The Ibanez Tubescreamer - variations and wannabe's
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Looking for the Tone?
The Ibanez Tubescreamer is one of the most sought after overdrive effects for electric guitar, since it first came out in the late 70's.
The original TS-808 became famous for Texas blues ace Stevie Ray Vaughan playing it. But several other models were released through the years; the TS-9- TS-10, TS-5, etc. That's a lot to choose from, when looking for the ultimate tone.
So what should you go for?
In this lens, I'll give you some facts and opinions to help you make an informed choice on what Tubescreamer to buy.
Or...check out some of the alternatives...
The original TS-808 became famous for Texas blues ace Stevie Ray Vaughan playing it. But several other models were released through the years; the TS-9- TS-10, TS-5, etc. That's a lot to choose from, when looking for the ultimate tone.
So what should you go for?
In this lens, I'll give you some facts and opinions to help you make an informed choice on what Tubescreamer to buy.
Or...check out some of the alternatives...
The TS9 on Amazon
The classic is still available!
What it does - and doesn't do.
Plug your guitar into a Tubescreamer and what you get is this:
The sound of a mild- to moderately overdriven tube amp - smooth, warm - yet punchy - overdriven sound.
If you run it into a good tube amp (and you should) you can push the amp itself into overdrive.
You now have the overdriven sound of a Tubescreamer combined with the overdriven sound of your amp.
The resulting sound is glorious and might suit you perfectly if you play:
- Blues (think SRV, Clapton, Buddy Guy)
- Classic rock (The Who, The Allman Brothers, etc)
- Pop, funk, jazz (John Scofield plays one)
- Etc
It might not be the obvious choice for metal, although Yngvie Malmsteen is rumored to have used one to drive his Marshal stacks!
The sound of a mild- to moderately overdriven tube amp - smooth, warm - yet punchy - overdriven sound.
If you run it into a good tube amp (and you should) you can push the amp itself into overdrive.
You now have the overdriven sound of a Tubescreamer combined with the overdriven sound of your amp.
The resulting sound is glorious and might suit you perfectly if you play:
- Blues (think SRV, Clapton, Buddy Guy)
- Classic rock (The Who, The Allman Brothers, etc)
- Pop, funk, jazz (John Scofield plays one)
- Etc
It might not be the obvious choice for metal, although Yngvie Malmsteen is rumored to have used one to drive his Marshal stacks!
Tube Screamers on eBay
Design and build quality
Ibanez tried a number of different things with the Tubescreamer through the years - both in the way the different models looked, but also in the electrical and mechanical constructions of the pedals. The basic electronic circuit behind the famous sound stayed pretty much the same though.
Here is a quick overview of the different models and the most important physical details:
Here is a quick overview of the different models and the most important physical details:
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TS808 Overdrive Pro:
Cast aluminum shell, JRC4558D chip, electronic bypass, plastic battery cover. -
TS9 Tube Screamer:
Cast aluminum shell, JRC4558D chip (mostly - sometimes other, inferior sounding chips were used) electronic bypass (with a bigger footswitch than the 808), a change in the electronics gave it a slightly brighter sound. -
TS10 Tubescreamer:
Cast aluminum shell, cheap jacks and pots (control knobs) now mounted directly to the circuit board were more prone to faulty connections. -
TS5 Soundtank:
Plastic case, cheap board mounted pots and jacks, unreliable footswitch, prone to noise, not made by Maxon. Still basically a tubescreamer circuit though - and it was cheap! -
TS7 Tonelok Series:
Cast aluminum shell, control knobs that could be pushed into the enclosure, making it easier to keep your favourite knob settings, a special "Hot" switch added more distortion and volume when engaged. Internal build quality not the best. -
TS9 - '93 reissue:
Identical to the original TS9, especially the later ones - it had the TA75558 chip which many feel is inferior to the JRC4558D chip. -
TS9 - '96 reissue:
Major differences were cosmetic (a CE symbol on the back) which made it distinguishable from an original TS9. -
TS9 - '02 reissue:
The TS9 was no longer made by Maxon. Circuit boards are of slightly lesser quality, and the first of the '02 reissues had bad jacks (changed to better ones in '03). -
TS808 - '02 reissue:
Not made by Maxon either, same circuit boards as '02 TS9 reissue, but the original JRC4558D chip.
TS808 vs TS5 Soundtank
A very interesting comparison.
They're not the same build-quality obviously, but can you tell the difference in sound between these two?
curated content from YouTube
Original or reissue?
Which is better?
Let's talk original vs reissue:
Old TS808 vs new TS808 - old TS9 vs new TS9.
There are differences, but do they really matter?
I'm curious to hear what you think about this...
Which is better
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byOld Tubescreamers
Reissue Tubescreamers
cbcman says:
the soundtank actually sounds better to me in this demo
Posted May 18, 2011
Special models and rare birds
Less known Screamers...
Ibanez have released a number of pedals that were a bit different to the standard Tubescreamer, but still part of the family:
- A special version of the TS808 was made in 1979, which had a narrow, MXR-type enclosure, a different circuit with more distortion and some other anomalies.
-
The Super Tube STL and the similar (and rare) ST-9 Super Tube Screamer came out in the mid-eighties. These models had four knobs: DRIVE, LEVEL, BITE and BRIGHT (for the STL), and DRIVE, LEVEL, MID BOOST and TONE (for the ST-9).
These are a bit more flexible than the normal models. -
The TS9DX Turbo Tubescreamer came out in 1998, and had an extra control compared to a TS9 - a MODE switch. This gives you 3 sounds additional to the TS9 sound, with progressively more volume, more low end and LESS distortion.
It's supposed to be great for bass...
Is this your lucky day?
Mods and mojo-talk!
Souped-up Tubescreamers
Why leave well enough alone...when you can MOD STUFF?
There are several "modders" out there, most notably Analogman and Robert Keeley.
Some of the stuff they do to your TS pedal includes:
- True bypass
- More low end
- Less noise
- More distortion range
- etc, etc...
There are several "modders" out there, most notably Analogman and Robert Keeley.
Some of the stuff they do to your TS pedal includes:
- True bypass
- More low end
- Less noise
- More distortion range
- etc, etc...
The OD-1 forefather and the Maxon connection
2 interesting bits of Tubescreamer history
The Tubescreamer family has a bit of a reputation for being original, groundbreaking, and so on.
This is not a 100% deserved though.
According to certain authorities on the subject of these great, green Ibanez pedals, the Tubescreamer was actually an attempt to copy the succes of the Boss OD-1, which came out in 1977 (a couple of years before the first Screamer). The TS808 circuit is similar to the OD-1, but a few changes made it possible for Ibanez to release their pedal without risk of legal actions from Boss.
But then...Ibanez didn't actually make the Tubescreamers themselves.
Nope, from The TS808 and on, these legendary pedals were really built by Maxon.
Maxon had their own pedal line back then - and still do - including a version of the Tubescreamer, the OD808.
Definately worth checking out.
This is not a 100% deserved though.
According to certain authorities on the subject of these great, green Ibanez pedals, the Tubescreamer was actually an attempt to copy the succes of the Boss OD-1, which came out in 1977 (a couple of years before the first Screamer). The TS808 circuit is similar to the OD-1, but a few changes made it possible for Ibanez to release their pedal without risk of legal actions from Boss.
But then...Ibanez didn't actually make the Tubescreamers themselves.
Nope, from The TS808 and on, these legendary pedals were really built by Maxon.
Maxon had their own pedal line back then - and still do - including a version of the Tubescreamer, the OD808.
Definately worth checking out.
Maxon on eBay
Great alternative to Ibanez
Clone wars!
The 7 best Tubescreamer clones - as voted by you!
Tons of guitar-effects makers have their take on the Tubescreamer circuit and sound - but which out of these 7 do YOU prefer?
BBE Green Screamer Vintage 808 Overdrive Guitar and Bass Pedal
The Green Screamer is an overdrive pedal that prod more...0 points
DigiTech DBM Bad Monkey Tube-Overdrive Analog-Distortion Pedal
The Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive gives your guitar am more...0 points
Voodoo Lab SD Sparkle Drive Overdrive Pedal
The Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive Overdrive Pedal utili more...0 points
Visual Sound V2 Route 66 American Overdrive Pedal
The New and Improved Route 66 from Visual Sound In more...0 points
Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube-Sound Overdrive Effects Pedal
Get screaming tube-like distortion, smooth sustain more...0 points
ToadWorks Texas Flood Classic Overdrive Effect Pedal
ToadWorks Texas Flood is a a classic overdrive mod more...0 points
More Tubescreamer info.
Geek, tech-y stuff. Nerds only.
Much of the info in this lens came from the following sites - thanks to these people!
If you're feeling really nerdy, go check 'em out...
If you're feeling really nerdy, go check 'em out...
- Analog Man Vintage Guitar Effects
- This guy knows A LOT about Tubescreamers...and most any other fx pedal. One of the most famous modders out there.
- The Technology Of Tubescreamers - By R.G. Keen
- Guitar effects guru R.G.Keen explains the inner workings of the Ibanez Tubescreamer. The electronic variations between the different models are explained and the secrets behind some of the most famous mods are revealed.
Wanna...err...scream?
Or just speak in a normal voice?
Any feedback (hee hee) on this lens is much appreciated!
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stevewdewitt
Nov 24, 2011 @ 9:29 am | delete
- I have an analogman tube screamer mod. It is cool. Nice lens
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mysticmama
Jan 15, 2010 @ 1:58 pm | delete
- Nicely done!
Welcome to Squidoo!
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starlitparlit
Jan 15, 2010 @ 9:24 am | delete
- Very interesting lens. I'll have to show it to my husband and sister in law, they're both guitarits :)
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