Who knows about tube screamers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter James Lugo
  • Start date Start date
TS5 soundtank No lie! it's my favorite but built like shit.

But you can't go wrong with an old (late 70s) 808. it is what everyone tries to copy.



i have a ts9, Voodoo labs sparkledrive, ts9dx, a few soundtanks, and a newer 808. I like the TS5 the best. I had a first run 808 and it was stolen.

(I have to find a ts 10 now I guess)
 
Ive owned a ton of different types including all the hyped-up boutique and Keely modded ones. I always ended up using either a stock Maxon 808 reissue or old TS-9.

Cusak makes a great Overdrive pedal called a V.2 Screamer which I think is amazing and a portion of it is sorta based off TS circuit, but its much more than a just a tube screamer and is voiced a bit diffferent.
 
Most people like the Maxon for new.

Probably not worth paying for an original one, but may be the best?

Then Keeley or Analogman.
 
i use a cusack screamer ver 1. tube screamer with a bit more on tap. had it a long time and it has been great.
 
If you want an Original chip TS808 for about the price that you would pay for a re-issue pedal without the original chip you can go here

http://www.westchestermusic.net/ts.shtml

The site will also give you a history lesson of tubescremers without having to go through the hundreds of pages that analog man has on his site :D



Donbarzini hooked me up with them and It's where I got mine from and I'm very happy with it. The great thing about this version is that included in the price of the pedal, they include other chips that you can swap in an out that will alter the sound and you can pick and chose the chip that you like. I loved having the option to change the vibe of the pedal but I eventually stuck with the stock chip. It was definitely fun experimenting.

With that said, if you don't want to be bothered with mods and all that Jazz a stock Maxon 808 reissue or old TS-9 is plenty fine IMHO.
(pretty much what My bruddah Anthony(70strathead) said. )
 
psychodave":2c0nbst5 said:
Gainfreak":2c0nbst5 said:
If you want an Original chip TS808 for about the price that you would pay for a re-issue pedal without the original chip you can go here

http://www.westchestermusic.net/ts.shtml

The site will also give you a history lesson of tubescremers without having to go through the hundreds of pages that analog man has on his site :D



Donbarzini hooked me up with them and It's where I got mine from and I'm very happy with it. The great thing about this version is that included in the price of the pedal, they include other chips that you can swap in an out that will alter the sound and you can pick and chose the chip that you like. I loved having the option to change the vibe of the pedal but I eventually stuck with the stock chip. It was definitely fun experimenting.

With that said, if you don't want to be bothered with mods and all that Jazz a stock Maxon 808 reissue or old TS-9 is plenty fine IMHO.
(pretty much what My bruddah Anthony(70strathead) said. )
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Very cool.... so now I know my original early 80's TS-9 with JRC4558 op amp is worth $250.... :D
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And more then likely will keep going up in price the longer you hold on to it :D
:rock:
 
I second the Screamcheese if you can find one. I got one a bit at random in a trade and I've been very pleased with it. I think they are out of business though so used is your only bet.
 
Call Mike at analogman.com. He knows everything about TB's. Load of info on their site and they are good people too.
 
Another vote for the Maxon OD808. And, for the record, I like the mid-hump. I think it helps cut through the noise.
 
bds9487":3rvn2duq said:
Another vote for the Maxon OD808. And, for the record, I like the mid-hump. I think it helps cut through the noise.
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Agreed on the mid hump, that's kindda the point.

Without the hump, it's just another pedal, not a Screamer.
 
Maxon OD808/OD820 if you want something that sounds great out of the box, Boss SD-1 if you want something you can tweak and tone chase a bit. James, you've helped me out in the past, so if you need advice on mods or tweaks to one of these circuits to help with your tone chase, shoot me a PM.
 
I really like the Maxon OD820. I haven't run the gamut with tube screamers, but compared to those I've tried it's been the least nasally & pinched sounding. I know that's kind of the nature of ts's, but this one seems a bit more open & natural.
 
fluff191":2dra84ur said:
Maxon OD808 hands down.

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Fuck yeah! Love that clip man. Have you ever tried the Maxon compared to an OCD?
 
sinfish":3uehr3bp said:
TS5 soundtank No lie! it's my favorite but built like shit.

But you can't go wrong with an old (late 70s) 808. it is what everyone tries to copy.



i have a ts9, Voodoo labs sparkledrive, ts9dx, a few soundtanks, and a newer 808. I like the TS5 the best. I had a first run 808 and it was stolen.

(I have to find a ts 10 now I guess)
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+1 on the TS5. I had an original ts808 and sold it cause the ts5 sounded better. I recently got a Maxon OD-820 - but the ts-5 is back on my board and I'll probably sell the od-820 and just leave it at the TS-5.

video below is the TS-5 boosting my ceriatone 1987
 
There are 100 right answers to this thread and I own a few myself including the following:

Wilson overdrive
Digitech Bad Monkey
MXR Classic Overdrive
Krank Krankshaft

I have also owned most of the Ibanez versions and have spent lots of time with the Maxon's. They all are great and all have their place but I kid you not the Krank pedal is my favorite bar none with the Wilson being a close second. Both are true bypass which the others aren't and both just have this organic magic going on none of the others I have tried\owned have had. I was honestly shocked how much I liked the Krank pedal as I have been biased against them since their beginning due to some shady tactics. I guess those responsible for that stuff are gone and the thing is built like a brick. Good luck!

_Shane
 
You're gonna get a ton of different opinions on OD pedals and everyone argues on what sounds best. I've owned a bunch and they all sound different on different amps. It's almost something you need to experiment with.
 
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