The World’s Most Famous Overdrive Pedal: The Tube Screamer
Named after the feedback-screaming amp that first captivated Sammy Ash (grandson of Sam Ash, Sam Ash Music), by Susumu Tamura of Maxon, the Tube Screamer is arguably the world’s most iconic and widely imitated overdrive pedal.
The story goes that after Sammy witnessed the pedal’s debut, he asked Tamura, “Do you know how the Cry Baby wah-wah got its name?” To which Tamura replied, “For sounding like a crying baby.” Sammy then declared, “We shall call this the Tube Screamer!”
In the late ’70s, as solid-state amps began gaining popularity, the Tube Screamer was conceived to replicate the sound of a valve amp pushed to its limits, all while maintaining a manageable volume. While it was initially designed for that purpose, the Tube Screamer’s true role in modern music became pushing Fender amps‘ midrange to the forefront, driving them into a musical distortion.
This use of the pedal was best exemplified by Stevie Ray Vaughan, who famously cranked everything up to 10 on his amp and then engaged the Tube Screamer for even more overdrive, a stark contrast to its original purpose.
Tamura, working for Maxon, created the OD-808 Overdrive, which was virtually identical to the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-808. Maxon released it under their own brand, while Ibanez marketed the Tube Screamer to reach a wider audience through their distribution channels.
Designed to compete with the Boss OD-1 and the MXR Distortion +, the Tube Screamer distinguished itself by using symmetrical clipping, as opposed to Boss’s patented asymmetrical clipping, and added an extra tone control. Aside from that, the circuit was very similar to the OD-1, cementing the Tube Screamer as a key player in the overdrive pedal landscape.
The Evolution of the Tube Screamer: 808, TS-9, and Beyond
Much has been said about the differences between the various Tube Screamer models, with many enthusiasts claiming that the original 808 remains the most musical. Models like the TS-9, TS-10, and countless copies have been put to the test, with some declaring the 808 superior in terms of transparency and smoothness, especially at extreme settings.
To help you hear the differences for yourself, I’ve put together a playlist above where you can hear these pedals blind-tested and discussed. To get the most accurate experience, be sure to use high-quality headphones, as lower-quality ones may make them all sound the same.
In my opinion, the original Tube Screamer does offer a slightly more transparent and smoother sound, particularly when cranked to extreme levels. However, extreme settings aren’t what the Tube Screamer is designed for. For most players, the Mini 808 is probably your best bet. It’s the most affordable and pedalboard-friendly version, and it still sounds fantastic.
For those looking for a more customisable sound, I personally use an Analog Man-modified TS-9 with a built-in treble booster. This mod is a popular way to enhance the Tube Screamer‘s gain stage while saving precious space on your pedalboard. Another common combination is using a Klon with a Blues Breaker, with Ceriatone’s Horsebreaker pedal being an example of this setup. The idea is to have both of these pedals to cover all your low to mid-breakup needs.
As many have tried to copy and improve upon the original Tube Screamer circuit, one of the most interesting attempts comes from JHS. Their Bonsai pedal claims to encapsulate all the variations of the Tube Screamer in a single unit, offering the best of every model in one compact form.
If you spend a couple of hours watching the videos and diving into the world of Tube Screamer variations, you might find yourself chasing down your ideal model on Reverb, eBay, or at your local music store. At least, that’s one way to justify putting off practice for a while!
Tube Screamer | Related Pages
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