Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
- Thread starter Twitch
- Start date
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
At least you were right about one thing... they're cheap.
Sorry bro but those Digitech pedals are sh!t. Cold, sterile, and lifeless... ewww. :barf:
Even though they're listed for sale as $150 here the Smart People Factory Green Line sounded really nice! I heard about them in GW and gave one a test drive at a local boutique store and I liked it a lot. Tubescreamer rework with more of a wide-ranging, sorta hi-fi sound overall but you can tailor it to classic sounds. http://www.mesaboogiehollywood.com/Pedals/SmartPeopleFactory.htm
iceman79 said:
At least you were right about one thing... they're cheap.
Sorry bro but those Digitech pedals are sh!t. Cold, sterile, and lifeless... ewww. :barf:
Even though they're listed for sale as $150 here the Smart People Factory Green Line sounded really nice! I heard about them in GW and gave one a test drive at a local boutique store and I liked it a lot. Tubescreamer rework with more of a wide-ranging, sorta hi-fi sound overall but you can tailor it to classic sounds. http://www.mesaboogiehollywood.com/Pedals/SmartPeopleFactory.htm
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
The SD1 and the BD2 don't sound like or act like a Tube Screamer...The SD1 is tighter sounding,has more gain and is crunchier,and isn't warm and sustaining and not compressed also...The gain and tone stack sections of the SD1 differ from the TS series...The BD2 is a whole different animal and isn't a TS or an SD1...
screamingdaisy said:
The SD1 and the BD2 don't sound like or act like a Tube Screamer...The SD1 is tighter sounding,has more gain and is crunchier,and isn't warm and sustaining and not compressed also...The gain and tone stack sections of the SD1 differ from the TS series...The BD2 is a whole different animal and isn't a TS or an SD1...
rhmcfarland
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Maxon OD820... this is supposed to be a bigger, more open, less compressed 808. It gets consistently good reviews. It runs on 18vdc, which gives it more headroom.
There are a lot of interesting pedals out there. More than I could ever personally try. Two pedals that are getting a lot of attention lately are the Proanalog Dual Drive, and the Lovepedal Eternity. I have an Eternity on order, and will give a review. The Eternity and the DD, however, are NOT Tubescreamer derivatives.
Maxon OD820... this is supposed to be a bigger, more open, less compressed 808. It gets consistently good reviews. It runs on 18vdc, which gives it more headroom.
There are a lot of interesting pedals out there. More than I could ever personally try. Two pedals that are getting a lot of attention lately are the Proanalog Dual Drive, and the Lovepedal Eternity. I have an Eternity on order, and will give a review. The Eternity and the DD, however, are NOT Tubescreamer derivatives.
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
I have a Fulltone FDII, and the Maxon 820 (reviewed on my site), but those are more than $125, even used, as are some of the other ones mentioned.
another one not mentioned is the Barber Direct Drive, although I didn't care for that one personally.
I'd like to try the Sparkle Drive, since Voodoo Labs pedals seem good to me, at least the ones I've tried.
I have a Fulltone FDII, and the Maxon 820 (reviewed on my site), but those are more than $125, even used, as are some of the other ones mentioned.
another one not mentioned is the Barber Direct Drive, although I didn't care for that one personally.
I'd like to try the Sparkle Drive, since Voodoo Labs pedals seem good to me, at least the ones I've tried.
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ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
I LOVE MY Original Marshall Blue's Breaker Pedal.
very cool pedal. great for rythem stuff
I LOVE MY Original Marshall Blue's Breaker Pedal.
very cool pedal. great for rythem stuff
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
I read the original post... and suggested the Keeleys cuz most of them are under that price. I did throw in the $150 SPF Green Line cuz a) it's only $25 more b) It's too good to leave out c) I fookin' felt like mentioning it.
You get what you pay for.
He should be able to find something real nice for 125.
Curly said:
I read the original post... and suggested the Keeleys cuz most of them are under that price. I did throw in the $150 SPF Green Line cuz a) it's only $25 more b) It's too good to leave out c) I fookin' felt like mentioning it.
You get what you pay for.
He should be able to find something real nice for 125.funkywrench
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Out of interest, what is the MXR zakk wylde overdrive like? I've heard it has too much gain, is this true? Has anyone got any thoughts?
Out of interest, what is the MXR zakk wylde overdrive like? I've heard it has too much gain, is this true? Has anyone got any thoughts?
Brett Valentine
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
I know you set a price limit, but I think it's worth the extra money if you can hold off for a bit and order the PedalworX Tour Pro Toggle (that's what I did).
http://www.pedalworx.com/tts-tp.html
It will do the Tube Screamer thing and will also allow you to cut the compression out (more gain, lots of dynamics) or give you a lower level of compression. Tone control is really effective and gives you a wide range. Has a nice bottom end as well.
Don't mean t be the cause of temptation, but I think it would be a great matcc with the Fender.
Brett
I know you set a price limit, but I think it's worth the extra money if you can hold off for a bit and order the PedalworX Tour Pro Toggle (that's what I did).
http://www.pedalworx.com/tts-tp.html
It will do the Tube Screamer thing and will also allow you to cut the compression out (more gain, lots of dynamics) or give you a lower level of compression. Tone control is really effective and gives you a wide range. Has a nice bottom end as well.
Don't mean t be the cause of temptation, but I think it would be a great matcc with the Fender.
Brett
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
How about a Visual Sound Jeckyll & Hyde? It's a double pedal; OD and Distortion. The Jeckyll side is a Tubescreamer clone, and the Hyde side will give you even more gain. The newer red version has a bass boost for the Jeckyll side.
How about a Visual Sound Jeckyll & Hyde? It's a double pedal; OD and Distortion. The Jeckyll side is a Tubescreamer clone, and the Hyde side will give you even more gain. The newer red version has a bass boost for the Jeckyll side.
Mac-P
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
The Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive is an improved vintage Tube Screamer circuit (correct JRC4558D chip and everything) with a "clean blend" knob where you can dial in as much, as little or none of your unaffected clean sound to "blend" with the overdriven sound. This adds definition like crazy. Ballsy, throaty and clear. Very Stevie Ray Vaughan -ish indeed.
With the clean blend off, it is a Tube Screamer.
It is a GREAT pedal if you like that tone. The only one that does what it does. And it has true bypass, and very reasonably priced. I got one of mine on eBay for around $85. I think new they are $125 but I forget. Excellent sounding pedal.
A no-brainer if that is what you are looking for.
The Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive is an improved vintage Tube Screamer circuit (correct JRC4558D chip and everything) with a "clean blend" knob where you can dial in as much, as little or none of your unaffected clean sound to "blend" with the overdriven sound. This adds definition like crazy. Ballsy, throaty and clear. Very Stevie Ray Vaughan -ish indeed.
With the clean blend off, it is a Tube Screamer.
It is a GREAT pedal if you like that tone. The only one that does what it does. And it has true bypass, and very reasonably priced. I got one of mine on eBay for around $85. I think new they are $125 but I forget. Excellent sounding pedal.
A no-brainer if that is what you are looking for.
DirrtyCraig
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
From what I understand the MXR is almost identical in circuitry to a modded SD-1 which is what Zakk used for years slamming his Marshalls.
funkywrench said:
From what I understand the MXR is almost identical in circuitry to a modded SD-1 which is what Zakk used for years slamming his Marshalls.
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Yeah it's an overdrive pedal... a lot of people hear Zakk, then look at the pedal and expect to get raging distortion out of it and thats NOT what this pedal does.
To my ears it didn't sound as full as the SD1, a tad thinner actually.
DirrtyCraig said:
Yeah it's an overdrive pedal... a lot of people hear Zakk, then look at the pedal and expect to get raging distortion out of it and thats NOT what this pedal does.
To my ears it didn't sound as full as the SD1, a tad thinner actually.
59paul
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Twitch,
Pick up a used TS9 off ebay for $75.
Send it to John Spina ( Stratdeluxer97 ) for modding.
You will then have a pedal with superior Lows, Excellent mids, just the Right amount of Highs.....an " openness " that you won't believe, and Plenty of Overdrive.
It's as simple as that, my Friend . ......................
Twitch,
Pick up a used TS9 off ebay for $75.
Send it to John Spina ( Stratdeluxer97 ) for modding.
You will then have a pedal with superior Lows, Excellent mids, just the Right amount of Highs.....an " openness " that you won't believe, and Plenty of Overdrive.
It's as simple as that, my Friend . ......................
Lee_M.
Brockburst Toneologist
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Agreed. The BD2 is really a light OD pedal that softens up the signal a bit...at least that is what I think of it when I play one through my rig.
Re: the Tube Screamer, I have always been very disappointed with how the stock TS's work. I always envisioned a pedal that could take you from clean Strat sounds to Todd Park Mohr type type rhythm/distortion tones (a good example is "Broken Hearted Savior" on Big Head Todd's Live album). Instead, you end up with a pedal that is a one trick pony with my rig. In order for me to get a useful vibe from that pedal, I have to be running my Vibrolux on 4-5 then maxing out the volume and tone controls on the Tube Screamer (keeping the gain at low levels - 9:00) to get a decent lead tone. There seems to be only one sweet spot with the stock pedal.
I've upgraded my TS type pedals to the boutique/one-off makers - i.e. Landgraff, Klon and Menatone. Although the are more expensive, the pedals add a level of class to my tone that the basic TS couldn't. Once I get a chance to spend some extensive time with the Landgraff and Menatone, I'll write a full review for the Forum.
Anyway, to your original question, I would recommend buying a modded TS-9 from Robert Keeley or one of our Forum members. Keeley's mods give you a bunch more distortion and greater flexibility over the tone control. I can't imagine you would be disappointed with his stock TS-9 mod.
STRATDELUXER97 said:
Agreed. The BD2 is really a light OD pedal that softens up the signal a bit...at least that is what I think of it when I play one through my rig.
Re: the Tube Screamer, I have always been very disappointed with how the stock TS's work. I always envisioned a pedal that could take you from clean Strat sounds to Todd Park Mohr type type rhythm/distortion tones (a good example is "Broken Hearted Savior" on Big Head Todd's Live album). Instead, you end up with a pedal that is a one trick pony with my rig. In order for me to get a useful vibe from that pedal, I have to be running my Vibrolux on 4-5 then maxing out the volume and tone controls on the Tube Screamer (keeping the gain at low levels - 9:00) to get a decent lead tone. There seems to be only one sweet spot with the stock pedal.
I've upgraded my TS type pedals to the boutique/one-off makers - i.e. Landgraff, Klon and Menatone. Although the are more expensive, the pedals add a level of class to my tone that the basic TS couldn't. Once I get a chance to spend some extensive time with the Landgraff and Menatone, I'll write a full review for the Forum.
Anyway, to your original question, I would recommend buying a modded TS-9 from Robert Keeley or one of our Forum members. Keeley's mods give you a bunch more distortion and greater flexibility over the tone control. I can't imagine you would be disappointed with his stock TS-9 mod.
Bluesman75
New member
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
Another vote for the TS-5. They sound GRRRREAT and are inexpensive to boot. I use mine (stock) with my Fender DR and am very happy with it.
NT02 said:
Another vote for the TS-5. They sound GRRRREAT and are inexpensive to boot. I use mine (stock) with my Fender DR and am very happy with it.
T
TheArchitect
Guest
Re: Pedals comparable to the Tubescreamer...
I don't know. The Bad Monkey is developing quite a favorable reputation on some the snobbier gear boards. Now, many of those guys have more money than sense and and buy with their eyes and not their ears. Since they are the ones saying it and the guys I trust are agreeing, it seems I may need to look into the Bad Monkey
DirrtyCraig said:
I don't know. The Bad Monkey is developing quite a favorable reputation on some the snobbier gear boards. Now, many of those guys have more money than sense and and buy with their eyes and not their ears. Since they are the ones saying it and the guys I trust are agreeing, it seems I may need to look into the Bad Monkey
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