Tube Scream, or Not Tube Scream? That is The Question.

[Guithartic]

I'm debating on getting a Tube Screamer. I have a Strat, a Tele, and a Les Paul. I play all kinds of stuff, rock, blues, punk, new wave, toying around with some metal riffs. I'm not gigging, just play with a buddy that drums sometimes or alone at home. I already have a Boss Blues Driver, but I keep seeing videos about tube screamers. GAS is setting in. What are your thoughts?

 

[JPummil]

I get pedal GAS pretty regularly, and am a huge overdrive fan! That said, I still haven't bothered with a TS of any kind. My current fav is a Ceriatone Centura (Klone). I have looked at the JHS Bonsai on a couple of occasions as it supposedly has 9 different TS modes (duplicated circuitry, not a modeler) one can try.
If you're a purist, I suppose you'd go for a real deal TS-808, but unless I knew for sure, I'd probably have more fun with the Bonsai.

 

[icantshred]

I have an 808. It's OK. If you're doing the modern metal thing it's the way to go. I've never tried using it for blues or rock tone.

I like Boss Super Overdrive better for more 80's things.

With either of these, it's more about adding volume to get OD and letting the mid-hump taper off the lows and highs. It's not really about adding much in the way of gain.

The 808 doesn't have a lot of gain on tap.
The SD-1 gets fizzy when you turn the gain up, which if I remember correctly the BD-2 does also, but the BD-2 doesn't affect the mids.

Know anyone that has a TS you could borrow long enough to put through the paces?


I rarely use pedals, however, the OD that I gigged the most was the ZenDrive. It can match the 808, but is much more versatile.

 

[dc007]

I like a TS in front of fender type amps the best. Just personal preference. The TS9 always worked well for me.

 

[bluesoul]

Tube screamer is a classic for a reason! TS9 or 808 either or both!

 

[smk506]

I tried a tube screamer style pedal a few years ago and found it doesn’t do much for me. I’d go with a cheapish clone and see what you think.

 

[Deftone]

FWIW: I have the mini, don't know which one that is but I've found it fairly useless for my needs most of the time. That said, I don't want to get rid of it. It does seem to tighten up (compress?) and brighten the signal at times. I feel like I will find a use for it at some point. I just need to keep working with it.

 

[Dilver]

Helps to push the mids on guitars with single coil pickups. For Humbuckers, there are better options.

 

[BadPenguin]

Never been a fan of the Tube Screamer. For my main gain, I have a Boss DD-20, that has an emulation of the TS that's ok I guess.

 

[mdubya]

I have a Bad Monkey.

I have a Maxon OD 808.

I prefer the OD 808.

I use it, but I do not love it.

I use mine to boost or moderate fuzz. In front of and after adds variety.

 

[Juan Tumani]

I've been playing for over 30 years and only bought my first TS last year. It is the mini version so perhaps it's not the same as previous versions.

Anyway, it's ok and do use it occasionally but I prefer my "Way Huge Saucy Box". IMO it covers more territory and reacts nicely to the volume going into it . So you can ride your volume knob to great effect or in my case put a booster in front to really push it sometimes.

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[brianbzed]

Last few years, I have been running directly into the board- playing in Churches. Started out with a FlyRig ( the Delay and Preamp sound excellent ), but the Plexi distortion is too much for the type of music. Tried a TS9, and it fits the bill. I can dial in just enough "crunch" without being obnoxious.
Most of my Pro friends always seem to have a Tube Screamer on their pedalboard...OK, only took me 40+ years to figure that out!

 

[Guithartic]

I get pedal GAS pretty regularly, and am a huge overdrive fan! That said, I still haven't bothered with a TS of any kind. My current fav is a Ceriatone Centura (Klone). I have looked at the JHS Bonsai on a couple of occasions as it supposedly has 9 different TS modes (duplicated circuitry, not a modeler) one can try.
If you're a purist, I suppose you'd go for a real deal TS-808, but unless I knew for sure, I'd probably have more fun with the Bonsai.

It’s pure OCD (not the pedal), but for some reason, I’d still want a real Ibanez one if I got a Bonsai. I got the Pack Rat (JHS pedal with all the Rat iterations) and still got a ProCo Rat for cheap.

 

[tzd]

Get a used Maxon OD808. That's my recommendation having owned no less than 5 Tube Screamers.

And the correct way to use the TS is to use it with Drive close to 0, and Level (Balance on the Maxon) at Maximum, into a Marshall amp.

 

[Guithartic]

I have an 808. It's OK. If you're doing the modern metal thing it's the way to go.

I read that one of the Metallica guys and John Frusciante used the 808 even though it’s thought of as more bluesy than a TS9.

 

[Guithartic]

I have a Bad Monkey.

You probably already know, but Josh Scott did a video on the Bad Monkey, and now the prices are soaring.

 

[icantshred]

I read that one of the Metallica guys and John Frusciante used the 808 even though it’s thought of as more bluesy than a TS9.

I've heard people say it's smoother. I've heard people say the opposite too.

Since then I've seen Brian Wampler do some videos about TS circuits. He claims there is no audible difference between the TS9 and TS808, including the ones with the sought after IC. I can't remember if other models had significant changes.

If I were shopping for a TS today, I'd look for whatever is easiest on the wallet.

This one is pretty good:

 

[mdubya]

You probably already know, but Josh Scott did a video on the Bad Monkey, and now the prices are soaring.

I wouldn't have mentioned it a few weeks ago. It has only now become relevant.

I got it out and have been playing it, lately. I still prefer the OD 808.

Here is the video that pushed my over the edge on getting an 808.

I don't think it matters whether 808 or TS9.

 

[efstop]

I have three Ibanez pedals, TS-9 Mini, 850 Fuzz Mini and an OD-850 reissue. I just collect them because I got them cheap.

 

[NotScott]

I used an 808 back in the day to drive my Marshalls. It was good for what I was doing then.

Nowadays I use a single Helix HXFX for any pedal requirements. However, I have kept my original Marshall Guv'nor and Crowther Hot Cake.

The Guv'Nor is the Gary Moore sound albeit it does have some noise and high frequency roll-off but when you compensate the amp for it, it does that thing.

The Hot Cake is the pedal I take when traveling light. I have done several shows with it into an old tweed Deluxe and it kills every time. It is much quieter than the Guv'Nor and is buffered so it is practically transparent when disengaged.

Best thing I could suggest is try as many different ODs as you can before settling on one. There is something for everyone in pedal world.