Who Knows Tube Screamers?

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

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

Oops .... they are doing it again??? Oh man, I had DigiTech 21/20 with a ECC83 in it for the their analog stuff and they've screw that up pretty well, allthough the honors on that rig might've gone to the killer bee - JCM2000. Sorry, I did not dare think that digitech might take their infadel name to holy name of TS .... but if it works for you, hey man - its cool.

 

[MVI]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I have a TS808 that I like very much. Mostly I grew up on old school, and blues-based rock, so I kind of have a thing for the old boutique stuff & the occasional reissue ( vintage 808s are big money I guess ), even if there are some great alternatives these days. I don't much like my DS-1, but to me my Bluesdriver is up there with the TS808. That's my BS on the subject.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

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

I'm told it has micro circuit stuff in it that can't be changed....Haven't tryed one either?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I'm told it has micro circuit stuff in it that can't be changed....Haven't tryed one either?

Hmm alright. Well maybe if I end up getting one I'll send it your way just to see what's up.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Buy a TS9..... Then send it to StratDeluxer. I have a TS9 that he did for me, and it will never leave my board. I have upgraded my amps and such since I got it but I still use it quite a bit. When I first got it I was using a Deluxe Reverb or a super reverb(I still use them from time to time). With the Fender amps I used it more like a channel switch. I would set the amp up to give me a good clean sound then use the TS9 for my solos. This worked great. Then I bought a Bogner Shiva, and even though the Bogner does not need much help its pretty amazing using the 2 channels it has. I use my TS9 as a volume boost in the clean channel only. I have the gain set pretty low and the volume set to push the amp a little harder.

THe Spina modded TS9 is by far much better than any stock RI. It has more bottom and a considerable amount of more gain then the RI. It is one of the best OD pedals I have ever owned and it sounds great. Just what you want out of an OD pedal. It pushes the amp without adding any undesirable "color" to you natural sound.

I also have a Monroe Drive made by Xssive (another forum brother). The Monroe drive is without a doubt the most versatile OD pedal I have used. I'm not a pedal guru so if you want more info on this pedal contact Xssive, he can tell you all the specs. I use this pedal and my Spina modded TS9 in different ways, but with my current setup I really need them both. I use 2 amps the TS9 works with one the Monroe drive works with another. The Monroe Drive is more of a "hot rodded" 808 than a TS9 though. I have little experience with an original 808, but I gotta say the MD is one awesome pedal. It has a volume, tone and gain setting as you normally have on an OD pedal, but it also has a bass boost and a mini toggle that give 3 differnt levels of gain. Great pedal, but if a TS9 is what you want go with the Spina mod Is as good as a TS9 can get IMO.......

 

[MDS]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Hey guys...

The Bad Monkey is a decent pedal and can be had cheap. I recommend it to anyone looking for a backup or secondary OD who dooesn't want to drop a lot of dough on it. I use mine in a Keeley looper with my Clyde. The Bad Monkey stays on all the time so the Wah has some dirt on it. I can turn the whole thing on and off with the looper pedal. Works great and sounds really good...it sounds better with the FDII, but the BM is not a total crap pedal...

As far as TSs go, I'm sorta partial to the Maxon versions. The OD808 is a great sounding pedal...

I'll also add a nod for John. He's uber nice and does very nice work...

 

[Leveller]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

I can add another +1 for the bad monkey! Much better than the (unmodded) tubescreamers I tried, though I didnt have a lot of time trying them. The separate high and low controls are great.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Buy a TS9..... Then send it to StratDeluxer. I have a TS9 that he did for me, and it will never leave my board. I have upgraded my amps and such since I got it but I still use it quite a bit. When I first got it I was using a Deluxe Reverb or a super reverb(I still use them from time to time). With the Fender amps I used it more like a channel switch. I would set the amp up to give me a good clean sound then use the TS9 for my solos. This worked great. Then I bought a Bogner Shiva, and even though the Bogner does not need much help its pretty amazing using the 2 channels it has. I use my TS9 as a volume boost in the clean channel only. I have the gain set pretty low and the volume set to push the amp a little harder.

THe Spina modded TS9 is by far much better than any stock RI. It has more bottom and a considerable amount of more gain then the RI. It is one of the best OD pedals I have ever owned and it sounds great. Just what you want out of an OD pedal. It pushes the amp without adding any undesirable "color" to you natural sound.

I also have a Monroe Drive made by Xssive (another forum brother). The Monroe drive is without a doubt the most versatile OD pedal I have used. I'm not a pedal guru so if you want more info on this pedal contact Xssive, he can tell you all the specs. I use this pedal and my Spina modded TS9 in different ways, but with my current setup I really need them both. I use 2 amps the TS9 works with one the Monroe drive works with another. The Monroe Drive is more of a "hot rodded" 808 than a TS9 though. I have little experience with an original 808, but I gotta say the MD is one awesome pedal. It has a volume, tone and gain setting as you normally have on an OD pedal, but it also has a bass boost and a mini toggle that give 3 differnt levels of gain. Great pedal, but if a TS9 is what you want go with the Spina mod Is as good as a TS9 can get IMO.......

Thanks Dave.....you absolutely rock brother for posting these kinds of things for myself and Mike about the pedals!

I'd love to hear Mike's pedal,but I get no response back upon enquiring about it from guys that own one.....But it's all good.. ;p)

 

[Bludave]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

Thanks Dave.....you absolutely rock brother for posting these kinds of things for myself and Mike about the pedals!

I'd love to hear Mike's pedal,but I get no response back upon enquiring about it from guys that own one.....But it's all good.. ;p)

John I love the Monroe drive.... I use it with my Komet. As most people know the Komet does not need anything at all, but what a OD pedal does it allows me to play at a lower volume (an its still not very low LOL). I use the Komet to give me a very Marshall kind of clean. It responds amazingly well to my attack..more so than any other amp I've played thru. The amp has a gradual and fast switch in the back, which essentially adds volume and gain. The amp can be bistering loud, so what I do is I adjust the volume to give me a really good clean tone. Wih a HB guitar it sounds very AC/DC kinda crunchy when I hit hard. With SC pups it is beautifully clean. The Monroe drive just kicks it into where I would like to have the amp all the time, but use my volume knob to control it. It works rerally well and at a bearable volume.

The TS9 you did for me is used with the clean channel on my Bogner. Works great and I see no reason to explore any other OD pedals. It does exactly what I want it to do. Both you and Mike have some really good stuff and I love both of my OD pedals!!!!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Who Knows Tube Screamers?

John I love the Monroe drive.... I use it with my Komet. As most people know the Komet does not need anything at all, but what a OD pedal does it allows me to play at a lower volume (an its still not very low LOL). I use the Komet to give me a very Marshall kind of clean. It responds amazingly well to my attack..more so than any other amp I've played thru. The amp has a gradual and fast switch in the back, which essentially adds volume and gain. The amp can be bistering loud, so what I do is I adjust the volume to give me a really good clean tone. Wih a HB guitar it sounds very AC/DC kinda crunchy when I hit hard. With SC pups it is beautifully clean. The Monroe drive just kicks it into where I would like to have the amp all the time, but use my volume knob to control it. It works rerally well and at a bearable volume.

The TS9 you did for me is used with the clean channel on my Bogner. Works great and I see no reason to explore any other OD pedals. It does exactly what I want it to do. Both you and Mike have some really good stuff and I love both of my OD pedals!!!!

Wow Dave! A Ken Fischer inspired Komet amp! I'm really jelous of you brother! :1:

 

[heymcz]

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.

+1 on the Boss SD1, but I actually prefer them stock.

Or Maxon OD9 Pro+. More mid-boost but doesn't eat treble as much.
They also have three new pedals out, and I'm dying to try the VOP-9, that might also suit your needs, though I have no experience with it.

I use a Maxon SD9 and I'm much happier with that. I like a more PAFish overdrive, but I keep the dist. level WAY down.