MJM Phantom Overdrive vs. Timmy?

[fuzzface71]

I just recently acquired a Timmy and would be comparing both. Anyone here have compared both? What do you guys think?

I also have a TOD!

[coolhand78]

I have both and they are nothing alike... Both great but very different imo... The blues devil/phantom is a ts style middy thing and the timmy is more balanced with that amazing eq... Currently blues devil is off my board... The timmy is going no where... I find these things are very gear dependant... So imo one is not better than the other it just might work better with certain amp/guitar combinations...

[sanhozay]

I have both {selling the MJM to fund other gear} but the two pedals are almost bookends on a board, rather than replacements for one or the other. The Phantom is one of the best & smoothest TS808 pedals being built, especially with the new switch that adds bass & volume. The Timmy is very open and uncompressed with EQ options galore, the tonal range on the MJM isn't huge but it does add top end, as opposed to cut it back like the Timmy. Phantom is a fantastic TS808 type pedal that slices right through the mix. It's tuned really well and isn't as harsh sounding as some of the other TS clones, and has a really nice range of mid-gain tones. The Timmy's dirty side is harder & brighter sounding but works so damn well with EL84's. The Phantom really mates exceptionally well with 6v6 & 6l6 American sounding amps. Sounds great with my Vox if i roll the gain way back.

[storm319]

MJM = TS808 type. Mid hump
Timmy = Most uncompressed, open low/mid gain overdrive in existence. Very flat response

[saltydogg]

I have the Phantom and use it often for southern rock/blues type overdrive. It took the place of my Ibanez TS808. Typical compressed gain/overdrive. Great pedal but I find it a bit noisy with the feedback, etc.

I had the Timmy for almost a year although I only used it at the end of my chain for the EQ and a small clean boost. I thought the gain was a bit bright and modern, albeit good, for my taste in tunes. The Timmy would probably still be on my board had I not got a Honeybee. Uncompressed gain, very effective 2-knob EQ. Sold it.

My experience with both is primarily with EL34 based amps.

I have a Jetter Gain Stage Purple on the way, so we'll see if the Phantom can hold it's position on the board.

Good luck.

[willyboy]

Agree with those above. Two completely different boxes, each has it's own thing going on and really, as far as deciding between the two, it comes down to exactly what kind of tones are you trying to cop/create.

[fuzzface71]

I totally agree with everyone's opinion on both. Both are great overdrive pedals for what they do. For me personally, I feel that the Timmy is too transparent that sometimes specially when soloing a bit of compression just make you feel the notes a bit better. And that's where the Phantom exceeds, but the Timmy is definitely worth 10+ times better than say, a Klon. One thing I regret right now is that I don't have my Vox AC30 anymore and I can't try the Timmy with a Vox.

[Mr. Kite]

Timmy sounds best into a nmv Marshall voiced amp.
Blues Devil sounds best into a bf Fender voiced amp.

[Coach]

I don't know, flick those dip switches up and the Timmy sounds pretty mean through a Fender Amp.

[gatordoc]

I really like the tone of a TS into my Tim. The TS provides a nice mids boost and the Tim's EQ and toggles allow me to shape the final tone just about anyway I want before sending it to the amp.

I have mostly Fender amps so the extra mids are always nice but I also like either the TS or Tim straight into them as well. It's all good.

[fuzzface71]

Originally Posted by gatordoc

I really like the tone of a TS into my Tim. The TS provides a nice mids boost and the Tim's EQ and toggles allow me to shape the final tone just about anyway I want before sending it to the amp.

I have mostly Fender amps so the extra mids are always nice but I also like either the TS or Tim straight into them as well. It's all good.

Funny that I've always compare both side by side, but didn't try to use them both to compliment each other. I'll report back on this. Or if some of you do, what's our take?