TS808 Tubescreamer Review

It's back - the incomparable overdrive pedal that's been described as "the Holy Grail of Tube Screamers." The TS808 reissue features the same famous large square footswitch and the even more famous warm tones of the JRC4558 chip used in most of the original TS808's. For players who feel their tone is suffering from a lack of real warmth, the TS808 is the Real prescription.

Ease of Use:	9.2
Sound:	9
Reliability:	9.2
Impression:	9.2
Overall rating:	9.2
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	11

overall: 9.5

Featured review by: matthew_z31, on december 19, 2005

Purchased from: Guitar Center (How Cliche)

Ease of Use: I can answer this rather quickly. I don't think they really had "firmware" in the 1960's. The TS-808 has three knobs "Overdrive," "level" and "tone." You can't get any easier or more straight foward than that. // 10

Sound: I play a Fender Showmaster QMT HH on a Line 6 Flextone III XL. With the versatility and power of the amp (it pushes 150 watts to 2 12's), the addition of this pedal makes the amp really scream. The pedal, as with most Overdrive pedals, is somewhat noisy with the "Tone" knob turned up. The addition of a noise suppresor will surely cure this problem. I play a lot of classic rock and blues rock along with some 90's alternative. The effect only gets weak if the battery is dying. The tones of Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Creedance Clearwater Revival, George Thurgood, The Meat Puppets, Nirvana, Candlebox, Live, and silverchair (just to name a few) are all atainable using the pedal along with the gear I mentioned earlier. There's obviously only one effect (Overdrive) and this pedal does it very well... they wouldn't have reissued it if it didn't! // 9

Reliability & Durability: The TS-808 is built like a rock. You drive nails with the thing. The battery supply is a different story. As with most effects pedal this one will go through them pretty quick, I'd use an AC adapter if I were going to play a gig. But otherwise, I wouldn't worry about any sort of backup. // 10

Impression: The reason I got this pedal in the first place was because I was in search of that classic creamy rich overdriven sound and the TS-808 is the perfect match. If it were stolen or lost I'd defenitely get another one. The ease of use and general quality of sound are the most likeable things about the pedal. I compared to a Marshall Overdrive pedal and a couple of Boss pedals and I just had to buy this one, it really is a nice pedal. // 9

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: stratomasterb, on october 08, 2008

Purchased from: Long & McQuades

Ease of Use: As soon as I plugged it in, within minutes of fiddling, I had a nice tone down. Very easy to use, it's got a tone/volume/drive. it's so easy to use there is no need to even look at the manual. it's also great as a boost for a break up clean solo, if you turn down the Drive all the way and set the volume to a desired level, it sounds very cool. beautiful if I may add. // 10

Sound: I am very picky when it comes to sound so I am constantly adjusting and meddling with it trying to get a good sound but one thing's for sure, I am always satisfied in the end with the tones it can create. It can give you that awesome, absolutly amazing bluesy crunch, and it can definetly do rock. However it is not a distrotion pedal as mentioned countless times. This is an Overdrive, and it's the best at what it does. The only problem is, I have a solid state amp which, compared to a tube amp sucks ass. So I'd bet it sounds a billion times better through an all tube Marshall or Fender amp. WITH A STRAT and a Fender Amp, it sounds godly. You can't go wrong with this pedal. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Built like a tank. I would use an ac adaptor during a gig because you never know with batteries, they tend to run out pretty fast. An ac adaptor is only around 30bucs and it lasts a hell of a lot longer than a battery so... do it, you can't go wrong. And if you're starting to buy many pedals, consider building or buying a pedal board so that you don't have to carry everything around seperatly. // 10

Impression: I play everything from classical, to blues, rock, to metal. I would say that this amp is great for blues and rock, not so much metal for once again, it is a Drive pedal not a distortion. if it were stolen I would definely buy another one for 190 bucs, it's worth it in my opinion. Like I said before I am picky when it comes to sound so I am constantly fiddling and toying with the tone and volumer on the pedal, my guitar, and my amp and I hope someday I'll find a tone that will blow everyone away. // 9

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: sven_svensk, on december 28, 2005

Price paid: $ 180

Ease of Use: The TS808 is very easy to use and you can tell just by looking at it. It's 3 knobs that you control Overdrive, tone and level with. The on button which is a fairly big metal plate can be located beneath the knobs. // 10

Sound: I'm using an Ibanez RG570 into a Guitarport or Roland Cube 30, the Guitarport for recording and the Cube for practice. The idea when I bought this was to use it as a solo boost to an already distorted channel and that is what this pedal does best, it provides tremendous sustain and tone to your guitar. It can also be used for rhythm playing to get that nice AC/DC type of sound. Keep in mind that the Overdrive even when turned way up isn't that loud so it's not so good as an distortion pedal but that's not what it should be used for either. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I never had any kind of problems with it and I think I'll never have. The original TS-808 are still functioning and demanding high prices after a decade, so I think I can depend on it. // 9

Impression: My style of music is rock, metal, blues and this pedal can cover most styles, but I think it's best for Blues and Instrumental rock like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai etc. The best thing about it is the sound it produces, the difference it makes. My amps fell dead if I'm not pluggin it in. It could have more gain though, but that's alright, it's not it's primary purpose to act as a distortion pedal. As a comparison I've tried all the Marshall distortion/overdrive pedals and I felt like they were lacking something, once I picked up the TS-808 Tubescreamer I found what I was looking for. So if you want a classic warm sound with loads of sustain, try the TS-808. If you want loads of distortion I suggest you buy something else. // 10

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: supergerbil, on august 17, 2007

Price paid: $ 272.67

Purchased from: soundcontrol

Ease of Use: Very easy to use; 3 knobs: overdrive, tone and level. Overdrive is nice and smooth, so the right amount on Overdrive is easy to get. The tone control works well and so does the level. Getting a good sound is never a choise; you always get one. All the different settings are very useable. The manual really is just how to set it up and safety precautions, but you don't really need one as it is easy to use. // 9

Sound: I use this with a few different guitars, but mainly with my Gibson Les Paul Studio. I play it with my Laney VC-30. It works great and I can get most great classic rock sounds. You can get a classic AC/DC sound along with many other artists, but moreover you can get your own sound. It is not at all noisy and very transparent so it doesn't suck your guitars tone. It always sounds great. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It is totally dependable and very reliable. I could use it at a gig without a backup. It's housed in a very strong metal casing that looks like it would be bullet proof. I'm not sure how long the battery life is as I always use the 9v power supply. The knobs seem strong and I know that they will be reliable enough to frequently mess with. // 10

Impression: I mainly play rock (both classic and modern) and it's a perfect match. I've been playing for 2.5 years and I own this, my Les Paul, my VC-30 and a Fender mexican strat. I can't find any regrets and if it was lost/stolen I would definitely buy another one. I bought this after I had a DS-1 and it's a huge improvement. I'd reccommend it to antone of any styles as it is great in every area. // 10

overall: 9

Reviewed by: Arlabester, on february 13, 2007

Purchased from: Mid-Michigan Music

Ease of Use: The ease of use on this thing is pretty easy. It's got three knobs, overdrive, level and tone, and it's pretty easy to get a tone out of. You just move them around until you get what you want. There is a manual for it, but it wasn't much of use. It had basically how to set it up, and what each knob did. I kind of had to figure out how to get my sound myself. // 9

Sound: I'm using this with stock Ibanez AXS32, Fender MIM Strat and Squier '51. I'm running it by itself through a Blues Junior. It works well with every guitar. This pedal is pretty quiet. I don't really hear much buzz. The effects always sound great and sharp, unless the battery is dieing, which I don't have to deal with, because I have adapters. What I use this for is, AC/DC. It's got an incredible AC/DC sound, even with my strat. Very good tone and sound quality. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I'm pretty sure I could count on this. Of course I haven't gigged yet, but it seems rugged and capable. It's got a zinc (I think) casing, and it seems like tank armor, it's also got a rubber stopper on the bottom, so I don't think it'll slide. // 8

Impression: I play stuff like AC/DC, Hendrix, and MCR. I think this is a great piece of equipment. I've been playing for about a year and a half, I own a blues junior, metal muff, crybaby, and big muff. I use this usually only with my metal muff, as a boost, or just by itself for classic rock. I don't think I have any regrets at all buying this. I bought it for classic overdrive, and it delivered. I think if it were stolen or lost, I'd definatly buy it again. Very nice pedal. // 10

overall: 7.5

Reviewed by: Revalk, on march 23, 2007

Purchased from: Longue & McQuade

Ease of Use: It's easy to get a good sound out of this pedal. Plug it in, put the tone and distortion knobs in the middle area, adjust your level to equal your volume level when the pedal's not on, and wham, descent sounding distortion. However, I will find I found this pedal didn't have a hell of a lot of range. You could increase the distortion and play with the tone, but I found it just changed how much fuzz there was a little bit, and didn't really give you new sounds to work with. I gave the manual a quick flip, and it seemed okay, but let's be honest, it's a basic Overdrive pedal, and doesn't require much of a manual. I'm not sure of the exact version number of this pedal, but I'm pretty sure it's on of the latest. // 7

Sound: I tried out a few guitars with this: A Standard Les Paul, and a PRS EG. Sounded not bad with both. The pedal was fairly sharp sounding, which was a definite bonus for an Overdrive pedal, as often you get muddy sounding ones, which somewhat defeats the purpose. I found the effects were a little weak for some sounds (I wouldn't want to play anything really metally, or really full sounding through it, I think). Mostly, I think I'd use this pedal for power chord fuzz, which it would be excellent for, and some solos. Overall, a nice crisp sound, but nothing too deep sounding, and nothing too crazy versatile. // 8

Reliability & Durability: It's hard to say without taking the pedal home and gigging with it for awhile, but it seemed fairly reliable. The casing was all very sturdy, and I noticed no weak spots well I played. In all likelihood, this pedal wouldn't be versatile enough for a gig I would play, so I probably would have more distortion pedals then this with me anyways, so no I wouldn't bring a backup. // 8

Impression: I play a wide variety of music: blues, jazz, rock, ska, hard rock, metal, etc. etc. This pedal only suits certain elements of these. For blues and jazz, it's not bad actually. You can still play 5 note chords and feel the individual feel of each chord, which most pedals just muddle. For rock, I'd say it's not a bad pedal for some power chord distortion and such, but it's not quite deep enough sounding for hard rock or metal. Ska distortion can be all over the place, so it might not be bad for that either. I've been playing 5-6 years, and own a few guitars and basses, and a drum set. Check my sig on the forums for full gear info, just for your info. To be honest, I doubt I'd buy this pedal. It has a few really nice feels, but would only work for some things I play I find, and not everything overall. I really liked the sharp crisp sound. I was unimpressed however, with the versatility of the pedal. Albeit my Boss DS-1 (yeah, nothing special) isn't quite as crisp all the time, I would prefer it as it has a tonne of range in what you can use it for. // 7

Comments

[ArcherTheVMan]

whoa.

[the_lil_rocker]

The Hawkins brothers 4rom "The Darkness" use one of those

[blacklp]

4rom = fourrom = four rom = your english is crap

[IbanezRGshredda]

Amazing peddle, nice for solo boost

[marktuazon]

THIS IS NOT A DISTORTION PEDAL!! (Revalk seems to be a bit confused)

this is an overdrive pedal ,tubescreamer. tube-screamer. it sounds best on a tube amp..

if you're going solid state use a distortion.

[Shablibbit]

This reissue may be a pretty good overdrive pedal in comparison to the rest of the market but is nothing compared to the original ts-808. Analogman can mod your reissue or your TS-9 for that matter to make it sound sweet like the old ones. And yes, overdriving a clean tube channel is where this pedal shines.

[mr_sinistah]

blacklp wrote:

4rom = fourrom = four rom = your english is crap

LOL cack

[Jhachey22]

blacklp wrote:

4rom = fourrom = four rom = your english is crap

go bitch about it in the 4rom, why don't you?

[Pencil Man]

Wow, I got one of these for only $100

[GravityBurst]

surprised that there arent more comments on this page

[bluesman89]

comment