What's the best tubescreamer?

[John_A]

Anyone tried these?

Yes, apparently a TS9 clone, sounds great and cuter than a cute thing!

[ICBM]

Anyone tried these?

That would be quite cool except that they've made the wrong knob the main one. It should be the level - that's the one you most often need to adjust on the fly.

[peteri]

Not strictly speaking a clone - but I've really enjoyed my Gearmanndude Lutherdrive (which I just happen to be selling), doesn't have that mid-range hump quite so much - but apart from that is just what I wanted (just been pushed out by a KoT)

Pete

[daveyh]

I have Bad Monkey (unofficially claimed by my son) and a Full Drive II. I came to both of these not because they were TS related, but because the sound was what I was after.

[guitarfishbay]

I have Bad Monkey (unofficially claimed by my son) and a Full Drive II. I came to both of these not because they were TS related, but because the sound was what I was after.

I have a Route 66 (contains a TS808 type circuit) and a Bad Monkey. It has been a while since I did an A/B, as my old band mate still has my Bad Monkey a year on... he keeps forgetting to post it to me and I keep forgetting I own it unless I see forum posts about one... Ironically neither of us would use it as he seems to only play acoustic these days and I prefer my Route 66.

Anyway the point is that they do perform differently. The Route 66 has miles more potential output, and also is a bit less scratchy when used at higher drive settings, but tonally they can be set to sound the same if used within the Bad Monkey's variables. The VS has more tricks up its sleeve though.

This is a side by side of the Route 808 (Visual Sound's TS circuit) vs an Ibanez TS808. You can clearly hear how much more output the VS has, plus the fact it is a little bit less scratchy (but realistically very little difference tonally). The Drive can totally be set off on the VS, which I don't know if you can do on a real TS. When it is off it basically becomes a clean boost with a tone knob, losing some of the TS characteristics IMO. There is a bass boost knob which is great for fattening a strat/tele up if you're boosting a clean amp, but obviously it can lead to mush if you've got it on with a high gain amp.



I really rate the VS 808 circuit, but you have to dial it in by ear, as copying other people's TS settings won't work because of the massive output difference. In general I only run my output level about 10:00. 12:00 creates a noticeable volume jump into a clean amp - great if that is what you want, but something to bear in mind during use.

[evilmags]

Anyone tried these?

Yes I own one. I A/Bd it against an original TS9 and it did not lose by any strech of the imagination. It also has the hot boost switch which takes things up a notch. I really like the pedal, but I am using it infront of a Blackstar Artisan 15, which is a fairly nice handwired valve amp so part of the goodness is probably happening in the amp. At that price I really can't see why you'd pay more for what is a fairly simple circuit.

[Dave_Mc]

Yes, I think it's very like a TS, it's the yellow one, I think they do a few different models. It's certainly got more drive, but with the drive low it sounds just like a TS808 to me, but I'm deaf

i've got the metal-cased yellow one. admittedly i've only tried it head to head with my joyo (which is a ts clone) but it sounds very different (as far as od pedals sound different, obviously, it's not like one sounds like a fuzz and the other sounds like an od, lol). My ears aren't as good as they were either, though, so

That would be quite cool except that they've made the wrong knob the main one. It should be the level - that's the one you most often need to adjust on the fly.

arguably that's the case with a couple of the mooers (i haven't tried the green mile, though). actually it can be too easy to hit the bigger knob by accident, which is annoying.

[bshen92]

I just made a video comparison between a TS808 and a Digitech RP TS808. I'd appreciate feedback (no pun intended)!



Cheers!

[downbytheriver]

The Rodenberg GAS 827..... and strangely enough..... I have one for sale here

[rinkydinkron]

No love for the Maxon?

Was thinking the same GA.