tube screamers?

[FloridaNative]

My question is how many tube screamers are there and what are the differences between them?? Which one produces the best sound? Thanks to all who reply.

[dragsternj]

1 Many, many maaaaany
2 Matter of taste some say Ibanez Ts808, some will say Maxon, some will Marshall G'vnor.

Go play them yourself

[vaijem777]

"Best" is all relative. I've had a handful of original TS-808s and they've been kinda hit-or-miss. The one that I have now is phenomenal and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've had at least a couple of every model Tube Screamer but the ST9 Super Tube Screamer (ULTRA rare!).

My favorite has been the original TS-808 followed by the Keeley-modded reissues with the true-bypass mod. The AnalogMan-modded units sound pretty good too, but for some reason I just like the Keeley ones a bit better.

AnalogMan has a cool little history of the TubeScreamer here:
http://www.analogman.com/tshist.htm

[FloridaNative]

Cool! Thanks so much for the replies and the link.

[elcid]

If my TS808 had a vag, I would totally nail it.
Likewise my ZW44 sounds killer through my 64 Princeton, True story

[vaijem777]

Originally Posted by elcid

If my TS808 had a vag, I would totally nail it.
Likewise my ZW44 sounds killer through my 64 Princeton, True story

Heh. That made me laugh. Needed that! I share similar feelings for my 808 (just don't tell my girlfriend - she's jealous enough of my gear!)

[elcid]

I keep trying to get my TS808 and my wife in bed together for some hot 3-way action. It's a sickness, really

[screamndemon69]

Originally Posted by elcid

I keep trying to get my TS808 and my wife in bed together for some hot 3-way action. It's a sickness, really

[shogun]

i use a cheap ibanez tonelok TS7... they are different then the originals but sound great

[Andy43]

Of all the tube screamers I've tried, I like the Maxon OD-9 best. It uses the best components and has true bypass. Plus it has the correct chip. Unfortunately, I don't use it very much as it really doesn't have a purpose for high gain amps.

[Cymbaline]

Originally Posted by Andy43

Of all the tube screamers I've tried, I like the Maxon OD-9 best. It uses the best components and has true bypass. Plus it has the correct chip. Unfortunately, I don't use it very much as it really doesn't have a purpose for high gain amps.

I use a TS9 on my Dual Rectifier and it definitely has a purpose there. I crank the volume and turn the drive way down and use it as a boost. It really tightens things up.

[stratoskier]

Hi,
I've had two original TS808, an original TS9, modified reissues of both, and assorted other clones. The original TS808s and TS9s were all purchased back in the mid-80s. For many years, I gigged with one of the 808s and mothballed the TS9. But a few years ago, I started experimenting with my pile of OD boxes and went back to the old TS9. I ran some blind tests (with a band mate switching them around behind the amp), and the TS9 was the unanimous victor. I sold both 808s with no regrets (and a very nice profit).

That means nothing more than the TS9 was right for my gear, my material, and the way I play. A good example is Scott Hernderson's use of the Maxon SD9 -- it sounds beautiful when he plays it, but I tried one and it was very grating. Also, as Vaijem said, the same model can vary a LOT in how they sound -- almost to the point that they seem like totally different pedals. Saying that one of these is "better" than any other is very subjective, though there will always be plenty of bandwidth devoted to that debate.

Cheers,
Bert

[Dee]

TS808 (the original, with square footswitch)
Tube Screamer TS9
Turbo Tube Screamer TS9DX
Tube Screamer Classic (TS10, as used by Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Metal Screamer (Master Series, 1986)
Super Tube Screamer ST9
Super Tube (Tube Screamer with a 2-band active EQ)
Tubescreamer (TS5, Soundtank series)
Tube Screamer (TS7, Tone-Lok series)

There are also variations like the UE300, a multi-effects unit that included the Tube Screamer. Very rare. The PUE5 multi-effects unit included several versions of the Tube Screamer.

Japanese versions are called "Tube Screamer" and Taiwan version are "Tubescreamer". Not sure why that is.

Originally Posted by stratoskier

Also, as Vaijem said, the same model can vary a LOT in how they sound -- almost to the point that they seem like totally different pedals.

Very true, because the same pedal occasionally used different chips.

[the.godfather]

You might wanna try looking at the Maxon models too. Which are very, very similar.

And are awesome too btw.

[Dee]

Cool. I'd like to hear one.