This Is Why I Think Tube Screamers Suck

[@GhostFace8]

"I hate the sound of tubescreamers" says the guy who sets his base tone up to sound like a tube screamer 🤣

[@denmar355]

Nice one. My thoughts as well. Try a TS level up gain 9 o click into a Dimed Super Reverb. Different story.

[@joelarrivee4512]

@@denmar355 a dimed super reverb sounds heavenly by itself, but most of us would go to jail if we cranked one. Overdrive pedals exist to replicate the sound of a cranked amp.

[@thewayyouwah9170]

Which is probably why he hates them. Many players who haven't been through the amount of gear Rhett has, enough to have found that type of sound by matching the right guitars with the right combo/ head/ cab, those of us who have far less experience with such a variety of gear might see the TS as a quick fix, which is probably what the original designers had in mind anyway.

[@LuisRFeliu]

hahahaha

[@boxerfencer]

@@thewayyouwah9170 yeah, I kind of thought the stock TS sounded like the middle position with both pickups out of phase, and that i dont need a tube screamer for that, just know how to solder and configure some wiring.

[@Frewster]

Rhett: I don't like tube screamers Also Rhett: uses a Les Paul into a Hiwatt. Hi, yes, midrange called they want you to leave some for the rest of us. Lmao it's fair if you don't like tube screamers but imo using a TS with this setup is like putting a sweater on a sheep, you're only adding more wool, and the sheep has plenty. If you never use single coils, it makes sense that you don't really see the appeal of tube screamers.

[@travisthornton1792]

Exactly. This pedal works best with single coils to boost the mids.

[@gilbertotoledo1421]

@@travisthornton1792 and not just any single coils but low output single coils. Itll work better with vintage 5k single coils than with David Gilmour style 16k pickups.

[@travisthornton1792]

@@gilbertotoledo1421 right - I have noiseless pickups in my Stratocaster and the tube screamer helps round out that thin sound

[@FEAROWNAGE]

@@travisthornton1792 What if you play hard rock or metal?

[@dannyrivers3922]

Well mids is what 60% of your sound. So I feel like that's a weak argument.

[@siennashaw3785]

A Les Paul into a Marshall style amp set at the edge of break up is just not the best rig to complement a tube screamer. It’s like adding cream to a cup of milk, and then complaining it tastes “too dairy.”

[@micuronium]

Well spoken, girlfriend. My thoughts as well.

[@jboneguitar]

My exact thoughts! Plug in a strat and run it into a tube amp.

[@kendouble9705]

Amen. A TS works best off a cleaner signal. I have an Ampeg that's not the best for breakup and the TS solves that problem well. I wouldn't let it near my AC15 though.

[@craigvittorio1865]

This

[@boxerfencer]

It was a hiwatt, not a marshall. Although i can make my gear sound like the young brothers, its my sense of rhythm, style, essentially fingers complemented with medium output paf style pickups, and perhaps the speakers (celestions). Out of the box, hiwatts are a different beast, and i find it easier to get a Black Sabbath sound, and Iommi used Laney amps. So I'd venture Hiwatts are more like Laney, at least the cutom 50 i have which breaks up easily, and which I'm told is unusual as Hiwatts have a reputation of remaining high fidelity clean, more like that Pink Floyd clean sound, which they did record with. I can easily get that ziggy stardust sound too. Don't know what was used on those records, though.

[@germanbushin9723]

I'm kinda surprised that such an educated guitarist as you, Rhett, missed the entire point of this pedal. There are entire genres of rock that stand upon the guitar tones that can only be achieved with tubesreamer type pedals. Take pop punk, for instance, a Strat into a TS with a gnarly amount of gain and then into a Orange, Fender or Vox on a mild crunch setting is the essential pop punk tone. If you increase the gain on an amp and skip the tubescreamer it just lacks the punch in the mids, and if you use a Marshall type amp it doesn't sound bright enough. So yeah, tubescreamer is a must. You don't need a tubescreamer to boost a Les Paul to HiWatt chain, what the hell.

[@withindarkness]

Totally agree. I said something similar above. A TS is best used to tighten and improve clarity and punch. Tone too nasal? Dial the mids back and add some bass and treble on the amp! Except now that bass and treble will be clear , smooth, and tight. You can actually get more bass without farting out this way

[@wiggledixbubsy98]

Homie I do pop punk with a DS-1. Tube Screamer is far from essential

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

Fuck I wish I knew more about signals like this. I'm just a player and I fiddle with knobs until they sound ok but not always happy with my tone. I think I need electric guitar accessory lessons. Does someone even offer that? I know how to play...

[@germanbushin9723]

@@8KilgoreTrout4 The problem with guitar tone is that unlike music theory or playing technique it is completely subjective, so taking a course on that subject is like taking a course on which books are good and which ones are bad, it's kinda pointless. I'd suggest picking a few bands that have guitar tones you like. Then try to find some videos on their rigs, maybe you'll find an episode of Rig Rundown where they show their amps and pedals. There are also a few websites with the information about which amps and pedals different guitarists use. Sure, it may not be always accurate, but it's a starting point. And of course you have a lot of guitar youtubers with tons of opinions on this stuff, just keep looking for that tone you want.

[@adamhaymanmusic]

I would not call that the essential pop punk tone lol

[@Honkey_Tonker]

I’ve used a tube screamer for years. I played mine through my 1984 JCM 800. The tone is incredible. No, these pedals do not suck.

[@jamesdoctor8079]

SG + tube screamer + jcm 800 = god tier tone

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

It's a classic for a reason. They rule!

[@akacaleb]

Nice! I run a ts9 thru an 82 and 88 800. Love it!

[@akacaleb]

Nice! I run a ts9 thru an 82 and 88 800. Love it!

[@LeviBulger]

For a guy who has such a high opinion on himself and is YT famous for guitars, etc.... You would think he would understand why maybe the TS is loved by so many and maybe why he doesn't like it in his particular rig. What's hilarious is that his base tone in this video is essentially what a TS does to something like a Fender amp. 🤣

[@jahardo]

Josh from JHS did a video about why you can't just match knobs to compare pedals, since each one has slightly different components. But I think trying to judge a pedal that is meant to boost mids on a humbucker into a hiwatt is just nuts anyways so...

[@sirlost94]

agreed.. that's an odd way to prove his point. Makes more moot that anything else

[@macsarcule]

Spot on

[@joelarrivee4512]

If we could all crank a hiwatt onstage or in our bedrooms no pedals would be necessary

[@jspartacus]

Yeah, that was a moronic thing to do to set the knobs the same. There's the component tolerance factor you absolutely must consider. Especially with potentiometers. 5% tolerance (which is typical by electronics standards) on a 340 degree knob sweep is over 15 degrees of play.

[@SteveStevens-uv2px]

John is a huckster fool. Overpriced crap.

[@ericdowning8705]

There is something to say about what a TS-9 (modded or not) does to a Strat from a clean fender style amp boosting a gain pedal. For band mixes…it works wonders. Yes there are tons of pedals that do that same thing but the TS-9 or 808 without a doubt does something. You can’t deny that. Rhett listens to many many guitarists who have used this exact setup and HE likes the tone. His personal experience sided with not using one. That’s cool. It’s not for everyone.

[@andrewstaley5380]

indeed, his clean tone is probably grittier than my first gain stage haha.

[@shanealan2995]

Completely agree

[@SolamenteVees]

Came here to say this.

[@manifestgtr]

“For band mixes, it works wonders” BINGO I think that’s a point that’s getting lost in the mix here. Most players are hobbyists and/or solo guys who play at home for fun. Is there anything wrong with that? ABSOLUTELY NOT…it’s one of life’s great joys. I’m an amateur bass fisherman so I *know* that point of view on certain pieces of gear. But it’s very difficult to properly “judge” the value/usefulness of a tube screamer unless you’re playing with a band on the regular. There are some pedals you rely on to solve certain issues and get certain vibes happening. The tube screamer will always be one of those pedals on my board. It makes your guitar easier to play and seats your midrange perfectly between the bass and the vocals/snare/cymbals/etc.

[@joelarrivee4512]

And Rhett has a valid point about not boosting miss on an already “middy” rig. I do not like tube screamers for my rhythm tone, because just as he said I like a more “transparent” pedal like a Timmy for that. But stacking a tube screamer with it or a fuzz pedal sounds pretty great to me.

[@Yu-Fei-Hung]

There is not controversy: TS is a pedal that like any tool you must need to know how to use it.

[@randygomez9595]

Yes. And I'm sure Rhett is fully aware of the correct way to use a tube screamer. So it's almost as if he intentionally used it wrong in this video to try and discredit it 🤔

[@denmar355]

Clickbait

[@Yu-Fei-Hung]

@@denmar355 of course it is.

[@Sn0wball7]

I’m not a fan of the TS personally, but I do totally agree that it doesn’t suck. I like the sound that others get from it but it’s just not for my own taste. I don’t think it’s fair to say that it sucks

[@blacktoothfox677]

Well said

[@xmandlt]

A tube screamer does NOT 'suck'. It just doesn't compliment your tone. It works for many others.

[@marcosavila8215]

iy doesnt compliment the sound at all, it changes your tone, and funny that since i remember to play guitar...30 years i never liked TS despite having more than 10 of them...bad monkey on other hand i can adjust the tone, is just a matter of taste and i respect 100% everyone who love it...try to replace TS with a rat because rat can be way more transparent if you dial down the gain like Nuno Bettencourt

[@mitsuki1388]

@@marcosavila8215 same, I understand what TS does to a tone and I understand why people like it but for me it changes my amp tones in an undesirable way, always and it's not because I like "transparent overdrives" since I use SD-1, BD-2 and other colorful stuff in front of them but the TS just doesn't work. inb4 "the SD-1 is just a tube screamer" no it's fucking not

[@iwaann_]

​@@mitsuki1388 I agree, SD-1 has better sound imo, no offense for TS-9 users but TS-9 sounds kinda thin and weak. I compared them in a music store and like SD-1 more.

[@lemonpug6582]

@@marcosavila8215If you use it as a mid boost you can make the rest of your pedals sound so much better (Big muff, Klon type OD, etc) you’re just using the tubescreamer in one way, but it has many uses

[@dylanadams1455]

I haven't had a TS for long, and I'm still playing around with it, but I bought it for two things, both of which are quite common uses: 1) adding that nasally mid to cut through a mix for solos, and 2) any metalhead will tell you that a good riffing rhythm sound is a high gain amp with a TS (set to low gain, high level) in front. It tightens up the bottom end. If you're doing heavy palm muting, a TS will give you that chug where previously you had mush.

[@mastermachetier5594]

The tube screamer is a great pedal. We can't deny that Mayer and SRV had great sounds. The thing is it just doesn't work for how you setup your sound. There is nothing wrong with that though.

[@bryanh3057]

Also, both of those players primarily utilize(d) strats, which by their nature tend to have a more “scooped” sound, so the TS fills in some of those mids. I think that’s part of it too. My 2 cents

[@paultiplea]

@@bryanh3057 they were also playing through super clean, high headroom amps, definitely not the way Rhett has his amp set up.

[@Ninjametal]

I second this

[@nathantardrew7068]

@@bryanh3057 into a fender amp which is also scooped.

[@shankrl1]

But don’t say it sucks though lol

[@glenh2752]

Rhett I watch a lot of your videos which are usually great but have to say I’m really surprised that you’re pairing a tube screamer with a Les Paul and saying they suck! I’m an intermediate level guitarist and I ruled out using a TS with my Les Paul a long long time ago. But with single coil guitars they really give them the thump they need and push the front end of the amp harder. A TS with a Les Paul might work for some people, but I think the majority of players use them with single coil guitars or metal players might use them for tightening their high gain sound. Just my opinion.

[@paulcowart3174]

My LP w TS into my Tone King Gremlin sounds great but I hear what your saying Yes a LP into a cranked dirty amp beats any pedal

[@ramonw9430]

So Strat players use the TS and so do metal guitarists. That's 2/3 of guitar players at least lol.

[@Icebergslim91]

808 and a Strat is match made in heaven, even if you just use the tube scream as a boost it just brings out the complete character on the guitar.

[@Admiral_Bongo]

Probably one of the most common uses of the Tube Screamer is to boost the mids specifically in front of a high gain amp in the metal context to "tighten up" the transients and make the pick attack more pronounced. The mids are usually turned down to some degree on the amp in the same time to compensate.

[@jea783]

Yes or after any distortion pedal on the pedalboard . If you know how to teak it you got a killer tone !

[@sunnohh]

JHS: ironically say it sucks Rhett Shull: earnestly says it sucks Trey Anastasio: I’ll take two tube screamers please Metal players: tube screamer is basically part of the 5150 rig

[@brendenrodgers7821]

Tube screamers should come free with every purchase of a 5150

[@Orion28296]

@@brendenrodgers7821 Tube Screamers should be built in into every 5150

[@TheWolvesCurse]

guess i'm a criminal for not using a TS or any kind of drive/boost whatever with a 6505+ xD

[@brendenrodgers7821]

@@TheWolvesCurse respectable* criminal;)

[@michaelgrabowsky8744]

@@TheWolvesCurse I would just use my footswitch on mine. I have the 6505+ 112. It doesn't need a tube screamer at all, or any distortion/od. Versatile AF.

[@devinwilliams4038]

Yeah us metal players have kind of jacked the TS as like, “our pedal.” It’s really the Chefs kiss for high gain metal amps. But I actually really do just like it as an OD for clean amps and broken up amps. Like, Stevie Ray man. That’s all I’m gonna say lol.

[@Ottophil]

As a metal guy. I don’t ever turn my tube screamer off. Its just always there and on. 100% of the time

[@CorbCorbin]

That’s true, but it was also adopted by most Strat players in blues or blues rock in the 80’s snd 90’s, really through now, mainly because SRV tone. I use it to get a mid boost for my Fuzz Face and some other OD pedals in a band mix. Though I don’t really like the LED ones. I like Asymmetrical Clipping, with low gain. Love SRV and some of Mayer’s live sounds, but I’m not trying to sound like them unless it’s a cover gig, and they want SRV mimicked sounds.

[@devinwilliams4038]

@@Ottophil same

[@CorbCorbin]

You guys should try a VFE Pale Horse. It’s a TS circuit with just more shaping options, with Mosfet, Asymmetrical, LED clipping, snd Low snd high cut or boost knobs as well. I’ve used it to get a pretty sick metal tone, when stacked with the right amp or other pedals.

[@CorbCorbin]

@@Ottophil Are you stacking it with another gain pedal?

[@richieworrell]

Rhett it's funny.. the way you set your base clean tone on your amp, if I were blindfolded, I would think you already had a TS turned on. Like, the mid-hump in your base amp tone sounds like a TS already lol. But even still, personally between the three sounds, your tone with the TS9 is far and away the best of the three. It just is. I love a Morning Glory, I love the transparent thing. But throw it in a mix and it's obvious why so many go for the TS. The low end and highs that a TS shaves off just happen to be some of the most useless frequencies for a guitar in a mix. A full-frequency transparent overdrive sounds great in isolation, but in a mix in my experience it's paradoxically the one that ends up sounding muddy, messy, spiky, and gets lost.

[@machnes]

Perfect assessment, couldn't agree with this more!

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

For my money, the Fulltone OCD does transparency the right way by still tapering off the unpalatable frequencies and not over correcting the low-mid range.

[@gunkanjima3408]

The reason Rhett hates the TS is because he has no idea what a clean tone is

[@macsarcule]

I was going to say the same thing until I read yours. The amp is already set mids-forward and already breaking up.

[@nickl2883]

Lol I think you nailed it

[@JPMonstie]

Takeaway: Perhaps the TS isn’t for those that don’t really know how to use them, unlike the numerous brilliant guitarists who do and make them sound great live or in the mix.

[@marklingad7554]

I totally agree. Sometimes the word “hate” is used to replace their ignorance on how to use things. So instead of learning to use and maximize it they just hate it, less effort, less hassle for them. So sad.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

@@marklingad7554 If a player hates gear that I like I find it to be a good thing because if everybody wants something the price gets way out of hand like those vintage tube screamers.

[@chucklakeridge7944]

@David Wang Amen. Why some people take it personally that another player hates the gear they like is beyond me.

[@JPMonstie]

@@marklingad7554 Exactly. You got the point. Hate is always based in fear, and fear always comes from ignorance of something. Hating TSers has nothing to do with natural preference, and everything to do with avoiding facing up to your own ignorance, otherwise, there’s no sense in the fear and hatred. Joking about hating something for the purposes of attracting attention and revenue as in this case, is just an example of fear. RS has often seemed fearful in many of the videos I’ve seen.

[@nuclearguitarfare4653]

So how do you properly use a tubescreamer?

[@aarronwootton]

The TS9 is great if you know where to apply it. I love the way it changes tone for leads. It cuts through and makes the solos just "pop" more. But I use it sparingly, it's not an "always on" effect for me.

[@nashwpg]

I'd also consider the intended purpose/why it's a classic pedal. It's because back before modern high gain amp designs people were diming marshalls, and throwing a circuit in front that took out all that fizzy high end and flabby as shit bass really made the amp useable again at those insane volumes.

[@robertgunning9667]

you nailed it at about 16:15... SRV showed us the way. It’s for making old Fender guitars played into old Fender amps have a little more muscle. The other use you also mentioned is to tighten up high gain amps in metal settings. That’s about it. I could see when you had a Les Paul in your hands exactly what you weren’t going to like before you even started playing or mentioned it

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes LP's into dirty amps need no help usually...

[@jordandangelo180]

I love Tube Screamers. Favorite pedal of all time. For years I did gigs and taught with just a TS-808RI abs it acted as a compressor and boost and brought out all the harmonics and made everything easier to play. A Satriani Wah and a TS-808, good fender tube amp or a Marshall and tons of complements of my tone. I would set everything to 2 o’clock or higher abs use amp gain and it would just sing. If you add gain to a TS magic comes through imho and I think it acts as a somewhat of a compressor in a way as it always made legato at low volumes much easier. The SRV 2 TS trick works. I think there’s a big difference between a TS-9 and TS-808. Yes, you can make them sound the same but the 808 is much warmer and if you ever tried the TS-808HW you know what I mean. Tons of warmth. I treat TS like fuzzes and always add amp gain or stack them.

[@JerseyMiller]

Tube screamer type circuit at the end of a drive chain sounds great. Especially with a stratocaster.

[@JayBeBerg]

A TS is great as a boost for a Marshall (Level up, Drive down). Just like the SD-1, it cuts lows, boosts mids and gets the amp into the zone of controllable feedback and sustain without the muddy lows and ear piercing highs of a linear boost. I guess that's the reason everyone else like Tube Screamers.

[@joelarrivee4512]

And turn the tone down all the way if you don’t want to cut bass frequencies

[@d.rowley5023]

The TS works great for a strat neck pickup into a Marshall, aka the SRV sound.

[@dennispost7903]

Spot on!

[@guyr.c.606]

If your thinking of buying a modded TS-9, Id recommend checking out the 'Maxon OD 820 Overdrive Pro'. It was designed to be the last word in the 'screamer' lineage, with a wider gain, tone and volume range than any other. Its superb as a booster and has been described as a Klon killer. I wouldnt know about that but this pedal is one of those I couldnt manage without, its just so useful.

[@karlhouseknecht]

All personal preference, I guess. The stock TS9 has a classic kind of sound. The modded no longer sounds like a TS at all. Louder, brighter, less mid hump. Of course, starting with a pretty mid boosted tone is going to be a no-win situation anyway. And hey, you like fuzz in a way that most people don't so there's no accounting for taste. LOL! Good, objective video.

[@llima3000]

Perfect, it's a personal impression about the sound... I respect it, but at the end it's just an opinion.

[@coldshotblues]

Ts808 is far superior to the ts9. Great comparison the modded pedal sounds great

[@rogerhunt2118]

⁰I i9

[@rogerhunt2118]

Terrikfic

[@denmar355]

Not sure he is very objective. He’s quite opinionated based on HIS ears and HIS amps.

[@Kenneth-nVA]

I play Godins and LP’s and after this video I’m going to get me a Tube screamer… I actually loved the sound. Thanks for the demo RS

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes sir

[@jwhite1016aol]

Thought the same thing.

[@michaelpasmore116]

I love Tube Screamers and especially the TS808. I’m a blues guitarist and have been performing for years - the main pedal that gets me that SRV Texas Blues sound out of my Stratocaster and Fender tube reverb amplifier.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

That’s not my experience. Replace the TS with a Morning Glory or a more transparent OD pedal and watch the SRV slap and clarity return to your gain. Just my experience…. Also, remember, what sounds good in your bedroom can sound like a muddy mess with a band (unless your amp is cranked to 11 and your speaker is crying. in which case, the TS is a glorified boost to a cranked tube amp and speaker.) That’s why I say SRV sounded good in spite of a TS, not because of one Just my 2 cents. We’re allowed to disagree

[@Patrick-857]

It works well with Fender amps, which are scooped in the mids by their very nature.

[@ckallaher]

I loved this video from early on, when Rhett kicked on the pedal he hates and my reaction was “sounds fucking awesome!” I guess it’s just the millionth reminder that tone is very subjective. I must really like a very mid-focused sound. Love the channel, Rhett!

[@Crescent_Audio]

I primarily use my TS in a high gain context, that’s where it shines. It takes a high-gain amp and tightens up the attack and sends it over the top for gain. In a lower-gain context I go with a Timmy.

[@BedroomGuitarist]

Agree

[@psychotogether5114]

It wold be nice to hear your thoughts in a band setting. Obsessing over “bedroom” tone can be done all day but when your in the mix is another story.

[@valvenator]

Yep. The second the drums, bass and guitars come in you'll be saying where did I go? that's where you try to find your spot in the mix, and it's always different than that perfect bedroom tone you spent so much time on.

[@Ottophil]

As guitar players part of the appeal is we don’t have to care. Thats a producer or sound guys problem. I only care if i sound good. F the rest of the band

[@psychotogether5114]

@@valvenator ok yoko.

[@teleguy5699]

@@Ottophil lol

[@christopherwoods6]

I use a bunch of different guitars, a TS is needed in some places with thin sounds. I prefer Boss SD-1w and Klon clones though. What we prefer isn’t always the best sounding, especially when you are using tape. It is hard to factor in the saturation no matter how experienced you get.

[@captvemo4060]

I agree I prefer the boss sd1 over a tube screamer. I'm actually into Blues a lot more lately and every blues guitar player in the history of time it seems has used a tube screamer. Whether it's a strat or Les Paul. And Fender and Marshall amps. I have been checking these pedals out in the last week thinking about actually purchasing one but I would rather have the 808 apparently it's a lot smoother warmer and not so brittle sounding.

[@michaelrash1478]

I'm a strat into a Fender style amp guy so the tube screamer is one of my favorite pedals. That said I also love a Les Paul into a Fender brown panel (or tweed) or early Marshall (jtm) and at times I can live without the TS. To each his own, but the tube screamer isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Great show and glad to hear your opinion even if it's completely wrong, just kidding.

[@rockinvida1960]

I get what Rhett is saying...the Tubescreamer is a specific trip and ain’t for everyone. My Keely modded TS-9 (stacked with a version 3 OCD) works well with my Strat/Fender setup.

[@PerJohansson-Xeizo]

I used only Strat for 30+ years and the TS9 was great for that, now I use a large variety of guitars and amps and the TS9 certainly doesn't fit all. But it usually works great in a band mix, as it positions the guitar firmly in the middle of the frequency range so it doesn't kill off other instruments. I normally use the natural gain from a tube amp, and a Soul Food as boost, which the TS can stack nice with in a mix. My goto for a simple setup, I have a Helix which has "all" the pedals built in, but I seldom use it as it's time consuming to set up. Too many options to get lost in.

[@christopherhansford6876]

Well, this video put me off buying a TS for ages. Last weekend I dipped my toe in the water buying a Behringer TS clone and really liked it. As Josh Scott says: “If it sounds good it is good”. It’s subjective of course but I’m glad I bought one.

[@deanandthebeans857]

I love the sound of the first ts - softened the brittle sounding amp, I thought.

[@ROKZLEON]

To each his own! I actually like your tone going through the TS over the MG and RC.

[@paulcowart3174]

ABSOLUTELY

[@xmandlt]

As do I. I thought it sounded great. Gimme mids.

[@steinonline]

The Tube Screamer is a thing of its own. It's a great juice box to take a hot amp that extra little bit. The EQ curve it imparts actually help the solo voice of the guitar find it's own place in the mix. It works great with a JCM800 and P90 Pickups. Not the best with cleaner amps like Vox, Fender or Hiwatt. I have been using one for about 30 years. I've tried everything else and I always go back to the TS9.

[@epicnoble]

A lot of people like to use the tube screamer for single coil guitars through a very clean amp. Usually clean tele to clean fender amp. It’s a great pedal for darkening tone a bit. Particularly useful with a Vox AC30, which is super bright. If you have the budget to have a great amp with its own distortion circuit, those will always beat pedal distortion IMO. For many studio guitarists the tube screamer offers another tonal option that may work for some songs and not work for others.

[@134SASAKI]

True, What you say is the truth in the real world. I don't like TS's own tone at all, but it fits very well in the mix when combined with some guitars and amps. I record the guitar at work every day. Especially the combination of Telecaster + Tube Screamer + VOX AC30 produces a miraculous tone. A terrible guitar sound that you listen to alone is often well sit in a mix. It's strange to me that he's a good professional musician but complains like a bedroom guitar player.

[@danmorrison8746]

@@134SASAKI hahaha it's true. I adore my TS-type drive for making an amp scream, but I also have a Seymour Duncan Powerstage which is a operating-room-clean class D power amp to send some other preamp into (and is WONDERFUL for that), but a TS into that amp cold is hilariously feeble and unpleasant.

[@randygomez9595]

Interesting you say a tube screamer is useful with a Vox AC30 because I've tried a tube screamer with my Vox hand wired AC30 and thought the result was way too much mids. But to each their own...

[@epicnoble]

@@randygomez9595 yeah for sure again taken on it’s own for sure, but can be useful if you need a darkened tone with the ac30

[@joelarrivee4512]

@@134SASAKI I used a tele or strat into an AC-30 with a tube screamer for years until I went to a Fender and a Marshall. Only pedal that sounds better with that rig is a treble booster

[@spideymarino]

I have a ts-10 that I’ve owned since the late 80s. It really matters what guitar you’re using it with and what amp you’re using. It can sound great with the right rig or awful with the wrong rig. Some players that have used the tubescreamer a lot that you didn’t mention are Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson.

[@joelarrivee4512]

I love how Eric Johnson sets up his Tube Screamer to be used only for the bridge pickup of a Strat.

[@JKBTLB]

You have a mid-heavy base tone (which is way past "edge of breakup", by the way), so yeah, adding a mid-boost kind of pedal isn't for you ... but it certainly doesn't mean they suck. Put the TS pedal between a bright, chimey guitar and a clean Fender amp and it's a different ballgame. And you should know that.

[@paulcowart3174]

Especially w a LP with that amp tone EL84's and TS's are the worst combination He is the click bait master trying to get his numbers up

[@scootertrasher1369]

Your base tone is well into breakup from where I'm sitting.

[@Matt..G]

Thank you! My Tube Screamer has been collecting cobwebs on my pedalboard because I could never find the 'right' tone or application for it. You convinced me to find another pedal option.

[@johnh7918]

IMO it comes down to where the guitar is going to sit in the mix: Scenario 1 - A guitar driven band with male baritone or lower tenor vocals (Who, Van Halen) - You want the guitar to have a brighter tone so you don't muddy the other parts. Scenario 2 - A keyboard driven band with higher tenor of female singer. (Phil Collins, Bangles) - The guitar has a more midrange sound In all you can mix and match, and shuffle what is on top of the mix. Korn, Chili Peppers, and Primus mix the bass on top because the bass carries the songs. Some others will use cymbals and hi-hat to fill that range

[@GhostGuitars]

No this is the kind of wisdom you hope to get from the internet. Occasionally. After scrolling through the shite

[@davidbmixing]

I'd say that it's just your base tone isn't really the type of tone that works well with a TS. I love the TS, didn't like the tones in this video at all. It's a tricky pedal for sure, doesn't sound good for everything but when it does, it's amazing.

[@indigoblackknight]

I use the Earthquaker devices plumes. It tightens up the low end in a dense metal mix lol

[@harrisonmccartney4878]

I think the biggest problem this dude might have with the Tube Screamer is that he likes a little more "chunk and crunch" in his guitar tone, which the Tube Screamer doesn't really offer. The TS is more of a knife; its tone is sharp and clean, very clear and bright for distortion, but I understand wanting something a little more "chunky" sounding, especially for playing with a Les Paul. There's definitely something satisfying about both depending on the context, but to say any piece of gear sucks because it doesn't fit in with your rig is pretty bogus. Everything from your amps to your strings to your pick, your pickups, the guitar body, hell maybe even the ambient temperature of the room can all add up to something that sounds great, but even one misplaced pedal or the wrong string gauge can take something that rocks and turn it into something that doesn't sound as good. It's "missing something", or maybe even a lot of things depending on how your rig is set up, but it's impossible to understand the full benefit of any particular piece of kit without playing with it on a ton of stuff.

[@laurencemiltonbell6951]

Most people use these for Strats and that's where I think they shine. Amp just at the edge of break up, Drive to zero and push it with the Level and for Heavens sake take it easy with the Tone knob.

[@druwk]

I’m more of a Fender Single coil > Tweed & Brown Fender style amp, guy. I’m digging the JHS Morning Glory right now. I have never owned a TS9, but I borrowed a buddies for a bit. 😜 Had a less dissected, but similar reaction! Wasn’t mine sound? I love Fuzz, and medium levels of Gain. Overdrives can often bring out a quality that you can not get by simply turn up your amp. Just never liked the color the TS9 was providing. Strat>TS9>Blackface type amp !!!!! But, even then…?

[@64fiestared]

It’s a matter of context… pushing extra mids works with a strat and say a Princeton in a band mix they’re amazing. With a Les Paul you are asking for sludge

[@ubertwerpify]

as a huge fan of tube screamers especially as boost , i do respect that you had the guts to go with your true opinion and against the grain of the sheep in the herd ..you make some valid points- I am finding i prefer the wider more open sound of the klon type pedals as well - eager to experiment with nobels odr and wampler belle on my journey - (i play mostly hard rock)

[@robertschererx]

Given a high gain amp with channel switching: Why would you want a tube screamer? Roll down the bass and crank up the treble plus set the mids to taste. It will give you a tight aggressive lead sound and it’s gone when switching to clean without having to disengage the TS pedal by an additional tap with your foot… That’s the live rig standpoint though where you want get things easy on the footwork. Maybe okay as a temporary solo boost… On recordings you want to go for the best single track, that’s another story.

[@dispersemedia]

Well most players that love this pedal are hard rock to metal players and not really blues players. So I think you actually understand why people love it. It's more of a "cut pedal" than a boost, because the primary benefit is it to cut the excess lows you get from cranked amps. The added gain is just secondary.

[@happygster922]

Aren’t SRV and Mayer kinda the poster children of the TS? Pretty sure those guys are blues players.

[@weschilton]

@@happygster922 Beat me to it!

[@randygomez9595]

Me band plays top 40 pop cover tunes, I use a tube screamer, and have gotten a lot of compliments on my tone, so....🤷‍♂️

[@Ninjametal]

A cranked Ts9 into a loud, clean, Fender gets some impressive blues tones, imo

[@dispersemedia]

@@happygster922 I did not speak in general terms. And SRV leans more in the "heavy blues" side so yeah. In fact, I too used a TS-type pedal for my hip-hop/soul band some years ago.

[@willsei]

In all honesty, if the Tube Screamer was the end-all-be-all overdrive pedal, there wouldn't be 10,000+ other OD pedals. As long as the pedal isn't some stupid hokey name like "Thor's Hammer" with a bunch of knobs labeled with some sort of whacky description then I'm good. I also dig the Blues Driver, but because of how my rig is EQ'd, the TS9 works flawlessly (IMO). Good video Rhett!

[@kxmrock]

Glad You Called Out The TS, OD's Make Every Body Sound Like Everybody Else Graduate to "Boost's With Flavor", Thats where You Will Stand Out

[@CatchMeOutside361]

It’s just your rig and your ear Rhett. Nevertheless, definitely an eye catching title lol.

[@joelarrivee4512]

Clickbait, but it sucked me in!

[@CatchMeOutside361]

@@joelarrivee4512 same 😂

[@tomusic8887]

Sounds so good with the standard TS! Lots of character and tightness :)

[@musiclife2807]

If anything, this proved just how awesome the Morning Glory is. It’s so hard to be the MG when it comes to light overdrive tones!

[@christopherosborne7174]

Guess I'm in the minority here as the tone with the stock tube screamer sounded best imho. Much smoother. Honestly most people's stock tones sound harsh to me, even with the mild high freq hearing loss I have, lol. Those players with tones that sometimes get called nasally or honky, always have the best in the mix tone to me. Love the videos man! Lots of good information.

[@BeGloryOrPeace]

to each their own… tone is subjective, it’s all in the hands and yadda yadda yadda.. lol 😂 I myself have a pair of modded Analogman TS-9’s and enjoy them very much so 👍🏽 great video

[@davidjameschamberlain]

I'm sensing a compressor would be following those two in the signal chain

[@BeGloryOrPeace]

I lead with the compressor, then everything else follows..

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I think the reason you dislike tubescreamers is because your base tone is already mid focused. The TS gives you more of that, and you don't need it. The TS sounds best to my ears when placed in front of an amp with a more scooped midrange character, like a Fender amp. For a Marshall or other British amp which are typically already mids forward, I think the last thing most players would find desired is the way a TS pushes mids.

[@thebeggarsguild]

A TS style pedal goes well with mid scooped Fender 6L6 type amps, especially with a Strat, and boosts the midrange to cut through live. My first rig was a Les Paul through a TS9 into a drip-edge Bassman and 4x12 cab. It sounded great. They don't work very well with EL84 based lower-watt amps that already have midrange present. To some degree, it's also a case of what sits well in a live band mix often doesn't sound good by itself at home, and vice versa.

[@lucwilson1]

With all due respect Rhett - I think you suffer from hearing loss similar to old dudes with shot hearing that have an overly bright, piercing, harsh base tone because they can’t hear the highs anymore.

[@shankrl1]

Agree! Rhetts tone is always so brittle and harsh, way too many highs

[@ekraszewski]

I heartily agree. I played the club circuit for many years. I’m 68 years old now and when I had my hearing checked, I’ve lost a lot of highs and some low frequency and am now wearing hearing aids in both ears. What a difference when you can hear what you didn’t realize you were missing.

[@davetrombetti4240]

I gotta say, when you switched from the Morning Glory to the stock TS I was impressed with how much more I liked the TS sound. This comes down to what you like. The TS does NOT suck just like those fuzz pedals you fawn over that haven’t made an enjoyable noise in all the time I’ve been watching your channel don’t suck. Don’t even get me started on Clapton’s "woman tone" that you wasted an entire video praising. This is why I haven’t bought your tone course. Tone is in the ear of the listener. But just because you don’t like my tone and I don’t like yours doesn’t mean I don’t learn from your show. Keep up the good work.

[@jefferypallo1950]

808 was originally invented to run into a solid state amp to emulate a screaming tube amp. It's perfectly tuned for that. The maxon od808 has a smoother and cleaner buffer system as it uses an opamp for the input and output buffers. 808 on a low volume tube amp may be muddy because there's so much compression. If you crank the amp for more headroom there's a drastic affect.

[@jamespell8091]

You have a great point Rhett. Out of the box the product should work. Im an older guy. A hair guy if you will. Thd stock pedal is what im thinking is "compressed". I dont know compressors but it is a term i am using here. The modded one you have there airs out. It seems to allow what youre amplifier is already willing to do with youre guitar already. Put a keen little white pinstripe across the top of that puppy so you can identify off the bat when you reach for it. I like my tools to be all mexed up in age finnish and priduct line. When im all dirty greasy and exorcizing contortionisim i like to spot thdm off the bat when i reach for them. He who dies with the most tools wins. (I herd this a while ago It kind of stuck). I like youre tagline too. It seems now that two years later you have abandond it. There is no plan B but these days what with cars that dont have spare tires's i guess plan B is the norm. Ive been living the whole "change Jim thing down for a long time now. Good vidieo. James Pell

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

You do know that the Tone on a Tube Screamer at 0 is actually not boosting the mid range at all. It's transparent. If you turn the tone all the way off and turn the pedal on and off you'll notice your tone, EQ wise outside of the tighter low end, is unaffected. So as soon as you turn the Tone up at all THEN you're adding the screamer mid range shaping in.

[@mfgobbi]

A tube screamer is a one trick pony pedal to make strat lead lines into an already broken up tube amp stand out in the mix in a live situation. It is great for that. It is not a bedroom pedal. Some pedals are great in the studio or in a room, like OCD, but loses much of its magic live. That nasal TS sound played by itself is very annoying indeed, but that is the exact spot that the guitar fills in perfectly in a loud mix.

[@-TheOddity]

I used to think the tube screamer styled circuit was garbage based off of this video, but after really digging into tones, amps, cabs, recording, etc. this is probably the worst take I’ve seen in a long time. The ts circuit is a match made in heaven for most orange amps for an amazing lead tone

[@Robyn_iz_Here]

TS9s are great for 2 things. You can use it in the front end of a dirty amp to tighten the sound and give it a push or you can use it as a channel switch almost. A more mid scooped low overdriven tone can be good for some songs and then kicking on a TS9 fot a gainier sound changes your tone immensely all at the touch of a button

[@jeffersoncosgrove1910]

As a non-guitar playing musician who has no dog in this fight, I actually liked the stock TS-9 dialed to noon over your straight tone or even the Morning Glory, at least the way it comes across on KZbin. I obviously can't compare them live in the room. It might have also had to do with the riffs you were playing making me feel that way. That being said, I thought the mod brought things I wanted to hear come across even better. I would describe it as a brilliance boost. 👍

[@glennireland9630]

I have a Virtual Sound Double Trouble pedal (no longer made) which is two separate TS808 circuits with bass boost switch. Stacked they give you a nice Eric Johnson Sound. I use my TS as a boost as you demo'd.

[@76standard]

Good comparison video of the three pedals. I'm in agreement about the tubescreamer and how it changes your tone/EQ because of its mid hump. I have a suggestion for Rhett since he favors more neutral, or transparent overdrives. Give the Menatone Red Snapper a try. It has four different knobs (Vol, Gain, Cut and bite) for controlling the EQ. The Cut knob is like a tone control, and the Bite knob adds presence and spices up the gain frequency. Reach out to Brian Mena and see if he will send you a pedal to feature on your KZbin chnnel. My RS, produced in 2006, came stock with an KA4558 opamp, if that even matters. I play rhythm guitar in our band, and need to cut through the mix, (usually our drummer) to hold down our groove, and the RS does it in spades. I play vintage Fender amps (Pro Reverb and Bassman head) most of my tone leans more towards clean tones on the edge of breakup. The Red Snapper just adds a little more of what the amps already bring. The pedal works well with single coil and humbucker equipped guitars. Check it out.

[@RosssRoyce]

TS with the tone set high sounds like Boss BD with tone at noon - like a low res unpleasant Distortion Pedal (the definition of Boss BD in all settings). Blues driver is warm and fuzzy, smooth resolution.

[@withindarkness]

Clicking a TS in on your basic tone is a terrible idea except for solos, IMO. The point behind a TS is to remove bass and treble, pre-gain, so those get less distortion. You remove the fizz and haze by not distorting the treble as much and remove mud/wool and farty-ness by not distorting the bass as much. You get a higher gain sound while retaining clarity. For high gain, I run 0 drive, tone at 9:00, level 12:00 to max. I always dial in more bass and treble or scoop some mids out after to compensate. In this way, I get the same sound, just clearer and tighter. Any mod that "warms" the sound defeats this purpose.

[@steveoverdrive55]

At least you’re honest ! Had one in the 80s and I agree with you.It’s about the Hype and Product Presage

[@duaneharlick]

For me, TS circuits work best in Fender style amps as those amps are inherently "scooped". The TS adds a mid punch for cutting thru, especially for soloing. I totally agree that adding it to a Marshall style amp at breakup point is a bad recipe. I have a modded TS, which allows me to vary its character a bit to accommodate the amp it's hitting. Although I much prefer my Wampler Ecstasy. Far more transparent and tweek-able.

[@juanarias1856]

Dude you forgot to do the test with a real guitar and a real Amp. Try again through a Strat and a Marshall Plexi Super Lead with a clean setup on the amp. Give me the thanks later

[@PJmusica]

I love my tube screamer. It's probably my favorite pedal. Makes my solid state amp sound like a tube amp. I compared it with my actual tube amp on many occasions.

[@stormprooftraining2012]

While there are OD pedals I like better than the tube screamer, there are many variables that come into play. Those would be 1-Amp type 2-how you’re running you effects chain 3- EQ 4- whether you are going through the effects loop or input, 5- combination and location of other effects 6- type of music you are playing 7-settings on the pedal. 8- Your guitar and pickups 9- and finally personal preference. Not being rude but it appears that you would benefit more from some practice and experience before you get all bent out of shape over an effects pedal.

[@adamwest7936]

The tube screamer works for me, because the mids help give my vox ac30 a thicker bigger sound when I need it. Vox amps can be trebly

[@brianpeter7139]

Bad Monkey is a much better overdrive used as a boost. Independent bass and treble controls. Gain at zero, level at 3 o'clock, bass at 2 o'clock, treble at 3 o'clock. It's perfect like that, no mods required, and a fraction of the price of a TS9. Try it.

[@nick_stabile]

I think a Tube Screamer is great in a live mix when you need a single coil instrument to punch through. Humbuckers are so loud they don't really have that issue. My Jazzmaster can get lost or sound thin if I don't use either a clean boost or Tube Screamer.

[@paulmitchell5349]

The Morning Glory sounds like it needs a blood transfusion.

[@monctonguitarrepair8093]

My favorite use of a Tube Screamer is as a Projectile. Hurling one at whomever lacks the common decency to keep it turned off!

[@johnh9341]

In a 2 guitar band playing classic metal and hard rock. Both guitars had the same tone and fought each other no matter what we tried. I used overdrive, distortion, metal distortion etc. always a fight to hear ourselves. I switched to a tube screamer. completely changed the situation. Our volume is lower, our sound is tighter and dual leads and phrases have more depth .Leads do not need to be boosted as much to hold their place in the mix. I never would have used one in a single guitar band but it definitely has its uses. Gibson Explorer, Tubescreamer set at 12 oclock..., 15 watt Fender blues Jr.

[@Hopeful_Husker]

I chose a Boss SD-1 over a Tube Screamer when I had the choice, and I love it

[@roosky203]

When he said it smell like corn chips I guarantee it's from some crusty ass socks/feet using the pedal I always said when I was a kid, that an old crusty sock smells like a bag of Frito lays 🤣

[@jb909jb]

wow that stock tubescreamer sounds so much better to my ears

[@oldmantwofour5561]

One other thing... Have you ever played a Tech 21 Double Drive? If you haven't, you should. It has been my go to for years. There's a class A/B drive and a class A drive. Marshall tones, Vox tones and the ability to blend them. There are solid Blues Breaker tones but a bit more clarity.

[@MarkFromHawaii]

I use a TS-9 to add some extra boost and bass cut to amp overdrive settings - especially for high gain so I don't add much if any extra drive. I like it. To each his own, your mileage may vary.

[@igsdharma]

Dang! Your Hiwatt with TS sounds great, man!

[@manelalentorn]

How can we get the modded one? Does your friend sell them online? Or any mod instructions? GREAT VIDEO! Thanks!!

[@Steedonline]

I generally don't like TSs either, however, I've slectively used one some soloing parts as the TS acts like a low-cut AND and a high-cut filter at once. The results on Marshall-type amps was really good, I must admit. But it doesn't go without some serious pedal knobs tweaking.. cheers

[@matewansid]

I'm a big fan of the C-mat Mods pedals. Great tone, reasonable prices and great personal service too!

[@asims1066]

I never knew we were kindred spirits Rhett, at least when it comes to the Tube Screamer

[@ThePreAmpChannel]

Rhett, I completely agree with you. Your Amp sounds great ,it's tight and punchy with good headroom,especially with that morning glory. The tube screamer(I must admit I bought one because of the hype)sounds like those mini danelectro amps with fizzy low headroom. Don't get me wrong I love SRV and that pedal worked great for him. Tube screamers are one of the most modified pedals around,so what does that tell ya. If there so great why modify them. I'd rather just buy a pedal that I like instead of Stevie ray memorabilia. Try a Ibanez SM7 or an old MXR super overdrive.

[@cappy_skateboarding7920]

High gain guys love the ts. It tightens up the lowend and cuts great! I personally love em

[@johnvassos82]

I feel that these types of overdrives came a long at a time when black/silver panel amps were being used most. They lack a bit of the mid range which the TS helped overcome. I’m also not a fan of the pedal but so many others are able to make magic with it in their setup.