Ultimate Tubescreamer Comparison | 22 Pedals compared & tweaked | Thomann

After the first Tubescreamer was released in the late 70s, pretty much every pedal manufacturer made his own version of the infamous green overdrive pedal. Some with less, some with more options, some older, some just released this year. We took the same loop and put it through every single one we could get our hands on - You decide: Which one sounds best?
Tubescreamers used: tho.mn/ackej
We use Triad-Orbit stands for our videos exclusively: tho.mn/triad
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Setup for today
2:17 Comparison Lick Clean
Part 1: Comparison
2:29 Ibanez TS808
2:44 Maxon OD808
2:57 Ibanez TS9
3:10 Maxon OD9
3:23 Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive
3:37 Way Huge Green Rhino MKIV
3:50 Seymour-Duncan 805 Overdrive
4:03 JHS Moonshine
4:16 Wampler Clarksdale
4:29 Mad Professor Little Green Wonder
4:43 Electro-Harmonix East River Drive
5:09 MXR GT-OD
5:22 J.Rockett Blue Note
5:36 Mooer Green Mile
5:49 Valeton Tube Engine
6:02 JHS Bonsai
6:15 Keeley Red Dirt
6:29 Nux Overdrive
6:42 Earthquaker Devices Dunes
6:55 Jam Pedals Tube Dreamer 58
7:08 Ibanez NuTubescreamer
7:22 Ibanez TS808 Handwired
7:35 Part 2: Tweaking
7:57 Ibanez TS808
8:27 Maxon OD808
9:17 Ibanez TS9
9:47 Maxon OD9
10:27 Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive
10:56 Way Huge Green Rhino MKIV
11:46 Seymour-Duncan 805 Overdrive
12:36 JHS Moonshine
13:36 Wampler Clarksdale
15:05 Mad Professor Little Green Wonder
15:25 Electro-Harmonix East River Drive
15:55 MXR GT-OD
16:35 J.Rockett Blue Note
17:35 Mooer Green Mile
18:24 Valeton Tube Engine
19:14 JHS Bonsai - all the modes!
24:32 Keeley Red Dirt
25:42 Nux Overdrive
26:12 Earthquaker Devices Dunes
27:02 Jam Pedals Tubedreamer
27:41 Ibanez NuTubescreamer
28:31 Ibanez TS808 Handwired
29:01 Goodbye!
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[@Whiskeyklone]

My favourite was the green one. Such tone...

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

But what about the green one? That was great too! //Andy

[@janminor1172]

And the green ones that looked surprisingly blue or red? Not bad, either!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

okay, we should all just follow the green brick road. :-) //Kris

[@Shredsofeden]

Thomann Music 7

[@gmantera]

No ! I don’t agree , because the green one better

[@dragui9932]

Thank you for that great demo ! Very useful and very well done as usual Kris

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it! //Kris

[@mikewoolie5153]

Great comparison, I came away with three I like very much. It's also fun to watch you guys work your English through.

[@tongoxavier]

Of all the Tube Screamer comparison videos I've watched on KZbin, this is the best one so far. They were smart enough to play the same riff for all the pedals, so it was easy to tell the differences between them. I really can't say which one is the best since that's subjective to one's taste, but I ended up buying the Jam Pedals Tubedreamer and am very happy with it. I'm also glad they had a second part in which the pedal knobs are turned on each one to show how the tone can be altered.

[@johnsacco2430]

Nice. I got the Jam Pedals Double Dreamer. It's the Tubedreamer and the Lucydreamer with a foot switch for the high gain mode. Great pedal. Great company.

[@michaelkarpen]

Also have the Double Dreamer. Jam Pedals have the greatest dynamic of all manufacturer. I tested many.

[@richkelly8155]

Great video! Exactly the sort of comparison I was hoping for!!

[@vincentribeil3832]

THIS !!! Is a real and complete test !! Thank you so much for this!!

[@philipgregorysougles1744]

This vid was long overdue great work guys!!!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Cheers Philip //Andy

[@sebastianviu5970]

Amazing video. One of the best and intelligent video about TS comparisons

[@organjoe]

Excellent vid - really fun to watch and listen - I enjoyed it!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks Bob! //Andy

[@bruhdamartinasty3636]

Wow what an EPIC shootout for the ages! The time start links were soooo wonderful. My first impression: The TS808 does fine against all of them. It's not as versatile. In the first comparison I liked: JHS Moonshine, Wampler Clarkside, Mad Professor Little Green Wonder, EHX Easter River Drive, MXR GT-OD, Keeley Red Dirt, JAM Pedal Tube Dreamer 58, and the Nux Mini Core SE Overdrive. Basically half of them were really nice.

[@einjarjar]

This was great! I hope you'll start a series of comparison videos like this. I'd like to see the same test again but using TS to boost a Mesa Rectifier.

[@xJxGx]

The differences are so subtle in the clones, that really doesn´t matter which you get.

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Dude that seympur duncan pedal impressed me bevause of the different tones you could get with the bass treble and mid adjustments and it had just enough drive still have that cleaner stringy sound to it very very nice might just pick one up to mess with really liked the cleaner less driven tones coming from it

[@joybuzzer]

I listened to the whole thing in the background. I'll be hearing that riff in my head for weeks.

[@freecitizen2760]

I have an original TS808 with the original JRC4558D chip. I even have about 6 extra chips that I pulled from some old Ibanez gear. The new pedals, like that mini-sized one, sound just fine to my ears.

[@organjoe]

Incredible Demo - Thanks a lot!!

[@johnzenner4615]

The one thing that I wish this video showed is how they sound as a high gain boost. Awesome video all the same though!

[@user-dd9gs2rh3k]

an comparison for metal pedals will be great and very appreciated!

[@endezeichengrimm]

Metal tone has to come from the amp first. I really don't think you can get a proper metal tone from a pedal alone.

[@tomlynch8114]

I have a Maxon OD9, which has the same components as the original TS9 (which Maxon used to make for Ibanez). Love it. Superb quality.

[@andyhightides]

After 25 years of playing,I just bought my first tubescreamer, a TS-9. Now I need 21 more. The Harley Benton, Seymour, and JHS really stand out to me.

[@SD_UK]

:D , you don't really need 21 more though, you only 'need' one backup. Though .. you may _want_ 21 more.... Fair enough!

[@KK-hp5bl]

Thank you very much for this video Chris. Really great work...!!! 🇬🇷🤘

[@josemanuelmesa3530]

FANTASTIC VIDEO. GO AHEAD FOR MORE, PLEASE!!

[@klashy47]

I swear when you really turned up the drive on the NTS I was thinking Jimi Hendrix fuzz. Sounded great!! Thanks for making the video!!

[@paulcowart3174]

Yeah Jimi used a fuzz because there wasn't anything else....I bet he would have cherished a Tube Screamer lol along with a real pedal board

[@monkeymonkerson]

This much work does not go unappreciated. Thnks! Also, can you tell us what your favourite is?

[@Niven42]

Having a Mid band on the parametric is what really sets some of these apart.

[@mattbradford1135]

This was an excellent review!

[@Bikouet]

Very cool comparison, good job. All are pretty similars (except the price) Wah-wah pedals comparison could be interesting as well !

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes that's what I'm in the market for this Xmas

[@vicenteziegler]

what a complete demo, thankyou

[@Chimairakid21]

The mxr il diavlo od is an underrated pedal. 3 different settings and works great as a boost for high gain

[@wilfredoolivenciaolivencia4724]

They all sound similar but the one that had a quality sound was the Keeley Red Dirt.

[@LuizJardim1]

I have the MXR GT-OD and I like very much. The Seymour Duncan also sounds great!

[@chi2epsilon301]

Wow, the J Rockett Blue Note does the job surprisingly well. I thought it's designed as a transparent low-gain overdrive...

[@tubularbill]

Where is the Behringer TO800? For $23 it’s an incredible value

[@SD_UK]

Well, I guess we already know what it sounds like - It sounds almost the same as the other 3 knobbers here. Or, pretty much like an 808 if you have ears like a bat. As you say, very good value.

[@almorik]

good playing i dont get tired of hearing the loop

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

You know what, that makes me so happy to hear man! That was exactly my intention. Writing a really simple lick that doesn't make you go crazy after listening to it a 100 times... haha! Thanks for commenting dude! //cheers, Kris

[@almorik]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses ya it's a real jam

[@hbert06]

GREAT video! 🧡Thomann!

[@blgdinger3]

this video shows why I like my OD808 so much for death metal. It's gritty, and even packs some heat with the drive all the way down. Plus, it just has that dark sound to it. mmmm

[@theRodofwar]

the BEST TubeScreamer Comparison EVER of all KZbindom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT !!!!!!!! GREAT !!!!!!!!!!! GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@milanperic5907]

Compare basic pedalbord (overdrive,delay,chorus,wah...) vs multi effects (line 6,boss,zoom,mooer).What is the best to buy in 2018?

[@jbencinitas]

Really great comparison

[@EvertAlbers]

I have yet another TS variation. Mine basically sounds like all 22 shown here but has some extra tweak-knobs (tone settings mostly), which I use quite a lot. So if you're a tweaker, do get one with plenty knobs!

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

Great video, now redo the whole thing except boosting a high gain amp sound this time around..... and adding the Ibanez TS mini to the rotation.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

The Ibanez TS Mini is my personal favorite of all the screamers.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This was done the Right-way, and should be the "Training Video" on How to do a Fair & Proper pedal comparison. Lots of time & work surely went into this . . . but such Great information. Much appreciated. oNe LovE from NYC

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks a lot Michael! It literally took us days, just to record it. :) And then the editing. It was fun. Haha! So cool to hear you liked it! //cheers, Kris

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Oh yeah. Phenomenal job you guys did !!! The Ibanez T.S. Mini - has always been the best sounding one (to my ears) - although, . . . by a very-slight margin. Stay Safe.

[@photorooster8865]

During lean wallet days I bought the Nux to build a small board for my grand daughter. I really like it and often "steal" her board to play.

[@jndk6000]

Good work, but I miss the T-Rex Alberta/Møller in that comparison.

[@romarioibarra4063]

Duncan 805 and JHS Moonshine for me!

[@Smart-Alex]

I liked them all except GT-OD specifically

[@Smart-Alex]

I bought the Maxon OD808!

[@havenmcinerney2123]

funny thing - I got an 808 and 2 weeks later the switch didnt work - after looking into it i see that is pretty common - too bad cuz for all these ts units i just want the basic - but not if it has issues with reliability - so now i have been watching all these vids trying to figure out what to do - went w the clarksdale anyone else have that problem w the switch in the new 808s? sux

[@thorpenator9148]

The east river did not clean up with the volume knob, therefore it was sold. The fulltone plimsoul is the only one I regret selling, imo so versatile with a really clean signal or dirt channel. Most of these will need a amp with gain on to get good sustain.

[@stevenrose6120]

Cleans up on my guitar

[@miguelruiz7803]

Good Job ! and very useful

[@FelipeSouzaMusic]

I'm very impressed with 805 Overdrive

[@haldumille5594]

I think some do more than others. Depends what the company was shooting for. Some are paying hommage, some are cloning as much as is possible. Others, of course, are missing the mark completely! Great time and effort put into a great demo! Thanks! So... is Mad Professor's Little Green Wonder actually blue?? lol, if so, the Mad Professor is truly MAD, or just color blind!!! Or maybe I am color blind...lol For my money, my favorite in this case was the Wampler Clarksdale. YMMV.

[@Vennris]

I‘d like to see a Wah Wah Shot out!!! That would be intressting

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

hmm... ;-) //Kris

[@tomg.9147]

Nice and comprehensive. By the way: the Rockett Blue Note is NOT a TS-type of pedal, completely flat EQ.

[@FelipeDevicaro]

There's definitely a low-mid hump/cut with the fat knob, and even in the middle it doesn't get really flat.

[@stackhouse22]

Hallo! Wieso hats denn der One Control Persian Green Screamer nicht ins Video geschafft? Stand ja bei der Auswahl mit dabei... Ansonsten, großartiges Video! 😉👍🏻

[@rshock]

Wow I like the ts7 position on the bonsai. The tony mooer was surprisingly good.

[@coldwar1977]

by the way, a zebra humbucker is a very elegant solution here to keep the classic strat look while being able to have a HB sound!

[@ivanbondi7501]

Great video!!!!

[@jonnyd6597]

Interestingly enough, the one that I prefer is the one I have and got for $20 used...the MXR GT-OD

[@ryanharner5150]

805 was my favorite, moonshine close second

[@PendelSteven]

Going in Bonsai, Moonshine, Green Rhino, Clarksdale and 805 were highest on my list, along with the Jam Double Dreamer, but now I have noticed Mad Professor's Little Green Wonder and J. Rockett's Blue Note. The LGW higher on my list thatn the Blue Note. That I know now.

[@paulcowart3174]

Yeah thought that Moonshine was good My TS9 has been cranking for almost 30 years and keep coming back to it Analogman modded though

[@brightfalls6788]

Is it true that the GT-OD isn’t a Screamer? Is it not Silicone based or what’s happening? Someone nerd out and throw some info my way please.

[@tb4234]

The cheap Harley Benton really sounded like the TS808! That's awesome.

[@mr.d.572]

It did actually sound pretty good. That and the Wampler and the Maxon.

[@funkyfurballs1078]

The Mad Professor sounds like an amp! The Blue note and Jam Tube Dreamer also stood out to me.. and the Bonsai is worth getting.

[@topografer]

I feel exactly the same. I mean exactly! The best was the mad professor easily for me. JRAD and Tubedreamer (which I also own) along with the Bonsai (mostly of its versatility) were close seconds.

[@funkyfurballs1078]

@@topografer LOL, that doesn't happen often! Well, I'm going to keep my Xotic Soul Driven (TS circuit, amp like)...but I'm not huge fan of the TS tone. I just bought the Lyla Drive (Blues Breaker type) and love how it stacks with my other drives.

[@topografer]

Core sound is very similat to all of them. But I find the mad professor and the jam to retain some low end which makes it sound more natural to me. So yea I think i like those two more

[@guitarsgroup8896]

Nux Overdrive sounds amazingly good, cheap too!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Agreed! Whch one do you use at the moment? //Andy

[@ALBERTOGARCIA-nk9bo]

Wow this is by far the best TS test. The BB preamp should be in this test

[@2007srv]

Nobels ODR-1 maybe too :0 ..

[@thorpenator9148]

Love my bb Andy Timmons, and Angry Charlie by JHS

[@elvis_chen]

Tough works guys! I go for Bonsai!

[@Earthwormjimm]

I just compared a ts808 to a behringer 808 clone and it’s identical, except the behringer is fuller. The ts9 was way fuller than the 808 also.

[@alexmurphy5289]

I need a tube screamer. I own a marshall plexi in a box and it's incredible but... That green is calling me

[@thokol]

Besitze einen Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive und bin wirklich super zufrieden, aber der JHS Bonsai beeindruckt mich gerade sehr...wenn der nur nicht so teuer wäre...

[@joseenriqueperezportugal3409]

Wow, The 805 sounds great!!!!

[@thewest6128]

I love Thomann!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

We love you too! //Andy

[@TatePictures]

which amp clamps are you using?

[@mcfek7575]

I cant really hear Any noticeable difference between TS808 TS9 and joyo Vintage overdrive

[@jakollee]

Why does the Mad Professor Little Green Wonder look blue??

[@kevindiomulumbot5761]

Make more pedal comparison like this

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

What would you like to see? Reverb, Fuzz, High Gain? //Andy

[@tbone2451]

Which is best suited for blues?

[@joshmuz9018]

Way huge green rhino was the standout for sure. The wampler sounded like every wampler I have played an inherent low end hump that is in every pedal they make

[@ALBERTOGARCIA-nk9bo]

I think exactly the same. Green rhino is best of all. In the second test the pedal sounded good in ALL the positions of the controls.

[@paulcowart3174]

All sounded pretty damn good Digging the Moonshine myself Personally I prefer a pedal that can take a battery My Analogman modded TS has been going strong for almost 30 years I always end up coming back to it after spending hundred's on other overdrives

[@134SASAKI]

I own the green rhino MkV version, and when you open the lid, you'll find IC's in the sockets (along with a 100Hz and 500Hz frequency selector switch) and it seems to say "try whatever IC you like". George Tripps knows what he's doing!

[@Josbornevonosborne]

Oh my God, my dream video!!!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

You're welcome, John! //Andy

[@arsstelling1965]

Hi Dude, great video, but the Cusack Screamer is one of the best TS clone!!!

[@paulcowart3174]

It sure is

[@liberty5565]

EQD Palisades is by far the best available, their Dunes pedal is really nice, but spend the extra money and get the Palisades; which can cover any pedal in this video and then some. My only gripe with EQD is their blinding LED's.

[@PendelSteven]

Incorrect. It can't do what the Moonshine does (blend knob).

[@jamescfreeman2437]

The maxon 808 is the one I have always gravitated towards after owning most of these😂😂😂 but tis all preference,

[@jakestadium]

The Maxon indeed sounds the best, the most 3D. The Green Rhino comes in very close 2nd tho. You've got good ears sir!

[@mattgilbert7347]

The Wampler, Keeley & Way Huge all have some decent tweakability options in there that maybe sets them apart but idk if it justifies the cost - especially here in Australia where you'll pay $300 for any one of those. For basic TS tones I still like my gaudy Biyang X-Drive "Tonefancier". Worst name ever, sounds just ace. Cost me 70 bucks.

[@paulcowart3174]

Mad Pro and Jam pedals caught my ear JHS Bonzai too

[@mattgilbert7347]

The Jam TD+ is pretty sweet if you want a TS that goes over the top. It has a post-gain boost. Jam is good gear. But mostly I use NUX these days LOL! I'm broke...

[@paulcowart3174]

@@mattgilbert7347 Man I wish I had all the money back from all the new pedals I've tried thinking they were going to be better than my old stuff Always go back to my tried and true TS that Analogman modded Push that w a clean boost Echo on top and I'm there....just need a good wah Yes been thinking about Jams Whacko

[@nicvision9374]

Green hell !!! How would they sound w/ a Gretsch Irish Falcon or a ESP LTD EC 1000 See Through Green?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

How would they sound? Probably like the wind driving a british racing green convertible on a road trip through Ireland. :-) //Kris

[@CC-fi3pp]

The 805 is cool as you can un-mid hump it or eq voice it like a different drive.

[@scottpeters4401]

Maxon OD 808 for life……they were all good though…I prefer the 808 to the TS9…or just get the Bonsai and have them all..

[@endezeichengrimm]

I want the Green Rhino.

[@ALBERTOGARCIA-nk9bo]

me too

[@nathanhamer8987]

I love my TS9 😘

[@MaxFreist]

To everyone not hearing a difference: make sure you listen on suitable monitoring and if still not hearing a difference: train your ears better! They all sound similiar (hell, it's all based on the same circuit o.O so it should) but there are differences, nuances between different pedals. Listen for high end vs. mid range and especially dynamics and compression.

[@cordero6960]

or maybe dont be a snob and just accept the reality of THEY ALL SOUNDS THE SAME BREHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

So people... Which one sounded the best and WHY? Can a budget tubescreamer deliver all you need? //Andy

[@internetnow5243]

BIYANG baby boom - not demoed here. Very good. Do a blues breaker pedal comparison next. JHS overpriced - and honestly, their "morning glory" pedal is noisy and not as good as Chinese clones. Wouldn't buy their TS.

[@duffman18]

I have the behringer one. It sounds identical when they've done blind tests comparing to a real tubescreamer. And it's cheap as hell. And I've had it for over a decade so despite being made of plastic, it's still a pretty hardy little thing, it's hard to break. I wanna get another tubescreamer though so I'll probably get one of these that has more complex EQ settings instead of just one tone knob. But yeah then I can do the SRV thing he did of having 2 tubescreamers on at the same time. It kinda works already with my behringer tubescreamer and my Boss Overdrive od-3 pedal on at the same time but these things in the video look so cool I wanna get one, even though I don't really actually need it

[@tlw4237]

I’ve a JHS Moonshine v2 and it’s one of the quietest drive pedals I’ve come across. Most are way too noisy to run into my cranked Orange’s dirt channel, and a lot of TS style ODs don’t do much into that much amp gain. The JHS is quiet and does - no volume boost because the preamp’s already saturated but adds some dirt and focus by stopping the amp flubbing out. Nearest equivalent I’ve found is the TS Mini, but it doesn’t have enough gain on tap. The JHS switch also comes in useful. Noisiest expensive pedals I’ve come across seem to be from Keeley.

[@sega62s]

I like a few of the, but the one that stand out the most with my earphones, and dont know how much compression KZbin does, but I enjoyed the Keeley Red Dirt, its really clean when toned down, and to me I like to hear my natural guitar strings sounds in the mix, I think T-Rex can blend the effect and the guitar in the same mix at different degrees, anyway, it is a great demo, thx for putting the time and effort 🍻

[@billtice5057]

Honestly I didn’t want it to be, however my vote is on the 808

[@erinkenny4327]

No Joyo? The green Legend. Sounds ...exactly like these other 20 pedals.lol. but I prefer it to all of these. Sounds as good and twice as small as most and has a knob cover.

[@blvckvv999]

The Harley Benton was demoed. Joyo and HB are the same. Just rebranded for different markets.

[@davidlloyd9598]

Joyo Vintage Overdrive for me. TC Spark before it. Best combination.

[@pistolpetebelliveau]

what about the TS-10 , i have all version of the tube screamers and the ts-10 is the best in my opinion

[@AndyYNWA_1892]

Why wasn’t TC Electronic El Mocambo included? It’s a great pedal.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Sounds like we need a part 2 //Andy

[@AndyYNWA_1892]

Absolutely! :) TS mini was also missing.

[@forshigity5000]

because they said fuck it, they all sound the same

[@JaimeCerrada]

Georgeous work! To me only the classics sound well. The modern versions sound too bassy or compressed.

[@MrBossei]

Great video! 👍

[@Formetoknow191]

Bought the green rhino because of this 👊👍

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Have fun with it Anthony! It's such a sweet pedal. //Kris