which tubescreamer / clone is best?

T

taypeng81

New member
Recently i've been gassing for a tubescreamer or a clone of it. Its seems as if no pedalboard is complete without one. I'm currently using a barber drive. I think it does a good job but im looking for something closer to the TS sound plus added features such as a fat boost/added drive...

I've yet to try the TS808 but I've tried the TS9. It sounds great (and i like the mid-range hump) but my only gripe is that it is cuts the highs off the bypassed tone. I've been thinking the voodoo lab sparkle drive might replace my barber drive.

So I'm interested to know which do yall think is the best tubescreamer version or clone out there?
 
taypeng81 said:
I've yet to try the TS808 but I've tried the TS9. It sounds great (and i like the mid-range hump) but my only gripe is that it is cuts the highs off the bypassed tone.
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I always think that is the characteristic of TS type pedal. It cuts the low and high to give the impression of mid hump. But I know nothing about electronic nor am I Pete Cornish, so don't quote me :D
 
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Uhhhh.. Sahasrara? Based on the TS I guess..
Rodenberg! TheGuillotine or smth like that is selling one at a very good price! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

And the Maxon sounds great as well..
 
taypeng81 said:
Its seems as if no pedalboard is complete without one. I'm currently using a barber drive.
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I don't think the TS is a required component of a pedalboard and neither is it an essential tone tool. I know of other musicians who don't have one on their board...

Don't fret about it - there are 101 TS clones, most of which are improvements over the original circuitry either giving you better components, more tone tweaking controls, or just plain sound better.

Take your time and try them but you gotta note, if it ain't working, it ain't working. I've tried long and hard to enjoy the TS but to no avail - it simply does not work.

But if I had to pick a TS to use, based on my experience with them... try a Zendrive. I don't how related it is to the TS in terms of circuitry but I find it embodies the desired aspects of the TS but has so much more to offer. Just get on the Zendrive list - I think the wait is what, 2 mths? USD180 for it and you've got a nice little pedal that inspires you to play in rather interesting ways.
 
yeah there are so many clones out there, lets see i've tried 2 clones and 1 TS9 so that leaves me about 100 more to try out...

I don't think the TS is a must-have for every pedalboard. I can imagine for heavier types of music, the TS does not have enough gain. It just seems to be an integral part of many guitar player's tone (e.g. SRV, john mayer), or at least for those I like to listen to..

So far I've read only positive reviews about the zendrive but im not sure how it compares to the other well-known clones like the sparkle drive and the original 808. It sounds like its a great pedal though, some commented its a dumble-in-a-box? wow...
 
Not so much "best" as to "favorite" then.

I'm picky with the words, but there's a difference between the best fruit, and your favorite fruit.

Anyhoo, in the Tubescreamer flavor, I like the Bad Monkey. Cheap and does the job fantastically.
 
taypeng81 said:
I don't think the TS is a must-have for every pedalboard. I can imagine for heavier types of music, the TS does not have enough gain. It just seems to be an integral part of many guitar player's tone (e.g. SRV, john mayer), or at least for those I like to listen to..
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Using it as a standalone pedal, probably. Thought about using it as a booster? Haha.
 
my thumbs up for a good alternative:

biyang%20od-7.jpg
 
taypeng81 said:
So far I've read only positive reviews about the zendrive but im not sure how it compares to the other well-known clones like the sparkle drive and the original 808. It sounds like its a great pedal though, some commented its a dumble-in-a-box? wow...
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The Sparkle Drive killer is the NOC3 Pure Drive. The PD is pricey but a lot of work goes into it and well, its just been improved. Details on TGP. You reminded me about the PD, I think I'd choose the PD over the Zendrive because the Zendrive just possesses that typical stuff an IC chipper irritates me.

A cool thing (the best thing actually) about the Zendrive is the way notes swell and sing when you play it. It has an excellent EQ control system... voice and tone controls. Its not overpriced like the Eternity (piece of junk if you ask me) and the wait time has been much reduced.

I would love to try a landgraff LDO but looks like every other TS like thing just flops in my setup... ah well...
 
mwahahahahahahahaha, shreddy! Thats a hurtful thingy to say about eternity, considering how much it cost, and just cost only...

sparkledrive actually has a feature rather useful and not found in much of od pedal, the clean blend thingy actually pretty useful, imho
 
+1 to the Bad Monkey. Its about $100 brand new, but on SOFT deals that come up range from $60-$80. I have a Bad Monkey and I love it! My only gripe is that it has quite a lot of gain for an overdrive, not sure if all Tubescreamers are like that. My Bad Monkey's mainly a booster but I use it as a stand alone as well.
 
PatheinRaindropMoe said:
mwahahahahahahahaha, shreddy! Thats a hurtful thingy to say about eternity, considering how much it cost, and just cost only...

sparkledrive actually has a feature rather useful and not found in much of od pedal, the clean blend thingy actually pretty useful, imho
Click to expand...

I'd be sad if I had to pay that much for the E. Hehe.

The NOC3 Pure Drive has the same clean blend as the sparkle drive - just that the PD does sound better and offers more tonal options.
 
subversion said:
bro, maybe it's time for a guitar+amp exclusive? he he...
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No lah. There's a whole world outside of the TS sphere...

I would love to get me the amp of my dreams and then later, have the back and strength to lug it around everywhere, with peace of mind and insurance in hand.
 
PatheinRaindropMoe said:
Heh, get a pure drive and donate to freestompboxes forum...
icon10.gif
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Don't need lah... Nick (from NOC3) doesn't goop his stuff and he's pretty honest to boot, as far as I can tell. He seems open about his circuits, his pedals and his work in general. If you wanna check out the Pure Drive, it wouldn't be a problem.
 
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