Favourite tube screamer mod?

[jakehop]

The mids are what makes you audible when playing with a band. I think the best TS-mods are some small upgrades of the internal components (some electrolythics and the opamp), and perhaps true bypass if it's feaslable in your signal chain.

Jake

[AceLuby]

I was very surprised how little op amp changes make.  My favorite mod is the simple 808 mod.  Sounds warmer to me.  I also don't use it much for grit, just to push my amp into natural overdrive.

[Gus]

What I would do to learn.  Buy a TS7 mine had the JRC4558 stock,  use it stock write down what you like or don't like using it on stage.

FWIW I have a number of different TS and TS like effects vox valvetone.  The seven of them are changed in different ways and not marked.  If a friend wants to change their TS I have them bring their amp guitar and TS.  I leave the changed TSs in the room with the person and let them play sometimes for hours with their TS and the 7 or so TSs(sometime leave a stock one as a changed one)(sometimes real 808s with the "magic" not all have the "sound" good sounding stock 10s etc)  After this I open the one(s) they like and check the mod and install that or just leave the TS stock.

I tend to like a good NE5332 as the op amp and do another mod I have not seen on the web.

Basement/bedroom or live on stage?

[AceLuby]

Basement/bedroom or live on stage?

Probably the best asked question...

[Melanhead]

what I do ...

change the 1uf polarized caps in the signal path to metal film (2 of them)
change the .22uf tants to metal film (2 of them)
Change the input cap to .047uf
cap/resistor in the feedback loop to .22/1K
change the opamp - RC4558P ( TI version ) or the Burr Brown version ...
do the ts808 resistor mod ( change 2 resistors)
red 3mm LED's as the clippers (This really opens it up, not the typical "choked" sound of a TS circuit)

using 3mm LEDs will raise the output level quite a bit ... if it's an issue place a 3.9K resistor across pads 1 and 3 of the volume pot.

use a 1M gain pot for more gain, if needed 

[earthtonesaudio]

The main reason I'm not happy with my TS is that it seems to "run out of steam" at higher volume or gain settings.  So...

Quick question:

If I wanted to mod my TS-7 (which has "TS-9" and "Hot" modes... sorry, I don't have a schem) to have "more output level" AND "less muddiness", could I just replace the clipping diodes with LEDs?  I know that will give more volume, but what about the lack of definition when gain is up high?

Note: I use a solid state amp (Crate power block), whose preamp section is probably a little like a TS (diode clippers in feedback loop).

Thanks in advance!

[Melanhead]

You'll definitely get a volume increase ... I really like the way mine sounds at high gain, so I'd say give it a shot as it's a simple mod and tends to "lift the blanket" of a TS circuit ...