Which TubeScreamer?

[KingPussBlues]

Ibanez TS-7 or TS-9 for Telecasters? What's the dealio on these things... I read once about some modification you can have done... is that right?

Thanks!

John

[Roel from Holland]

I have a Keeley-modded Sparkle Drive (which is basically a TS 808 with a clean-blend control) and it's a great pedal...but....it adds mids. I also have a Menatone Red Snapper which is kind of a TS 808 without the mids. Best of all; with the Snapper on, the lower notes are still twangy.

[Ringo]

all the info you want about TS can be found at the GEO site, click on the link at the top that says "technology of" and go to technology of Tube Screamers.
There is a LOT of hype about the IC and other components, read for yourself.
I've owned the TS5 - not bad at all, TS7 - sounded good to me, TS9RI ok, TS10 - did some mods per the site above, it's the keeper, and sleeper of the whole line IMO.

Also had the TS9DX - didn't like it, Vox Valvetone, another TS clone, Fulltone Fulldrive - tweaked out TS, Jeckell and Hyde, J side is a TS clone, and some others.
There are a lot of variations on the TS theme, one of the best IMO is the Barber Direct Drive, has a lot more flexibility and range and you can get one for what a TS9 RI costs.
YMMV etc....

http://www.geofex.com/

[Maggot]

For a Tube Screamer-Type Tone, I highly recommend the Guyatone Mini-OD. It always sounds great. I've used it woth Strats, Teles, Gibsons. Don't be scared by the lack of a tone control. It doesn't need one. Plus orange beats green or siver any day of the week.

Also highly recommended - The Visual Sound Jeckyll and Hyde, Jeckyll side.

I've never found a real Tube Screamer that I liked as much as either of these. Also, neither of them are very expensive.

[Roel from Holland]

I just ran into a new Menatone pedal which is probably the coolest thing you can get. I've got the Red Snapper (the right side of the Fish Factory) and it's my favorite overdrive. (Well...eh...next to my G2D Creamtone)

-------pasted from the Tone Merchant's website---------
New from Menatone is the ultimate overdrive pedal that puts in one box the popular Blue Collar and the Red Snapper. The Blue Collar represents the smooth mid-heavy vintage Tube Screamer school of overdrive with Brian Mena's own twist while the Red Snapper is the full-bandwidth clear overdrive/boost that's more in line with the mythical Klon Centaur. Being able to toggle between the two very distinctive overdrive sections is the obvious benefit of the Fish Factory. But even greater is the fact that you've got two world-class overdrive pedals from Menatone in one box. Clean up your pedalboard and get the one overdrive pedal that can do it all * the Menatone Fish Factory!




Oh ..by the way; I'm not a Menatone employee :-)

[Ringo]

Yeah yeah, best thing since sliced bread, but how much does this wonder cost? I bet I could buy a bunch of TS's and distortion pedals for what one of these cost.

[Roel from Holland]

It's $ 250 which is not too bad considering you actually get 2 first class boutique pedals.

[Ringo]

That's less than I expected, there are so many "boutique" builders these days and prices are all over the place. In comparison to what a real vintage Tube Screamer would sell for that's cheap I guess.

Still I'd have to play it through my amps and axes before I'd plunk down 2 1/2 bills for any pedal, $250 is more in the range of what I like to pay for an amp