Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

[jimzucco]

Hey everyone, had a quick question.

Why do many people use tube screamer od pedals with high gain tube amps?

I have a ts9 which I've used as an actual od. However I've recently purchased a 6505+ and now I'm a little curious about some other uses for my ts9. I've heard it's commonly used for a boost but I can't seem to figure it out.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

Hi there . . .


. . . i believe that an OD, like an 808/TS-9 adds that extra mid-punch, and tighten up the low end and over all response of the amp, making it a tighter sounding unit.


For that very reason, i do not like to use an OD (especially a Tube Screamer variant) with my 5150.

I prefer something like a Cornell TM-Boost for solo's.
To my ears, the 5150 is tight enough, and i like the natural response of the amp - so i do not want to mess with it - especially the loose'ish low end !

 

[jimzucco]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

That's sorta what I was thinking. So it's basically an easy mid boost? I could see that being useful.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

YUP, that's how i see it !

Mid Boost and an easy way to tighten the tone/response/feel of the amp !

 

[jimzucco]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

Well thanks. Seems pretty straightforward. I'll probably screw around with it though I don't see myself making it the staple it is for some.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

Many metalcore and heavier style users use this setup, I have the exact same amp and tubescreamer pedal, and it works like a dream.

If you set up the 6505+ with less gain and get the extra from the pedal it will push the amp harder, tighten things up, and give it that extra punch in the mid-range. Its a common setup and I've always used it.

Make sure you put the drive on zero and the level can be where you like it, be careful you don't put too much on it so it starts feeding back, I've had this several times so I've got a noisegate to tame it a bit. Once you've got it set up though it sounds great!

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

No matter how much gain an amp has, there is a certain quality a TS9, or any OD, adds to it. It's just a different sound. A bit more mids, but crisper, tighter, more articulate, etc. It is very cool, but not everyone likes the sound.

 

[tc]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

EMG 81/85 -> TS9/TS808/OD808/OD9 -> 5150/5150II/6505/6505+ = Early to mid 2000s metalcore tone.

That rig kicks ass for that kind of sound. Drive on zero, volume to unity or slightly above and eq to taste. I've seen some people use some of the pedal gain but I think sounds awful.

For any other situation, I think the Tube Screamer is the worst option for an always on pedal. I much prefer the Marshall Bluesbreaker MKI and similar pedals.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I guess i'm of a different mind set in that if I spend 2k or more on a head I expect it to sound the way I want without any pedals stock. I know many guys love to goose the front end with the tube screamer but I can't jive with it. If I want tighter low end I cut the bass or use different speakers or pickups but thats just me I guess.

Also I'm one who likes the 5150 straight up no noise gate, no pedals just guitar to amp but I don't max out the gain either.

 

[jimzucco]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

It never occurred to me to have the gain on zero on my ts. I messed with it a bunch today and I really do like the mid boost. Very much to my liking. Thanks for the clarification. Also, I'm using it with EMG 81 and 89 mostly, so yeah, early 2000s metal is currently what my neighbors are hearing

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

No matter how much gain an amp has, there is a certain quality a TS9, or any OD, adds to it. It's just a different sound. A bit more mids, but crisper, tighter, more articulate, etc. It is very cool, but not everyone likes the sound.

So True . . . and i am one of them !

I prefer my 5150 tones withOUT a drive pedal, about 90% of the time !

Something like a Divided By 13 DynaRanger however, sounds really GOOD, into a hot 5150 (...to my ears atleast !)

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I guess i'm of a different mind set in that if I spend 2k or more on a head I expect it to sound the way I want without any pedals stock. I know many guys love to goose the front end with the tube screamer but I can't jive with it. If I want tighter low end I cut the bass or use different speakers or pickups but thats just me I guess.

Also I'm one who likes the 5150 straight up no noise gate, no pedals just guitar to amp but I don't max out the gain either.

Looks like we like the same kinda tone from our hi-gain amps !

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

It never occurred to me to have the gain on zero on my ts. I messed with it a bunch today and I really do like the mid boost. Very much to my liking. Thanks for the clarification. Also, I'm using it with EMG 81 and 89 mostly, so yeah, early 2000s metal is currently what my neighbors are hearing

Yeah before I had the mistake of putting the drive up too high!

But once you get it in the right spot it sounds great!

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I typically use an OD pedal with just about any amp that I try. Even with amps that have more gain than you'll ever need like the 5150/6505. The trick is to use about half the gain on the amp that you typically would, and then take the OD and crank the output, have the drive on 0 or 1, depending on how much you think you need, and then adjust the tone knob to taste, and you're golden!

It just adds some midrange to it, add some nice sizzle on the top, but not too much, and tightens up the low end. Really works for any type of music that requires an articulate tone.

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

Why do many people use tube screamer od pedals with high gain tube amps?

More cut, more articulation, more tightness, more saturation. Any combination of these really.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I guess I'm missing something 'cause there were mentions of using less gain from the amp and using the OD to push it more. I can see how that would work. However, a few of you mention leaving the drive on zero... how do you boost and amp with no drive from the pedal?

I can understand how it's used as an "eq" (mid increase) in that situation but overdrive??

And yes, I down own high-gain amps (rectoverb for example) and a bunch of ODs, including a few TS so it's not like I don't know how they sound...

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I guess I'm missing something 'cause there were mentions of using less gain from the amp and using the OD to push it more. I can see how that would work. However, a few of you mention leaving the drive on zero... how do you boost and amp with no drive from the pedal?

The increase in volume alone will cause the amp to clip at the input stage. Kinda like the difference between high output pickups and vintage output ones.
This way you can keep the amps gain lower which can yield a more defined and articulate tone, in theory that is.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

The increase in volume alone will cause the amp to clip at the input stage. Kinda like the difference between high output pickups and vintage output ones.
This way you can keep the amps gain lower which can yield a more defined and articulate tone, in theory that is.

Oh ok, so basically the gain increase should be modest... basically a boost with a midrange prominence...

 

[Mrkensei]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

I prefer running my 5150 without an OD pedal, the amp has a monstrous, crushing tone that IMO cant be beat. However the rest of my band want me to mellow my tone, so I drop the Pre Gain to 5 and put my Vix Ice 9 in front, switched to Vintage. I dont overtake the room that way.

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Question about Ibanez TS9 and 6505+

Oh ok, so basically the gain increase should be modest... basically a boost with a midrange prominence...

Yup, I'd use just a little depending on the guitar. It's mostly about clarity, tightness and cut of your rhythm playing in this case (assuming we're not talking singer/songwriter applications here). For solo's some added gain is nice though.