TUBE SCREAMER

The history of the Ibanez Tube Screamer — which we naturally included on

our best overdrive pedals post — is not quite as twisting as that of the Big
Muff, but has its fair share of intrigue. It was originally designed in the 1970s
by Susumu Tamura, rose to notable prominence in the 1980s, and remains the
standard bearer to which all other overdrives are compared.

Like the Big Muff, there are versions and variants worth knowing about. The
original was the TS808 and was actually produced by Maxon, who has
employed Mr. Tamura for a very long time. Next was the TS9, which was
brighter and had slightly higher gain and employed a range of op-amps instead
of the venerated JRC-4558 chip. These are the two main versions everyone
talks about. There was also the TS10, TS5, and TS7, but none of those were
quite as well loved.

Something so ubiquitous could never be left alone. And, like the Klon, you
could find yourself staring down the barrel of a $1,000+ purchase if you really,
really want an original TS-808. Nonsense, I say. Given that the most popular
way to start a pedal company is to develop your own take on the Tube
Screamer, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to really, really good
sounding take-offs. I'm not just talking about cheap Chinese clones, although
you know something? Even those are worth a look. Almost every pedal
company going has their own Screamer version, which is good for you, the
guitar-playing consumer.

Unlike the Big Muff post, we didn't include a version of the Tube Screamer
from Ibanez. As mentioned, you can find it perched atop our best overdrive
pedals post where it (arguably) belongs. This list is dedicated to the wealth of
high-quality versions made by any number of other companies.

To be totally fair, most of them are pricier than the current-generation TS9
or Tube Screamer Mini. Most are even probably pricier than
the TS808 currently being made. Still, some of the "boutique" makers use
higher-quality components and some folks (like me) just like the smaller
makers. The point is: options are good, and we are bringing you 15 of them.

We didn't put the Maxon OD808, Maxon OD-9 or Maxon ST-9 Pro+ on this

list, largely because they're virtually identical to the Ibanez offerings and are
even still made in the same factory. They're definitely worth considering if
nothing on this list appeals to you.
1- EarthQuaker Devices Dunes V2 Mega Ultimate Overdrive 189$

Primarily based around the TS808, the Dunes offers three switches in addition to the
standard-issue TS Tone, Volume, and Gain knobs. The switch at the top allows you to set
your clipping mode preference between MOSFET (tight and crunchy), Silicon (which
mimics the original TS808 sound), and no diode clipping to drive the op-amp. There’s a
Normal/Bright switch that selects between full fat and chimer EQ curves. Finally, the
Bandwidth switch allows you to choose between Stock, which is the original TS808 sound
and Full Range, which backs off some of the low-end roll-off endemic to great Tube
Screamers.

2- JHS Bonsai 9 Way Screamer Overdrive Pedal $229

In addition to the expected Volume, Drive, and Tone knobs, there’s the nine-way selector switch.
First is the OD-1, which is actually a Boss circuit from 1977. Then the TS808, TS9, MSL Metal
Screamer, TS10, Exar OD-1 (a Polish variant), TS7, Keeley Mod Plus, and the JHS Strong Mod. If
you’re a player who loves this famous mid-boosting overdrive, this is just about the end-all, be-all.

It’s priced to match, to be sure, but it’s a far cry cheaper than trying to get your hands on an actual
vintage version of some of these. If you don’t want nine versions, but are interested in what JHS
makes of a Tube Screamer, you could also consider the Moonshine, which lets you mix in your clean
signal.

3- Wampler Pedals Clarksdale V2 Delta Overdrive Effects Pedal $199

Like EarthQuaker, Brian Wampler was overrun with requests to do his take on the Tube Screamer. If
you’ve ever watched his channel, you’ll know that he does several deep-dives into what makes the
circuit work, how to make subtle tweaks to it, and how best to run one into your amp. This is a man
intimately familiar with every component that goes into a TS-style pedal.

Wampler’s Clarksdale is a TS808 type that offers far, far more flexibility than most versions out
there. There are Volume and Gain knobs, of course, but instead of a tone pot, there’s a three-band
EQ. The Bass and Mid controls are active, meaning you can boost or cut those frequencies by 15dB,
while the Treble pot is like the tone control on a traditional Tube Screamer. The switch in the middle
allows you to customize the clipping; Big is more open, higher gain, more touch-sensitive, and
Smooth is more compressed and closer to the original 808 circuit.

As with the Dunes, you get top-mounted jacks, silent true bypass switching, and you can even run
this one at 9 or 18 volts if you want more headroom. There’s a lot more gain on tap in this pedal than
your average 808, and with the active EQ, plenty of room for finding your voice.

4- T-Rex Alberta Classic Series Overdrive Pedal $283

Toward the end of 2017, T-Rex re-released their Classic line of their original three pedals, all of
which are handmade in Denmark. Among those was the re-issue of the original Alberta, which is
their take on a lower-gain Tube Screamer. Their literature refers to Stevie Ray Vaughan, which
indicates that this leans more toward the TS9 circuit. That said, they say it’s “lower gain and less
strident than Stevie’s pedal,” so make of that conclusion what you will.

Controls are, as you might expect, Gain, Level, and Tone. Along with the lower gain range, this
pedal is a lot like the Nobels in that some players note an overall enhancement to the sound of their
rig. Could be psychosomatic, but one advantage to these being handmade (which in part explains the
somewhat-exorbitant price) is that while the original circuit is used, the values of each component
are matched not necessarily to spec, but to the best sound. Each unit is distinct and hand-tuned so
 that all the parts work very well together. It’s definitely a high-end offering, and you’ll opt for this if
you’ve been chasing vintage units around and really want this one in particular, since a lot of
boutique pedals are handmade these days and don’t quite go for this kind of price.

If you want more bang for your buck, you could opt for the Alberta II, which is not handmade in
Denmark, and as a result is a hugely-flexible dual overdrive for considerably less.

5- Walrus Audio Warhorn Mid-Range Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal $199

Like the Blue Note, there are four controls, with tone split into Bass and Treble. In contrast to the
Blue Note, which lets you control the lower mids, this knob works more like a variable high pass
filter, controlling all bass (or treble) frequencies. There’s a switch present here, as well, which
Walrus calls the “Compression Switch.” Up is tighter and more compressed, down is more open and
organic.

6- Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive Pedal $152

These are made in the U.S. and deviate from the Tube Screamer template in one important way:
tone.

Not the overall tone, of course, I mean the tone control. Rather than a single knob affecting the
midrange, this pedal has active tone controls for Bass, Treble, and Mid. That means you can scoop or
boost any of the three in any configuration you like. You can aggressively mid-hump your TS-style
pedal or use the controls to color match to your amp or pickups. The other controls are the expected
but renamed Level and Drive.

7- Way Huge Green Rhino Mini MKIV $120

This offering from Way Huge is the fourth iteration of their take on a Tube Screamer circuit, building further
flexibility into their smallest enclosure yet (which is still a little on the large side, really).

Naturally, you get knobs for Volume, Tone, and Drive. There are also two knobs to either side of the Tone
knob which, like the Clarksdale, allow for boosting or cutting those frequencies by 12dB. This allows for
really finite shaping so you can develop a Screamer tone that matches your rig perfectly.

If you want to snap back to a more traditional Screamer, the switch between Volume and Drive can be
flipped up to Classic, which defeats those two tone knobs. All that’s left is the TS9ish circuit from the
original Green Rhino.

8- J. Rockett Audio Designs Pro Series Blue Note Overdrive $199

J. Rockett’s take on the TS circuit expands the control set and the gain range. Instead of the
traditional three knobs, the Blue Note gives you a Volume, Gain, Tone, and Fat. The first two
are self explanatory, except to say that the range of the Gain knob is affected by the Hot switch
in the middle of the pedal.

When switched up, you get more gain, which is handy for matching to the amp you’re using at
the time or just for more grunt. The Tone knob controls the treble frequencies, while the Fat
knob mostly works on the lower mids so you can dial in the exact thickness you want. This pedal
offers all the expected TS tricks, but also allows you to call up what is often missing from a TS
as you need it.
 In addition to this version, which is the Pro Version, you could instead opt for the Tour Version,
which foregoes the Hot switch and is a little cheaper. Otherwise, it’s the same circuit.

9- Electro-Harmonix East River Drive Classic Overdrive Pedal $ 68

Another TS808 take-off, this version comes from Electro-Harmonix, in the fine tradition of that
company’s relatively low-cost options. Based around the aforementioned JRC-4558 chip, this
pedal creates that well-known symmetrical clipping for a few dollars less than the current
generation TS9 from Ibanez. The familiar controls of Volume, Drive, and Tone are present, and
it’s even mostly green.

The switch is a standard clicky true bypass, but it’s in a pedalboard-friendly MXR-sized
enclosure. This is probably a pretty close approximation of the 80s TS808s, with a lower gain
range and a pronounced bass roll-off and no expanded EQ set to offset that. Still, the price is
certainly right.

10- Boss BD-2W Blues Driver Waza Craft $159

It might be fair to say, then, that the Blues Driver, with its higher gain range, is more like a TS9.
If you kick around the gear boards of the internet, you’ll find plenty of people suggesting the
BD-2 as a suitable Tube Screamer stand-in. As ever, use your ears to decide.

If you opt for the Waza Craft version, you’ll actually get both versions of the BD-2 circuit. The
switch between the ever-present Level, Tone, and Gain knobs selects between S (for Standard)
and C (for Custom). Standard is the original BD-2, while Custom adds a fuller-range sound and
a touch more gain. Being a Boss pedal, this is buffered bypass, but they use a decent buffer, so
consider this not only for its wonderful gain-stacking abilities, but also if you happen to be in
need of a buffer.

11- Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive Effect Pedal $99

Controls are Drive, Level, and the elegantly-named Spectrum. Spectrum is tone, of which there
is just more in comparison to the 808 from which it derives. This has a wider frequency range,
which is particularly noticeable in the lower-mids. It’s less compressed than the Ibanez version,
but has a similar gain range. To my ears, the note definition is considerably better than a lot of
TS variants, so if you’re doing a lot of complex chord voicings, this might be the one to
consider.

Jacks on this are top mounted, and there’s also a Remote input, if you should need it. If you
watch a lot of pedal YouTube, as I do, you’ll know all about this pedal. If you don’t, it’s
probably because it’s something of an industry secret and a favorite of session musicians.

To be fair to the Nobels, there’s some disagreement out there over whether it qualifies as a TS
clone. Brian Wampler thinks it doesn’t and that dude knows his way around a circuit. I’ve
included it here because it’s often referenced in the same conversation at they end of the day, it’s
a green drive pedal that does a similar job for a lot of setups. It’s also just great and reasonably
priced, so it’s worth your consideration.

12- Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive $199

Like JHS, Keeley was first known for modding popular, widely-available pedals. Among these
was the Ibanez TS9, for which Keeley developed 12 distinct changes to improve the circuit,
which they called the Keeley Mod Plus. Around 2012, they incorporated all of these into a
release of their own and called it the Red Dirt.

If you think the controls are Drive, Tone, and Volume, you are completely right. There’s one
additional switch that, like the Wampler, let you choose your gain range between Lo and Hi.
You should hear a more open drive sound, with less pickup loading thanks to the JFET input
buffer. Like the Nobels, this is really known for its clarity and cut.
 If you want even more flexibility and pedalboard space for less, opt for the Red Dirt Mini. In
addition to the same knobs, there are four dip switches inside that let you choose from four
different overdrive styles: Distortion, Overdrive, Crunch, and Amp. These move this well
beyond the realm of any Tube Screamer and into far more heavily distorted territory.

13- Mad Professor Little Green Wonder Distortion Effects Pedal $ 316

The focus of this pedal is really on headroom for improved dynamics and feel. In addition, it’s
well-suited for those that as want the flexibility to choose where to put it in their tone stacking
chain. Possibly the most transparent of this genre, the Mad Professor take offers a very similar
circuit to the others on this list, but does not have the same mid-bump and bass roll-off that is
available elsewhere. This is what you’d get if you set the Clarksdale to Big and never changed it
again. Controls include Volume, Drive, and Body. The last of these dials in the lower-mids and
treble at the same time. Starting at noon, if you turn it counter-clockwise, you get the bass and
treble boosts, while clockwise boosts only the treble.

Like the T-Rex, the handwired version is pricey, but you can get a machine-made one, as well.

First listen to the Mad Professor product demo for the handwired Little Green Wonder before
you decide.

14- MXR 193 GT-OD Overdrive Pedal $ 99

Although Way Huge and MXR both live under the Jim Dunlop banner, MXR also offers a TS-style pedal.
In contrast to the Green Rhino, however, you only get the standard control set here. It’s a faithful take
meant to improve the circuit in ways other than strictly functional.

MXR claim that this is both less noisy and less coloring than your average Tube Screamer. MXR fans will
certainly want to give it a look, but given that it’s both pedalboard and wallet friendly, anyone looking for
options in green box overdrive territory will be hard pressed to pass it up.

15- Joyo JF-01 Vintage Overdrive Guitar Effect Pedal $ 31

the TS9 inspired Vintage Overdrive from Joyo is both cheaper and a little more common on pedalboards.
It belongs on this list simply because it makes a TS-type pedal available to virtually anyone. Less than $50
is a smoking deal for a pedal as it is, but around $30 is just silly. Tube Screamer users should have one as
a backup at this price.

Controls are as straightforward as they get. While in years past, a pedal this inexpensive would come in a
plastic box, this is a robust metal enclosure with chunky knobs. The badly recessed power jack probably
won’t win any design awards, but that’s a pretty minor quibble considering the price.

16- Biyang OD-10 Mad Driver Guitar Pedal Price:$39.98

Like the TS 808 , the knobs on this are Volume, Tone, and Drive, which are all pretty straightforward.
You could think of this as a modded TS808 thanks to the inclusion of a toggle to switch between Normal,
Bright, and Warm EQ modes. That easily extends the usefulness of the Ibanez design but at a fraction of
the cost. If you find you like the sound, you can save a huge pile of cash.

17- BOSS SD 1