TubeScreamer: Which one should I go for???

ZarK

Hi Guys

I'm in the process of setting up a new effects rig. One of the pedals I've always wanted to ad for solo work is a decent TubeScreamer... My choices at present are one of the following: Ibanez TS-808; TS-9 and TS-9DX. (I have a TS-7 to fiddle around with.) I'm leaning towards the TS-9DX at the moment as it seems to offer the most. I know many prefer the 808... I'll be running the pedal into a Mesa Dual Rectifier.

Any info/experience shared will be greatly appreciated as always.

nick

Ive owned a TS10 and currently use a TS9 and Ive played the 808. I would get a TS9 and just mod it to vintage specs and add better caps, will make it better than an original 808. The DX just has added gain if Im not mistaken.

raithza

I just ordered a behringer TO800 :O it gets good reviews and sounds nice...

cain

Ive owned a TS808, awesome pedals. But then ive heard the TS9, also wonderfull. As long as its the original ibanez stuff and not the tonelok series junk it will be fine.

What do you wanna use it for zark? Overdrive? Booster ( signal or trebble )?

inflames

Zark, go for the TS9DX and get Matta to mod the pedal for you.

[deleted]

Why not just get the best of them all...
I have tried them all except the TS9DX
Reason being I found this one, and very few overdrives sounds THIS good, I have never been so impressed with another overdrive that I would want to replace this one.
So it wins for me.

The TS808HW

matta

TS9 and TS808 use the same PCB, only 2, possibly 3 differences between them. A TS9 is generally cheaper, so buying one and modding it is cheaper, and you can do tonal/cap upgrades at the same time. the HW version probably uses better quality parts and will prob sound a bit better, but is double the price.

I've done several mods to the TS9 for various Forum members, and I'm sure they will concur that they sound MUCH better.

Cheers

Matt

shadow1

I have not used other TS pedals BUT I was in a similar boat to you, I have the peavey 6505+ and wanted a TS to boost it (as most of the "metal" bands i was listening to do this live)

I ended up on the MAXON OD808 which in essenece is the TS808. It worked AWSOME for me (and Killswitch enage & As i lay dying)

Since then i have really got into blues and it works great for that too 8) what a bonus

[deleted]

matta wrote TS9 and TS808 use the same PCB, only 2, possibly 3 differences between them. A TS9 is generally cheaper, so buying one and modding it is cheaper, and you can do tonal/cap upgrades at the same time. the HW version probably uses better quality parts and will prob sound a bit better, but is double the price.

I've done several mods to the TS9 for various Forum members, and I'm sure they will concur that they sound MUCH better.

Cheers

Matt

Listen to Matta ? He knows what he is talking about..

I got my TS808HW brand new for an absolute bargain (same price as a normal TS808RI, cant even compare them tho, they all sound muddy compared to the HW) so NO guilty feelings here ?

MikeM

If you want to sell the ts7 let me know ?

ZarK

Thanks a mill for all the input!

AlanRatcliffe

Agree with the above comments. ? Modded TS9 is the best way to get a good quality TS sound without paying the earth. The HW is great if you don't want to mess with having your pedal modded.

One other option is the Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive, which is basically a high quality TS with the added option of mixing in a clean bypassed sound, which is magical for when you want to add some drive without completely changing the character of your sound. Not overly expensive either. The overdrive side of my Nova Drive has exactly the same feature (just with an added Distortion circuit and programmable patches).

ZarK

Francis Viviers wrote Ive owned a TS808, awesome pedals. But then ive heard the TS9, also wonderfull. As long as its the original ibanez stuff and not the tonelok series junk it will be fine.

What do you wanna use it for zark? Overdrive? Booster ( signal or trebble )?

To be honest, I don't know exactly how I'm going to use it yet. I'm using my Mesa's overdrive most of the time and a TC Electronics Nova drive for different overdrives and distortion on the clean channel. I'm thinking of using a MXR MC-401 boost/line driver for boost, but the MXR wah I've ordered already has a MC401 built in, so I don't know if an extra 401 will be money well spent... Then again, my Mesa has an excellent built-in boost function already…

For clean boost and slight overdrive I'll probably order a Timmy at some stage. The Tubescreamer would probably only be used for high gain lead to tighten things up a little and just change the voicing a bit; maybe add a little drive depending on what sounds the best. (I probably don’t need one at the moment with my Nova Drive but if so many pro’s swear by them, I thought I might as well try one out for myself.

The Mesa's overdrive is insanely good, even stock standard with just guitar and amp... From the research I've done the TS-9DX sounds like the best bet out of the Ibanez range. The "higher gain" settings on the 9dx actually has less drive than TS-9 setting, they're just voiced differently to emphasize different frequency ranges that gives you a heavier sound, not necessarily more gain/distortion. I like the idea of having more flexibility and will certainly consider having the TS modded if it makes such a big difference! The TS-808HW had me thinking for quite some time but in the end I could buy a TS-808 + TS-9 + TS-9DX for roughly the same price. 3x the price for slightly better tone? I cannot justify that. If I could test the lot back-to-back on my rig, I might sing a different tune?

I wish I could just get them all so I could test each one on my rig and sell the ones I don’t prefer. I don’t think that one is necessarily better than the next. Some might sound better on certain rigs and to certain ears… I’m still not 100% sure which one to order though…

ZarK

inflames wrote Zark, go for the TS9DX and get Matta to mod the pedal for you.

Thanks.

This seems like the option I'm leaning towards at the moment. I see you're using one. What's or your take on the dx? Are you using it for boost or adding overdrive? Do you find the extra settings usable?

ZarK

Brentcgp wrote Why not just get the best of them all...
I have tried them all except the TS9DX
Reason being I found this one, and very few overdrives sounds THIS good, I have never been so impressed with another overdrive that I would want to replace this one.
So it wins for me.

The TS808HW

Congrats on owning a HW. I cannot justify the exceedingly high price of the HW. If I find a normal TS doesn't cut it for me and I have the opportunity to test a HW on my rig, I might reconsider but only if I find it sounds at least 2x better at 3x the price... ?

ZarK

matta wrote TS9 and TS808 use the same PCB, only 2, possibly 3 differences between them. A TS9 is generally cheaper, so buying one and modding it is cheaper, and you can do tonal/cap upgrades at the same time. the HW version probably uses better quality parts and will prob sound a bit better, but is double the price.

I've done several mods to the TS9 for various Forum members, and I'm sure they will concur that they sound MUCH better.

Cheers

Matt

I'll be in touch as soon as I get the TS. If you could PM me the mods you have in mind and the respective costs involve , it'd be great. (+- prices are good enough for now) I don't think a true bypass mod would be necessary as my G-System has 4 true bypass loops. It wouldn't hurt to know how much that would set me back, however.

Many thanks!!

ZarK

shadow1 wrote I have not used other TS pedals BUT I was in a similar boat to you, I have the peavey 6505+ and wanted a TS to boost it (as most of the "metal" bands i was listening to do this live)

I ended up on the MAXON OD808 which in essenece is the TS808. It worked AWSOME for me (and Killswitch enage & As i lay dying)

Since then i have really got into blues and it works great for that too 8) what a bonus

I'm glad to hear you're happy with your TS. I've heard good things about the Maxon OD808.

AlanRatcliffe

If you have the Nova Drive, you already have a good TS. ?

ZarK

Brentcgp wrote
matta wrote TS9 and TS808 use the same PCB, only 2, possibly 3 differences between them. A TS9 is generally cheaper, so buying one and modding it is cheaper, and you can do tonal/cap upgrades at the same time. the HW version probably uses better quality parts and will prob sound a bit better, but is double the price.

I've done several mods to the TS9 for various Forum members, and I'm sure they will concur that they sound MUCH better.

Cheers

Matt
Listen to Matta ? He knows what he is talking about..

I got my TS808HW brand new for an absolute bargain (same price as a normal TS808RI, cant even compare them tho, they all sound muddy compared to the HW) so NO guilty feelings here ?

Sho..... Congrats on such a great deal! I'd go for a HW if it was 30% cheaper... Do you know what they cost locally these days?

ZarK

MikeM wrote If you want to sell the ts7 let me know ?

PM me your offer and I'll pass it on to our lead singer. It's his pedal, I just use it.