Educate me on boosts - tube screamers

[again with this]

So, I bought that BBE Green Screamer that was on special at Guitar Center and I am digging it. I am feeling like I shoulda listened to everyone and just gone with some kind of tube screamer or clone/copy in the first place. I didn't dig the Boss SD-1, which was my first venture into boosting.

I remember a friend loaning me one 20-ish years ago, and me thinking, "what an idiot. Terry's got the drive on zero and the level on max. That's just going to make feedback..." I gave it back and was like, "here you go dude... thanks, but not for me..." anyway, I was clearly the idiot and had no idea how to coax sweet tone out of the gear at my disposal. As usual, I digress...

Anyway, I am liking the BBE unit, which I am led to believe is a tube screamer type pedal. What else should I be looking at in the tube screamer family? Is it going to be worth another hundred or so to get an 808 or something, or am I at the point of diminishing returns on additional money spent? When I bought the BBE, I was confused and thought I was buying something BB, like the exotic. I mean, really, I don't even know what all is out there.

What are your suggestions? I am boosting my Recto rack pieces, what are you guys boosting Rectos with?

Enlighten me please.

 

[~Abstract~]

Buy a Maxon OD808 from someplace with a 45 day return policy...

See if it's worth it.


I've never played a BBE Green Screamer...but I like the 808 a bunch.

 

[cyndicate]

Out of all the boosts I have tried, my fav are still the Tubescreamer types, haven't tried a 808, but I currently use a Maxon OD-9 if I need a boost. I think for rectos most people prefer the 808.

 

[Filter500]

I'm using the Maxon OD-808 because it's highly recommended on "The Boogie Board" to boost the Rectifier, and it works well. I haven't tried much else except a Fulltone Fat Boost 3 which I didn't like as far as the feel is concerned. The Maxon adds some high end fizz/noise to the tone (although not noise in bewteen the notes) because it's pushing some highs in front of the pre, so I run my tone low on the 808 at 9:00.

This guy gets a good sound with the 808:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyRRfaqhY5g

I also boost with a 10db mid boost from my Radial Switchbone. I've heard a lot of raving about the Suhr Koko boost, but I'm not the mood to buy and sell pedals right now in the search for the perfect boost.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I have several and the maxon 808 is nice, it's less noisey than the mxr classic od ($29.95 at GC), I like the tone of the mxr as well if not better in most applications. I also really like the GFS Greenie a ton. I am talking about for metal ( not down tuned). YMMV

 

[dstroud]

I'm a big Tubescreamer fan. Tried lots, my faves were the Lovepedal Eternity, and an 808 modded ts-9. However, this one is awesome, and has some extra things you can play around with for different tones...

https://cgi.ebay.com/<a class="postlink" href="https://en.audiofanzine.com/guitar-distortion-overdrive-fuzz/biyang/OD-8/user_reviews/">BIYANG-OD-8-X-OVERD ... 35aaed84d8</a>

but, I actually did a couple mods to my SD-1 that has made it my current #1. I got it to sound better (to me), than any of my tubescreamers - and I didn't like the SD-1 very much before I did the mods. As far as the Green Screamer - to my ears that one kills a bit less low end than your normal TS. I kinda prefer the normal ts's over that, keeps it tighter. But the Green Screamer has a nice open tone - probably more open that most tubescreamers. Of course that's just how my ears hear it. Also Xactone XTS is one of the best I've heard, but none of these made me want to replace the Biyang, until I did the mods to my sd-1.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I'm a big Tubescreamer fan. Tried lots, my faves were the Lovepedal Eternity, and an 808 modded ts-9. However, this one is awesome, and has some extra things you can play around with for different tones...

https://cgi.ebay.com/BIYANG-OD-8-X-OVERD ... 35aaed84d8

but, I actually did a couple mods to my SD-1 that has made it my current #1. I got it to sound better (to me), than any of my tubescreamers - and I didn't like the SD-1 very much before I did the mods. As far as the Green Screamer - to my ears that one kills a bit less low end than your normal TS. I kinda prefer the normal ts's over that, keeps it tighter. But the Green Screamer has a nice open tone - probably more open that most tubescreamers. Of course that's just how my ears hear it. Also Xactone XTS is one of the best I've heard, but none of these made me want to replace the Biyang, until I did the mods to my sd-1.

Yeah thanks for reminding me Darren. I'm gonna order on of the Biyangs next.

 

[droptrd]

Ive been thru illions of boutique ODs and currently my 2 favs are the OD808 and MXR Microamp. Every player should have a tubescreamer whether they use it or not. I use the 808 when Im playing thru my 5150 and the MXR thru my MArk III.

As said before, look for a good return policy and try one out. Then return it and pick up a used one at half the cost. I got mine for $70 mint.

keep a stock one around if you can then find a beater for modding. I picked up a beat up SD-1 for $13 and a beat up TS-9 for $28 and Ive modded them to hell and back. Its fun.

 

[dstroud]

I'm a big Tubescreamer fan. Tried lots, my faves were the Lovepedal Eternity, and an 808 modded ts-9. However, this one is awesome, and has some extra things you can play around with for different tones...

https://cgi.ebay.com/BIYANG-OD-8-X-OVERD ... 35aaed84d8

but, I actually did a couple mods to my SD-1 that has made it my current #1. I got it to sound better (to me), than any of my tubescreamers - and I didn't like the SD-1 very much before I did the mods. As far as the Green Screamer - to my ears that one kills a bit less low end than your normal TS. I kinda prefer the normal ts's over that, keeps it tighter. But the Green Screamer has a nice open tone - probably more open that most tubescreamers. Of course that's just how my ears hear it. Also Xactone XTS is one of the best I've heard, but none of these made me want to replace the Biyang, until I did the mods to my sd-1.

Yeah thanks for reminding me Darren. I'm gonna order on of the Biyangs next.

Your GFS might be the same pedal as the Biyang, just without the ez op amp change out. They look like the same enclosure and they both have that 3 setting switch.

 

[Spaceboy]

Maxon OD808 and Bodenhamer Bloody Murder (I remember being told Bodenhamers are just modded OD808s, but they sound very different to me) are the two I keep on hand, but since I sold all my tube amps, I don't really have a use for them since my solid state sounds better with Boss OS-2 or HM-2.

 

[again with this]

I'm a big Tubescreamer fan. Tried lots, my faves were the Lovepedal Eternity, and an 808 modded ts-9. However, this one is awesome, and has some extra things you can play around with for different tones...

https://cgi.ebay.com/BIYANG-OD-8-X-OVERD ... 35aaed84d8

but, I actually did a couple mods to my SD-1 that has made it my current #1. I got it to sound better (to me), than any of my tubescreamers - and I didn't like the SD-1 very much before I did the mods. As far as the Green Screamer - to my ears that one kills a bit less low end than your normal TS. I kinda prefer the normal ts's over that, keeps it tighter. But the Green Screamer has a nice open tone - probably more open that most tubescreamers. Of course that's just how my ears hear it. Also Xactone XTS is one of the best I've heard, but none of these made me want to replace the Biyang, until I did the mods to my sd-1.

That Biyang thingy looks pretty cool. I love the idea of the swappable chips. I may have to order one just for shits and giggles. At $60, it's a fairly safe gamble. Interesting you say the Green Screamer has a nice open tone... this is exactly what I prefer about it over my SD-1.

So, the consensus so far seems to be the Maxon 808 http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=155025 <-this one?, as far as unmodded pedals go... am I going to hear that much difference?

What about this:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=150284

Or this:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=150343

Really, how different are all these "green", "tube screamer" pedals?

 

[Spaceboy]

Amplifiers react uniquely with different tubescreamers, so you can't really get one that's 'one size fits all', but the TS9 and OD808 are both popular and sound great with a wide range of amps.

 

[Code001]

Amplifiers react uniquely with different tubescreamers, so you can't really get one that's 'one size fits all', but the TS9 and OD808 are both popular and sound great with a wide range of amps.

You can if you add enough options. Case in point:

 

[JakeAC5253]

Did anyone mention the OD-808? It's a good pedal, I feel it's a bit overlooked at times.

 

[Spaceboy]

Amplifiers react uniquely with different tubescreamers, so you can't really get one that's 'one size fits all', but the TS9 and OD808 are both popular and sound great with a wide range of amps.

You can if you add enough options. Case in point:

How much did those options cost? I paid 140 for the regular BM.

 

[Code001]

He's only made 2, and mine was the first. I won't discuss price, but you can contact him and see if he'll build one for you. The other one has some line out option added or something. It's also black with blue lettering instead of black with red lettering.

Edit: This is probably the ultimate overdrive, but it's total overkill.

 

[Spaceboy]

Ah, I understand. I'm perfectly content with the regular BM though, and it's going to be awhile before I get bored enough to need something else. I sold my tube amps anyway, so now it's just sitting on a shelf, looking lonely.

 

[Code001]

Tech specs aside, it's basically a combination of a vintage TS808, Keeley Baked TS9, Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive, Bloody Murder OD, and a few others rolled into one. When you break down all the overdrives out there, 90% of them are TS clones with minor mods done to them. The only other boost pedal I'd want to go along with this would be something with MOSFETs in the clipping section.

 

[NITROHOLIC]

He's only made 2, and mine was the first. I won't discuss price, but you can contact him and see if he'll build one for you. The other one has some line out option added or something. It's also black with blue lettering instead of black with red lettering.

Edit: This is probably the ultimate overdrive, but it's total overkill.

NEEDS MOAR SHIT!!!

omfg i want this sooo bad

 

[again with this]

Did anyone mention the OD-808? It's a good pedal, I feel it's a bit overlooked at times.

Who makes this? There seem to be a lot of names that are very similar, which adds to my confusion