Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer Reissue or..........?

[FFTT]

This new re-issue seems to have a lot of great reviews, but geez $169.00 for
one pedal seems a bit steep.



Are they really worth it or is there something better?

[2012]

Well, there's this: Maxon OD808

[feyshay]

There might be a specific sound that you want that the TS-808 will give you.
I'd go with Fulltone--OCD (for doing one thing great) or the Fulldrive 2 for a little more bells.

[Yutaka]

Originally Posted by FFTT

This new re-issue seems to have a lot of great reviews, but geez $169.00 for
one pedal seems a bit steep.

Are they really worth it or is there something better?

If you are good with soldering iron, getting a used TS-9 and swapping a couple of resistors in the output section & putting in a JRC4558 might cost less? BYOC is selling a TS808 kit as well. If you have way too much time on your hand, you can find a whole bunch of info on how to mod a TS-9 by googling. This one is a very good reading....

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folder...ch/tsxfram.htm

Also, check this one out....

http://www.indyguitarist.com/sd1.htm

[84K]

The best 808 style pedal is a Landgraf. It is a 808 on roids. The Maxon OD-808 is very natural sounding. When set right, it sounds like your amp is just a little louder and stronger.

[Unclenny]

Analogman.

[FFTT]

Great link, thanks!

I just tried out my original Danelectro Daddy O and I'm just wondering how different the TS 808 would sound in comparison.

[woomanmoomin]

I don't think that's too much if it's the pedal for you. I've paid more for each of my main pedals.

[SUGARCULT666]

I'd get a Keeley TS9 or Fulldrive 2... I've got the ts808 reissue and it's good but the keeley mod has more bass and is less nasally.

[Blast9]

digitech Bad Monkey sounds great into an already crunchy tube amp (I'm using a hiwatt)--- Fat enhancement to your tone for very little $$$ --- with bass and treble control too!

[FFTT]

My buddy and I A/Bed his vintage TS-808 to my Danelectro Daddy O

and honestly anything sounded great through his 40 watt modded '64 Deluxe Reverb.

The TS-808 did get a bit more nasal depending on what you were doing.

The Daddy O held it's own allowing for a greater variety of settings,
but really it was the amp that made all the difference in the world.

As I've said before, Fender needs to stop whacking off and get back to
building their entire line of legacy amps.

He also had his Marshall Shredmaster, but we had already over done it for one day with our ears.

I didn't get a chance to hear his TC Chorus, but he said it's great until you have to get it repaired.

[Blast9]

Originally Posted by FFTT

I didn't get a chance to hear his TC Chorus, but he said it's great until you have to get it repaired.

LOL

[davet]

I bought the Alalogman Tube Sreamer Turbo. I think it's the TS-9. I like it alot. FWIW, I used to own an original TS-808. Sold to a local guitar shop for $350.00.

I like the Screamer I have now much better.

DaveT

[biggator6]

Aron's Stompbox Page - Home

do it yourself... do NOT buy into the hype.. there's no magic to the 'vintage' 4558 chips (they still make them, they just changed the numbering scheme!)

If you want an overdrive pedal, but not specifically a TS9/808 - there are some good ones mentioned above, also check out the Barber Electronics Direct Drive and some other boutique pedals (not the crazy expensive ones).

If you pay more than 100-125 for an overdrive, it's too much... frankly, if you can solder, and you pay more than 20 bucks for one, it's too much. The TS9 is one of the easiest pedals to build...

Go to tonepad -- a resource for d.i.y. music projects and order a PCB for one..

"-)

[biggator6]

Oh, and FWIW - I have an original TS9.. it's not that special. Pretty much everything I've built myself sounds better. The hype came from guys like EJ and SRV - pretty sure the TS9 didn't make them sound like that
"-)

[Studiocat]

I just ordered a mod kit for my TS9DX. I'll let you know how it sounds before and after...

A

[RCM - Ronan]

Maxon OD9 does if for me. I use the thing every day in the studio.

[jspartz]

StudioCat is the TS9 DX mod the Keeley mod? Has anyone tried this?

Robert Keeley Electronics: TS9DX FLEXI-4X2

Jason

[Studiocat]

Nope it's a mod that I found on ebay. I think it will be the same opamp and similar resistors/caps as the keeley mod. Good thing about Keeley is the addition of true bypass, not to mention it's someone else doing the work! The mod on ebay is only 20 bucks though. Keeley charges 125 plus shipping.

A

[Uncle GroOve]

SRB808+ w/ LDO (=Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive) mod is what does it for me.
It's basically an upgraded TS with an adde fat control and 3 different OD voicings.
I know it's a booteek product, but heck - if you plan to do anything that is more dynamic and intelligible than trashgrindcoredeathmetal, you should give it a fair shot.
New it comes to about $160 and I've seen some sold for appx. $90 on other forums (gearpage, for example).

Cheerz!

[raal]

have an OCD now but i'm waiting for the fulltone GT500. two separate channels, either side can feed into the other or be independent + tone controls.

[84K]

Fulltone is in GC now.

[Studiocat]

Installed my tubescreamer mod yesterday - It's great!

A

[jspartz]

So how does the mod change the sound? Can you post some before and after clips for us?

Thanks,

Jason

[ddp]

OK seems like there are lots of different people doing mods on this classic pedal.

Anybody know which is best?

Analog man
Analog Man - Superior Guitar Effect Pedals!
tube screamer heaven
eBay Store - Tube Screamer Heaven: Componants, Vintage Chorus, Vintage Super Metal
Keely mod
Keeley TS-9 Tube Screamer Baked Mod
also this guy
eBay My World - deadeye-beve

Are there other options?

[ddp]

Here is a better page for the Robert Keely mods:
Robert Keeley Electronics: TS-9 Mod Plus

[octatonic]

EMMA Stinkbug is my new favourite OD.

[FFTT]

I went ahead and purchased the TS-808 RI and it has it's place, but I'm really
enjoying just running the amps I have straight up guitar, cable, amp, speakers.

I'm also learning the voice of each guitar more accurately going direct and trying
to play with more attention to small details.

I've had quite an eye opener about how much different speakers and efficiency can
also affect tone.

So I'm concentrating on a few new drivers this year.

[CapnMarvel]

Out of the 10 million tubescreamers and clones I've owned, my favorites are the Maxon OD-808 (mentioned here), the Metal Screamer from the 10- and the L-series pedals, and I suppose the FoxRox (which is too expensive for what it is). Used MI Audio Blue Boys and Blues Pros are great values and well-made too. Truly, though, the TS7 is a decent pedal with a crappy switch, and the TS9 and TS808 reissues are overpriced. No TS copy should cost more than $100-$120.

The Grandlaff is ridiculously, stupidly expensive for this circuit. So ridiculous.

The OCD is a great pedal in its own right, but it's not a TS and doesn't sound/act like one. It's very unique.

Tubescreamers have a VERY characteristic sound that works great with some amps, worse with others. The 'classic' TS sound has a pronounced 'mid-hump' which some folks like and some folks hate. Take it or leave it. I actually ended up leaving it and buying a Timmy, the best OD I've ever used (and I have an Analogman KoT).

[popvulture]

I had the Maxon, but it was the 9 series. I thought it was ok at the time, but I've gone on to several other pedals that in my opinion blow it completely out of the water. The Full Drive is great, OCD as well. Since I bought a Klon Centaur though, I've never used anything else. It's the only pedal I've ever bought where the actual product measured up to the hype. It's more expensive than a TS reissue, but if I save you the hassle of buying several other ODs in between the TS and the Centaur, it's worth your money for sure.