Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
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Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
Bad Monkey
TS7
Bad Monkey
TS7
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
I have an Ibanez TS808 and an MXR Classic Overdrive, and I have A/B'd them both against my friend's Electro Harmonix East River Drive.
The ERD is a bit over 60 bucks, but it's still not an expensive pedal, and it is well-made. It is close to the Ibanez TS808 for sure. It is a little bit less gainy and a tiny bit less middy, but other than that, it's a good cheap alternative to the TS808 that sounds like 95% the same.
The Classic Overdrive was a Guitar Center exclusive version of the GT-OD encased in a cheaper enclosure, but it's supposedly the exact same circuit inside as the GT-OD. It's a mighty fine pedal. It has an internal switch that flips between GT-OD mode and Zakk Wylde overdrive mode. I think these went for like 40 dollars new. You can find them used pretty often.
GT-OD mode has a TS-ish vibe, but the gain knob has more range. At its lower setting, it has a tad less gain than a TS808, and at its highest, it has a ton more gain. The tone knob also behaves a bit more aggresively. A bit more output level too. When they are dialed in to sound as close to each other as they can, the Classic OD and the TS808 do not sound the same, though. The Classic OD has less mids, more bass and treble (but it's still mid-hyped, just not as much as a TS), and the voicing of the overdrive is a bit less compressed and creamy than a TS.
In Zakk Wylde mode, the overdrive is a bit more compressed, brighter, and has even less mids and has less output level. Not scooped-sounding, mind you, just quite a bit less of a mid-hump to it which pushes it more towards Boss SD-1 territory.
The Classic Overdrive is a far more versatile and slightly more natural-sounding pedal while still maintaining kind of a TS-ish vibe. The TS is a classic, though, and if you want that sound, the Classic OD doesn't quite nail it. It can get close, but it doesn't quite have the creamy mids of the 808, and the EHX is closer. I'd recommend both, depending on what you want.
I have an Ibanez TS808 and an MXR Classic Overdrive, and I have A/B'd them both against my friend's Electro Harmonix East River Drive.
The ERD is a bit over 60 bucks, but it's still not an expensive pedal, and it is well-made. It is close to the Ibanez TS808 for sure. It is a little bit less gainy and a tiny bit less middy, but other than that, it's a good cheap alternative to the TS808 that sounds like 95% the same.
The Classic Overdrive was a Guitar Center exclusive version of the GT-OD encased in a cheaper enclosure, but it's supposedly the exact same circuit inside as the GT-OD. It's a mighty fine pedal. It has an internal switch that flips between GT-OD mode and Zakk Wylde overdrive mode. I think these went for like 40 dollars new. You can find them used pretty often.
GT-OD mode has a TS-ish vibe, but the gain knob has more range. At its lower setting, it has a tad less gain than a TS808, and at its highest, it has a ton more gain. The tone knob also behaves a bit more aggresively. A bit more output level too. When they are dialed in to sound as close to each other as they can, the Classic OD and the TS808 do not sound the same, though. The Classic OD has less mids, more bass and treble (but it's still mid-hyped, just not as much as a TS), and the voicing of the overdrive is a bit less compressed and creamy than a TS.
In Zakk Wylde mode, the overdrive is a bit more compressed, brighter, and has even less mids and has less output level. Not scooped-sounding, mind you, just quite a bit less of a mid-hump to it which pushes it more towards Boss SD-1 territory.
The Classic Overdrive is a far more versatile and slightly more natural-sounding pedal while still maintaining kind of a TS-ish vibe. The TS is a classic, though, and if you want that sound, the Classic OD doesn't quite nail it. It can get close, but it doesn't quite have the creamy mids of the 808, and the EHX is closer. I'd recommend both, depending on what you want.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
boss sd-1 or maybe a bad monkey.
Both are great pedals, regardless of money.
boss sd-1 or maybe a bad monkey.
Both are great pedals, regardless of money.
Progbusters
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
you might be able to find a used Trex Alberta for around that price, Trex. hahaha
you might be able to find a used Trex Alberta for around that price, Trex. hahaha
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
TS7
TS7
TRex
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
Don't seem to see them for sale new anywhere.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Haha, I might have to take a look at those now [emoji14]
So a TS7 is essentially Chinese made TS9, right?
Don't seem to see them for sale new anywhere.
I'll have to see if I can find some demos of it. GFS stuff are ussaally pretty solid
Arnt the MXR Classic OD in the 90's range?
Bad monkey I can find at guitar center, so it's now definitely on the list to try out
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
Taiwan, not PRC. If it matters to you. Different enclosure, different switch, Tone-Lok knobs, adds "Hot" mode that's quite useful. The only negative I see is that the 7-series switches can be finnicky.
Taiwan, not PRC. If it matters to you. Different enclosure, different switch, Tone-Lok knobs, adds "Hot" mode that's quite useful. The only negative I see is that the 7-series switches can be finnicky.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
The TS7 actually came with the JRC chip, IIRC, if that matters any. The 9 doesn't most of the time.
Both are great-sounding pedals. The JRC chip is not all that special anyways, IMO.
The Joyo Vintage Overdrive might be worth taking a look at as well.
The TS7 actually came with the JRC chip, IIRC, if that matters any. The 9 doesn't most of the time.
Both are great-sounding pedals. The JRC chip is not all that special anyways, IMO.
The Joyo Vintage Overdrive might be worth taking a look at as well.
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TRex
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Oh that's no problem, that's just what I had heard.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Progbusters
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
Visual Sound Garagetone Drivetrain
Visual Sound Garagetone Drivetrain
Matt42
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
I forgot about the EHX East River Drive. I haven't played one, but it's on my list.
The MXR Classic OD can go for $90 from time to time on ebay, but some judicious searching can land one in the $40-55 range pretty easily. I paid $45 for mine locally on craigslist.
I forgot about the EHX East River Drive. I haven't played one, but it's on my list.
The MXR Classic OD can go for $90 from time to time on ebay, but some judicious searching can land one in the $40-55 range pretty easily. I paid $45 for mine locally on craigslist.
Shooter.556
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
MXR Badass Modified.. I love mine!
The Biyang Mad Driver sounds great for under 50..
I know a guy who gigs with one and it sound fantastic thru his DSL..
MXR Badass Modified.. I love mine!
The Biyang Mad Driver sounds great for under 50..
I know a guy who gigs with one and it sound fantastic thru his DSL..
Sleepy
New member
Re: Favorite cheap Tube Screamer based OD
The Joyo vintage OD is a tubescreamer-style pedal, and while I wouldn't consider the sound quality as good as a ts9, it's true bypass and available online for $25 new... If you really need true bypass or you're just a cheapskate it'll do.
But for $60? Just splurge the extra couple bucks for the real deal ($100). Great resale value and you know you're getting the benchmark.
The Joyo vintage OD is a tubescreamer-style pedal, and while I wouldn't consider the sound quality as good as a ts9, it's true bypass and available online for $25 new... If you really need true bypass or you're just a cheapskate it'll do.
But for $60? Just splurge the extra couple bucks for the real deal ($100). Great resale value and you know you're getting the benchmark.
