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tjon901 « A time tested pedal that adds to your tone »
Published on 05/26/11 at 11:39Ibanez began making effects pedals in the 70s. Back most Ibanez's were copies of other stuff. The Pedals Ibanez was making back then were all copies of MXR pedals. Ibanez got their first hit with the Tube Screamer. The Ibanez Tube Screamer at the time was way more responsive to dynamics than all the other overdrive pedals of the time. It has been used by all sorts of players from metal players to blues players. Anyone who wants a little more drive or tightness to their amps can use the Tube Screamer. The little green box is an icon now and is found in many pedal boards and racks.
UTILIZATION
The Tube Screamer reissue is pretty much identical to the old 80s one. The color is the same and the knobs are the same. It has the same controls for Level, Drive and Tone. It has a red LED that will tell you if the pedal is on or not and it can be powered by a AC adapter or a standard 9 volt battery. With pedals I always recommend using them with an AC adapter.
SOUND QUALITY
Some people say the reissues are not as smooth than the originals or they are harsher. I think these people are just mad that there is a reissue out of their favorite pedal. The type if resistors used has changed over time but the general construction and design of the unit is unchanged. With the volume on full and the drive at the minimum setting the Tube Screamer can be used as an excellent clean boost. Stevie Ray Vaughan used a Tube Screamer like this. It also works well for dirty sounds. You can really tighten up an old Marshall with a little kick from a Tube Screamer. When used for its overdrive ability the Tube Screamer also shines. It can be used to help get good tones out of an amp at low volumes. Most players use the Tube Screamer as a boost on top of the amps gain.
OVERALL OPINION
The Tube Screamer is the standard for all general purpose overdrive pedals. It has an infinite number of applications it can be used for. If can be used for just its gain or as a clean boost. It can be used to tighten up the gain of an already dirty amp or it can be used as a dirty channel on a clean amp. If you are looking for a good solid overdrive pedal that will give you a good solid sound the Tube Screamer is the way to go. There is a reason why so many pro's have a spot for a TS in their rigs.
UTILIZATION
The Tube Screamer reissue is pretty much identical to the old 80s one. The color is the same and the knobs are the same. It has the same controls for Level, Drive and Tone. It has a red LED that will tell you if the pedal is on or not and it can be powered by a AC adapter or a standard 9 volt battery. With pedals I always recommend using them with an AC adapter.
SOUND QUALITY
Some people say the reissues are not as smooth than the originals or they are harsher. I think these people are just mad that there is a reissue out of their favorite pedal. The type if resistors used has changed over time but the general construction and design of the unit is unchanged. With the volume on full and the drive at the minimum setting the Tube Screamer can be used as an excellent clean boost. Stevie Ray Vaughan used a Tube Screamer like this. It also works well for dirty sounds. You can really tighten up an old Marshall with a little kick from a Tube Screamer. When used for its overdrive ability the Tube Screamer also shines. It can be used to help get good tones out of an amp at low volumes. Most players use the Tube Screamer as a boost on top of the amps gain.
OVERALL OPINION
The Tube Screamer is the standard for all general purpose overdrive pedals. It has an infinite number of applications it can be used for. If can be used for just its gain or as a clean boost. It can be used to tighten up the gain of an already dirty amp or it can be used as a dirty channel on a clean amp. If you are looking for a good solid overdrive pedal that will give you a good solid sound the Tube Screamer is the way to go. There is a reason why so many pro's have a spot for a TS in their rigs.