Which modal tube screamer should I be looking at ?

[Ronnie Robinson]

Ok Ive had a look on utube and I'm thinking of buying a tubescreamer - but which modal should I be looking at to buy ?

[Art]

Have a look at the Maxon OD9, I've got one on order but it hasn't arrived yet Don't think I've heard a bad thing about that pedal.

[Thinline_slim]

Not to dissuade you from going the TS route but I have a Home Brew Electronics power screamer (TS type pedal) from about 8 years ago which sounded fantastic through my Fenders (when I had them) but it sounds like garbage through my Oranges. Keep in mind that neither of my Oranges have a dedicated clean channel either.

I've actually just purchased the Danelectro CTO-1 off of ebay hoping that it will do what I want it to. I'll probably post a thread about it when I get it in the next few days.

Good luck with the hunt.

[baytamusic]

Guitar Fetish has some cool looking copies. I'm thinking of grabbing one.

http://store.guitarfetish.com/grcldicltsct.html

[misterMagoo]

I have a Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive (808 style) that I am enjoying very much. Its got a clean control to blend in boosted clean signal, and can be used as a total clean boost.

The only complaint you hear about these is the switch. I bought mine used and needed a new one and Voodoo Lab replaced it free of charge.

[Ohara]

I have the keeley modded tubescreamer and I absolutely love it. Keep in mind tone is a preferrential thing such as car colors, what is right for one is not right for another. Do yourself a favour and go to music stores and try out as many different ones as you can, and if possible make sure you play through an amp the same as yours to give you a better feel for what it is going to sound like. The pedals the other guys mentioned are probably also just as good as a tubescreamer, so make sure you keep pricing as a considering factor, as you may find the sound you want, but it might be too much to get, which sucks big time. Youtube is great for doing research, but again keep in mind that unless you can see what else they have in the chain, and what amp they are using, you aren't getting a true representation of sound, well that and you are listening through laptop speakers not an orange 4x12 cab, but it will give you a good idea of the possible sounds. The best part of all though, for me anyways, is the hunt, doing the research and trying all the different options. I wish you the best of luck in your search.

[Bandeapart]

I just bought the Maxon OD808, it's quite nice and lovely... just like the original Ibanez TS808.

[tugartheman]

I've got the reissue Ts808 and it absolutely rocks through my Orange!!!

[Pete27]

Have a look at the visual sound 'Route808' or the 'Open Road'. The Route 808 is a TS clone and the Open Road is similar but with less of a mid "hump". I have the Route66 which is is basically the Route808 plus a compressor in one, and the Overdrive side of the pedal seriously rules. Super smooth with a bass boost switch and its really well priced and solidly made.

[neonrust]

but it sounds like garbage through my Oranges.

Most drive/fuzz/dist pedals do.

If the powerscreamer is anything like the other HBE pedals.....it's a winner.

[Drdos]

I would choose the Dorian mode myself...

[Neiloler]

I just bought the Maxon OD808, it's quite nice and lovely... just like the original Ibanez TS808.

My word! It's a Phil sighting! How ya doing Phil?

[Orphin]

Not to dissuade you from going the TS route but I have a Home Brew Electronics power screamer (TS type pedal) from about 8 years ago which sounded fantastic through my Fenders (when I had them) but it sounds like garbage through my Oranges.

I have a theory for that.
Fenders have a quite scooped tone. Deep bass and crisp clear tops. Hit it with a mid-strong pedal as a Tubescreamer and it will even things nicely and let your tone step up in the mix. With an amp that is quite middy like an Orange it will be as we say in Sweden: Pancakes on pancakes. Don't know the english expression for that but it's like "more" on "much", mids on mids.
My personal experience is that Oranges doesn't like pedals at all. Wah wahs works fine, but no overdrive/distortion sounded good.

[Ronnie Robinson]

I like that ' pancakes on pancakes ' it pretty much says it all- I might start using it

Q How was work today, dear ?

R Oh you know, pretty much the same, Pancakes on Pancakes.......

...but yeah I agree its hard to find a overdrive type pedal which sounds good through the Orange

[Wendigo]

An original TS808 can't be beat (or the handwired reissue), Am I the only one here who realizes this?