TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

ilikeoverdrive

ilikeoverdrive

New member
Probably some of the best when it comes to both boosting an amp/pedal and as standalone overdrives, imho. Extremely dynamic, able to go from high gain to sparkly cleans on a strat with picking dynamics alone. Even with the gain dimed, turning the volume knob down to get cleans is just overkill, a light pick attack will do just fine.

A picture is worth a thousand words and a Sennheiser E906 recording is worth about 2.5 times that so here's my comparison with a 50's Strat through an edge of breakup tube amp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI2NpN_ASOc

They both have their own thing going. The Maxon OD9 is definately The Classic Tube Screamer to have imho, but the TC Spark is no slouch either! Versatile EQ, three drive modes (thick bass, transparent clean and TS-style), but most importantly, lots of clean volume and low end! No bass and presence cut with this one. :scratchch

And so what would be your favorite boost pedal of all for a nice crunchy tube amp?
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

I'm currently experimenting with the Xotic BB Preamp, and the Xotic AC Boost, used independently and together, getting some nice tones out of them, still in the tweaking stage, though....
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Of the two, I have played through the OD9. I love that pedal. I put it head-to-head against a TS9 and a TS808, and it won me over by quite a margin.
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Little Pigbacon said:
Of the two, I have played through the OD9. I love that pedal. I put it head-to-head against a TS9 and a TS808, and it won me over by quite a margin.
Click to expand...

That was my experience as well. I've had one since 2004; these days I'm using it to push my Lead 12 Mini Stack with a bit of tone shaping thrown in.
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

I have a TC Spark booster pedal that works pleasingly well with my DigiTech Bad Monkey OD pedal and modified Boss DS-1 distortion pedal. The TC was a gift and I've enjoyed it immensely.



;>)/
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Ever since I was introduced to the Klon circuit, I started thinking of Tube Screamers as second-class citizens. I still think the MXR GT-OD is the best of those I've tried, though, and I still have one on my board.
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

RorySquier said:
I have a TC Spark booster pedal that works pleasingly well with my DigiTech Bad Monkey OD pedal and modified Boss DS-1 distortion pedal. The TC was a gift and I've enjoyed it immensely. ;>)/
Click to expand...

Well that's an amazing gift to get!:bigthumb: My TC Spark also works wonders on my Boss DS1. I've never played the Bad Monkey, but it looks good with that bass knob. Wondering if it has enough volume for pushing a clean amp though.:33:


Liam1963 said:
I'm currently experimenting with the Xotic BB Preamp, and the Xotic AC Boost, used independently and together, getting some nice tones out of them, still in the tweaking stage, though....
Click to expand...

Stacking drive is definitely awesome! BTW what amp are you running them into?
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Little Pigbacon said:
Of the two, I have played through the OD9. I love that pedal. I put it head-to-head against a TS9 and a TS808, and it won me over by quite a margin.
Click to expand...

dystrust said:
That was my experience as well. I've had one since 2004; these days I'm using it to push my Lead 12 Mini Stack with a bit of tone shaping thrown in.
Click to expand...

Works wonders especially on an overdriven amp, plus the build quality on the OD9 is top notch!

misterwhizzy said:
Ever since I was introduced to the Klon circuit, I started thinking of Tube Screamers as second-class citizens. I still think the MXR GT-OD is the best of those I've tried, though, and I still have one on my board.
Click to expand...

I like the fact that the Klon has a lot of volume on tap! And that with the gain at zero it is completely clean. But it is a colored boost just like the tube screamers. Different colors, both great!
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Liam1963 said:
I'm currently experimenting with the Xotic BB Preamp, and the Xotic AC Boost, used independently and together, getting some nice tones out of them, still in the tweaking stage, though....
Click to expand...

Stacking with the BB Preamp is instant winning. :)
But stacking two ODs or and OD and a boost, or two character boosts can make some great combos!

Other favorites of mine for stacking are the Catalinbread Naga Viper, Bogner Harlow, and Thundertomate Fat Boost.

EDIT: Forgot to add the z.vex SHO!
 
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Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

TwilightOdyssey said:
Stacking with the BB Preamp is instant winning. :)
But stacking two ODs or and OD and a boost, or two character boosts can make some great combos!

Other favorites of mine for stacking are the Catalinbread Naga Viper, Bogner Harlow, and Thundertomate Fat Boost.

EDIT: Forgot to add the z.vex SHO!
Click to expand...

Thundertomate is a new one to me, will check them out! BTW, what amp are you running all that goodness into? ;)
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

ilikeoverdrive said:
Well that's an amazing gift to get!:bigthumb: My TC Spark also works wonders on my Boss DS1. I've never played the Bad Monkey, but it looks good with that bass knob. Wondering if it has enough volume for pushing a clean amp though.:33:




Stacking drive is definitely awesome! BTW what amp are you running them into?
Click to expand...

Right now, I'm running them into a Vox AC30 CC2, a Fender Twin, and a Marshall DSL 100, getting really usable tones out of each! Guitars are a Fender Telecaster HH FMT, and a 2014 Gibson Les Paul Standard w/ custom Burstbuckers...
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Liam1963 said:
Right now, I'm running them into a Vox AC30 CC2, a Fender Twin, and a Marshall DSL 100, getting really usable tones out of each! Guitars are a Fender Telecaster HH FMT, and a 2014 Gibson Les Paul Standard w/ custom Burstbuckers...
Click to expand...

With those amps you have all the bases covered! Maybe a single coil strat is all that might be added in there;)
 
Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

ilikeoverdrive said:
Thundertomate is a new one to me, will check them out! BTW, what amp are you running all that goodness into? ;)
Click to expand...
My main amp heads are:
Bumbox Cielo (50W JMP clone)
Lil Dawg Champster (5W valve Champ clone, custom build)
EAST Amplification Studio 2 (2W valve amp, custom build)
MESA Trem-O-Verb

My main cabs are:
Mid-late '70s Hiwatt 4x12 with Fane Crescendos (square back)
Marshall 2x12 with Eminence Wizards
Epiphone open back 1x12 with Weber Alinico speaker
Randall Iso Cab with Eminence Swamp Thang (12")

EDIT: Sounds like this, btw

 
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Re: TC Spark vs Maxon OD9 - big low end vs mid range punch

Mincer said:
Well, the 805, of course. It has a 3 band active EQ, and more gain range than most TS-based pedals.
Click to expand...

That's an awesome one! The Maxon OD9 is a very classic but specific tone, it does some stuff but it sounds like a tube screamer not matter what, for better or worse.

Now with the SD805 adding EQ (especially BASS!) knobs you really increase the versatility exponentially, plus you still have that screamer tone in there. Some might stick to the classic no matter what, but I think everyone should try as much as possible and settle for what works for them. BTW, does the 805 have more volume on tap than a TS9/OD9 or just distortion gain?
 
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