My Tube Screamers
I currently own and use 2 Tube Screamers. One 90s reissue TS-9 and one 80s TS-10. I use them both often. I picked up the TS-9 in ’96 or so and put it on my live board. It’s been on there ever since. It’s also been engaged the entire time. I am an “always on” Tube Screamer guy. The TS-9 is part of my base sound. I use it to approximate a slightly overdriven amp at more reasonable levels. My “clean” sound is achieved via my right hand or sometimes by rolling the volume back a bit.
In 2006 or so I became curious so I modded my TS-9 to 808 specs with the “magic” chip (JRC-4558) and some other bits. It was my first and last Tube Screamer mod. After the modification there was no noticeable change in the how the pedal sounded or behaved. There may have very well been some small difference but without A/B-ing the before/after side by side there was not enough of a change to perceive. I’ve yet to meet and Tube Screamer that I didn’t like and I’ve heard a lot of them. Any one that I’ve played could be made to sound like any other one with slight adjustments to the knobs.
My TS-10 is a great pedal. It’s the Japanese version and it also has the “magic” chip. It sounds slightly different than the TS-9 when compared side by side. The TS-10 is a tad brighter/thinner with the same settings as the TS-9. I can make both pedals sound pretty much the same though by slight adjustment of the controls. The TS-10 was considered junk in the 90s. I recall there being 3 or 4 discarded TS-10s in my old rehearsal space back in the late 90s. When they broke you bought a new one and tossed the broken one. I wish I would have had the foresight to snag them before they ended up in the landfill.
The Tube Screamer is one of my all time favorite pedals. I love nearly everything about it. The only fault I can find with it is it’s not the best pedal for practicing or dicking around with at low levels. It’s best with an amp that’s pushed a little. If I’m working on riffs or parts at house levels I’ll use a RAT which can be made to sound better in this application. For me anyhow.
Prices for original versions have climbed steadily over the years. I completely see the value in owning an original. It’s like anything else – a new guitar may sound every bit as good as an older/vintage one but there is a satisfying aspect to owning and using an original. It’s a piece of history.