Boss OS2 vs Ibanez TubeScreamer

Danele

Hi guys,

i have the opportunity to buy a Boss OS2 or an Ibanez TubeScreamer.

ive checked out youtube for demo's n so on, but cant seem to make up my mind.

the Boss looks more versatile as isnt only an overdrive pedal.

anyone here own, or tried, the 2?

thanks

Dan

MikeM

What amp? What guitar?

Danele

MikeM wrote: What amp? What guitar?

sorry, my bad..

its a 2011 Fender Pawn Shop HH Mustang into a 30watt practice non tube amp (to be upgraded soon, i promise)

nick

Which TubeScreamer? TS9? My vote will be the Tubescreamer, there is a reason why most gigging musicians use one..

Beeg

I had an OS2 and now use a Sparkledrive (which is based off the TS-808 Tubescreamer circuit).

The OS2 has a bit more gain since it has the distortion side and might work better for a solid-state amp, it also has scooped mids much like a DS-1, was actually a decent little pedal, but if you want to push a tube amp to create more dirt, I reckon go with the Tubescreamer, there is a reason why it is used by many well known artists.

I switched to the Sparkledrive and use it to work my tubes, I found by using it in conjunction with a compression pedal you can get that same compressed tone that you would from distortion pedal.

Bottom line:

Average Distortion + Average Overdrive = OS2

Great Overdrive = Tubescreamer

Tubescreamer + Compressor = Great Distortion ?

AlanRatcliffe

The TS does one thing, but does it well. Doesn't suit every player, amp or guitar though as it has quite a midrange hump and tends to kill a bit of low end (which are two of the characteristics that make it so good at what it does). Probably the best overdrive ever for Blackface/Silverface Fender type amps.

The OS-2 is a very underrated pedal IMO - very flexible (OD and distortion) and can be set quite dynamic. Not perfect - tends to thin out the sound a bit on the distortion side (but there are simple mods for that - one cap change). A very good pedal for use with a clean amp.

The Sparkle Drive Beeg mentions is a TS varient with an added wrinkle - it lets you mix in a clean sound with the overdrive, which helps make it even more dynamic and at some settings even out the mid hump a bit. One of my favourite OD pedals.

Beeg

+1 on what Alan said.

I bought the Sparkledrive after I saw his review of it. And like he mentions, I use the clean mix on it to give me a bit more bottom end and even out the mids that can sound overpowering in certain setups. Original tubescreamer pedals don't have that feature, and you might absolutely love or hate it when you kick it in.

Kalcium

I have an OS-2 and a TS9 on my pedal board and I love both of them but I'd definitely say the OS-2 is more flexible. The OS-2 set all the way to the overdrive sound is said to be like the Boss SuperOverdrive SD-1, I've never owned an SD-1 but from what I hear the SD-1 is similar to the ts-9 in terms of application. Ie if you want an overdrive sound with a mid hump it will do pretty much what the TS-9 does but with its own flavour (clipping is different though im not clued up on the technical side of things) ....Im not saying the OS-2 on overdrive is the same as the ts-9 but it can be used for the same situation and I quite like the sound I get out of it on the full overdrive setting.
The OS-2 has the added advantage of having more gain on tap, so if you want a tubescreamer type overdrive mid hump with a bit more gain the OS-2 can do it while the ts-9 would need another pedal to boost it...
The OS-2 also has the blend knob which lets you mix the overdrive and the distortion, as you turn towards the distortion side you get more of a mid scoop and as you turn towards the overdrive side you get more of a mid hump. im not a huge fan of distortion but I quite like a bit of it blended in to add a bit of hair to the overdrive sound and make it a little less smooth and more gritty without becoming full on distortion (70% overdrive, 30% Distortion)

Im not saying the TS9 isnt great but I find the OS-2 has a good overdrive sound (close enough to the ts-9) as well as more gain and the advantage of blending in some distortion (or going full on distortion but i've hardly tested that so I cant comment on that sound). The OS-2 does sound a bit thinner the more distortion you blend in I find though, but I only blend in a bit and it cuts nicely like that (have used it with the ts9 before to bring back a bit of fatness)

Danele

thanks for the opinions, guys.

think ill end up getting both in future, but for now, im gonna try n find a Boss OS2 (the one i could get got sold.. BOO!)

TomCat

You beat me to it cause I was going to say get both for added flexibility......