Tubescreamer Mods; Aren't They Over-Rated?

[Fndrman]

I can see replacing about two or three components when modifying a Tube Screamer, but when they call for about ten replacement components, is it really worth it? Why not just shop for a more suitable sounding pedal when they're out there? I have an old beat up Boss SD-1, and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need ANY mods.

[dosmun]

Actually the "10 component" swap is the one that makes the difference. The 808 mod 2 resistors and chip make little difference. Changing the clipping diodes and messing with the low pass filter are where the magic is with this circuit.

All are simple mods and a lot can/has been done with this circuit.

As far as searching for a more suitable pedal. Most are just modded TS peds anyway that you pay 3 times the price for. For some it's fun to tinker and mod there own stuff and that is why they do it more than just saving money. If you are the DIY type go for modding yourself, if not there are plenty of other FX out there that will do it for ya.

[earthtonesaudio]

Even if you modified every single component in the audio section, you still have a road-worthy piece of hardware, silent switching, and reverse power supply protection... which is more than can be said for many popular products from small time builders.

But I hear you, it's certainly preferable to get the sound you want with the fewest mods.

[storm319]

Any mod that I have tried has been extremely overated and disappointing (especially the Keeley Rat).

[bobcs71]

I bought a "modded" TS. You can get one here for about $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/SRB808-Overdrive-2-toggles-with-3-way-fatboost-upgra_W0QQitemZ190325556074QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuit ar_Accessories?hash=item2c5049836a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I do think it would be fun to work on stuff myself but my soldering leaves a lot to be desired.

[Gtowngearhead]

Actually the "10 component" swap is the one that makes the difference. The 808 mod 2 resistors and chip make little difference. Changing the clipping diodes and messing with the low pass filter are where the magic is with this circuit.

All are simple mods and a lot can/has been done with this circuit.

As far as searching for a more suitable pedal. Most are just modded TS peds anyway that you pay 3 times the price for. For some it's fun to tinker and mod there own stuff and that is why they do it more than just saving money. If you are the DIY type go for modding yourself, if not there are plenty of other FX out there that will do it for ya.

Considering the Luther Drive and the Mojo Drive are about $130, and an 808 reissue is $160 I think and a TS9 is $100 plus about what, $25 bucks for the 10 point mod kit? Yeah, I'd rather just have one of those modified TS circuits to begin with for the same amount, or less, and not have to spend any time fiddling with a cramped board.

[bluesdoc]

I bought a "modded" TS. You can get one here for about $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/SRB808-Overdrive-2-toggles-with-3-way-fatboost-upgra_W0QQitemZ190325556074QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuit ar_Accessories?hash=item2c5049836a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


Dave's pedals are terrific bang for bucks. I think they're real sleepers in the pedal world.

jon

[Wooley]

All I can say is that if you put Analogman's Silver or Brown mods against a stock TS, you will hand over your money without thinking.

And if you compare those two pedals to any other gain pedals, you will still be pretty impressed.

[shredtrash]

All I can say is that if you put Analogman's Silver or Brown mods against a stock TS, you will hand over your money without thinking.

And if you compare those two pedals to any other gain pedals, you will still be pretty impressed.

I'll add Keeley mods to that as well. The difference between modded and unmodded is significant IMO.

[B_of_H]

a diy ts pedal using high quality components sounds better than any modded one i've tried. I've made 10 or more of them on perfboard, stripboard and a few byoc pcb's and they've all put my keeley to shame.

[Mandoboy]

All I can say is that if you put Analogman's Silver or Brown mods against a stock TS, you will hand over your money without thinking.

And if you compare those two pedals to any other gain pedals, you will still be pretty impressed.


Yes, Analogman TS-9 silver mod, (which brings it toward the 808) to my ears, is much more hi-fi/full range sounding than stock.

[funkycam]

I can see replacing about two or three components when modifying a Tube Screamer, but when they call for about ten replacement components, is it really worth it? Why not just shop for a more suitable sounding pedal when they're out there? I have an old beat up Boss SD-1, and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need ANY mods.

have you compared to a modded sd-1?

I did the monte allums mod & it made the unmodded one sound like a toy.

[chuckmoose]

All I can say is that if you put Analogman's Silver or Brown mods against a stock TS, you will hand over your money without thinking.

And if you compare those two pedals to any other gain pedals, you will still be pretty impressed.

I have an AM silver mod in my possesion that I have been using to A/B against my own TS style (but highly modded) pedal build, as well as a variety of other pedals. I will say the AM Silver is a good sounding TS pedal, and I haven't been able to make a version that sounds better at high gain, though I like mine better at low gain. I have also A/B'd the AM mod against other TS pedals like the CMATMODs and the Maxon 808, and they all have a little different character but I wouldn't say the AM is really better. But, none of these TS pedals compare to some of my other pedals such as the KOT. Granted, they are a different kind of sound, but even with the AM mods the TS sounds muffled and feels stiff compared to the KOT.

[alnico2]

Dave's pedals are terrific bang for bucks. I think they're real sleepers in the pedal world.

jon

What Jon said... +1

[Webfoot]

Hmmmm.. I bought a byoc tube screamer and added my own mods (beyond the byoc mods). Three levels of bass boost/cut and three different clipping combinations. Of course it was trial and error to figure out which caps (for bass) and diode/led combinations. But it made a big difference in being able to tune the dirt for the amp and volume level. The extra parts were maybe $8.

So if you have a bad sounding guitar or bad sounding amp... modded pedals may not make much of a difference. It takes a while to figure out where is the weak link.

[jpagey]

no.

[Boogie92801]

Although I agree with most of what has been said on both sides of the issue, I recently did a 13 pedal blind test with, amongst others, a Timmy, Zen, OCD, TS-9, Dirty little secret, a GT-500 and a few others that I cant remember but the one that I was most impressed with… blind mind you, was a BYOC TS-based screamer with mosfet clipping and a burr brown chip. The GT, zen and a few others came in very close but the BYOC won out on that day with that rig.

I think the whole message is that there isn’t one answer for everybody and every rig. It’s all much too subjective.

[small axe]

not overrated....well worth it...i have 1....it is awesome

[Waxhead]

Yes, Analogman TS-9 silver mod, (which brings it toward the 808) to my ears, is much more hi-fi/full range sounding than stock.

I got Analogmans Maxon OD-9 silver mod to a TS-808.
Smoothed out the tones, gave more gain at the high end, TB, silent running. Significantly improved what is already a great pedal. Cost an extra $30 over buying a stock one. Great bargain :banana

[root]

Hey Dosman -

please go to this thread and help me out....I'm having bad luck w/ a tubescreamer heaven 15 point mod....


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=6536736#post6536736

root aka Bob G

[vindrewski]

Considering the Luther Drive and the Mojo Drive are about $130, and an 808 reissue is $160 I think and a TS9 is $100 plus about what, $25 bucks for the 10 point mod kit? Yeah, I'd rather just have one of those modified TS circuits to begin with for the same amount, or less, and not have to spend any time fiddling with a cramped board.

The Luther is awesome. Surprised i don't see more love for it on TPG. And you can get one new for $107.

[chenette]

They are well worth it.

Years ago my only pedal was a TS9 and I used it a fair amount. I then read online about AnalogMan's Silver MOD and sent it away.
It came back and I was amazed. I didn't know a pedal could sound that good! It started my pedal collection. I don't use it as much today as my KOT but I still think it is the best tubescreamer I've ever played through.

[GuitarsFromMars]

I have a TS-9 with a Maxxon PCB. A guy I used to hang out with works on building modded TS circuits. He did the basic RG Keen mods and (couple or 3 caps), changed it to a unit with an IC chip holder and changed the chip to a JRC 4558D chip. It sounds identical to an early 80's 'gold standard' model. Go figure.

[Hides-His-Eyes]

my favourite tubescreamer is a TS7 because it sounds almost as good and you can hide the knobs away.

And they go on ebay for about 20-30 quid. Can't argue with value.

[jbussiere]

I have an old beat up Boss SD-1, and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need ANY mods.

You say that now, but once you have it modded, you'll never go back....

[B_of_H]

Although I agree with most of what has been said on both sides of the issue, I recently did a 13 pedal blind test with, amongst others, a Timmy, Zen, OCD, TS-9, Dirty little secret, a GT-500 and a few others that I cant remember but the one that I was most impressed with… blind mind you, was a BYOC TS-based screamer with mosfet clipping and a burr brown chip. The GT, zen and a few others came in very close but the BYOC won out on that day with that rig.

I think the whole message is that there isn’t one answer for everybody and every rig. It’s all much too subjective.


I agree. In many cases those byoc od's just sound better than other designs. I'm not sure why but i've found this to be the case on completely unrelated and separate occasions with completely different equipment. The byoc just sounds fantastic.

[voorhiessa]

my favourite tubescreamer is a TS7 because it sounds almost as good and you can hide the knobs away.

And they go on ebay for about 20-30 quid. Can't argue with value.

Same here, I get lost in the TS variant debates, so I'm just sticking with the TS7 till something just falls in my lap.

I mean, it has the TS main characteristic (mid hump), which is 80% of what people that have TSs are after, right?

[soundchaser59]

I have an old beat up Boss SD-1, and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need ANY mods.

That's because you've never modded one. I got an SD-1 for $39 bucks new, put the Allums mod in it myself, and it changed from a cheapo toy to a real keeper distortion pedal, 65-70 bucks total.

If you side-by-side with a modded one, your old one will disappear pretty quick.

[Muzzy]

The sd1 with the Allums GT mod is awesome.

[vintage66]

I'd say the Maxons don't really need to be modded. The stock Ts9 does. Don't have enough experience with the Ts808ri. I have a Maxon Od808 on my board and a Keeley Ts9dx and it's a big improvement over stock. I'm guessing it will knock the Maxon off my board but mostly because of the versitility-the Maxon still sounds great.

Glad to hear that the KoT gets rave reviews even against some of the top ts pedals-I've only got 23 months to go.:banana

[Hides-His-Eyes]

Same here, I get lost in the TS variant debates, so I'm just sticking with the TS7 till something just falls in my lap.

I mean, it has the TS main characteristic (mid hump), which is 80% of what people that have TSs are after, right?

God, i know. I only use mine as a post-reverb distortion to dirty up my ambient swells.

[MGSchindel]

I'll add Keeley mods to that as well. The difference between modded and unmodded is significant IMO.

+1

I have Keeley Modded Sparkle Drive, TS9 mod plus, and TS808 true bypass. Huge improvements, more gain, better tone, more bass, clearer and smoother, or can be adjusted easily for a more aggressive tones. Very noticeable improvements and very much worth the money IMHO. But keep in mind it is just more and better "tube screamer". The mods are not intended to change the character of the pedal per se, but to enhance it. You will not wind up with a Klon Centuar or an OCD, just a better sounding, better sustaining, punchier, clearer, more useful tube screamer.