The Tube Screamer: A Short History

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I started playing guitar in 1974 and by 1979 I'd graduated to my '72 Tele Thinline, Fender Princeton Amp (non-reverb) and an MXR Dirtortion + built right in Rochester, NY where I was going to college. I remember clearly the day I bought the pedal at Area Music in Geneva, NY. I had no idea about Tube Screamers, let alone the phenomenon that was Stevie Ray starting to happen out in Texas. Even with what I've learned in those (long) intervening years, this reading taught me a lot about "Screamers". I'm sure you'll note my emphasis on Maxon developing the pedal, something I only learned myself in the last few years and the realization that make me want to make this video.
A thank you goes out to Zack Hillman’s for his excellent article on Reverb on “Creating Tube Screamer Tones of Famous Players.”
reverb.com/news/how-to-use-yo...
I need to thank Brian Wampler for his permission to use the video clip of his comparison of gain pots to illustrate part variation in Screamers.
• BUSTING THE MYTH about...
I need to thank Dan Orkin at Reverb for permission to use the clip from their video on the JHS Bonsai where Josh Scott expresses his opinion on chips.
• Josh Scott of JHS Peda...
I’d like to thank Jackson Audio for their permission to use the music from one of their Broken Arrow videos for the intro and outro music illustrating the TS goodness available there.
• Jackson Audio - BROKEN...
And as is often the case, I need to thank Perry McManis and Dave Onorato for editing another big script.
Thanks for watching.
Until next time, thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith

[@Iam_Dunn]

It was 1975 and I was 6 years old when first drew a circle around that beautiful Harmony Electric guitar and small practice amp in the Sears Christmas Wishbook. Disappointment ensued Christmas morning when one didn’t appear under the tree. This scenario would repeat itself for the next 7 years. Forward to the summer of my 14th year. I was working my first job serving tourists soup and sandwiches for lunch. I had just received my very first pay cheque and felt like a millionaire. I called the closest music store (400 km away) and told the owner that I was 14 and just got paid $300 and would that be enough to buy a guitar? Mr. “Danny Day” said that, “yes, I think I can find something for you.” So, I stuffed the cash into an envelope and mailed it to the store and waited in anticipation. Three weeks later my Dad got a call at his office asking if he knew who I was, and when he said “yupp, that’s my son” they informed him that I had a package at the train station. Now, we live on an isolated island in the middle of the Mighty Moose River, and getting to the mainland was a pain in the ass. But, grudgingly, he put the boat in the water and took me over to get my stuff. Inside the parcel was a BEAUTIFUL 1983 strat copy Ibanez Roadstar II, a Traynor 10 watt practice amp, tuner, strap, cords, a Hal Leonard “how to play guitar” book and a used, beat to shit 1978 Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal!! A few years later I was able to visit that music store in Timmins and was looking at guitars. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the (almost) exact same guitar I owned was $500. I found the owner and introduced myself. I asked if he remembered the order I had placed a few years ago, and he said he did. I asked “how was I able to purchase a brand new guitar, amp, case, cords, strap, tuner, book and shipping for $300? He replied “I was so impressed that 14 year old kid was so passionate and patient to get a guitar (I had told him my Christmas story) that I was willing to do a little extra for you”. Wow, what a great guy!! Although that guitar has long since been sold to upgrade, I still own that TS (and 3 more to boot!) and use it everyday. I’ll be an Ibanez fanatic until the day I shed this mortal coil and head to “great jam in the sky”. \m/, ,\m/

[@fivewattworld]

That's a GREAT story, absolutely love it. If you were 400 km from Timmins you WERE in the great north my friend. Must have been an amazing place to grow up. Thanks so much for sharing this man.

[@fivewattworld]

This wins comment of the week dude! Excellent stuff and I pinned it here so others can enjoy it. If "Timmins" was going to "town" then you grew up in the true Great White North brother. Are you still up there?

[@Iam_Dunn]

five watt world ...Yes, I returned to our “little slice of heaven” 11 years ago. Greetings from the real “Great White North”! Thank you for your content, I love all the new things I learn from your channel! :)

[@bernardogui3933]

This is a perfect short tale. Amazing story Mr.

[@maxonmendel5757]

Beautiful story. I love ibanez guitars.

[@jacksonpayne3477]

“They were solid states and really sounded like shit.” Made me fall out of my chair from laughter

[@ZebraStandards]

"Maxon is still building their pedals in that same factory today". . ."using the same middle aged ladies; only now a little older"

[@kamikazekittiesii161]

4:55 for some reason hearing "and they really sounded like s**t" in your calm, informative voice made me almost burst out laughing.

[@fivewattworld]

Well that’s a quote from the guy at Ibanez, and so it was delivered as such. ;)

[@johnbatinovic6593]

My first amp (in the 80's) was a Trayner - and it sounded like shit!!

[@cary3428]

Ha! Me too. I cracked up

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Same. Lol

[@edwardwagner4447]

Back in the early 80’s I attended an Ibanez event at my local music store. We sat on the floor while being wowed by all of the pedals being demonstrated. The tube screamer was all I wanted by the end. A few day later, after scraping together the cash, a buddy and I went back to claim our magical green box. The store only had 1 left in stock. I deferred to my friend and I bought a flanger instead. While I love (and still have) the flanger, I always felt that little twinge of buyers remorse. I finally closed the loop a few years ago when I got back into playing in earnest. I walked into the same music store and bought my tube screamer from the same person that sold me the flanger all those years ago.

[@edisongabutero9455]

Damn what a cool story

[@RickBeato]

Best video yet Hypes! Really fascinating!!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Hypes! I’ll return your germanium Keeley Red Dirt...no I will...I promise. :)

[@I_like_turtles_67]

You know it's a good breakdown when Rick gives it the thumbs up.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Yes, but what gauge strings to put through a TS?

[@stranger5088]

five watt world I love that so many of y’all different KZbin music channels keep up with each other. Shows a lot of respect in the community.

[@troywm1016]

Rookie score Beato...

[@noahr4951]

Me: Tell me a story, Keith Keith: How about the Tube Screamer.... Me: Yesssss

[@Darkwell0071]

Noah Ross you forgot the sustainnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmm and that sound oh oh oh that sound.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@Darkwell0071 How many: YES!

[@moonbeen101]

In the extreme metal community tube screamers have long been considered the best boost available for lots of amps. Lots of classic metal tones have been just tubescreamer + 5150. Gain 0 usually, level maxed, tone to taste and you're straight into chugging heavy guitar territory where the mids allow the amp to growl. Such as good video as always!

[@jebusgod]

Renee Martinez has now retired, last gig was with John Mayer in Manchester, October 18th 2019. John brought him on stage and said he was retiring, got a great round of applause.

[@RobMods]

Great video. Every weekend, on thousands of stages all over the world, guitarists stomp on the TS. Countless hit records have been made with TS guitar tones. Virtually all pedal builders have a TS variant of some sort. I know I do! Surely Tamura-san deserves wider recognition for this legacy. A plaque? A statue? Handprints in the pavement? R&R hall of fame perhaps?!...

[@jroobz]

11:24 love Analogman's website. It's like using the internet in 1999. Magnificent 👌

[@danielpenney9077]

He will add the Screamer to your Tube Screamer. Call him!!

[@RogerBarraud]

Flashback Buzz! :-)

[@SlingShot830201]

I LOL’d. Goooood times.

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes he does TS's right....he modded my TS9 almost 30 years ago and it's still my go to favorite pedal I use that and an Xotic clean boost to goose the TS cause I don't max the gain out

[@thomasguerra6810]

Keith, this is another gem. Congrats on this. The Ken burns of gear.

[@dtf-productions6134]

Please do a Jazz Chorus Amps Video!! As someone who has never used a TS pedal (I just my first OD - Blues Driver), I love how informative and well researched this video and this channel is. keep up the good work!

[@mariocontreras1911]

I was so overwhelmed about what to think about TS before seeing this video. Now I feel confident at shopping around for the any kind of TS. Thanks a million.

[@LTJR.]

The 808 circuit has a little more grind to it. I've long known that Trey used 2 TS9's, as do I (808 TS9 with Sonic distortion and Purple Plexi) and many others, but I was surprised to see the way he runs them, that's just flat-out a whole heap of boost! If you run the clean into the dirty you get more dirty and compressed, if you run the dirty into the clean it's sort of cleans up the dirt and makes it much louder. If you run the boosted clean into the boosted clean you get super boost...to tell you the truth I'm only guessing because I was afraid I might blow up the front of my amps! Ha!

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes lots of good clones out there too Wampler does a good one

[@paulcowart3174]

@@LTJR. I always keep coming back to my TS Analogman modded Been through so many pedals and nothing stands up to my old stuff

[@frankforrester42]

Who uses this _______ pedal? The Edge. Because The Edge uses EVERY pedal.

[@420protoman]

ME cuz i got the Ts9 re-issue and i also have the original 4 tube screamer chips that i can replace in this thing. i basically have the ultimate tube screamer. the new maxon apex 808 looks nice, i might pick it up too.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

Scott Wartenberg He only began using a couple of Tubescreamers in 2000 and he does still use at least 1 for live situations these days. They replaced his 2 Boss DS-1 distortion boxes and 1 Boss OD-1 that he used since 1981. He’s used an EHX Big Muff for 2 songs in their catalog and used an OCD 1.4 version for certain songs during their 2015 tour. He’s used a lot of Lovetone pedals as well as Death By Audio boxes. His tone changed with every song in the 90’s and none of those tones were subtle (extreme flanging, phasing, pitch modulation, envelope filters, reverbs [particularly shimmers] and obvious digital delay racks). I’m a fan of the Edge, but I use 2 different Boss Super Feedback & Distortion boxes, a Fulltone 1.7 OCD pedal, a Boss Blues Driver (I use this one most often), an EHX Soul Food pedal and an Earthquaker Devices Westwood Overdrive box

[@owenf2835]

@@skyflyr1015 eh i still credit him for innovating the pedal sound on guitar

[@napynap]

That story made me get out my old pedals. I found one that I bought in 1985 at a music store in Den Haag, Holland, when I was first learning to play electric guitar, and rock music. It's a rare TS9 Super Tube Screamer with that mid boost control. I think it's one of the only pieces of electronics I own that actually appreciated in value. I certainly did not pay upwards of $500 which I see it going for now. Wow!

[@jimwoodard64]

Did anyone else laugh out loud when he so nonchalantly said, "...and they really sounded like shit." :D I spit coffee.

[@fivewattworld]

That’s a direct quote from Lomas at Ibanez. :)

[@bryonkidder6199]

I just agreed...lol

[@johngerson7335]

I said "amen" out loud lol!

[@ViddyWellBrother]

Truer words were never spoken! 😊

[@HowieC3]

Yes, I laughed out loud at that one. Caught me off guard. :-)

[@danielprietog]

There's Tubescreamer user worth being mentioned: the late John Abercrombie. He used it to heat up the signal into his Roland Jazz Chorus, and to build his warm, beyond jazzy distorted sound.

[@benjipc5637]

I just bought a Joyo Vintage Overdrive (a $25 Tube Screamer clone) and it actually helped improve my tone to make it closer to the ones I always listen to, especially on the leads and palm mutes. It's a good coincidence that this video popped up in my recommendations.

[@mal2ksc]

If you searched for that pedal through Google... it's not coincidence. The Algorithm has gotten pretty creepy the last couple months, and rumor has it the engineers have been buried in critical work with the pandemic and all, and they've chosen to just let the AI do what it wants so long as it keeps working. That AI was almost certainly aware that you had searched for Tube Screamer style pedals recently, even if it didn't know you had already purchased one.

[@jimotten5887]

Pedalboards should come equipped with a tube screamer and a wah. Fixed on the board. Forever.

[@ars3nikatnep]

that sounds terrible

[@rybrd251]

@@ars3nikatnep I don’t know sounds pretty good to me

[@paulcowart3174]

So what wah do you use ?? I'm in the market and am running TS...Clean boost...echo So looking for a good wah to compliment my modest set up Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving

[@WilDBeestMF]

An actual tube with a screamer kicking it would be lovely.

[@paulcowart3174]

I picked up a Jam pedals wah...it's pretty damn 👍

[@garym3658]

I'd love to see a short history of the MXR Distortion plus

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes...was my first pedal

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

My first pedal too! A few years ago I stumbled onto one of those black vx-so pedals dual boost thing. It makes my distortion plus sound like a transistor radio

[@paulcowart3174]

@@johnsmith-bk4ps not sure what pedal your talking about

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

@@paulcowart3174 I thought you were responding to the mxr comment. Distortion plus was my first pedal. In 1979

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

@@paulcowart3174 oh. If your referring to my dual boost it's the one from nashville . I think it's 'visual" somthing.

[@brosphbehemoth6141]

Big fan of your channel. I appreciate the work you put into your content!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Joseph!

[@phasmoid666]

The way the TS works with a Strat is magic. The mid scoopy Strat sound vs the mid boost and hi/ low eq cuts of the TS cover a lot of sonic territory. Works great w/ other guitars and pickups but for me Strat and TS is like PB&J

[@ricolander7393]

Some of the best videos I have seen, thank you Keith and 5 Watt World

[@fivewattworld]

You’re welcome Ric. Thanks for watching man.

[@ricolander7393]

David Good a member on the Fender Play Facebook Group turned me on to your videos. Thank you for your work!

[@27retrodaze]

Wonderful work, man... Im such a sucker for OD's/Boosts...

[@garethparry4823]

These are some of the best if not "THE" best gear history video's on KZbin! Excellent stuff! Would love one on the Marshall jcm800! Great channel 👍

[@MarkEaster]

Once again we have here is a very factual concise history of a part of guitar history that made (makes) a difference in our listening and playing pleasure. Kieth is like the Ken Burns of Guitar History. I appreciate how he dives into one subject matter for this of us who cares, still making interesting for those who may he casually interested. Great job sir.

[@zazoomatt]

Gosh Keith you are something Very Special . . . . Thank YOU.

[@Crunch104]

Awesome design and pedal. My favorite was always hearing Tube snobs saying that they have to have tubes in their amp, only to throw a Tube Screamer in the path with diode clipping lol.

[@fishypaw]

I really love your "short history" series. I've watched a few of them now and you really do a great job. Every episode is filled to the brim with the best information. The presentation and editing are the icing on the cake. Cheers.

[@basslinger]

Wow, grand slam, the research and collaboration and everything else that went into this has to be phenomenal, thank you

[@davidowen6623]

You are making such fun and quality content...absolutely loving it! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@oliverjackson2594]

I’ve been watching since (I think) the beginning and I really like the direction you’re going. Love the shoutouts to all of your fellow you tubers and the slightly more personal aspect to this episode in particular. Great stuff man.

[@mannyprego9013]

Excellent musical history lesson!

[@thaddeusfields4360]

If you wouldn’t have mentioned SRV I would have been protesting in the street! 🤣

[@Spartanm333]

Yep but Steve was greedy - he played with two :) didn't he?

[@timmiller4205]

Thaddeus Fields. Lmao 😂🤣😅🤘🎸🤘!!!

[@danxthexman82x7]

Lol me too!!! SRV for life !

[@ITheFight]

I'm not a Tube Screamer guy but I love holding the new sparkly red one..

[@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969]

Excellent history lesson on this iconic pedal

[@SeanKerns]

This was great. I nearly spit out my coffee when you were talking about the sound of solid state amps. I've always been a bigger fan of asymmetrical overdrives, though of course originally, I had no idea what that was.

[@chipsterb4946]

Keith, only you can pick fly shit out of pepper for almost 25 minutes and make it thoroughly enjoyable. Seriously though, thanks for all of the research and thought that went into this video. The fact that Maxon actually made the original Tube Screamers is great just by itself, and I’ve always wondered how a Japanese company had a Spanish sounding name. Figured it was just a fluke of language. You wizzed past the first pedal I ever bought: the TS-7. The “Hot” switch turns it into something completely different. The foot switch is notorious for ‘breaking” but when mine gave out I discovered that a bit of contact cleaner brought it back to life. No, I don’t think this version warranted any more of your time 😜

[@danxthexman82x7]

You put out very good content and I appreciate the history of these things that we all love. Keep putting out the high quality, very educational videos !

[@CrazedFandango]

Great video - Thanks for taking the time.

[@leehanson1416]

Thanks for this. I use a digital version of the TS in nearly all of my digital presets. Having said that, I was in the music retail industry in 1980, and the Boss OD-1 was far better at replicating a tube amp breaking up than any of the TS pedals were. Granted, I was using a Super Twin.

[@_RLP]

One of your best ever, Keith. Nailed it. Cheers PS- loved the 4:54 observation.

[@fivewattworld]

Actually that's part of the John Lomas quote...but it wasn't a good time for SS amps back then.

[@strat2tele]

I love your dedication to this series, Keith. I’ve learned more about gear from your page in the last year than I have in probably the last 20 before I found this channel. Looking forward to the next episode whatever it may be.

[@elcapitan83]

Appreciate the research and effort you put into the production of these videos. A+ well done!

[@TomTobin67]

3 years ago, I walked into a Salvation Army thrift store and saw a box of pedals. I asked how much for them and the clerk said $8 if I take all of them. In that box was a Boss tuner pedal, Boss delay (purple colored housing), a 3 knob MXR phazer and a Korg tuner pedal and at the bottom was a TS9 as well as a never opened Firewire Solo interface. I love the name of JB's pedal. "Overrated special". Classic!

[@Selzor]

You are so damn lucky

[@jltrem]

I have five, count 'em, five overdrive pedals ( a Tube Screamer among them). And the older I get, the more I want to play clean. Go figure.

[@patcross5799]

Thank you again this week, love the history lessons you throw in. Keep on doing what you do so well.

[@NielsBeier]

Another outstanding video! Thanks for everything you do, Keith!

[@jonnygardiner4073]

Love your videos Keith. That was awesome. I think the only thing you missed was mentioning the ST9 from around 83. Tube screamer with mid control which I briefly owned. What about a video on the OD1. Seems like that one was the game changer.

[@raymondlugo9960]

I feel like I should go stereo out and have one chain use the OD-1 and the other use the Tubescreamer...hmm.

[@gr328]

Good callout to Schenker - he doesn't always get the credit that he deserves these days.

[@weschilton]

Man, I really learned a lot of new things. Thanks for all your efforts in making this video, Keith!

[@seanlotz9581]

Well done - great video Keith!! Thanks so much for your thoroughness on yet another topic!

[@bigdeliciousband]

Bought the original TS-808 in 1980 for the exact list price he mentioned. And I still have it, with the box.

[@derekschroeder291]

He has the box

[@Smart-Alex]

I have the TS Mini - it’s absolutely essential.

[@alexmurphy5289]

It felt very cheap to me...

[@Smart-Alex]

Alex Murphy It’s a mini Tube Screamer lol. Not cheap at all.

[@AbelLabel]

I love my TS mini too. Having it for like a week but wow! :)

[@ray.shoesmith]

The mini is hardly cheap feeling, it feels solid af and it's surprisingly heavy for it's size. It is identical to the full sized screamer in every sense except it doesn't need a battery compartment, the tone and master volume knobs are much smaller than the OD knob, and the pedal switch is small, cylindrical and metal like the original switch. I got mine new for $89 AUD, compared to $159 for the full sized TS. Of course if you don't have the right sized DC transformer you'll probably have to fork out another 15 or 20 bucks to get a power supply unit, because they don't supply one with the pedal, but hey, that's a one off cost and you can accidentally leave that sucker glowing for a week without needing a trip to the store for another 5V battery. I love my TS Mini, it replaced an ancient Dano Cool Cat and it's been a total revelation.

[@xjohn1970]

@@alexmurphy5289 the TS mini has true bypass. As does the TS HW.. I has the Wayhuge overrated special. Great sounding tube screamer.

[@Altitudes11]

These history videos are excellent, excellent stuff. Keep em up , I can't get enough ! Your voice is perfect for this, very pleasant to kick back and listen to

[@troyoswald5683]

Fascinating as always Keith! Said it before and I'll say it again. Love what you do, your overall approach and presentation. WE ARE SO VERY LUCKY!

[@MrJacobThrall]

An aside: took me a surprisingly long time to realise that "tubes" and "valves" are the same thing.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Gary Moore used one also! Like your other videos, this one was fantastic. Anyone who loves Tube Screamers would do well to watch this video from front to back! Thanks for sharing!

[@stefanozurich]

Yep, I’d associate the Marshall Gov’nor with him first though.

[@kevinjohnbetts]

@@stefanozurich For his blues era with a Les Paul certainly. But whenever he used a Strat he always had a Boss DS-1 on his board. Check out his version of 'Red House' on the 'Strat Pack' DVD (It may be on KZbin as well, it certainly used to be) or the Hendrix Tribute concert he did where Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell performed with him. I'd say 'classic tones' but everything Gary played featured classic tones.

[@stevewarren4813]

Thank you so much for doing all the research and editing to make it possible to share this information. I love watching all your videos.

[@darrenbardati]

Love the details you include in your videos. Top quality! Please keep them coming..

[@StavrosFilm]

wow man, I'm Japanese and play lead for many years, I didn't know Maxon was a Japanese company 'til right this moment man lol.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

Their designer is still Susuma Tamura and he just finished the Maxon Apex 808 which is total killer.it took him 4 years to perfect it.

[@KalmBliem]

lol

[@StavrosFilm]

@@Paul_Lenard_Ewing AWESOME!

[@shanewalton8888]

For Japanese pedals, I think the present champion is the Korg Hatsune Miku. lol

[@wooohoo2]

at $550 ill wait for the joyo version

[@rikantony6571]

@@wooohoo2 lol

[@xiaoguan1143]

I love it when my guitar can say KOKO NEEKY GOOGOO MATSU HUNNA BEE BEE

[@wastingyourtime05]

Definitely true.

[@shanewalton8888]

@@Bjb1031 Go to Andertons KZbin page to see the funniest pedal review video ever

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I love the deep dives you do, the nerdiness, and completeness. I don't even have one of these pedals, I just dig your style.

[@tmitz73]

Awesome Video Kieth!! Super informative and illustrative; my favorite YT Channel hands down!!!

[@Wheelmass]

AHH Stevie is from North Texas! Great video but I won’t let one of our most famous guitar slingers be relegated to central Texas.

[@Woltide]

When you made the comment about 70s solid state amps sounding like shit, I laughed so hard. This video is one of the best so far...keep em coming Keith!

[@fivewattworld]

Hey that’s a quote from the Ibanez guy. I’d never swear in the channel. ;)

[@Woltide]

@@fivewattworld the delivery is what got me haha

[@bruxist]

Another great video from my favourite guitar channel. Thanks, Keith.

[@stuartpenney6829]

Another triumph of research. Great work as always Keith

[@michavandam]

14:53 The Turbo Tube Screamer is the one I have. 16:31 A selection of guitar players who have used the Tube Screamer, and their settings.

[@clicheguevara9917]

tubescreamer, metal zone, miku . the holy trinity

[@clicheguevara9917]

@Grace&Danger it transforms your triple rectifier into a fender Frontman! love it!

[@stranger5088]

I thought metal zone, metal zone, metal zone was the holy trinity???

[@clicheguevara9917]

@@stranger5088 for british clean. for some crunch you got to pack an hm2 into that chain

[@stranger5088]

Cliché Guevara 🤣🤣🤣 true, totally for got that!!!

[@jackbyrd4921]

I've had my ts9 nearly 35 years and it is by far the best o.d. pedal to be run through the front of a tube amp . There is just something about it that makes it so sweet sounding and it's not over bearing at the same time. Simply stated it makes you guitar cut though so well.

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes for sure almost 30 years for mine and still my go to pedal....that and an Xotic clean boost w echo is my basic tone I set it pretty clean and goose it w the clean boost Wish I could send back the hundreds of dollars I've spent on pedals in the last 4 year's since I started getting deeper into pedals but already had what I truly needed

[@fsthomson]

Another AMAZING brief history---thanks so much for making these!

[@johnsee7269]

The iconic Tube Screamer! The only pedal I have is have is a BOSS compressor/sustainer but if I had another one it would be a Tube Screamer. My amps have delay, reverb, etc.

[@juanvaldez5422]

What amps are you using?

[@LeviBulger]

Boss CS2 is my favorite pedal of all time! Killer, killer pedal. Also, something kinda funny and not mentioned in the video is that the Tubescreamer is itself a clone. The Boss OD-1 was the first of the "tube screamer" type of circuit, technically. Ibanez essentially cloned that pedal and called it the TS. Boss sued Ibanez and a settlement was reached to basically force Ibanez to use symmetrical clipping diodes instead of asymmetrical clipping which Boss had a pseudo-patent on. That's literally the only difference. Asymmetrical clipping is more amp-like as far as how tubes cause the wave patterns to behave when overdriven. It's why Boss was so adamant about retaining that design as their own. The Boss OD-1 is definitely more open sounding and not as compressed as the TS. The Ibanez is also more nasally sounding with greater emphasis on the upper mids. I personally prefer the OD1 and still use one to this day because I like the open nature of the way chords sound. But both are great and almost identical.

[@LeviBulger]

@@juanvaldez5422 I like your coffee, Juan!

[@juanvaldez5422]

Felix Blacksher have you played any of the boss amps

[@LTJR.]

Hi. If your amps have delay etcetera I'm guessing they're transistor? If so a tube screamer might not be the best choice. You may want to check out a distortion pedal with a tube in it. Unless of course you have and already decided TS was best for you.

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

"and they really sounded like shit". Its too early in the morning for me to be laughing this hard.

[@fivewattworld]

Ha! That's a quote Ray, I'm quoting the guy from Ibanez. Which is why I deliver it in such a deadpan way. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@RS2KR]

Absolutely amazing! Love these series of videos, especially the 335 video. Thanks Keith for the awesome content.

[@glenkepic3208]

Here before but love this bit, Keith ! early '90s. Mentioned one thing with family but almost forgot another,,, this time, Wife's side of the family. They're all teenagers. SIL has three kids, two daughters a son. One of the gals wants to play drums, the other guitar... "Your uncle should give you a guitar". tough times but parted with a Memphis LP copy, Harmony battery powered amp and a Sound Tank Tube Screamer. Funnily enough, it was the son who took it up. He got pretty good.

[@BenBreard]

You can pry my 90's Analogman modd'ed TS9 from my cold dead hands! So many gigs, so much great tone. :)

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes I have one from before he even started his own pedals Has hung strong for almost 30 years

[@LTJR.]

@@paulcowart3174 wasn't he the guy that you would put $100 bill into the battery compartment and send it to him with postage prepaid back and he would do the chip swap with a two resistor change? The IRS may be looking for him. Ha!

[@paulcowart3174]

@@LTJR. LoL....I think so but yeah his pedals stand the test if time Almost 30 years ago he did mine and still my go to

[@LDACG]

This was stunning. Thanks. I use a Maxon on my board. Now I feel better for having it there and not an Ibanez. What this video does make me want more than ever is a video from somewhere that actually describes the circuitry and the electronics of pedals. I'm virologist by career, not an electrical engineer. Anyone have suggestions for a video?

[@stevenperry1189]

Excellent video! Yours is a very thorough and interesting take on these products. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI]

A lot of Mesas Double/Tripple Rec players like Kirk Hammett use the TS to tighten up the amp.....

[@davetbassbos]

Awesome video! although kind of depressing because I bought an original when they came out(along with a MXR distortion + and a MuTron Pedal flanger) it's depressing because I sold them when they were considered "used" not vintage which translates to $40 instead of $400, lol!, oh well.

[@LIHPIT]

Done the same thing TS 808 original boss ce-2 original silver screw digitech analogue delay that I absolutely loved thought I was upgrading to digital I sold them all £20 a peace and a few other iconic pedals all selling the stupid money and probably was when I sold them

[@Zelomeisterdude]

Yes, I too know the feeling. I'm sitting here looking at the floor by my amp wondering why I don't see my original Tube Screamer, Vox Wah, and Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer laying there.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@LIHPIT Shoot, I remember back in the early/mid 90's when digital rack mount amps & such were making a huge splash here in east/central Florida. I was gigging heavily at the time with my 50 watt LCM 800 ( larger venues ) and little Fender Black Face Champ ( mic'd for small clubs ).......and was astonished how nearly all the guitarists were tripping over each other to literally give their old tube amps away as "trade ins" for those brand new garbage rack mounts that would be "upgraded" ( true meaning: made obsolete and disposable ) to "the latest sound technology" over a span that could be measured IN WEEKS. I cussed & raised all kinds of hell with my peers, telling them they had lost their minds. AND I WAS OSTRACIZED FOR IT. I kid you not. I was looked upon as "the stubborn idiot who refused to change with better technology for sound". I even challenged them all to use their damned ears and listen to themselves on tape using their tube amps, vs those weak, fake sounding rack mounts of the era. The proof was right there, as anyone could hear the tube amp cutting right through the mix, but my peers were all blinded & star struck. It would be at least several years later, when one by one, these poor suckers would approach me to apologize and say: "You were right Steve, what have I done". Not only could they not give away that "new" obsolete shit..........they couldn't afford to replace that sweet old tube amp they practically gave away. Sad but TRUE story........and I'll never forget it. Steve......Melbourne, Fl.

[@scottdunn2178]

Love your in-depth research and info, Keith.

[@codegreenstudio]

This is just fantastically well done--in research, organization, emphasis, and delivery. Thank you.

[@mrjamesgrimes]

The way he deadpans the solid states “really sounded like shit”. Bahahahaha

[@fivewattworld]

Hey, that was just a quote, I’m quoting the guy from Ibanez...:)

[@Barney5G]

We need the centaur story now

[@rifftipton7709]

Yes! That wonderful little "seasick green" stomp box.

[@andrewbettis4247]

Some great history and trivia... super fun video well done...

[@fredyardley1522]

Was the “TS citcuit” used in the OD section of the Ibanez UE rackmount multi effect series they manufactured in the 1980’s? For that matter, we’re other pedals, such as the compressor or chorus pedals circuits, used in the UE units as well?

[@LTJR.]

Yep

[@telecasterbear]

I have been playing guitar since 1975, I have owned about ten pedals. I never have played through a tube screamer. The only pedal I currently own is a visual sound ' open road'. I do not know if my pedal is in the TS format.

[@paulcowart3174]

It is

[@LTJR.]

I might be mistaken but I seem to think they also had one called a route 66 that may have been a TS variant. I do remember they made a nice chorus.

[@jasoncartwright586]

Surprisingly even more interesting than I was expecting !!

[@davidcaro8217]

Very interesting and informative! On side note, I never used a TS as a stand alone overdrive, but only as a booster to either the dirty channel of an amp or in front of another overdrive pedal to boost it. But I have found that running it into a graphic equalizer to boost the low and high frequency of it really makes a world of difference. Now I have the smooth overdrive it's known for PLUS much more bandwidth for far greater dynamics!

[@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI]

Hurts my brain when people try and tell me an early 1980s 4558 sounds "Better" than the newer ones.....

[@johnvcougar]

I think Josh set us all straight on that one, LOL.

[@Rickholly74]

I agree. While there are subtle (very subtle) variations in all of the TS pedals (I have nearly the whole line), I believe there is no basic sound difference between a TS9, TS7, TS5, or any other TS pedal. The only one I think (personal opinion) that has a slightly different EQ is the TS10. Again almost not noticeable to most users and clearly nothing that a tweak of the knobs can't cure..

[@johnvcougar]

The one exception I'll grant you is the NTS Nu-Tube Screamer. It's got quite a different character and responds differently to the touch to any other TS I've had in the past. Which you'd expect.

[@elgen0314]

............and yet it's the truth. Sorry to cause you further headaches

[@Navigatortrue]

My awnser to what all of these men have in common: all men I'd be surprised to find on grinder.

[@lorincowell6944]

Good to watch these again.

[@RonRuminski]

Great video. Thank you for your work on this.

[@shawnmcvey7789]

If you have the right amp and guitar for you, you'll love a decent TS. By the way, you could literally narrate anything.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Shawn.

[@paulcowart3174]

Actually the only knob I change when going from strat to LP is the tone Bit more highs for the LP and straight up noon for the Strat

[@rockettcrawford890]

I'm not a TS fan, but I was curious of how the "nu-tube" versions are doing.

[@caseyjones7404]

rockett crawford end of the fear inoculum track. Tool/Adam Jones. Ghost screamer if im not mistaken

[@craigwilliam532]

Fantastic as usual Keith. Your videos seem to have a much needed therapeutic effect on me. Very relaxing.

[@VintageRadius]

Keith, I think you're just getting better and better. Thanks!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks James!