Ibanez TS5 Mods

[NT02]

Got a line on a new TS5 for $20, store's old stock. Wondering if it's any good and how it compares to the other Tubescreamers. I've never had one, curious about em, thought this would be a chaep way to find out. The pedal appears cheaply made, much like my Powerlead soundtank, but that pedal has held up over the years, so I'm not too worried bout that. Just wondering if the pedal is worth putting in front of my Peavey Classic to bump up the overdrive for leads n such.

Also, anyone ever try any of these mods or have dealt with this guy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64418&item=3774376214&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

Got a line on a new TS5 for $20, store's old stock. Wondering if it's any good and how it compares to the other Tubescreamers. I've never had one, curious about em, thought this would be a chaep way to find out. The pedal appears cheaply made, much like my Powerlead soundtank, but that pedal has held up over the years, so I'm not too worried bout that. Just wondering if the pedal is worth putting in front of my Peavey Classic to bump up the overdrive for leads n such.

Also, anyone ever try any of these mods or have dealt with this guy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64418&item=3774376214&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I used to buy,mod,and resell tons of the TS5 pedals on e bay...Same circuit as a TS9 but made and assembled in mexico using 1/8 watt resistors....Great pedal,but it's only downfall is the cheap intermittent switch on those units...I own 2 of my own TS5s that I've had for many years...Very smooth,warm,singing leading tones....I change out the Toshiba chip for the JRC4558D and then do some extensive board tweaks....Great pedal and you got it for a great price...Contact me if I can help you further...As long as you don't stand on your TS5,you'll be fine with it...I've modded 2 TS5s for Midnite Man and for several other forum members...

John

 

[NT02]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

Yeah, the switch on my Powerlead is what I would label as it's only downfall. After seeing your response I searched some of your posts about this pedal. Looks like you like the Texas Instruments RC4558P for a brighter, more articulate tone? I'm thinking this would be the chip to use since my main axe is a Les Paul with an Antiquity/Seth Lover combo. First, I'm gonna get the pedal home and play with it, witness the loss of bass and harshness firsthand, then go form there. Thanks for the response!

 

[NT02]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

Been playing on it for a little over an hour. Walked out of the store with the pedal and a set of cheap strings for less than $20. I'm way happy. This little pedal surprised me! I expected creamy, smooth overdriven tones suitable for blues. This thing rocks! I set my PV Classic for a good clean rock rythym, then kick this thing in, and it's like a perfect lead tone, like the volume knob was turned up to get those tubes cranking, but the volume level is about the same, the tone is just there. I'm liking it. Lots. I can see this consistently staying in front of my amp, when not many pedals do. Maybe coupled with the Vox or Bad Horsie wah and my Arion SCH-1 chorus. Sweet.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

Been playing on it for a little over an hour. Walked out of the store with the pedal and a set of cheap strings for less than $20. I'm way happy. This little pedal surprised me! I expected creamy, smooth overdriven tones suitable for blues. This thing rocks! I set my PV Classic for a good clean rock rythym, then kick this thing in, and it's like a perfect lead tone, like the volume knob was turned up to get those tubes cranking, but the volume level is about the same, the tone is just there. I'm liking it. Lots. I can see this consistently staying in front of my amp, when not many pedals do. Maybe coupled with the Vox or Bad Horsie wah and my Arion SCH-1 chorus. Sweet.

The TS5 is a cool little pedal for the price..I always mod mine to get more overall balls,sustain,and harmonics and it's alot smoother than any TS9 I've ever modded for some reason?I think the pot tolerences are different on the TS5...At the very least,better caps make the TS5 even better...I've installed my own switches on a handful of TS5s also...I only use the RC4558P chip on the really higher gained TS5s,otherwise I stick with the JRC4558D...I use a chip holder on the board,so guys can try whatever chip works within the circuit...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

these are wonderful pedals and very overlooked in the ts9 world. snag em while you can, since they don't make em anymore.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

these are wonderful pedals and very overlooked in the ts9 world. snag em while you can, since they don't make em anymore.

Hello Dave....
About 5 years ago,I used to buy a bunch of these pedals cheap,I'd mod them and sell them on E Bay....I sold a ton of them...I used to be able to sell them for twice what I payed for them..Like everything else though...Everyone else started buying up TS5s once they found out they were discontinued...LOL...I still own 2 brand new ones in the boxes and 1 that stays on my pedal board..I use it for Santana stuff and Allman Brothers for that smooth,warm,singing lead tone...Great pedals and real sleepers...

John

 

[NT02]

Re: Ibanez TS5 Mods

Just finished with the 808 mod, resistors and chip. I didn't care much for the JRC4558D chip. The tone became more round, smooth. Too much for my LP. I missed the crispness. So I threw in the TI Malaysia chip. Much more gain. I like it better. Honestly, I think I prefered the stock pedal. It has this edge of chaos sound that is cool. Maybe I'm just tired.
Anyway, enough fun for an evening. Back to work in the morning. Ugh.