ts-9 to 808

[marcofry]

ok, so I modded my ts-9 with a toggle that piggybacks some resistors to get the output buffer to the 808 specs, approx 100ohms for the series and 10K for the shunt.

I've got to say there isn't much diff at all...I can't tell but the mids may have a bit more roar in the 808 pos?????

any thoughts?

also I was thinking of putting in a toggle to change the gain of the second stage after the tone control, good idea?

thoughts on this mod?

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: ts-9 to 808

Honestly, I don't think the difference between a 808 and TS-9 even warrants the time spent modding it.
As long as it does what it does (mid boost, low end cut, high end smoothing out), it does it's job correctly.

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I knew the dif would be subtle. after doing it I would say it isn't worth the time.

The ts-9 IS one of my favorite pedals and I wouldn't want to change its core sound .... that bieng said what about the second stage gain mod???

...........I"m a tinkerer I can't help it!:smack:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: ts-9 to 808

What all are you changing?

What about the op amp??

Also, how old is this TS-9???

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

the pedal is a newer one made in japan.

not really interested in changing the op amp,not sure about its manufacturer its a ta7558p

just wondering about possibly changing the negative feedback resistor of the second stage to get more gain?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: ts-9 to 808

Well...first if you are using that chip it's not TS-808 specs.

Second...just because you can't hear a difference doesn't mean that there isn't one.

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I know that this chip isn't spec for 808.

and there is a veeerrrrrry subtle difference with just the resistor mod.

I just should have known it wouldn't be a huge difference.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I know that this chip isn't spec for 808.
and there is a veeerrrrrry subtle difference with just the resistor mod.
I just should have known it wouldn't be a huge difference.

You seem to be missing the point...you went from TS-9 specs to maybe 1/3-1/2 TS-808 specs and are surprised that there is not a big difference...you didn't do all the mods?!

I mean if you like it thats all that really matters but doing part of the mods an then claiming on a forum that the differences between a TS9 and a TS808 are subtle is really misleading for anyone reading your posts.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: ts-9 to 808

The op amp and the two output buffer resistors are the ONLY differences between a TS-9 and a TS-808. If you want TS-808 specs, you HAVE to change the op amp, plain and simple.

In case you weren't aware, the JRC4558D is the "classic" TS-808 op amp, but some of them had the TI RC4558P.

These changes won't really affect the fundamental tone of the TS, but they will affect how it responds to your playing, and how it hits the amp. A lot of people notice that the TS is more lively and dynamic after changing it to 808 specs.

As for your proposed mod, what exactly are you trying to achieve, and what part of the circuit will you be toggling? I assume the 1k feedback resistor?

If you want to make a big change in the fundamental character of the TS, the best and most effective mod is to replace the clipping diodes. There are endless possibilities and lots of great overdrive tones to be had from this one simple mod.

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

hey ratherdashing,
I like the way it sounds now, I just want a little more output ( possibly a quarter more on the level pot). Yes, I thought maybe changing the 1k feedback resistor would be a way of easily achieving this.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: ts-9 to 808

hey ratherdashing,
I like the way it sounds now, I just want a little more output ( possibly a quarter more on the level pot). Yes, I thought maybe changing the 1k feedback resistor would be a way of easily achieving this.

You will increase the output, but you will also increase distortion somewhat ... and it won't be nice distortion. It will be op amp distortion, which depending on the op amp can either be crunchy or nasty. Usually nasty.

If you do want to replace it, keep it under 10k. I'd suggest starting with 2k or 4.7k. Any more than that and you will certainly be in distortion country.

I would also suggest some higher gain transistors (MPSA18) to replace the stock units, and either a TL072 or OPA2134PA (expensive, but worth it) op amp to keep the noise level down. This will ensure you can boost the gain without adding much noise. Maybe just try the feedback resistor swap-out first, and if you find it's too dirty or noisy go for the transistor + op amp upgrades.

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

hey thanks ratherdashing thats exactly what I wanted to know.

I was hoping to get a little more output with the (as theguywhoinventedfire pointed out) PARTIAL 808 mod.

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

oh yeah, guywhoinvented fire if you had read my original post thoroughly you would have noticed that I stated that I only changed the output buffer to 808 specs............

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I would also suggest some higher gain transistors (MPSA18) to replace the stock units, and either a TL072 or OPA2134PA (expensive, but worth it) op amp to keep the noise level down. This will ensure you can boost the gain without adding much noise. Maybe just try the feedback resistor swap-out first, and if you find it's too dirty or noisy go for the transistor + op amp upgrades.

+1. I think the low-noise OPA2134PA is a great mod. Unless your ears are broken, you will DEFINITELY notice the difference. (And you can get them for less than 5 bucks. Expensive is a relative term.)

 

[marcofry]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I don't know if I'll get around to putting a socket in this thing or not but if I do I'll buy an opa2134pa. and more than likely a jrc4558d,and a rc4558.

 

[jimijames]

Re: ts-9 to 808

I personally like the OP2134A the most, but the RC2558 is also an excellent op amp. I agree with ratherdashing - the most drastic change I noticed was when I started mucking around with the clipping section. I think the tubescreamer diodes get a really smooth sound (the smoothest out of the ones I tried), but you might want something a little bit rougher or more amp-like - at any rate it's a great place to experiment.

 

[Thurisaz]

Re: ts-9 to 808

Arguing about people hearing or not hearing differences is kinda pointless.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: ts-9 to 808

Eh...you can set the knobs slightly different on a ts-9, and it will sound just like a ts-808...if they both have that POS 4558 op amp
We did that to someone with "voodoo ears" once...he could not tell them apart...

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: ts-9 to 808

+1. I think the low-noise OPA2134PA is a great mod. Unless your ears are broken, you will DEFINITELY notice the difference. (And you can get them for less than 5 bucks. Expensive is a relative term.)

lol, yeah, but as far as op amps go, five bucks is a lot! Most of them go for under a dollar.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: ts-9 to 808

lol, yeah, but as far as op amps go, five bucks is a lot! Most of them go for under a dollar.

Very true. It's just funny that when we talk about modding a pedal, five bucks is the maximum we spend on modding one part. When we talk about modding a pickup, five bucks is the minimum. Just saying it's a relative thing.