Entering the world of TS pedals

I've been one of those guys who didn't like TS pedals. I usually like the sound when someone else is using one but not when I do. Anyway I've decided I need one of these on my board. My other OD's are an OCD (which I love) & a Joyo UD. So far I've spent a little time with an SD-1, MXR Classic OD, TS7 (ts9 setting), Sparkle Drive, and a Bad Monkey. Of these I think I'm liking the MXR the best. I'm really interested in the Way Huge Green Rhino but I do not know anyone who has one to try. Also interested in the VS 808. I'm looking for something not too harsh and a little bit subtle I think. Based on what I've said do you have any recommendations.
I'll be using my Tele mainly so the loss of bass, particularly on the bridge pup, is a concern.
I appreciate any input!

I've been one of those guys who didn't like TS pedals....

I'm looking for something not too harsh and a little bit subtle I think....

I'll be using my Tele mainly so the loss of bass, particularly on the bridge pup, is a concern....

Are you sure you want a TS? You have two dirt pedals on your board already. The OCD will nail the higher gain stuff and Joyo can do shades of everything. Where are you expecting to use the TS within that context?

Are you sure you want a TS? You have two dirt pedals on your board already. The OCD will nail the higher gain stuff and Joyo can do shades of everything. Where are you expecting to use the TS within that context?

Yes. I get what you're saying but I'm needing the different flavor. I like the TS particularly for solo's. Actually the UD is not near as versatile as the OCD. I'm using the OCD for low/mid gain & the UD as higher gain crunch. Plus in my experimenting the TS pedals seem to stack well with both of these. It is also possible that the UD comes off the board.

What amp are you using, and where would you place the TS in your fx chain?

What amp are you using, and where would you place the TS in your fx chain?

Using a Peavey CL 30. Not sure of placement yet. I was thinking after OCD.

Not sure if this type of usage is allowed by the TS police or not, but I've found that I like using my TS pedal with the "Drive" knob all the way off as a on/off lead boost into a distortion pedal (I've got a few that I swap in and out there). This seems to work well in a live classic rock band situation.

I LOVE the VS 808/Double Trouble. Here's a link to a review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3dNdiZmF58&feature=plcp&context=C4744523VDvjVQa1PpcFM2cBoDEu75fNF4a-_-_Uk7VUt_U8_dSu8%3D

BTW, how do I use the youtube tab in the advanced post thingy to post a youtube video?

Are you planning to use the TS as a low gain / high volume boost for solos? That is where it really shines. It does cut the bass, but usually this is ok when soloing. In those cases, cut is more important than a huge bottom end. Ibanez/Maxon still make the best TS circuits out there. You can look at clones, but you can't go wrong with the real deal. If you want something that retains the low end, you might want to look at something like the VS Open Road or Nobels ODR. In the latter cases, I'd be worried about things getting to "flubby" when they are used in unison with a cranked OCD. Although they should blend nicely if both used at lower gains.

Another option would be a straight boost for solos. Class A boosts, SHO's, etc. will give you plenty of boost and are more "transparent" than the TS.

From the group that you listed I like the MXR Classic OD. Great little pedal. I would go with a Bad Monkey if you value the seperate bass & treble knobs (boost the bottom) but for a simple TS tone I like the MXR.

The BBE Green Screamer is another pedal that you could try. Great TS-808 tone on a budget. Built very well.

Check out this thread http://www.tdpri.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-291488.html

If money is no object you could look into a Paisley Drive.

If money is an object you can look into a modded TS7 (or Boss SD-1). If you know an electronics expert or are one you can look into changing the chip, the cap that determines the bass filter cutoff, the clipping section for subtlety/airiness, and the output section if you prefer ts808 to ts9. Unless you're putting the TS last in the signal chain I'm not sure how much of a difference that output section makes.

I have a TS7 with the chip replaced to an 808 spec. It is "not too harsh and a little bit subtle". I don't know if it has changes to any other parts of the circuit. I never tried it with the old chip so I can't compare, since you tried one in the past. But I will say it does what I want from a TS. It gooses my DRRI into a dynamic, creamy but a little ratty distortion which is well controlled by the tone knob. And they lock in place :P

And it has that cool HOT switch which I use when I'm bored alone at home but I would never use it in that mode when performing.

I'm not sure you need a double overdrive type TS pedal. They are cool and versatile, but if you already have an OCD you love, you may never use the 2nd side of the double-TS.

I also wanted to try this famous pedal by myself.

I bought an TS-808 clone, I compared it to my Marshall Bluesbreaker II... and the TS-808 was for sale the next day. I suppose it's a matter of taste, but I love my velvety and organic Bluesbreaker II (call me insane, but I like it even more than the legendary Bluesbreaker I).

I also wanted to try this famous pedal by myself.

I bought an TS-808 clone, I compared it to my Marshall Bluesbreaker II... and the TS-808 was for sale the next day. I suppose it's a matter of taste, but I love my velvety and organic Bluesbreaker II (call me insane, but I like it even more than the legendary Bluesbreaker I).

I think thats where many of us (I include myself here) go 'wrong' with a TS.

If you sit at home , relatively quietly, head cocked and A/B'ing with another pedal, chords and runs - the TS will often sound boxy and very possibly even a bit 'cardboard-y'.

But, louder, and not by itself, it's trick of subtracting highs and lows and boosting gain to give a mid rich impression cuts right through as a lead pedal and sounds quite different. And , IMO still pretty damn good.

A lot of OD's that sound good when 'evaluating' may well disappear up their own input jack when put to task in a Band / Jam situation.

In a smaller band, playing in a style that affords enough 'space' to actually hear the Guitar players OD contribute more the the sonic fabric , well yeah then maybe the TS is a rather less obvious choice. Maybe.

So many holy grain sounds exist , that were played by our masterful peers on equipment / pedals - incl. OD's that would not find much favour in 2012.

I think thats where many of us (I include myself here) go 'wrong' with a TS.

If you sit at home , relatively quietly, head cocked and A/B'ing with another pedal, chords and runs - the TS will often sound boxy and very possibly even a bit 'cardboard-y'.

But, louder, and not by itself, it's trick of subtracting highs and lows and boosting gain to give a mid rich impression cuts right through as a lead pedal and sounds quite different. And , IMO still pretty damn good.

A lot of OD's that sound good when 'evaluating' may well disappear up their own input jack when put to task in a Band / Jam situation.

In a smaller band, playing in a style that affords enough 'space' to actually hear the Guitar players OD contribute more the the sonic fabric , well yeah then maybe the TS is a rather less obvious choice. Maybe.

+1 not just pedals, but guitars and amps as well. You can never judge a good one until you've used it in anger in a live situation - and this is especially true of distortion effects.

I really like my Bad Monkey. I dig it on it's own, but I love to stack it with distortion. it kind of rounds out the sound.

If you sit at home , relatively quietly, head cocked and A/B'ing with another pedal, chords and runs - the TS will often sound boxy and very possibly even a bit 'cardboard-y'.

But, louder, and not by itself, it's trick of subtracting highs and lows and boosting gain to give a mid rich impression cuts right through as a lead pedal and sounds quite different. And , IMO still pretty damn good.

Yup.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

When you're on stage doing an encore, and the dance floor is packed, and the band is COOKIN and your amp is maxed out and you simply have nothing more to give, and it's time for an epic solo...just step on that Tube Screamer (or clone) and BAM...instant "midrange sandwich". It lifts you up and punches you right through the mix while still sounding like "you". Mission accomplished.

But at home, by yourself, with the volume low...a TS is yucky. Sounds like a box.

There's a place for everything, and everything in it's place...that's what Ma always says.

JMHO.

Yup.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

When you're on stage doing an encore, and the dance floor is packed, and the band is COOKIN and your amp is maxed out and you simply have nothing more to give, and it's time for an epic solo...just step on that Tube Screamer (or clone) and BAM...instant "midrange sandwich". It lifts you up and punches you right through the mix while still sounding like "you". Mission accomplished.

But at home, by yourself, with the volume low...a TS is yucky. Sounds like a box.

There's a place for everything, and everything in it's place...that's what Ma always says.

JMHO.

You guys are right. I'll be trying out the MXR & Sparkle Drive at a live rehearsal tonight at near gig volumes. Should give me a good idea. Also, someone mentioned A/B-ing the sounds and how it does always work that way. I agree too. I think since I'm not a "TS guy", I'll have to pick and choose how I start to incorporate it. To start with I think I'll use it to spice up some solos. I really like what I've been hearing on my neck pup with the TS pedals for that bluesy single coil sound.:cool:

I have a BBE Green Screamer. It's subtle, smooth, quiet, true-bypass and inexpensive. I like it a lot.

The TS I've used for a gazillion years was a RI TS-9 that I sent to Analog Man sometime back in the '90s for straight up TS-808 specs and some beefed up soldering. That recently got replaced by an item that blows it out of the water: a Keeley modded Sparkle Drive. It'll cost you about $60.00 for the mod.

The TS I've used for a gazillion years was a RI TS-9 that I sent to Analog Man sometime back in the '90s for straight up TS-808 specs and some beefed up soldering. That recently got replaced by an item that blows it out of the water: a Keeley modded Sparkle Drive. It'll cost you about $60.00 for the mod.

What does the Keeley mod add?
Edit-never mind I'll google it. Thanks

Well I used the MXR Classic OD tonight at rehearsal....freaking awesome! Stacked with OCD. Think I'll stick with this combo for a while!

Well I used the MXR Classic OD tonight at rehearsal....freaking awesome! Stacked with OCD. Think I'll stick with this combo for a while!

I was eying this thread and was going to respond this morning... I tried a few TS type pedals... chased a bit of modding, etc. Of the ones I tried, the one I liked was the one you own, the Classic overdrive. I actually like it so much, I bought a second one (while it was on sale for 29.99). It works really well with my Vibrolux at stage volume. At home, I have the luxury of being able to use a little bit of volume and it sounds okay... But, at band practice and on stage, I really like the way it sounds. I've gone to open Mics with my amp, this pedal and a guitar several times.

And, I don't sound like SRV! LOL

Unless I try to get that sound (which I just don't). I mean this in a good way, of course, that tone is in there, but it's very easy to get a sound that's mine and not THAT sound. I hear way too many guys chasing that tone and was afraid that no matter what I did, the TS pedals would give me that gritty, overly bright sound... but I was wrong, gladly.

I love my Classic Overdrive and cannot state emphatically enough how good fo a pedal it is!