Tube Screamer FAQ Version 1

[hsnyder]

nobody has jumped yet. PM me

[Rex Rocker]

Figured I'd post this here:


I just got one of those MXR Classic Overdrive pedals that's basically a ZW-OD/GT-OD in a cheaper box.

I have a few questions about it, tho, that maybe you guys can help me answer.

It's a pretty well-known fact that these have a little switch on the inside that turns it into either ZW-OD or GT-OD. I'm guessing it has to do with enabling asymmetrical (the ZW is basically a modded DS-1) or symmetrical clipping. I'm curious as to which side is which, tho.

One side (right) is louder than the other as far as output goes. The gain is less compressed-feeling, meaning I feel there's a bit less "overdrive" on tap. There's a characteristic TS-type of bass cut, but this setting cuts less bass than the other.

The other side's (left) overdrive is more compressed-sounding. There seems to be a little more "drive" on tap on this side. The overall output is also less. This side also cuts more bass than the other.

So which side do you think is doing what?



Also... So far, I've ran it most of the time on the side that cuts the most bass. However, I feel reaching unity gain's kinda difficult here, since it's quieter than the other. I'm using EMG's (81TW/60), which are loud pickups, yeah, but I have to have the output cranked in the pedal (drive set to 8:00-8:30-ish, tone 12:00-ish), and I still feel I could use just a tiny tiny bit more kick out of it... is this normal?

Thanks.

[JakeAC5253]

Judging by a thread on FSB, the switch adds one component to the clean amp stage of the design. This component is an AC shunt for out of phase signal which would otherwise cancel with the output of that stage. Less out of phase signal mixed with the same amount of in phase signal at the output means more signal moving to the output. I have yet to see a verified/manufacturer schematic or try it for myself though.

[Rex Rocker]

So both settings are either clipping symmetrically/asymetrically, then?

I'm kinda confused...

[JakeAC5253]

Here somebody claims that the Classic OD circuit is the same as the GT-OD circuit with a switch to make it the ZW OD circuit:
http://freestompboxes.org/viewtopic....180780#p180780

the MXR GT-OD is really the Classic Overdrive in a different box and much cheaper. I think GC is selling them for $33 AND it has the secret switch inside. If you open the case there's a mini slider switch. From my research if I remember correctly, they use this switch and add a few extra components to make that box into a Zak Wylde box.
-
So buy the Classic Overdrive and save yourself some bucks. Or go for the Classic Distortion and there are a few mods to get rid of the nasal mids.



Here somebody claims that the switch which changes it to the ZW circuit just adds the 10k resistor at the negative input of the second opamp stage:
http://freestompboxes.org/viewtopic....149314#p149314

the only difference between the Zakk OD and GT-OD is the 10k resistor between C7 and R5/C4/neg input of 2nd OPAmp. I tried it and it makes the sound more bass/mid and gain/volume.

[Rex Rocker]

Yeah, so I read as well. Thank you.

I e-mailed Dunlop to see which mode is which, but I have been reading online that with the switch flipped to the right (the fatter mode), it's the GT-OD. Most people seem to agree on that.

I kinda dig that setting right now, TBH. It still has that characteristic TS bass cut, but it's not too pronounced as to thin out the signal too much like the other mode does. The voicing is overall more open and less compressed too, IMO.

However, the real thing that's making me prefer that mode is that the other one is waaaaay too quiet when it comes to output, IMO.

[JakeAC5253]

Cool, let me know what Dunlop says. I may pick up a GT-OD.

[Rex Rocker]

With the switch to the right it is a GT-OD. With the switch to the left it is the ZW44. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

That's what the dudes at Dunlop replied.

[Condenado]

Have anyone test the JOYO VINTAGE OVERDRIVE? I have got this OD and it sounds incredible!!

[Condenado]

Here you can hear that it's a very good overdrive. I could't believe until I had got it, and I have got also a ts-9 and I can't say that JOYO sounded worse, that's sure!

You Tube

[AudioGeekZine]

Today in a local shop I saw the 30th Anniversary Tube Screamer (TS930TH)
shiny, green case, transparent green knobs, and a green LED light
about $140 CDN





I just came across this short article with some TS history which lead me to the TSA15H, a 15W Tube head with tube screamer built-in.




There are a few others in the TSA series.
http://www.ibanez.com/Electronics/Series-TSA

[digiadaamore]

Hey guys. Has anyone tried out the gfs greenie classic or biyang od-10(there the same) they are ts-808 specs jrc4558 chips and all. They also have mode switching between 808 and bright and warm modes. Im planning on getting an sd-1 but these caught my eye. Are they well made, do they have the ts-808 tone?

[Plendakor]

That first post was long as fuck and didn't make much sens enough to stay focused.. get to the point.

Tube scream -> use with tube amps to even out the distortion.

[EffigyForgotten]

Hey guys i'm wondering, my guitar teacher had a TS9 from the late 80's that tightened the low end more so than my maxon od9+ pro and my TS7 and the mid hump was HUGE, are all TS9s like this? My TS7 is way to noisy to use any gain from the pedal and it still has some noise even with my noise gate maxed

[JBroll]

I did actually answer that question more precisely and without conjecture in the first post, but apparently now we can't even expect people to *read* so... oh, well.

Anyway, the settings on your Maxon have some impact - I'm under the impression that the Boost feature on that pedal is the 'normal' TS-type thing, and it should be noted that a lot of variants and mods just get rid of the mid hump. (Some people want it to be their only distortion, others want thicker leads and don't tune so low or use so much gain, et cetera.)

On the TS7... the bits are actually the same, and the components in a TS9 can still be wonky enough that I don't expect much of a difference in general. However, as much noise as you're describing indicates that something somewhere is horribly wrong.

Searanox, if you're commenting with 'pretty similar' regarding how the TS7 and TS9 are related, you just don't know enough to be of much real help. Build quality aside, handwaving things away with 'pretty similar' - and not 'same circuit with a boost switch' - is the kind of sloppy nonsense that leads to guitarists not knowing the first damn thing about their equipment.

Jef

[Sloan]

Just picked up a Delta Labs Tube Overdrive for $19 at Guitar Centurd. Seems to be doing what a tubescreamer does. If anyone has more info on how close they are, i would appreciate it. I don't have a connection at home right now so i'm sneakin' on sneap forum at work (shhhhhhh).

[searanox]

Originally Posted by JBroll

Searanox, if you're commenting with 'pretty similar' regarding how the TS7 and TS9 are related, you just don't know enough to be of much real help. Build quality aside, handwaving things away with 'pretty similar' - and not 'same circuit with a boost switch' - is the kind of sloppy nonsense that leads to guitarists not knowing the first damn thing about their equipment.

You're probably right. I do know the pedals are internally the same except for the TS9/Hot switch, but build quality is going to be irrelevant when dealing with the TS7/9 unless there is an actual problem with the pedal. I have heard conjecture that the different layouts of the pedals, internally, can lead to tonal differences, but I don't personally know if that has any consequence (not likely any more than between individual TS9s).

For what it's worth, I retract my comment regarding the TS7. Really, we need more blind A/B tests with audio gear, especially a lot of the "classic" stuff that people love unconditionally.

Originally Posted by Sloan

Just picked up a Delta Labs Tube Overdrive for $19 at Guitar Centurd. Seems to be doing what a tubescreamer does. If anyone has more info on how close they are, i would appreciate it. I don't have a connection at home right now so i'm sneakin' on sneap forum at work (shhhhhhh).

Can't find any specs online. Sound tests however suggest it is very similar to a TS9, good buy if you got it so cheap.

[EffigyForgotten]

Yea i'm looking for literally the TIGHTEST sounding boost there is, the way huge rhino and amptweaker tight drive look good.

[JakeAC5253]

Originally Posted by EffigyForgotten

Yea i'm looking for literally the TIGHTEST sounding boost there is, the way huge rhino and amptweaker tight drive look good.

Maxon OD820. I currently own 5 or 6 different overdrives and they all have inherent flaws, flavor, or "imperfections" except for the OD820. If the OD820 has one flaw it's that it sounds perfect, and one does not always desire perfectly tight, transparent, and clear tone...

[EffigyForgotten]

I guess i'm just going to have to get all 3

The od820 was the one I was looking at before but I saw a thread where someone said the green rhino was the tightest most clinical sounding boost and the od808 was more transparent sounding.