Tubescreamer niggles

[headcreeps]

I built a Tubescreamer 808 this weekend and I'd like to crosscheck some of its......errr features to make sure it's sounding as it should.

My amp is a Vox Valvetronix (digital modeller). The tubescreamer sounds particularly good when played through the already overdriven Marshall models. It adds a nice kick and a clearer sound to the distortion... very tube-like I suppose (duh). But it sounds somewhat thin when played through a clean model such as the Bassman. Is this normal ?

Also, the volume knob works more like a attenuator than a booster. When at max it sounds like it should at 12h, i.e. same volume as with pedal bypassed. Again, normal ?

Last question.. I remembering reading somewhere that the TS could be used as a booster if the Drive knob is kept at minimum. This doesn't seem possible due to the "attenuator" issue (read above) and because even with the knob at minimum I feel that it is already adding a little bit of overdrive.

Thanks for any help.

[jlullo]

i have the same issue with the volume knob on mine as well.  i think that's just the way it is unless you change out the pot.

[slacker]

But it sounds somewhat thin when played through a clean model such as the Bassman. Is this normal ?

The Tube Screamer cuts a lot of bass so at low volumes it can sound a bit thin.

Also, the volume knob works more like a attenuator than a booster. When at max it sounds like it should at 12h, i.e. same volume as with pedal bypassed. Again, normal ?

That doesn't sound right my TS9 get unity volume, ie the same as bypassed with the volume control at around 12 or 1 o'clock. That's a real TS9 though not a clone. I'd check the wiring round the volume pot and the value of the volume pot to make sure it's set up correctly. If that fails read the debugging thread and post some more info, someone can probably sort out the problem.

Last question.. I remembering reading somewhere that the TS could be used as a booster if the Drive knob is kept at minimum. This doesn't seem possible due to the "attenuator" issue (read above) and because even with the knob at minimum I feel that it is already adding a little bit of overdrive.

This should be possible once you've fixed the volume issue. Even with the gain pot on zero the pedal has a gain of about 12 which is enough to cause clipping on loud chords so it's not a completely clean boost but for single note stuff it works fine.

[96ecss]

Hi,

Which 808 did you build? I built the ITS8 from GGG and the volume is at unity at about 11:00. Mine definitely will do a good boost with the drive down. I've had other TS type pedals in the past (Boss sd-1 and Analog Man SD-1) that were the same way. I thhink there might be something wrong with yours. I don't know what is causing your low volume but I'm sure someone here can help you sort it out.

Dave

[MikeH]

Yeah, something's not right.  I built mine from the tonepad layout and it's screaming loud.  No pun intended. 

[Barcode80]

i remember posting the same problem a while back:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=52881.msg402423#msg402423

TOTALLY different answer on that thread

[96ecss]

i remember posting the same problem a while back:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=52881.msg402423#msg402423

TOTALLY different answer on that thread

The truth is, I never liked them for their boost capabilities. But I do know people that use them that way. I've seen many people post on different forums over the years about using TS-9's as boosters. I've had a Zvex SHO, a Keeley Java Boost and I've built a Mini Booster and a Mosfet Booster and they all out perform overdrive pedals when it come to use as boosters in my opinion. But he is saying he's not getting unity gain until the volume is maxed out and my ITS8 from GGG gets unity at about 11:00. At its max volume setting, there is a huge volume boost. That's why I think there is something wrong with his.

Dave

[jmasciswannabe]

Just built a tube screamer for a coworker off the tonepad site. I ran into the same problem with the volume being about unity when all the way maxed. A quick change to a 1m audio pot solved that problem with ruthless efficiency.