TS 808, did I do it right?

[lightningfingers]

I just finished a TS808, I'm loving the sound, real smoooth (and the tone control is useable all its rotation, something you don't often see) _but_ I always thought they got heavier than this. I've never played an original... This one goes from light to medium overdrive-does anyone have any soundclips?

[RDV]

They don't get heavy at all, so you've probably done a fine job!

RDV

[AL]

Tube Screamers are overdrive pedals not distortion (although everyone has a different definition of those two words). They will give you a little "drive" but are not going to give you a lot of gain. If you want high gain try the Big Muff. Also, read the "Technology of the Tube Screamer" at Geo Fx if you haven't already. There is a wealth of information in those articles and there are some mods in there for more gain/distortion.

AL

[lightningfingers]

well, good  I really like this sound its so smooth. too bad this ones being sold :roll:

[MartyMart]

My guess is that you've got it right, I just watched "Live at the El-Macombo" again yesterday,( WOW !! )  SRV's sound is not very "distorted" and he used an 808 almost flat out !
It's mostly his "Blackface" amp crunching, but my impression is that its a fairly "clean" sound and not overly distorted.
I've modded loads of TS-9's for a bit more gain, but it can change the overall sound if you go too far !!

Marty.

[jimbob]

I just rebuilt another and plan on making a replica of the sea sick green original (exception of the case) and I compared it to my new ts-9 I bought the other day- VERY CLOSE-In fact my ts-808 had just a little more gain is all. BTW-damned heavy pedal for its size(ts-9)

I think the ts-808 is best used on an already distorted amp. For me it has just enough extra umph to add to my already distorted channel without bogging it down and it adds a little crispness to the sound and harmonix.

[javacody]

If you add extra distortion ( I actually did the more distortion and less distortion mod both, which gives your drive pot a much more dramatic effect and increases its range in both directions), you may want to tweak the character of the distortion by playing with the opamp and clipping diodes.

My preferred config? Burr Brown opamp and 5 si (914 types) clipping diodes. The sound is very transparent, and very smooth.

If all you need is a booster, you can build a minibooster for way less trouble and parts count.