Suggestions for good tubescreamers.

[Devius]

Hey all,

So I've been working on a tubescreamer, got the ts808 vero from sabrotone.com (http://www.sabrotone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TubeScreamer.gif)
I've got it all wired up, I was initially happy with it. I've been working on the enclosure and graphic for the front. I feel the oh so familiar feeling that something isn't right. The namesake I've bestowed upon the pedal (will post pics once complete) doesn't really match with the sound I'm getting.
Any of you guys or gals have a recommendation for a really good tubescreamer? I'm wanting something a little hotter, and a bit more volume. I'd also like to incorporate a 3 way switch for different diode configurations (1n914, 1n4148, 1n34).

Thanks in advance!

[Seljer]

Slap some LEDs in for the clipping diodes.

More bare volume than you can shake a stick at!

[Magnus]

Hello,
yes, led's do a good job for adding some more power/grit!

1) Try to use a 1m-potentiometer for the gain-pot...

2) Try a RC4558P, its my favorite TS-IC (think it has a bit more gain too)


Greetings
Magnus

[aron]

> Try a RC4558P, its my favorite TS-IC

Yep!

[ubersam]

> Try a RC4558P, its my favorite TS-IC

Yep!

Ditto that!

try jfet buffers & mosfet clippers (in series with a small diode)

[Kesh]

914s and 4148s are practically identical. Try a CA3140 Bi-MOS op amp as well as all the above.

[Jdansti]

I've done the Landgraff version called the "Dynamic Overhype":

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/album26/dynamic_overhype.gif.html


The vero above has a switch to select between LEDs and 1N914s. But you can experiment and put whatever you want in it. I modified it to have a 6-position rotary switch that switches between 6 pairs of diodes/LEDs.

It gets pretty loud depending on which diodes are switched in.

[Devius]

Unfortunately I don't have any jrc4558p, just mc4558cn. I'll have to wait on the next small bear order i suppose. Would leds followed by 4148s or 34as work to make some serious overdrive madness?

[Jdansti]

Unfortunately I don't have any jrc4558p, just mc4558cn. I'll have to wait on the next small bear order i suppose. Would leds followed by 4148s or 34as work to make some serious overdrive madness?

I'd hate to steer you wrong. When you read threads about diode clipping, it's apparent that the "quality" of the clipping is very subjective.  When I select clipping diodes, I use alligator clips or a bread board to try a lot of different combinations. I try different ones in symmetric and asymmetric configurations. When you find a configuration you like, make a note of it and keep testing. At the end, compare your best combinations to each other and narrow it down until you have one or more you want to use.

[Devius]

I'm having a look at the fulltone ocd vero, and from the samples on youtube this seems to have a bit more punch.

[Mustachio]

I really like the SRV Special Tube screamer. Seems more open sounding then the store bought ones, if that makes sense. I just modded a ts10 for some one and got to play with both my SRV special and the modded TS10 next to each other. They both sounded great and together was real nice, but the srv special had a lil more headroom it seemed. I think Ive tried an OPA2134 and the JRC4558 and liked em both.

A Clipping switch is nice but really I tend to just go with the regular diodes instead of LED's now. And using a 3 way switch with center off for no clipping diodes(boost) I don't care for. You have to turn down the vol a lot to make it useable with no diodes. So just flipping the switch makes for a loud unpleasant sound if you don't adjust first. LED's are louder a bit more clear but don't clip enough for me, even if I'm going for a light blues sound I feel I can get a better sound with regular diodes. I think I even tried one LED and one germanium, and it was ok but still not as good imo as reg diodes like 914's 4148.


link to this version. I believe its on this sites layout gallery as well. I believe they explain about removing some caps and buffers and tend to make it sounds better to some people.

http://www.lynx.bc.ca/~jc/pedalsSRVspecial.html

There's a great read over at geofex about the tubescreamer.

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/TStech/tsxfram.htm