Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

[vegetablejoe]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I've had a couple of Tubescreamers : Maxon OD-808, VS Route 808, VS Double Trouble, Ibanez TS-808 RI, TS-5, Bad Monkey, Joyo Vintage OD... and tried others: TS-7, TS-9, Keeley TS9DX Flexi 4X2, Vox Valve Tone, Nobels ODR1.

My favorite is the Maxon, because it is smooth, and quieter than the Ibanez when cascaded with another od pedal. VS 808 runs a close second for the same reasons. The Double Trouble is either "double the fun" or "too much of a good thing," depending on how much mid-hump you want for all your guitar work. The Bad Monkey is not true-bypass, and therefore a potential tone-sucker.

I now make do with a Mooer Green Mile because of its smaller footprint, but will eventually save up and get another Maxon. fwiw...

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

i own the tonelock one, it sounds much better than it looks.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I've had a couple of Tubescreamers : Maxon OD-808, VS Route 808, VS Double Trouble, Ibanez TS-808 RI, TS-5, Bad Monkey, Joyo Vintage OD... and tried others: TS-7, TS-9, Keeley TS9DX Flexi 4X2, Vox Valve Tone, Nobels ODR1.

My favorite is the Maxon, because it is smooth, and quieter than the Ibanez when cascaded with another od pedal. VS 808 runs a close second for the same reasons. The Double Trouble is either "double the fun" or "too much of a good thing," depending on how much mid-hump you want for all your guitar work. The Bad Monkey is not true-bypass, and therefore a potential tone-sucker.

I now make do with a Mooer Green Mile because of its smaller footprint, but will eventually save up and get another Maxon. fwiw...

Joe. Thanks, I read the Maxon OD-808 is a little scooped. I do want to try one but it will tough to knock off my J&J OD and Xotic BB!

I could care less about true bypass.

Can you elaborate on the Maxon OD-808?

I really want to try the Way Huge Green Rhino.

Sparkle Drive Mod!

Don't forget the Timmy and Mad Professor pedals.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

.....the pedal I and up using, must specialize in single notes or lead. It will be used over top light amp gain for a thick, smooth, mid heavy push.

Loving the J&J and AC Booster for this.

 

[hermetico]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

.....the pedal I and up using, must specialize in single notes or lead. It will be used over top light amp gain for a thick, smooth, mid heavy push.

Loving the J&J and AC Booster for this.

Not exactly a TS but just for what you are describing, not cheap, Wampler's Paisley overdrive.
Just what the doctor recommended to a TS is Mad Professor's Little Green Wonder. It's a TS with full dynamics and full control over your frequential range.

 

[Spudman]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

This lil guy will do Tube Screamer...and more.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

Not exactly a TS but just for what you are describing, not cheap, Wampler's Paisley overdrive.
Just what the doctor recommended to a TS is Mad Professor's Little Green Wonder. It's a TS with full dynamics and full control over your frequential range.

I prefer the Sweet Honey OD over the Little Green Wonder.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I've had a couple of Tubescreamers : Maxon OD-808, VS Route 808, VS Double Trouble, Ibanez TS-808 RI, TS-5, Bad Monkey, Joyo Vintage OD... and tried others: TS-7, TS-9, Keeley TS9DX Flexi 4X2, Vox Valve Tone, Nobels ODR1.

My favorite is the Maxon, because it is smooth, and quieter than the Ibanez when cascaded with another od pedal. VS 808 runs a close second for the same reasons. The Double Trouble is either "double the fun" or "too much of a good thing," depending on how much mid-hump you want for all your guitar work. The Bad Monkey is not true-bypass, and therefore a potential tone-sucker.

I now make do with a Mooer Green Mile because of its smaller footprint, but will eventually save up and get another Maxon. fwiw...

Did you try the Sparkle Drive, any of the Xotic pedals or Mad Professor pedals?

 

[lNllClK]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

no love for hardwire tube overdrive? i got it for 60 bucks new. better than bad monkey, toggle switch for classic and modern setting, true bypass, tubescreamer type circuit. It can be quit transparent if you want it to, i saw someone mention that a tubescreamer type pedal can't be but i don't find that to be true with this pedal. if you just use volume it's pretty subtle.

 

[hermetico]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I prefer the Sweet Honey OD over the Little Green Wonder.

Then, YOU DON'T LIKE Tube Screamers, my son!!!. Sweet Honey Overdrive has nothing to be with a Tube Screamer.
You are searching other thing there!

 

[hermetico]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

Did you try the Sparkle Drive, any of the Xotic pedals or Mad Professor pedals?

Sparkle Drive is a TS type one, with more air.

Absolutelly None of the Xotic pedals are based on TS!.
The RC is just a Clean overdrive or booster.
The AC is based on the sound of a Vox AC30.
The BB is based on the sound of a Marshall BluesBreaker combo.
The EP Booster is based on the preamp section of the old EchoPlex devices.

Mad Professor Little Green Wonder is their only one TS-like (with greater control and dynamics) overdrive.
The Sweet Honey sounds more in the Tweed ballpark (as Wampler '57 Tweed, by example).

As I said, if you prefer that Sweet Honey to the Little Green Wonder ane even to the Maxon OD-808 then, YOU AREN'T LOOKING FOR A TUBE SCREAMER!!!.
Stop asking for tube screamer pedals, redefine your search, please.
Which Overdrives you liked? what are you missing? that will narrow the search!

 

[hermetico]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

Joe. Thanks, I read the Maxon OD-808 is a little scooped. I do want to try one but it will tough to knock off my J&J OD and Xotic BB!

I could care less about true bypass.

Can you elaborate on the Maxon OD-808?

I really want to try the Way Huge Green Rhino.

Sparkle Drive Mod!

Don't forget the Timmy and Mad Professor pedals.

J&J OD I don't know it.

Xotic BB is based in a Marshall BluesBreaker combo and has nothing to be with the tube screamer sound!.

Maxon OD-808 IS THE TUBE SCREAMER. PERIOD. Was Maxon who designed the TS-808 and their later TS-9 and beyond. They worked for Ibanez. So, Maxon OD-808 is the purest of Tube Screamers.

Way Huge Green Rhino doesn't sounds like a Tube Screamer, it has some fuzz voice behind and, sounds very artificial to my ears.

Timmy or Tim AREN'T tube screamers, they probably are one of the best TRANSPARENT overdrives.

Sparkle Drive is a tube screamer with better tonal control.

Mad Professor Little Green Wonder is a tube screamer, with better tonal control and better dynamics control.

And, don't forget one of the more aclaimed ts-alike pedals: Fulltone FullDrive 2.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I have a Sonic Edge J&J, bought a used Way Huge Green Rhino and an Xotic BB thus far too test.

I really want to try the Way Huge Green Rhino.

The B.S. Alarm just went off!

 

[papersoul]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

The BB and AC sound pretty darn close to my TS-9 and my Sparkle Drive. At least I can get them sounding very close. Go figure. Even RockStarNick has said the AC and BB are lot like TS pedals. Anyway. I love the OD-808 and have one on the way!

The J&J OD is still my favorite OD so far. I go through this every now and then, and I quickly go back to no pedals. Using a Bogner, Mesa and PWE, it makes it tough to want to use pedals! HA

Thanks Hermetico, you are a good man!

Sparkle Drive is a TS type one, with more air.



Absolutelly None of the Xotic pedals are based on TS!.
The RC is just a Clean overdrive or booster.
The AC is based on the sound of a Vox AC30.
The BB is based on the sound of a Marshall BluesBreaker combo.
The EP Booster is based on the preamp section of the old EchoPlex devices.

Mad Professor Little Green Wonder is their only one TS-like (with greater control and dynamics) overdrive.
The Sweet Honey sounds more in the Tweed ballpark (as Wampler '57 Tweed, by example).

As I said, if you prefer that Sweet Honey to the Little Green Wonder ane even to the Maxon OD-808 then, YOU AREN'T LOOKING FOR A TUBE SCREAMER!!!.
Stop asking for tube screamer pedals, redefine your search, please.
Which Overdrives you liked? what are you missing? that will narrow the search!

 

[hermetico]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

The BB and AC sound pretty darn close to my TS-9 and my Sparkle Drive. At least I can get them sounding very close. Go figure.

So, the issue is in your amp!. Get any OD!. It doesn't matter at all!.
Go figure.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

Visual Sounds rt808. About $50 used and sounds fantastic.

I have to go with this. Fantastic 808 clone. Sounds amazing. Not just for the price either

 

[timhatimay]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I have a TS7 (tone-lock series) and I really like it. Its basically a TS9, with the correct Op-amp, and with slightly cheaper hardware (pots, case, etc). Also has a Hot mode that has some more drive, but is still flexible. There are mods out there as well to change one or both modes to your liking. Can be had for $30 on ebay. I don't think you can get much more Tubescreamer for any cheaper.

Tim

 

[Aceman]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

I have a TS7 (tone-lock series) and I really like it. Its basically a TS9, with the correct Op-amp, and with slightly cheaper hardware (pots, case, etc). Also has a Hot mode that has some more drive, but is still flexible. There are mods out there as well to change one or both modes to your liking. Can be had for $30 on ebay. I don't think you can get much more Tubescreamer for any cheaper.

Tim

Here Here! I concur.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

For cheap'ish, the Pigtronix Fat Drive gets my vote !!!



For the "ultimate" skreemer-style OD, look no futher than the Tube Blower, by Jaques (sp?)

 

[crguti]

Re: Looking for the best Tube Screamer I can buy without spending too much!

Way Huge Green Rhino doesn't sounds like a Tube Screamer, it has some fuzz voice behind.

I agree on this. Very loose tube screamer variant but it sounds awesome on bass though.