The Big Tubescreamer Shootout: 22 Originals and Clones Head-to-Head
Are There Differences or is it Just a Myth?
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The big Thomann Tubescreamer shootout: A Tubescreamer belongs to the basic equipment of many guitarists. Whether as a gentle booster to drive a tube amp into saturation or as a stand-alone overdrive – the characteristic sound is unmistakable. But is it worth spending a lot of money on the original, or will a cheap copy do? A YouTube Shootout provides the answer: 22 different Tubescreamer models go head-to-head.
Tubescreamer Shootout: Quality Sound or Mind Game?
The tested pedals cover a huge price range. While the original, the Ibanez TS808, is available for around $200, there are cheaper replicas starting at $30. At the upper end of the scale, boutique versions cost almost $350. All the major manufacturers are represented, including Maxon, JHS, Way Huge, Harley Benton, Seymour Duncan, Wampler, MXR, Keeley, Mooer and Mad Professor. But at the end of the day, do more expensive pedals really sound better?
A direct comparison shows that the sonic differences are surprisingly small. There are nuances that can be heard depending on the amplifier and playing style, but the basic character remains similar for all models. If you have to choose between a $30 replica and a $350 boutique pedal, the decision will be based more on a preference for a certain manufacturer or on the quality of workmanship and additional functions. Here at Thomann* you can find the products used in the video.
Some listeners have commented that the amplifier the presenter used colors the sound too much and blurs any differences. But regardless of this, the conclusion remains: the Tubescreamer sound in all its variations is almost indistinguishable.
Tubescreamer Shootout: High-End or Budget?
Whether the legendary overdrive pedal suits your sound is a matter of personal taste. The Tubescreamer adds a special midrange emphasis that many blues and rock guitarists find essential, while others find it too dull or too compressed. Ultimately, this comparison shows that price is not always the deciding factor. If you are looking for a Tubescreamer sound, there are plenty of affordable alternatives out there – and the money you save can be invested in other areas of your setup.
The Tubescreamer, original or clone, is definitely a classic with a right to exist.
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Which One is Your Favorite in the Big Tubescreamer Shootout? Or Does it Really Matter?
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2 responses to “The Big Tubescreamer Shootout: 22 Originals and Clones Head-to-Head”
My favorite is The Scream by Cytomic.
I picked up an Ibanez Tubescreamer Mini pedal for my Board to use ahead of my Rat and Big Muff that I had Alchemy Audio modify. The idea being to push them into Boutique territory by stacking them and being able to change diodes and starve both for voltage. This way I can keep the Standard pedal settings as well as covering many Boutique formulas by stacking them.
To me the Tubescreamer tone is fine and most TS pedals sound very comparable to each other. The next TS pedals I would try on a board would be the Electro Harmonix East River Drive.
As for the Boutique end of things, my ear doesn’t pick up the nuances enough for me to want to get a Boutique style TS pedal.