i scream, you scream, we all scream about Tube Screamers

Mincer said:
When I use a TS pedal, it is the only source of gain. I don't use it into an already distorted amp, so it is likely different than most other peoples' use.
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I actually do that as a "Play quiet" pedal into my Pro Jr.
- High Gain low level
 
Another cool Digitech overdrive that was available for the iStomp and built into pretty much all their RP series units is the Redline overdrive (so you can push your real amp with it in front using 4CM). It was designed to be an even thicker TS. It uses asymmetrical clipping and has the independent Bass and Treble controls to make it as thick, cutting, soft or tight as you need.

It can make a stock strat bridge sound awesomely thick and huge. I really think a Digitech pedal with multiple overdrives like the Bad Monkey, Amp Driver, Redline Overdrive and so on with the context sensitive parameter knobs, maybe even programmable would be an amazing product that could really sell a lot, especially with JHS accidentally creating a demand for the Bad Monkey due to the misunderstanding of the level of control any overdrive with an active EQ is going to have…

Jason Lamb who designed a lot of Digitech’s pedals had this to say about the Redline:

"Guys,

This model is a modified TS-9. It's what I do to my TS-9s. It's got more gain than the TS-9 and a larger bottom end. That's it...

You might see something about a Bad Monkey, that's my design and it's the same thing...

Jason"​
 
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I'm going to reiterate recommending the Green Rhino. I finally got around to doing the necessary rewiring on my pedal board to add a couple more power plugs and added the Rhino back into the mix. It just pushes exactly where it should. As soon as I press the footswitch, it just feels like, "Yeah, that's it."

Let me qualify that slightly. My setup now is Green Rhino -> Revv G4 -> FX return or Green Rhino -> Friedman Smallbox pedal -> amp frontend. I have the Revv set for more of a Recto sound, and the Rhino needs a bit of a tweak to tighten that up, but into the Friedman, it's glorious boosted JCM800 all day. And it's got the knobs to make the Recto thing work too. Really great pedal.
 
Rex_Rocker said:
Just wondering what you recommend I try next. I was thinking Wampler Clarksdale or JHS Bonsai. I tend to prefer the fatter options, and I'd love it if my 808 had a tad more bass (not as much as the Mesa Grid Slammer, though) and a bit less honky midrange. I'm thinking about giving the Maxon OD808 a try again exactly because that's how I remember it being.

So... let's discuss!
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Given that you're a Gain 0/Level 10 kind of guy, have you ever considered some of the more flexible clean boost options such as the Moser M2-G, VFE Standout, VFE Tilt or Airis TS-Pre? Or, if you have to have some clipping, perhaps a VFE Dragon?
 
^That’s why the Cornhole has symmetrical/asymmetrical and most importantly, diode bypass. You really don’t need the diodes for gain:0 level:10
 
like seasons, every now and then I return to the TS9, I play it for a while then that feeling of 'too much compression' returns and I switch to something else.

the mids hump never bother me too much , but the compression , it always makes me feel like my tone is boring , too easy making things maybe ?

I played hundreds of variations , I built them too dozems, but I ended up understanding I do prefer hard clipping type of overdrive (diodes on the output to ground and not on the feedback loop), more dynamic more sensitive to touch
I fact at the moment I use trex dual drive , which is a double modified rat at the core) and a turbo rat I modified myself which is my fuzz sound now
 
Rex_Rocker said:
Oh with the gain at 0, there is still some very noticeable clipping in a traditional 808 design.
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I’m just talking about why there’s switchable diode configurations and diode bypass. I find I don’t need them with the gain off because it makes a lot less noticeable difference to the sound and functions better as a clean boost/filter. The difference between the diode choices to me is more obvious with some gain happening.
 
Cynical said:
Given that you're a Gain 0/Level 10 kind of guy, have you ever considered some of the more flexible clean boost options such as the Moser M2-G, VFE Standout, VFE Tilt or Airis TS-Pre? Or, if you have to have some clipping, perhaps a VFE Dragon?
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you don't have the compression a tube screamer always has, even at 0 gain
 
My favorite screamer is probably my MXR M77. It’s a tweakable screamer with 100hz knob and a boost switch. Very cool sounding pedal.

+1 for East River Drive. I love that one. Great sounding pedal for doing the 808 thing.

I also have a TS9DX but I don’t use it much.

I should also mention the Strymon Sunset which has a screamer setting. I can’t say that it sounds much like my other screamers but it does sound good. It gets into screamer territory while doing its own thing. I love that pedal always. So many sounds you can get out of it.
 
El Dunco said:
I’m just talking about why there’s switchable diode configurations and diode bypass. I find I don’t need them with the gain off because it makes a lot less noticeable difference to the sound and functions better as a clean boost/filter. The difference between the diode choices to me is more obvious with some gain happening.
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Well, for me, part of the 808 magic is that the clean soudn is still peeking through a little blended with some more added saturation. This helps keeping the attack emphatic and aggressive and mantaining note clarity. And obviously the mid-forward EQ and added compression.

If I took away the clean/dirty blend, I think I would loose a big part of that Tube Screamer magic boosting a high-gain amp. I kinda have that pet peeve with the 805, for example. With the gain on 0, it's almost too clean. You have to get it working (IMO) to where it starts working its magic like an 808 does.

IMO, of course. I have tried the mode where you turn off the diodes on the Plumes model on the Helix. I know it's not the same thing as trying the real thing, but I didn't love it. To me, it sort turned that pedal into a Microamp with slightly more character. But then again, I overall don't love that pedal in any mode, TBH.

But at the same time, you're right. Experimenting with something else might not be such a bad idea!
 
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Our oldest asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I sent her a link to the Joyo Vintage Overdrive which is an 808. It fits a college student budget.
 
if you want to try a little different flavor of TS, TRex Diva is an interesting twist on the subject, where with a pot you can mix the amount of clean signal to a TS based distortion , the attack of the note is quicker, so the notes separation, I do prefer other OD but this works
 
Back in 1987, I was in Massachusetts and I went with an acquaintance to a Daddy's Used Music store, looking for a Rockman Headphone amp.
The Sales guy told me they were out of stock and let me try out this pleasant surprise .

fh7apr3kaxcfpyfxn6yc.jpg

I really like it, only costing $ 67.00. I played with in the hotel room.
Then I decided to run it thru my Carvin X-100 B and JCM 800 set up .... it ended my love affair with my Tube Screamer.
 
my fave TS style variant is the Aion Electronics kit. It has just enough bonus features to play around with but not so many that u get lost for hours dialing it in.
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My TS variant of choice, over any TS in fact, is my Stamps Drive-O-Matic

That said, and I have said this before, To live my life over with my current knowledge, a TS9DX is where I'd be

But for something not a TS9...Rhino or 805
 
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