Ibanez Tubescreamer???
- Thread starter bjeans79
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SeraphimTN
Guest
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
Your best bet is a Arion Tubulator for that kind of pedal. Same guts as the TS at nearly a fraction of the cost. Lots of us here us them and swear by em.
Your best bet is a Arion Tubulator for that kind of pedal. Same guts as the TS at nearly a fraction of the cost. Lots of us here us them and swear by em.
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
I'm not saying that the TS is a bad pedal. It's a good pedal for sure and it's sonic fingerprint is on a vast number of professional albums. That being said, there are alternatives out there too that are very good and don't cost nearly as much. Wait a bit and watch musician's friend for a while and you will see Arion tubulators come up for sale at $10 or $12 quite often. This pedal isn't the world's most durable pedal as the case and switch aren't all that great, but the tone it has is phenominal and in some respects superior to the TS. The TS has it's place too though and is better with some amps when used as a boost. The tubulator is a little woolier and less controlled sounding than the TS is. The TS is more focused and has a more nasally midrange hump. Sometimes that hump is just what is needed to make an amp sound great and sometimes it's over the top.
The TS can give a clean (non-distorted boost) but it changes the EQ also by adding the midrange hump. The Tubulator has a more even EQ and will do the same without adding the huge midrange hump. It has a smaller hump I guess than the TS. If you want no midrange hump at all, find a DOD Bi-fet boost or a Seymour Duncan boost pedal. The DOD will be cheaper, but won't have the cool resonance switch on it. Both pedals deliver gobs of clean gain. The DOD has a tone knob that can deliver more highs if you want or you can dial them out for a perfectly flat clean boost or even cut the highs when boosted. The DOD has a flimsy switch that will wear out with lots of use.
I'm not saying that the TS is a bad pedal. It's a good pedal for sure and it's sonic fingerprint is on a vast number of professional albums. That being said, there are alternatives out there too that are very good and don't cost nearly as much. Wait a bit and watch musician's friend for a while and you will see Arion tubulators come up for sale at $10 or $12 quite often. This pedal isn't the world's most durable pedal as the case and switch aren't all that great, but the tone it has is phenominal and in some respects superior to the TS. The TS has it's place too though and is better with some amps when used as a boost. The tubulator is a little woolier and less controlled sounding than the TS is. The TS is more focused and has a more nasally midrange hump. Sometimes that hump is just what is needed to make an amp sound great and sometimes it's over the top.
The TS can give a clean (non-distorted boost) but it changes the EQ also by adding the midrange hump. The Tubulator has a more even EQ and will do the same without adding the huge midrange hump. It has a smaller hump I guess than the TS. If you want no midrange hump at all, find a DOD Bi-fet boost or a Seymour Duncan boost pedal. The DOD will be cheaper, but won't have the cool resonance switch on it. Both pedals deliver gobs of clean gain. The DOD has a tone knob that can deliver more highs if you want or you can dial them out for a perfectly flat clean boost or even cut the highs when boosted. The DOD has a flimsy switch that will wear out with lots of use.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
The Tubescreamer is the #1 cloned circuit of all time. There are so many clones of it out there ranging in prices from $14 to $400 it's almost rediculous.
It's not a bad unit at all. Lots of players love 'em. I myself like assymetrical clipping so I tend to lean more towards the Boss Super Overdrive, which is actually very similar to the Tubescreamer in many ways. They're pretty much identical except for some part values here and there and the assymetrical clipping in the Boss.
My advice, play one. Try the TS-9, try the TS-808, and try all the clones you can find in stores near you.
The Tubescreamer is the #1 cloned circuit of all time. There are so many clones of it out there ranging in prices from $14 to $400 it's almost rediculous.
It's not a bad unit at all. Lots of players love 'em. I myself like assymetrical clipping so I tend to lean more towards the Boss Super Overdrive, which is actually very similar to the Tubescreamer in many ways. They're pretty much identical except for some part values here and there and the assymetrical clipping in the Boss.
My advice, play one. Try the TS-9, try the TS-808, and try all the clones you can find in stores near you.
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
The TS-7 is a P.O.S. - very harsh, digital kind of tone until John Spina gets his hands on it
It's actually a sturdy box, and I like the ability to push the buttons down after adjustment. He made it sound just like a TS-808 in normal mode, and the "Hot" mode - which used to be an awful angry yellowjacket swarm sound - is higher gain but still really sweet.
Hope that helps some.
Chip
The TS-7 is a P.O.S. - very harsh, digital kind of tone until John Spina gets his hands on it
It's actually a sturdy box, and I like the ability to push the buttons down after adjustment. He made it sound just like a TS-808 in normal mode, and the "Hot" mode - which used to be an awful angry yellowjacket swarm sound - is higher gain but still really sweet.Hope that helps some.
Chip
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
Tubescreamers are a very signature sounding pedal...massive boost in teh mids, very compressed and the chop off a large part of the bottom end...if you want that tone then by all measn go get a Tubescreamer!
There is a crazy number of OD pedals out there that are either simply based on them or are clones of them...some good, some bad...some of them are 10 bucks some of them go for over a grand!
Go try one to get the general idea...the best stock TS Style pedal I have ever heard is the Analogman 808 clone that he does in a reissue TS-9, the best modern or modded TS type pedal I have ever heard is a toss up...it's either the Analogman SD-1 with the 808/silver/push-pull/mods or maybe the Fulltone FDII...the FDII does have mor eoptions if you;re into that...
Also, IMO and FWIW...you get what you pay for with most pedals...a $10 pedal might be real cool but Im not sure it's the answer for most people...
Tubescreamers are a very signature sounding pedal...massive boost in teh mids, very compressed and the chop off a large part of the bottom end...if you want that tone then by all measn go get a Tubescreamer!
There is a crazy number of OD pedals out there that are either simply based on them or are clones of them...some good, some bad...some of them are 10 bucks some of them go for over a grand!
Go try one to get the general idea...the best stock TS Style pedal I have ever heard is the Analogman 808 clone that he does in a reissue TS-9, the best modern or modded TS type pedal I have ever heard is a toss up...it's either the Analogman SD-1 with the 808/silver/push-pull/mods or maybe the Fulltone FDII...the FDII does have mor eoptions if you;re into that...
Also, IMO and FWIW...you get what you pay for with most pedals...a $10 pedal might be real cool but Im not sure it's the answer for most people...
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
If you play metal there is nothing like a combo of Invader in the bridge and TS9,
the boosted mids complement ultimate doom of lows from Invader, I should have some clips in the near future, I love it but it aint Nu-metal nor is it progressive metal, its good old in your face crunch attack.
If you play metal there is nothing like a combo of Invader in the bridge and TS9,
the boosted mids complement ultimate doom of lows from Invader, I should have some clips in the near future, I love it but it aint Nu-metal nor is it progressive metal, its good old in your face crunch attack.
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
ts9 is good for a boost into a tube amp that is already breaking up or in higher gain. Its also great for boosting other pedals. IMO its not so great on its own. I've tried most of them, and IMO the maxon od808 rules the pack. My bad Monkey isn't bad either but its not as good as my maxon.
ts9 is good for a boost into a tube amp that is already breaking up or in higher gain. Its also great for boosting other pedals. IMO its not so great on its own. I've tried most of them, and IMO the maxon od808 rules the pack. My bad Monkey isn't bad either but its not as good as my maxon.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
IMHO i do believe the TS-range (TS9/DX & 808) is overpriced these days !
Yes, they are good, but there are just too many other brands that have killer TS-style tones for half the price !
I have a TS9 (and will keep it, since i paid only $70.00 brand new !!!), BUT for my style of playing, the Boss BD-2 is much better. I LOVE THAT PEDAL :smokin:
Right now, it is my fav. OD !!!
Also, look into the SD-1, MXR ZW44 (a copy of the SD-1), Rocktron Austin Gold (very underrated pedal), MXR Micro Amp (also great for that tube saturated moments !), Fulltone OCD, Maxon OD808 (better sounding than the TS808, to my ears), TECH 21's American Woman, MI Audio's Blues pro and the very adjustable Blue Boy Deluxe - on my "must-have" list !!!
Then there is the Blackstone overdrive, but that thing will cost you £200.00 ! (do not know what it will cost in the US) And i have not heard any good clips yet !
Do try as many as you can, but try the Boss BD-2 first - so far, best bang/OD, for my buck - BY FAR !!!
Good Luck
IMHO i do believe the TS-range (TS9/DX & 808) is overpriced these days !
Yes, they are good, but there are just too many other brands that have killer TS-style tones for half the price !
I have a TS9 (and will keep it, since i paid only $70.00 brand new !!!), BUT for my style of playing, the Boss BD-2 is much better. I LOVE THAT PEDAL :smokin:
Right now, it is my fav. OD !!!
Also, look into the SD-1, MXR ZW44 (a copy of the SD-1), Rocktron Austin Gold (very underrated pedal), MXR Micro Amp (also great for that tube saturated moments !), Fulltone OCD, Maxon OD808 (better sounding than the TS808, to my ears), TECH 21's American Woman, MI Audio's Blues pro and the very adjustable Blue Boy Deluxe - on my "must-have" list !!!
Then there is the Blackstone overdrive, but that thing will cost you £200.00 ! (do not know what it will cost in the US) And i have not heard any good clips yet !
Do try as many as you can, but try the Boss BD-2 first - so far, best bang/OD, for my buck - BY FAR !!!
Good Luck
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S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
I spent a decent amount of time going through Tube Screamers and clones and mods.
In the end I ended up settling on a few different ones.
The first is a Spina-modded TS9-DX; it's versatile. Flat-out it's the one TS overdrive I would want on a desert island. It does so much and it does it so well it was a total keeper.
The second is a Keeley modded TS-9 Reissue with the 808 mods. To me it's the absolutel undeniable TS sound. It's the pedal to go to when you're looking for it and you'll find exactly it right there.
The Bad Monkey's a great pedal, and not just for the money. I like it for something that acts like a TS but doesn't have the hump. I like it for something slightly less obvious when overdriving.
Are they worth it? Well, I dropped the cake for a ZenDrive, so it's a question that varies from person to person. However the TS sound is very distinctive. When you NEED it that's the pedal you need to reach for to get the job done and sitting and trying to get anything else to do it is a ling and futile task.
I would say spend the money and get what you need the first time around. The used market is brisk and there's always folks looking to buy so if you get a good price and it doesn't work out, the odds are you won't lose any money in the process.
The reissues are decent, but not great. Mods do alot to get to that last point. And I have to say, both the Spina and Keeley pedals I've hung onto for a good reason; they're very different sounding pedals but great at what they do respectively.
I spent a decent amount of time going through Tube Screamers and clones and mods.
In the end I ended up settling on a few different ones.
The first is a Spina-modded TS9-DX; it's versatile. Flat-out it's the one TS overdrive I would want on a desert island. It does so much and it does it so well it was a total keeper.
The second is a Keeley modded TS-9 Reissue with the 808 mods. To me it's the absolutel undeniable TS sound. It's the pedal to go to when you're looking for it and you'll find exactly it right there.
The Bad Monkey's a great pedal, and not just for the money. I like it for something that acts like a TS but doesn't have the hump. I like it for something slightly less obvious when overdriving.
Are they worth it? Well, I dropped the cake for a ZenDrive, so it's a question that varies from person to person. However the TS sound is very distinctive. When you NEED it that's the pedal you need to reach for to get the job done and sitting and trying to get anything else to do it is a ling and futile task.
I would say spend the money and get what you need the first time around. The used market is brisk and there's always folks looking to buy so if you get a good price and it doesn't work out, the odds are you won't lose any money in the process.
The reissues are decent, but not great. Mods do alot to get to that last point. And I have to say, both the Spina and Keeley pedals I've hung onto for a good reason; they're very different sounding pedals but great at what they do respectively.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
Thanks for the comments and compliments about the pedals buddy! This kind of stuff is what keeps me around this forum! Loaded with great people like yourself!
Thanks for the comments and compliments about the pedals buddy! This kind of stuff is what keeps me around this forum! Loaded with great people like yourself!
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
Hi Chip...Appreciate the nice compliments...Actually the last pedal I did was an 847 wah for a friend of mine,other than that,I've not modded a pedal in quite a few months..
The TS-7 is a P.O.S. - very harsh, digital kind of tone until John Spina gets his hands on it
Hope that helps some.
Chip
Hi Chip...Appreciate the nice compliments...Actually the last pedal I did was an 847 wah for a friend of mine,other than that,I've not modded a pedal in quite a few months..
LesStrat
Reining PunLowered
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
If I was in the market for another overdrive pedal (other than the SFX03 ), I'd probably pick up the Bad Monkey. I like the Tubulator okay, but the BM is sturdier. The last pedal I had with a plastic jack got kicked accidentally and the input jack broke. The kick was more of a bump.
If I was in the market for another overdrive pedal (other than the SFX03
), I'd probably pick up the Bad Monkey. I like the Tubulator okay, but the BM is sturdier. The last pedal I had with a plastic jack got kicked accidentally and the input jack broke. The kick was more of a bump.
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
Never heard John's mods, even though he is a neighbor, but I don't know how anyone playing through my rig with a stock TS7 with the hot switch on could decribe it as harsh. Maybe it is my amp choice (Mesa Blue Angel) and pickups (APH2 & CC), but the stock TS7 with hot on is an amazing smooth sound.
The 808 and 9 series is still overpriced, no matter how you look at it.
The TS-7 is a P.O.S. - very harsh, digital kind of tone until John Spina gets his hands on it
Hope that helps some.
Chip
Never heard John's mods, even though he is a neighbor, but I don't know how anyone playing through my rig with a stock TS7 with the hot switch on could decribe it as harsh. Maybe it is my amp choice (Mesa Blue Angel) and pickups (APH2 & CC), but the stock TS7 with hot on is an amazing smooth sound.
The 808 and 9 series is still overpriced, no matter how you look at it.
nebucanazza
New member
Re: Ibanez Tubescreamer???
I find them overpriced.$170 for a TS 808 reissue is steep.You can get similar circuits and build quality for cheaper.As people have pointed out, you have to like the TS sound.All these TS type circuits(and there are countless) will get you in the same ballpark and then you can choose the particular flavor you like.
I find them overpriced.$170 for a TS 808 reissue is steep.You can get similar circuits and build quality for cheaper.As people have pointed out, you have to like the TS sound.All these TS type circuits(and there are countless) will get you in the same ballpark and then you can choose the particular flavor you like.
