ts9, ts9dx, ts808

[Soujurn]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

I own a original TS-9. The serial number puts it as a 1981. It has the 4558 chip.
I also own a new RI TS-9, which is supposed to have the 4558 in it. I have not taken it apart to check.
And I own a new Maxon OD-808 Overdrive.
I will make some sound samples comparing the three one of these days and upload them.
As for now, of all these I prefer the original TS-9 over the Maxon, then lastly the RI TS-9.

 

[rivera213]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

The original '81 TS-9 must sound great!

Have you tried the TS-9DX with TA chip at all?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

I own a original TS-9. The serial number puts it as a 1981. It has the 4558 chip.
I also own a new RI TS-9, which is supposed to have the 4558 in it. I have not taken it apart to check.
And I own a new Maxon OD-808 Overdrive.
I will make some sound samples comparing the three one of these days and upload them.
As for now, of all these I prefer the original TS-9 over the Maxon, then lastly the RI TS-9.

Your reissue TS9 should have the TA 75558 chip in it and not the JRC4558D.Hopefully someone already changed it out for you?

 

[Soujurn]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

I bought the RI TS-9 from someone who told me they had it modded. I guess I should have been clearer on that, but like I said, I haven't taken it apart to check. I paid $75 for it so even if it doesn't have a 4558, it still cost less than the current going price for a RI.
When you put the pedals side by side and set their controls to the same settings, and go for the same volume so one doesn't sound louder than the next, they are remarkably similiar sounding. Shades of subtle if you know what I mean.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

I bought the RI TS-9 from someone who told me they had it modded. I guess I should have been clearer on that, but like I said, I haven't taken it apart to check. I paid $75 for it so even if it doesn't have a 4558, it still cost less than the current going price for a RI.
When you put the pedals side by side and set their controls to the same settings, and go for the same volume so one doesn't sound louder than the next, they are remarkably similiar sounding. Shades of subtle if you know what I mean.

Yep...I've modded probably close to a hundred tube screamers over the past several years! Component tolerences alone can make an overall tonal difference.

 

[baritone]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

My TS9DX has the TA chip in it. But there is also a lot of hype surrounding the issue. There are many other factors in the design of a pedal besides that chip which will affect the tone. People who try to listen for the difference should not be able to tell the difference between brand new, NOS, or OOS chips. Just the same, it is said that there is a big difference between new tubes and used tubes, but someone who hears a difference between brand new tubes and NOS tube is speculating. My OD-1 has an OOS JRC4559D chip in it, but the sound is totally different from Tube Screamers because of other aspects of the design. And the recent reissue of the TS808 has shown a lot of people that there isn't much difference from the originial issue versions. What's funny is that OD-1 pedals which were made before they started using the 4558 chip are selling for many times more than what I paid for mine. The real issue appears to be collectability.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: ts9, ts9dx, ts808

My TS9DX has the TA chip in it. But there is also a lot of hype surrounding the issue. There are many other factors in the design of a pedal besides that chip which will affect the tone. People who try to listen for the difference should not be able to tell the difference between brand new, NOS, or OOS chips. Just the same, it is said that there is a big difference between new tubes and used tubes, but someone who hears a difference between brand new tubes and NOS tube is speculating. My OD-1 has an OOS JRC4559D chip in it, but the sound is totally different from Tube Screamers because of other aspects of the design. And the recent reissue of the TS808 has shown a lot of people that there isn't much difference from the originial issue versions. What's funny is that OD-1 pedals which were made before they started using the 4558 chip are selling for many times more than what I paid for mine. The real issue appears to be collectability.

Good information....When I Mod a TS,I do a whole bunch of different things and replace the chip as part of the mods...The chip by itself doesn't make the a TS go from being good to great though.