Re: Tube screamers
After building a ton of Tube Screamers, I've found that he thing that makes them all sound different is component tolerances. Two OD808s can sound as different from each other as they can from a TS5.
The TS808 came with various 4558 op-amps in its original run, and the reissue uses the JRC4558. The original TS9 was all over the place with op-amps, but also used some 4558s. The reissue uses one that everyone hates (TA75558P), but I really can't hear that much difference when I swap them out. Other than the op-amp, the 808 and 9 are the exact same circuit. I mean literally, the same circuit built on the same PCB. The output resistors have different values, but they make no audible difference. You can even wire up the TS808 and TS9 output resistors on a switch and see for yourself.
The TS7 actually uses a JRC4558 just like the 808 reissues. A very nice budget TS, and the hot mode is a cool feature. The TS5 comes in a plastic housing, and I've had switching issues with some, but it's built to TS9 specs with a TA75558P, but I haven't heard any difference when I swapped those guys out for 4558s. One of my favourite sounding Screamers is a TS5.
I haven't gotten my hands on a TS10, but I remember comparing schems and seeing an extra resistors somewhere in there. Otherwise it's a TS9. It's also shot up in price in the last few years.
The Bad Monkey is a great TS clone. The Bass knob is also a plus. There's a lot of extra circuitry in there, and I honestly don't think the drive on mine sounds as nice as other TS's, but it works great as a boost with the drive turned down and the volume turned up. And you can dial in a little more bass if you need it.
The OD808 has some more circuitry going on than a TS10. But it sounds like a straightforward TS. I've built several Son of Screamer circuits, where the input and output buffers are stripped off and your left with the just the clipping section. A few of those have sounded spot on to the OD808, even though the OD808 has input and output buffers. It's really just component tolerances that do that. The OD808 has also become the boost of choice in metalcore, not because it sounds any different from the other Screamers, but because of word-of-mouth, trendiness, cause Killswitch is using them, etc... You won't notice much of a difference between OD808s in front of your amp and any of the other pedals I've mentioned. At least not one that you also wouldn't notice between other OS808 units.
All of these guys use buffered bypass unless you mod them for TBP, and it's a good buffer that doesn't color your tone. In fact, it's nice to have if you're sticking them in front of a bunch of other TBP pedals.
Any of these pedals will boost a 6505 just as well as the other. I'd avoid the plastic housed models due to potential shielding and reliability issues, unless you can get a good price on one. The TS7 has the hot mode, which is fun, but not useful for using it as a boost. The Bad Monkey's Bass knob is great to have when you're boosting and want less low-end cut. The TS9, TS808, and OD808 are all very well built. If I could only have one, it'd be the OD808 for it's build quality and size.
