Who Knows Tube Screamers?

[LunaticFringe]

I'm thinking that a Tube Screamer would round out my pedalboard nicely. I really like the sound of the tube screamer samples on Robert Keeley's site, and SRV's tone with them is great. I'm thinking about getting one and sending it to John Spina to do his thing, everybody has good things to say about his TS9 mods in particular. One thing has me in the dark still, and that is the number of different Tube Screamers out there. TS9, TS9dx, TS808 and so forth. What's the difference?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I have a Spina TS9, I thik it does not matter for him TS808 or TS9, not sure about TS9dx though ... his TSs are not jus ODs they are Tone Machines!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Boss SD1


WAY cheaper than any tubescreaners or boutique variants, and about 5 component changes gets you 99% of the way to TS9 or 808.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

the 808's are the reissues that use the original circuit design i think. the 9's are the modern production ones. even the new 808's sound different than vintage 808's, i hear.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Chopstherocker has my old TS9.

The Bad Monkey is much cheaper, and I like it better.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Interesting. So from the sounds of it the 808 is superior to the TS9...

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Well in many ways TS808 is the classic, for example its a pedal that George Lynch never parted with through out 80s and 90s, but basically if you buy a TS9(a lot cheaper than TS808) John's mod from what I uderstand is lot closer tone wise to the original TS808. I think its time for you to p.m. STRUTDELUXER.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Interesting. So from the sounds of it the 808 is superior to the TS9...

The 808 has the right chip and 2 resistor value differences in it's output section...After these changes your TS9 becomes the 808 but has a wider switch to stomp on....After these changes,anything else that people "think" they hear,is purely component tolerences overall and especially on the pots...I've modded close to a 100 Tube Screamer and TS Clones...

The TS9DX is a great pedal in that if offers up 3 beefier tones over the regular TS9/808...The Maxon stuff is great and is true bypass and the Voodoo Drive Sparkle Drive is my current favorite TS clone but has an extra(very cool) "Clean" knob....I've modded all of these pedals for forum members here and elsewhere also...

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Well in many ways TS808 is the classic, for example its a pedal that George Lynch never parted with through out 80s and 90s, but basically if you buy a TS9(a lot cheaper than TS808) John's mod from what I uderstand is lot closer tone wise to the original TS808. I think its time for you to p.m. STRUTDELUXER.

Thanks Dave.....Actually I beef up the lows alot with my mods and add more gain on the max drive settings after converting a TS9 over to 808 specs...My modded TS pedals are alot ballsier/beefier compared to the stock 808...The modded versions have alot more sustain also..

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

the 808's are the reissues that use the original circuit design i think. the 9's are the modern production ones. even the new 808's sound different than vintage 808's, i hear.

Component tolerences mostly..

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

^He knows tubescreamers.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Boss SD1


WAY cheaper than any tubescreaners or boutique variants, and about 5 component changes gets you 99% of the way to TS9 or 808.

You have to first change the clipping structure,but I still prefer the TS9/808 over an SD1.....I have several SD1s but I still favor the Sparkle Drive and the TS9/808s....I also have a really great TS5 on my board(A real sleeper pedal)..

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

^He knows tubescreamers.

I Know enough to get me into trouble! LOL...

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Thanks Dave.....Actually I beef up the lows alot with my mods and add more gain on the max drive settings after converting a TS9 over to 808 specs...My modded TS pedals are alot ballsier/beefier compared to the stock 808...The modded versions have alot more sustain also..

No John, thank you!!! Your TS9 is a jewel!!! I love my strat and my Laney AOR but its your TS9 that turns those two toys into sonic extacy. I am Micheal/Mike BTW .... :1:

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Haha, I was wondering if you were gonna chime in John. I'm dying to get my feet on that DS-1, my neighbours are going to hate me after I get it on the pedalboard.

 

[tele-brett]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I have an Analogman TS9 modded to 808 specs, which I'm using at the moment, and I'm pretty pleased with it. I've had a number of Tube Screamers over the years (different models) and they do seem to vary from batch to batch. I've had a couple that were pretty naff, but having said that, the TS9DX that I also have at the moment, sounds real close to my Modded TS9 (808), and that's just stock. Might be worth checking a few out and letting your ears decide!?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I'll attest to STRATDELUXER's work, his DS-1 mods sound like cranked JCM800's.

John, have you worked on or looked at the Digitech Bad Monkey at all? Everybody says it's basically a Tubescreamer with bass and treble knobs, so I'm wondering what you can say about how the circuits actually compare.

-X

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

DigiTech is digital, so I would say its not about the circuits ... there is no overdrives but Tube Screamer and John Spina is its prophet, thats it.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Lol

 

[Little Robert]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

DigiTech is digital, so I would say its not about the circuits ... there is no overdrives but Tube Screamer and John Spina is its prophet, thats it.

The Digitech bad monkey is analog NOT digital, inspite of the name of the manufacturer.

I've got one and am happy with it - I use it to goose the front end of my amp/the distortion knob is on zero or close to it all the time; and I don't usually like to have anything but a cord between my guitar and amp.

I just checked the paper junk that came with it and it says: Bad Monkey - Analog Overdrive