What´s your favorite TS-type OD these days?

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Dave L

Dave L

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Hi guys, I´ve been a long-time user of the Visual Sound Route 66 (which basically was one of the new and improved Tubescreamer cousins ten years ago) but since it has such a big and funky shape and since I don´t use the compressor half anymore it´s simply put taking up too much space on my rack shelf.

So, what´s your favorite modded "Tubescreamers" as of 2015? I´ve been out of the loop on overdrives for a long, long time but I do like the general EQ curve of the modernized screamers that have a bit more bass than the originals. I know Visual Sound has the single-pedal OD as well, which would be an obvious choice, but I figured I´d take a look around at what´s happening today.
 
I have this, with the 3 way mod switch. Standard TS circuit, High Gain and Cut mids.

Sparkle_Drive_w_switch.jpg


Got this recently. Not as good as the sparkle drive, but pretty good for $50

Biyang_effect_classic_series_OD_12.jpg
 
I remember thinking the original spec TS9 and 808 took out too much of the bottom, which is why I gravitated towards the "modded" versions back then... may be time to check them out again, though!
 
Dave L":1nghl2dl said:
I remember thinking the original spec TS9 and 808 took out too much of the bottom, which is why I gravitated towards the "modded" versions back then... may be time to check them out again, though!
Click to expand...

You're right about the bottom, but I still prefer it anyway.
 
Here's what I use. Ibanez TS-7. That little switch that says "Hot" boosts the bottom in addition to it's normal function. This is a great pedal without having to spend a ton. I found mine for $50

image.jpg1_zps5zor23sp.jpg
 
I have and use a 6 Degrees Sally Drive, Maxon OD820, & a Maxon OD808. I love them all and find I prefer one over the other depending on the amp and/or guitar I use.

OD808 - Benchmark TS tone. It's tighter with a more compact and less open sound than the other two, but it's probably the most flexible when boosting because it always just "works". However, I don't like it as a stand alone od, whereas the Sally and OD820 sound good as a stand alone od.

Sally Drive - Think of a big sounding hi-fi version of a TS. Minus a more usable tone knob, it's actually an unmodded 808 circuit, but it's all hand-wired with top-shelf components. Overall, it's clearer with a much more open midrange and more harmonic content. Capable of being punchier and more in-your-face aggressive than the other two. It can run up to 18v, which sounds nice and big.

OD820 - This pedal is also an untweaked 808 circuit, but the drive knob functions differently by blending your clean signal with the dirty signal. It also internally doubles the voltage to 18v. The result is a bigger sound that's fuller in the lows and low mids than the 808. Not quite as tight as the other two, but overall warmer and smoother.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys, keep it coming and I´ll investigate them all :)

Just to clarify I am using the R66 as a boost with just a touch of overdrive in front of already crunchy amps in the plexi and Soldano families, so more for the tonal shaping and compression rather than as a stand-alone OD or distortion.
 
My favourite right now is the MXR Custom Badass Modified Overdrive. Has a bass boost knob, and also has a switchable mid-bump so you can take that out if you want. It's also nice and compact.
 
Maxon OD808X...

BUT I am going to be grabbing a Black Arts Witch Burner with does the classic TS plus a whole ton more. It's everything I could want (on paper) from a TS.
 
I want the KSE OD808 whenever it comes out too...that's gonna be awesome
 
I've been using the same TS-9 for the past 15 years. About five years ago I modded it to what Keeley calls the "Frampton Mod." Basically giving it a bit more gain and making it a bit more transparent when off. I have tried several other OD pedals, but always come back to my TS-9.
 
The Maxon OD808 is my favorite with the Maxon OD9 right behind it. Those pedals caused me to sell my vintage Tube Screamer collection. I kept one old Ibanez TS9 but it never comes out of the closet. It doesn't need to, even for recording. The Maxons are just as good.
 
I have been using my Boss SD-1 a lot lately. It's slightly modified... i think just one of the caps is removed to clean up the highs a bit? They are great sounding pedals, even stock they sound good.
 
Maxon OD-808 because I'm using exclusively high gain heads these days and it works incredibly well.

For a lead tone my favorite is the Keeley Baked TS-9.
 
I'm liking the Clark Gainster @18v lately. It has an internal bass adjust also.

-edit, I'm thinking the Gainster is in more of the OD-1 camp. So scratch that.

I am using a Zendrive still. As far as extra bass in it?... I doubt there is any. But I do like that one and the Eternity.
 
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