So... Tube Screamers.

Re: So... Tube Screamers.

dominus said:
I highlighted his post for you. ;)
Click to expand...

I just really like using that acronym for some reason!

Jeremiah said:
It doesn't have to have the separate treble and bass controls, but what I would like is for it not to have too much gain, so I can use it as a clean-ish boost at the lower end, then the overdrive ramps up gradually as I turn the drive control up, rather than the all or nothing effect of some pedals that have too much gain too low down on the knob.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are exceptions, but the majority of the Tubescreamer pedals that I've played fit this bill. The best one that I've used for a cleanish boost was a vintage TS808.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

As far as 'Screamers go, I've tried one billionth of one percent of the models that have ever been produced. The ones I've been most excited about were the Ibanez TS7, because of the performance/price ratio, and the TS-808 reissue, because it has just the right amount of smoothness I felt the TS9 RI and similar pedals lacked.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Little Pigbacon said:
As far as 'Screamers go, I've tried one billionth of one percent of the models that have ever been produced. The ones I've been most excited about were the Ibanez TS7, because of the performance/price ratio, and the TS-808 reissue, because it has just the right amount of smoothness I felt the TS9 RI and similar pedals lacked.
Click to expand...

Aye the TS7 was good so was the older sound tank TS5 still a tried and true TS just a cheaper housing with a nicer price
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Yep as far as inexpensive TSs go, the ones that I've liked best were the old 'potato bug' TS-5 Soundtank and the TS-10. If you want more control over the EQ it's VERY hard to beat the MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe, IMO.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Most TS clones sound like a TS but not just like a TS...you need to decide how close you want to get.

The best TS I've ever used is my old AnalogMan TS-9/808...it's as good or better than a vintage 808 IMO but at a fraction of the price!
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

I've never really messed around with a Tube Screamer, but the MXR Wylde Overdrive has become my go to pedal for pushing the front end of amps and other dirtboxes. It adds a nice growl to whatever it's pushing and adds some harmonic content to the tone as well.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

My favorite so far has been the modded boss SD-1 pedals - I've tried one that analogman modded (since sold), and I currently have two - one of them with an LED clipping section, one of them with some diodes that I got from effects connection (now defunct, I forget which diodes they are but they're very short and have a small yellow band on one end).

There's also a bypass mod I've seen somewhere that makes the bypassed signal a little bit clearer and brighter - which is awesome. I actually prefer the buffered sound now. I pulled open one of the two I currently have and it looks like you'll need a diode, a 0.1 uf capacitor, and a transistor. I'm sorry but I can't read the markings on the diode or the transistor right now - when I get some more free time later I'll look and see if I can't find that particular mod. Also, instead of three diodes for D6 in the circuit a germanium transistor (with the base unconnected) really warms up the sound and gives a really nice character to the overdrive.

I'm sorry but it has been a long time since I've opened up one of the boss SD-1's as I got the tone to where I liked it and then just stopped.

If you're looking for an out of the box replacement, I've heard great things about the bad monkey from digitech. If it were me, I'd probably just get the od-2 from BYOC and call it a day. Or, if you don't want the extra clean boost channel you can save a few bucks and get their tubescreamer clone. Not for everybody but IMO those are the best deals on the market if you don't mind firing up a soldering iron.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Gone_Shootin said:
I've never really messed around with a Tube Screamer, but the MXR Wylde Overdrive has become my go to pedal for pushing the front end of amps and other dirtboxes. It adds a nice growl to whatever it's pushing and adds some harmonic content to the tone as well.
Click to expand...

That is a really good pedal for sure. I had one for a long time, but sold it recently because mine didn't have the internal toggle to switch from the Wylde to the GT-OD. I'll eventually buy an MXR Classic OD since they all have that switch in them.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

the guy who invented fire said:
Most TS clones sound like a TS but not just like a TS...you need to decide how close you want to get.

The best TS I've ever used is my old AnalogMan TS-9/808...it's as good or better than a vintage 808 IMO but at a fraction of the price!
Click to expand...

That's very true...how vintage/exact do you want it to sound? My favorite TS types are the MI Blues Pro & Way Huge Green Rhino. I did have an HBE Power Screamer a long time ago, and I remember it being very nice as well.

I have a love/hate relationships with TS variants. I'll get one and then decide i can't find a sound that goes well with my rig. Then, a few months later, i think that i need something with a bit of a mid hump in it...it's an endless cycle...lol!

I'm actually thinking i need a Rook as I type this...haha!
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

I agree with the guy who invented fire. Best TS pedal i have used was the analogman TS9 modded to 808 specs. Not a cheap pedal though. Even if you have the TS9 already the upgrade isnt super cheap. That said, behind that pedal i honestly like the stock TS9. Ive played with a bunch of TS clones and while most of them are good, im honestly not a big tweaker when it comes to pedal settings, so for me usually less is better. Ive found i can get a bunch of sounds from a stock TS9 from clean boost to higher OD that i am totally happy with.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

The only overdrives I've used were cheapies (Bad Monkey, Hardwire CM, Dano CTO v1, Joyo Ultimate Drive). I've been thinking about splurging on a used maxon od808 for boosting my Peavey xxx's gain channels but I'm not quite sure (money is tiiiight). I've noticed that a lot of the positive reviews for the 808-style OD's for metal purposes come from people that use them for recording, whereas I'm just dicking around at home. Should I stick with what I have?

Oh, and I love my 2 Digitechs, I don't think the Danelectro is working right anymore and the Joyo is the only cheap overdrive in my collection that sounds cheap.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

p4vl said:
The only overdrives I've used were cheapies (Bad Monkey, Hardwire CM, Dano CTO v1, Joyo Ultimate Drive). I've been thinking about splurging on a used maxon od808 for boosting my Peavey xxx's gain channels but I'm not quite sure (money is tiiiight). I've noticed that a lot of the positive reviews for the 808-style OD's for metal purposes come from people that use them for recording, whereas I'm just dicking around at home. Should I stick with what I have?

Oh, and I love my 2 Digitechs, I don't think the Danelectro is working right anymore and the Joyo is the only cheap overdrive in my collection that sounds cheap.
Click to expand...

A TS type pedal is made for cutting through in a mix/live band setting. You may find them "harsh" at home playing by yourself...imho?
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Hoss said:
A TS type pedal is made for cutting through in a mix/live band setting. You may find them "harsh" at home playing by yourself...imho?
Click to expand...

I wouldnt go as far as to single out TS style pedals in that sense. Yes they have the mid hump which is huge in cutting through but i find that most ODs/dist/etc dialed in for live playing in a band setting dont sound as pleasing to the ear playing at home.
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

TS and clones come in a range of prices. You get what you pay for in terms of additional features, Eq'ing, mods, true-bypass, etc.

For the basic TS, I prefer the Maxon OD-808, because of its warm and smooth tone, and is hiss/noise-free when cascaded with another gain pedal. The Visual Sound Route 808 runs a close second to this in preference, for the same reasons. The latter has a noise gate and a bass boost.

The BYOC OD-2 is a bang for the buck option as it has a separate clean boost, aside from the tone mods.

Lately I've been loving the versatility of the MI Effects Super Blues Pro. Aside from the vintage TS tone, you can tweak for flat-mids, less compression, light fuzz, and my favorite - a mosfet setting which gives some Zendrive-like tones.

Good luck with your choice.
 
Last edited:
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

scottish said:
I wouldnt go as far as to single out TS style pedals in that sense. Yes they have the mid hump which is huge in cutting through but i find that most ODs/dist/etc dialed in for live playing in a band setting dont sound as pleasing to the ear playing at home.
Click to expand...

very true...

I have a Keisman Thunderbird on the way...one side is modded BD and one is a modded TS with a bass boost. My "love/hate" continues...lol!
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

jumble jumble said:
How about upgrading to the Line 6 M9 or M13?
Click to expand...

The OD sounds in those units are not near the quality you can get in nearly any TS standalone unit that i've ever tried.

At least that's been my personal experience...
 
Re: So... Tube Screamers.

Sure, but the OP has a sound he likes in his M5.

I have the M13. I like some of the ODs and distortions, but not others.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ehdwuld
MOORER GE300 TONE CAPTURE
Replies
0
Views
48
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
C
New Rat Day
Replies
3
Views
64
Chistopher
C
C
N808D:
Replies
6
Views
105
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
Butch Snyder
Delay/Reverb Pedal Help Needed
Replies
12
Views
122
Aceman
Aceman
Rex_Rocker
Anybody using a Boss GT-1000CORE or a Headrush MX5?
Replies
16
Views
655
Hsb
Hsb
Back
Top