXR Modified OD is a great Rhino in a MXR sized enclosure along with a more transparent mode that is shockingly close to a Tim(my).

Maxon OD9...

I like the "original clone," which is the Boss SD-1.

It arguably pre-dates the 808, since the OD-1 came out around the same time, or even just before. But that was back when the "tone control concept" was really just starting to evolve with drive pedals, and the OD-1 was simply a SD-1 without the tone control.

...And IMO, Boss does it just a little better than Maxon/Ibanez with some of their circuit variations. If you look at "newer" TS clones, many borrow elements from the SD-1, like the "asymmetrical clipping" that is found in TS clones like:

- the Fulldrive pedals


I realize that since SRV didn't get "the ugly yellow OD" on his trip to the pawn shop that day, that lots of folks will always pass on the SD-1, and that it is much less perceived as a blues/hot country pedal, and more of a "rock overdrive," but IMO it is "the better original clone that isn't."

t

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

Since it was brought up, I like the Boss SD1 as well. I pulled the C3 and it opened it up a bit.

Also not in the original list...The Boss BD2 Blues Driver has always been good to me as well.

I guess Im just old school....but I like Boss pedals pretty well. Some are better than others though...Ill give ya that.:lol:

^^ the Blues Driver IMO is a great OD, but it is NOT a Tube Screamer clone- it's an original original Boss design (more of an attempt at a "cranked Fender amp"?) , with a flatter EQ, cleaner at low Gain, and much more output and gain (available) than a TS.

TS 7 for me but I can only compare my ts7 with my Bad Monkey (no other experience..).

I do have a Digitech RP1000 with many "models" of pedals....and I must admit the comments above have spiked interest in playing around with the SD 1 more...but even on the RP 1000 I always come back to the ts9 (though sometimes the 808...)....and Rat but thats another story :lol:

^^ the Blues Driver IMO is a great OD, but it is NOT a Tube Screamer clone- it's an original original Boss design (more of an attempt at a "cranked Fender amp"?) , with a flatter EQ, cleaner at low Gain, and much more output and gain (available) than a TS.

No def not a TS clone. Didnt mean to imply it was. Just sayin I liked it quite a bit. Guess since its a TS thread I should have not brought up the BD. :oops:

No def not a TS clone. Didnt mean to imply it was. Just sayin I liked it quite a bit. Guess since its a TS thread I should have not brought up the BD. :oops:

No biggie I'm a fan of both, and a Blues Driver next to a Tube Screamer type as they are different and sound great boosting each other: say pushing the BD-2 (at high Gain) with the TS (@Low Drive, Level wherever) to produce a real distortion, but with mids, or pushing a TS grind with a clean boost (BD-2 at low Gain). Two great affordable OD tools.

I'm looking for any suggestions to a low-med drive with clarity! Doesnt have to be TS clones anymore.

Seriously? No Visual Sound Route 808?

I'm looking for any suggestions to a low-med drive with clarity! Doesnt have to be TS clones anymore.

Some of the tried and true affordable faves that fit the bill and are:

Barber LTD SR
Timmy
Dano Cool Cat Transparent OD (V.1)
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Visual Sound Open Road

Lovepedal Eternity