ampage Tube Amps / Music Electronics	For current discussions, please visit Music Electronics Forum.

ampage archive

Vintage threads from the first ten years

tube screamer shootout

11/23/1999 9:25 PM
roger	tube screamer shootout Okay, I just A/B/C/D'd a TS-808, TS-9 reissue, Vox ValveTone and a new Maxon OD-808 Here are the results: All pedals sounded good, and did a similar thing, so if I wasn't comparing them side by each, as we French Canadians say, then I would have liked them all. The original TS-808 sounded best. Most subtle. Warmer low end. Less coloring. The Vox ValveTone sounded great too. Different from the 808 (a little more squishy and a little peakier in the mids, like a Vox amp) and it's probably my favorite. The TS808 was American sounding, and the Vox British. Same sound, different accents. The TS-9 reissue was the weakest. A little harsh and fizzy. Not bad, but in comparison, it was thinner and not as smooth. The Maxon was actually pretty good. Had a great tone, and came close to the 808, but still sounded a little brighter and less smooth. My bottom line? For $50, the ValveTone wins hands down. Beyond that, the Maxon is just a nice Tube Screamer: better than the TS-9 reissue, but not as good as an original TS-808. Is the TS 808 worth $350 compared to the ValveTone? Not in my opinion. Roger

11/23/1999 9:25 PM

roger

tube screamer shootout

Okay,

I just A/B/C/D'd a TS-808, TS-9 reissue, Vox ValveTone and a new Maxon OD-808

Here are the results:
All pedals sounded good, and did a similar thing, so if I wasn't comparing them side by each, as we French Canadians say, then I would have liked them all.

The original TS-808 sounded best. Most subtle. Warmer low end. Less coloring.
The Vox ValveTone sounded great too. Different from the 808 (a little more squishy and a little peakier in the mids, like a Vox amp) and it's probably my favorite. The TS808 was American sounding, and the Vox British. Same sound, different accents.

The TS-9 reissue was the weakest. A little harsh and fizzy. Not bad, but in comparison, it was thinner and not as smooth.

The Maxon was actually pretty good. Had a great tone, and came close to the 808, but still sounded a little brighter and less smooth.

My bottom line? For $50, the ValveTone wins hands down. Beyond that, the Maxon is just a nice Tube Screamer: better than the TS-9 reissue, but not as good as an original TS-808.

Is the TS 808 worth $350 compared to the ValveTone? Not in my opinion.

Roger

Replies:

Aron Re: tube screamer shootout/ValveTone $50??? -- 11/24/1999 6:44 AM