Tube Screamers

[Dark Soul]

Gear question...

I just bought a Peavey 5150 combo from Mongo (thanks again for the awesome deal, Bob!) and I've been told that adding a good distortion pedal like a Tube Screamer can really give you a kickass sound.

My question is, does anyone have any experience with the different kinds of Tube Screamers, and what sounds the best? Or, are there any other pedals that might work well? I did some research online and it seems like there's no significant difference between the TS7 and the TS9. I've also read that the TS808 sounds good as well. I'd buy a TS9 but they tend to be pricey. The TS7 is a lot cheaper, but I don't know how well it sounds or how durable it is.

Thoughts?

[Gallowglass]

I have an old TS9 that I absolutely love. For years I stayed away from overdrive pedals because I played too many that colored the sound too much. Every time I kicked one on, it sounded like the guitar and amp I was playing through became irrelevant because everything just sounded like whatever pedal I was checking out. A friend gave me an old TS9 and I basically put it in the box of old pedals and didn't do much with it (I was basically ant-pedal then). One day I was messing around and really gave it a work out. I can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was. It really allowed the guitar and amp to breathe dynamically without coloring the tone too much. I have it set to add just a touch of boost and a bit of mids to cut through for leads. With the amps I'm using I don't use it at all to get my distortion, it's just for leadwork. In my opinion, that's what they excel at. if you're looking for a pedal to build a distorted sound around, it's probably not the pedal for it because they really don't have a lot of high gain drive...just a nice little boost. It should be great with a 5150. I could still live without any OD pedals, but I've been using the TS9 a lot more in recent years and the more I use it, the more I like it.

[The Shadow]

You'd be alot better of with a Boss SD-1 in front of the 5150. They also cost less, which is a plus.
I like to run the crunch channel with the pre-amp at around 8 and boost it with the SD-1. Set the EQ section to all 6's and do the same with presence and resonance.
Here is a clip I did of the setup described using an "83 Kramer Pacer Deluxe with a Seymour Duncan JB. The palm mutes are a bit boomy and there is a slight latency thing going on but you should get the idea.
http://tonefinder.com/files/48-Dio-HolyDiver.mp3

[riksylvania]

Tube Screamers are great! I use them and FullTone Full Drive 2s (non-mosfet). They definitely add color, so make sure you try before you buy. I use a TS just to push the amp a little, not full on distortion. In my humble opinion, the Full Drive 2 sounds the most like tube overdrive.

[KeithReynolds]

Get a Ts7...and do the Ts7 mod. Prob solved.

I wouldnt get an SD-1. They are too fizzy in my opinion.

[hicksjd9]

Modded tube screamers, or original tube screamers, are nice for leads or a boost. Analog man does great work. I believe a guy named Keeley does them, too. Ebay is great for these. Look for the analog man stamp.

If you are looking for a great distortion sound in general, a Mi Audio crunchbox is hard to beat.

[onegunguitar]

I had an original Tube Screamer years ago,bought it for $25 and sold it for $275.

[Dark Soul]

Thanks for all the input guys. I found a TS7 really cheap so I think I'll give that a try and see how it sounds. Maybe try modding it. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and try something else.

Has anyone ever tried the Steve Vai Jemini pedal? Always wanted to check one out. Expensive new, though.

[Dark Soul]

I was also thinking of maybe getting an EQ pedal like the Boss GE-7 to tweak the tone and add some low end. What do you guys think?

[songsmith]

I was also thinking of maybe getting an EQ pedal like the Boss GE-7 to tweak the tone and add some low end. What do you guys think?

I think those are okay for some uses, but be careful with EQ. A little should go a long way... if you have to use alot of EQ, something else should usually be done elsewhere in the signal chain. Things get pretty skronky with too much EQ.

As for the Tubescreamer, they're classic for a reason. When I first started, the usual setup was: whatever you played, with the bridge pickup upgraded to a Dimarzio Super Distortion, into a $30 Tubescreamer, into whatever tube amp you could scrounge up. The Super D's and Tubescreamers were the most common toys you could get at the time, along with some MXR stuff, and an occasional Crybaby.
I wish I had all the Tubescreamers back that I threw away!

[lonewolf]

Thanks for all the input guys. I found a TS7 really cheap so I think I'll give that a try and see how it sounds. Maybe try modding it. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and try something else.

Has anyone ever tried the Steve Vai Jemini pedal? Always wanted to check one out. Expensive new, though.

I just checked out the TS7 to 808 mod. Super simple and you only need one each 10K and 100 ohm resistors. R58=10K and R55=100

[KeithReynolds]

Thanks for all the input guys. I found a TS7 really cheap so I think I'll give that a try and see how it sounds. Maybe try modding it. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and try something else.

Has anyone ever tried the Steve Vai Jemini pedal? Always wanted to check one out. Expensive new, though.

I just checked out the TS7 to 808 mod. Super simple and you only need one each 10K and 100 ohm resistors. R58=10K and R55=100

Seeeeeeeee?

[Dark Soul]

Songsmith: You're absolutely right. I have no intention of doing anything radical. Just want to tweak my tone a little bit. Much as I love my 5150, it is a little weak on the bottom end and could do with a little more warmth imho.

Lonewolf: Cool! I'll check that out. Thanks man.

Keith: Okay okay!! Geez...it's not enough that you're the sexiest man alive. You gotta be right alla time, too! =P