ts-9 vs. ts-9dx vs. od-9 SCREAMERS SCREAMERS SCREAMERS!!

suprcivic · May 5th, 2006, 11:05 PM

so...

i'm in the market for a tube screamer. currently i'm leaning towards the maxon od-9 because of the true bypass and the jrc455sumthin' chip. kinda like a pre-modded ts-9.

i guess i'm just looking for opinions about the three pedals and their +'s and -'s

is the ts-9dx truely the same as a ts-9 but with more crunch available? ts-9 vs od-9?

any thoughts?

oh, yeah... if it helps, i have the sound tank ts-5 tube screamer and i tend to use it at a very low dist level (knob at 9 'o clock or less).

Strat-Talk · May 5th, 2006, 11:42 PM

The Sound Tank is just a modern TS-9 with a plastic case. If you don't much care for it, you will probably find the + and such as kind of weak, too. It sounds to me like you're looking more for a boost than an overdrive.

Let me suggest the SD-9 (Sonic Distortion) it has more boost and is smoother overall.. In 1981 I bought the TS-9, the holy grail one that folks pay $400 for now. I thought it was wimpy. So, I returned it to the shop and bought a SD-9 and I've always been happy with that trade (except its not worth as much as the TS-9 is these days). I think Maxon still makes a SD-9. (They made the original for Ibanez.)

I think that all these boosts and overdrives are a trial and error thing. You have to take 'em home and try them yourself.

My favorite ended up being a Kendrick Buffalo Fuzz. It's not sold anymore but to me it has the perfect combination of gain/boost/distortion. It hits the tubes in my 65 Princeton Reverb juuuuuuust right.

Bill · May 7th, 2006, 12:33 AM

Yep, I had the same experience as Strat-Talk. A couple of years ago a guy was selling an original TS-9 and SD-9. I was only interested in the TS-9, never having heard of the other. But I talked with him and he said he actually preferred the SD-9, that it could cover the TS-9's sounds and then some. Anyways, since the price was right, I figured I'd give both of them a try. I think I might give the nod to the SD-9 as well.

suprcivic · May 7th, 2006, 06:11 PM

can the sd-9 do clean drive also? i really like that feature of the ts series.

Stratoclutter · May 16th, 2006, 11:02 AM

I had a TS9 ... then a bad monkey came along ...

Old Wood · May 31st, 2006, 09:43 PM

.
+1 on the Bad Monkey.

FWIW, the earlier "USA Made" version is a little jucier, 3D sounding (I've played 'em side by side).

Just saw one sell for $39... GREAT bang for the buck and VERY usable tones.
.

Stratosaurus · June 18th, 2006, 01:32 AM

Another +1 on the Bad Monkey.

It's just so smooth, and only $40! I used a Boss SD-1 until the Bad Monkey came along and put the SD-1 in the closet. I use it all by itself... Strat > Bad Monkey > Amp. Until the wah pedal arrives anyway

Jackie Treehorn · June 18th, 2006, 03:14 AM

Another +1 on the Monkey.

The bass control sets it apart from other drive pedals. Must get that old SD-1 modded soon.

Jackie Treehorn · June 18th, 2006, 03:21 AM

The Fulltone Fulldrive 2 is one of my favorites in a band context. However, it fails to inspire me when just practicing alone. Maybe pick one up used and flip it if it is not your cup "o" tea.

photoweborama · December 5th, 2006, 01:57 PM

I have a TS9, a TS9DX, a Bad Monkey, and an Arion Tubulator.

I never use the extended features of the TS9DX. I just leave it on the regular mode. I don't care for the tone in the extended modes. To get what the extended modes should be giving you, I use the Bad Monkey and crank up the bass knob.

The Arion Tubulator is the best value with a real JRC 4558D chip in it.

mr_hankey · March 17th, 2007, 08:57 AM

I've got a TS9, which I'm quite satisfied with. I'm actually thinking or getting another one, to use as a boost.

andy__woods · March 28th, 2007, 02:26 PM

+1 for the Bad Monkey. I had always looked down on it from my proud pedestal, until I played my friends BM. The next week I went out and bought one, no regrets.

Recently I've been turned onto BBE pedals, and they also have a TS-clone type pedal. It's called the Green Screamer, and the same friend who turned me on to the BM, discovered the Green Screamer little beauty, and I've got one in the mail right now. I'll let you guys know how it stands up against the ever so affordable BM

mr_hankey · September 13th, 2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_hankey

I've got a TS9, which I'm quite satisfied with. I'm actually thinking or getting another one, to use as a boost.

I ended up buying a HBE Big D instead; and now I don't use my TS9 anymore. HBE makes loads of other great pedals too, like the Power Screamer. It's an improved tube screamer, maybe you should check it out?

2Buck Chuck · February 3rd, 2008, 02:39 PM

This JRC4558 stuff is funny. I'm an electrical engineer, and I used to design power amps. When we needed a dirt cheap dual op-amp for a preamp stage, we used the Japan Radio Corp JRC4558. It's a decent little op-amp, but no better than what we could get from the big companies like National Semi or T.I. In fact If I recall the schematic it was a direct clone of those other op-amps.

It was dirt cheap though! Anyway, if it works, then it's good.

StratDen · May 26th, 2008, 08:24 PM

I had an original Ibanez tube screamer from 1983 that I bough new with my Ibanez Roadstar. Great pieces of gear!

jmasin · June 11th, 2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_hankey

I've got a TS9, which I'm quite satisfied with. I'm actually thinking or getting another one, to use as a boost.

I bought one in '92 and I couldn't live without it.

tamias89 · October 16th, 2008, 08:20 PM

I've got a ts9 clone, with the jrc4558 chip in it. I love it. I play in a blues band so I don't need much distortion. If anything I turn the gain up and get a great rock sound. I also have an SHO boost along with an mxr+ distortion for an extra kick. I've heard ppl doubling up ts's (9's or 808's), but that's too rich for my blood! I just use the SHO to boost for solos and such. But watch out for some of these homemade pedals, i've seen and heard some really bad ones. Luckily my guy has been building them for years and has weeded out the faults.

old goat · October 17th, 2008, 04:56 PM

One thing to consider, if you have several pedals, is power supply (unless you like using up 9v batteries). The Bad Monkey, which I have and like, uses the same size plug for the 9V transformer as my Boss pedals, so I can chain them together and use one transformer. The Maxon pedals use a different size adaptor.

tylerangle1990 · October 18th, 2008, 01:26 AM

Bad Monkey is the best thing I've ever spent 50 bucks on. Everyone should have one, the end. However if you're looking for a boost without the grit just a boost with a tiny tiny bit of richening on the tone the Flying Dragon from Lizard Leg Effects if fantastic. Kind of like an adjustable Katana Clean Boost from Keeley. I personally prefer it over the keeley pedal.