Since I recently did a review on the Fulltone OCD, I thought that I’d do a review on the much-revered TS808. As many in the know, this is the pedal that defined Stevie Ray Vaughn’s sound. But it’s not the reason why this pedal is so special. The Tube Screamer has a unique, transparent tone; the keyword being “transparent.” Want to add drive and breakup to your tone – just switch it on. What you’ll get is a warm-sounding overdrive that is like candy for the ears.
Like the OCD, this is not a distortion box. It’s an overdrive box. The difference between overdrive and distortion are important, because they involve different approaches to the electronics. Click here for a good discussion. Overdrive boxes are known as “soft clipping” devices where gain is inversely proportional to input signal. Usually the boost is in the midrange with the high and low ends slightly cut off. The Tube Screamer is a pure midrange booster, and produces a beautiful, warm tone. The OCD on the other hand also boosts in the middle, but has added electronics that add sustain and boost harmonics and overtones. With the OCD, you can get a FAT, almost compressed tone. With the TS, you just get a boost – but that’s not a failing in the least!
As with the previous review, neither pedal is better than the other. They both have their uses. When I want lots of sustain – especially with solos – I’ll use the OCD. But for general broken-up rhythm, I’ll use the TS, but that’s not necessarily a de facto standard… In any case, let’s discuss some features…
Note to metal players: This is not the pedal for you, if you’re looking for a real hairy kind of distortion. Think of this box as a driver to achieve pre-amp distortion. That tends to be on the brighter side. This box will not produce a fat tone, so buyer beware!
But if you’re looking for warm type of pre-amp breakup, this box is for you! It couldn’t be easier to use, either. Just three knobs: Overdrive, Tone, and Level. To get the tone you like, just fiddle with the knobs until it sounds right to you. Generally, I set the tone knob to 12 o’clock, which is pretty neutral (though the tone knob really doesn’t have that much dynamic range), set the overdrive to 10 – 12 o’clock, then set the level to slightly louder than the volume of my amp with the box switched off.
As far as build quality is concerned, it’s an all-metal casing. I gig with this box a lot so its hefty weight and solid build is a boon to gigging. And unlike the normal toggle switch you find on most boxes, the TS is (de)activated with a square switch. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing, it’s also really functional. The only beef I have with the box is that the light source of the LED is set kind of deep, so you have to be practically right over the box to see if it’s switched on or off.
Finally, the Tube Screamer is not cheap. A “Re-issue” like mine will set you back ~$169.00, while vintage boxes run up to $450.00. All I can say is that the money you spend is entirely worth it!
How does the re-issue compare with the TS-9 pedal? Are they more or less the same?
From what I understand, they’re fundamentally the same with the TS-9 having a couple of different resistors. From my own listening experience, and verified by others, the TS-9 is a bit more transparent, with little loss to dynamics, while the TS808 has a bit more low-end punch, and tends to be a bit “warmer” sounding. I personally don’t think either is better than the other; both serve their tonal purposes, though I personally prefer the crunch I get from the TS808.
Goof! Thanks for looking at the Tube Screamer and the Fulltone OCD. I did end up getting a couple of clean boosters, the BBE Boosta Grande and the Keeley Katana. Been playing with both to see which one I like better, although they are both real good. The Katana has a setting where it goes beyond being a clean booster and ads a little crunch/break-up, which I like for certain rhythm. So, I may just end up using both.
But, you got me thinking about the Fulltone OCD. I basically use one of my fuzz faces for distorted rhythm and lead, with the volume knob on my strat as the distortion/level regulator. But, I’ve been thinking about a different distortion tone and may look into the OCD. But, I also want to re-visit the Tube Screamer. Agghhhh!
Thanks for the reviews bruthuh!
IG
HI there ……… im also a proud owner of a ibanez ts 808 and i can tell you its THE pedal i was dreamin of ….tone wise
complex mi(n)d expender……and . ADDICTIVE by the way .
..good choice brothe…. you dont wanna be affraid with that one its a winner big time..
Thanks for the review, Dawg. i’ve been thinking about getting a Tube Screamer, but I already had a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, which supposedly has the same circuitry as the TS808. Do you know if they’re different or would the tone be substantially the same?
They’re fairly similar as far as I could tell, though the Sparkle Drive does have that extra boost knob that they claim restores attack.
But overdrive freak that I am, I only have my Timmy on my board now because it gives me all the overdrive I need. Then when I need more crunch, I just switch on my EWS Little Brute Drive (https://guitargear.org/2011/06/20/gear-review-ews-little-brute-drive/).
The only downside is that the Timmy takes about six months to get delivered, but you order it and don’t have to give Paul Cochrane a cent until it’s ready for shipment. I admit that I thought all the hype around the Tim and Timmy was pretty incredulous, but it literally eliminated three overdrives that were on my board – and those were/are great overdrives.
Just food for thought…