Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Alright, next on my gear list is a tubescreamer...but I've been thinking; do I really need a high end one, or to get it modded, for what I'd be doing with it?

Basically, I'd be running it infront of my gain channel with output close to 10, tone at a neutral spot, and drive close to 0. This would kick the amp in the nuts a tad, saturate the sound a bit, tighten things up, let me lower the amp gain, and put a bit more definition into the sound, as well as smooth out some fizziness of the amp.

Most people who use a TS for this, I've noticed, go for something like the Maxon OD808 or OD820, but some have been known to use a stock TS-10 from Ibanez with great results.

For doing that, would I need to spring for a higher-end Maxon, or get it modded? I'm thinking I really only have to worry about tone loss when the pedal is off in that case.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Try a Digitech Bad Monkey first. Much cheaper and they sound great.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I have 2 TS9's. One is a stock RI, and one was modded by Stratdeluxer97. Johns modded TS9 has a lot more definition and is much throatier than the stock TS9. The stock TS9 is a great pedal, but the modded TS9 simply sounds better. It has a lot more gain and a lot mor bottom. I do use both of them. The stock TS9 I use in a '68 Super Reverb...... sort of like a channel switch. The modded Ts9 I use in a '67 Deluxe Reverb, mainly to thicken the tone slightly and to add a little more sustain. If you are playing with a large amount of gain I think this could get muddy, but I am not sure. I do not play with a large amount of gain. PM Stratdeluxer97 he will give you an idea of the cost to mod it. If you shop around you can get a used TS9 pretty cheap. I paid $30 for mine. Good luck!

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Bump, got some good advice, but not quite the answers I need.

 

[deftgala]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I'm currently having one modded by STRATDELUXE97. Can't post a review yet 'cause I haven't tried it but do a "search" on the forum here and there is sure to be all the info you need to know.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I've searched, but I'm looking for a different answer than "Should I get it modded?"

I'm really wondering if getting a modded one will make that much of a difference, the way I'll be using it.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I own an Analogman-modified TS-9 reissue, as well as a Maxon OD-9 and Maxon OD-808. But for what you're looking for, I'd recommend a Seymour Duncan SFX-01 Pickup Booster with the gain knob at 12:00 and the resonance switch in the "2" position.

Am I biased? Sure. But knowing Tube Screamers and what you're looking for, I'd go with the SFX-01.

 

[deftgala]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I own an Analogman-modified TS-9 reissue... But for what you're looking for, I'd recommend a Seymour Duncan SFX-01 Pickup Booster...

Am I biased? Sure. But knowing Tube Screamers and what you're looking for, I'd go with the SFX-01.

+1

A modded TS-9 RI and an SFX-01 is all you'll ever need...

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Your answer is "yes" a modded tube screamer will sound better even in your application. A stock TS will rob you of some bass. A modded pedal will have more bass and a better balance EQ. I like my Keeley modded TS just fine. Also had John mod my SD-1 which I love as well. I'd go with either of these guys, John will be cheaper and he does fantastic work.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Try a stock TS and see if it does what you want and go from there.This is your best bet really...If it sucks,return it..

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Okay, I will be biased and say that Johns mods are definitely worth it. I played with my stock TS9 for a short time before sending it to John, and it's a great pedal stock, but NOTHING like after I got it back. You might only want to use the TS9 a specific way NOW, but who knows down the road...

And Evan is correct in that the the SFX-01 is a great pedal as well.

IMHO, for what it will cost you to get a TS9 and have John mod it, its money well spent and you will have a much more versatile pedal (not to mention helpiing out a fellow forum brother!

Just my .02

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

Again, I will echo John's advice...get one (or really, get a cheaper TS5 or TS7), play with it a few weeks, and see what you think...this way, if it needs to be changed because you can't live with the stock pedal at all, figure out what you hate about it and let John know, I am sure he can goive you some options. Don't get it modded because 'that is what you are supposed to do'...do it because the stock pedal doesn't do what you want. You have to figure out what you want first.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I own a stock TS-9 Reissue and a Spina-modded TS9-DX.

Both are fantastic pedals. I got the Reissue after John had modded the TS9-DX with the intenstions of sending it to him. Bottom line was that it sounded fine and I liked it the way it was, so why bother?

Seriously...modding should only be considered if what you're getting is inadequate for your uses. And you'll never know if it does or does not live up to your needs until you actually spend some time with it.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I own an Analogman-modified TS-9 reissue, as well as a Maxon OD-9 and Maxon OD-808. But for what you're looking for, I'd recommend a Seymour Duncan SFX-01 Pickup Booster with the gain knob at 12:00 and the resonance switch in the "2" position.

Am I biased? Sure. But knowing Tube Screamers and what you're looking for, I'd go with the SFX-01.

I never thought of that, and I just realized it's PERFECT for what I'm going to be doing. Now I know why Mike Amott really has one on his pedalboard!

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll probably pick up a TS to have John mod eventually, but I'll pick up the SFX-01 first.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

I never thought of that, and I just realized it's PERFECT for what I'm going to be doing. Now I know why Mike Amott really has one on his pedalboard!

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll probably pick up a TS to have John mod eventually, but I'll pick up the SFX-01 first.

There are so many pedals available to us these days that you don't really need to buy a pedal to have modded...Look into the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive also,it has an added "clean" tone knob and I Like it even better than the TS9....

If your TS9 requires more gain,stronger lows,more sustain,and quieter,send it to me at that point..Also check out the Bad Monkey or even the Boss SD1.

 

[B2D]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

there's a message in my sig. Can you find it? :laugh2:

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

There are so many pedals available to us these days that you don't really need to buy a pedal to have modded...Look into the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive also,it has an added "clean" tone knob and I Like it even better than the TS9....

If your TS9 requires more gain,stronger lows,more sustain,and quieter,send it to me at that point..Also check out the Bad Monkey or even the Boss SD1.

Deaf ears my man...deaf ears.

You've become a victim of your own success!

The Bad Monkey's a hell of a pedal. I'm VERY impressed with the sounds I'm getting out of mine. I'm remiss to say it publically but my other overdrives have just been gathering dust since I got it.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Tubescreamer Q's: Should I go for a Modded One?

This month's issue of Guitarist has everything you will ever want to know about the TS-9 and modifing it.