Which tube screamer variant would you recommend?

[smashinator]

My little brother is a metalhead (and an accomplished guitarist).  His rig is a Mesa Boogie Dual Recto, Tube Screamer (all I know is he bought it new, within the last 2 years) and an Ibanez 7 string.  

I know he really likes the tube screamer, as it stays in his rig and the rest of the effects he has stay in a box in his closet.

I'd like to build him a tube screamer (or variant) for Xmas this year and get the pedal he has out of his chain and one of mine into it (this is solely out of vanity.).

If you were in my situation, which one would you build?

[TheBigMan]

Sadly, given that it's much more work to build it, my personal preference has long been for the ST-9 Super Tube Screamer.

For building one though, I'd look at one of two options.  The Tube Reamer at Runoffgroove is a very nice and popular DIY project, or you could build a basic TS clone but add some of the many mods that are available online.  I like a three way clipping switch, with 1N914/1N4001, diode lift and LEDs as the options, as well as some more bass and gain from changing the R/C network to ground from the gain control.  Changing the gain limiting resistor is also a very useful mod, gives much more usable range on the gain pot.

One I keep meaning to try out is Jack Orman's Fat Bass mod.  Must dig out my much modded TS-5.  :lol:

[KORGULL]

If your brother likes the one he has, I'd see which model it is and build a duplicate - but with some extra features like switchable diodes.
I built a TS-808 this weekend using the Tonepad layout/schematic and made D3 switchable for a choice between asymmetrical or symmetrical clipping. I think it sounds pretty good, but I don't know how it compares to the other TS models or the original.
Small Bear has the 20K TS-808 work-alike tone pot if you want to get as close to an original version as possible.

[bwanasonic]

Don't underestimate the visual factor as well. Even if you were to somehow duplicate his stock unit, yours could be cooler just on looks alone! The basic mods of 808 output resistors, replace the 1uf electro caps with metal film caps, and maybe the *more bass* cap mod would be a nice start for someone who is happy with the basic character of the stock unit. Those and a cool paint job. :wink:

Kerry M

[Processaurus]

How about a second footswitch for another gain setting, a la Fulldrive?  OOoo... and with a different tone stack, so you could go between something like a smiley face mid notch (or a flat mids) to a mid boost, for leads and such.  A friend of mine uses an EQ like this in his metal band, and it works great for subconsiously getting people's attention without being louder and overpowering the rest of the band.  

Sounds like a pretty special (and bitchin') Christmas pesent whatever you end up deciding on...

[smashinator]

Sounds like a pretty special (and bitchin') Christmas pesent whatever you end up deciding on...

Yeah, the lucky s.o.b. is going to have more effects that I've built than I do.      

I was figuring I'd add in the diode switch and look for some other tasty mods.  I was just wondering about which basic design to start with.   I guess I'll go ahead and ask him which one he has right now.  If I'm discrete enough, maybe he won't guess what I'm up to....

[dosmun]

Do a search for Grand Laff and build the Landgraff clone.  I really like mine.

[vseriesamps]

the tube reamer from ROG is amazing, esp. if you use the Diode Compression op amp project (has its own little board).

K

[Bernardduur]

Try a bassdrive clone for those low end notes (as he is playing a 7 string). If you run it at 18V it sounds soooooo good.