Love it or hate it, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, in all its iterations, is a staple in the world of guitar overdrive effects. With its characteristic mid-range boost and bright green enclosure, it works with rock, blues, metal and more, becoming part of many famous guitarists’ signature sounds. Its stock version, however, can leave some wanting more, and that’s where today’s pedal comes in – the TS9 Tube Screamer...
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Today’s guest review comes to us from Jerry Gentry, and uses a familiar effects pedal in a completely new and creative way. If you’re into the Vibraphone, or know anyone who might be as well, this review is for you! Check out Electric Vibes on Facebook and here on Write Off Records’ website – thanks again, Jerry! Tube amps produce a sound which is distinctive. In the reinforcement of the aural signal they can be...
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Today’s guest review comes to us from Christian E. – you can find him on Instagram (@chriespiritu) or on his band’s Facebook page (Story Of April). The Tube Screamer is probably the most famous pedal of all time and it has its spot on pedalboards of players from all over the world. The pedal itself is built like a tank. The all metal construction makes a very solid stompbox and you’ll feel like you could gig...
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I’d always heard good things about the TS10 Tube Screamer, and if Stevie Ray Vaughn and Mike McCready used it (and even John Mayer, too!), it had to be AOK in my book. Having reviewed and played many different iterations of the infamous Tube Screamer over the years, I had never had the opportunity to play one of these bad boys, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. TS9 and TS808 comparisons aside, the TS10 has an ongoing...
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The classic Tube Screamer, in its many early variations, is considered by many guitarists as the top dog in the overdrive department, and that can be evidenced by the numerous attempts to recreate that signature sound by pedal companies across the world. With a surge of pedals focusing on smaller footprints and less pedalboard space, Ibanez decided to follow suit and release the Tube Screamer Mini, a micro version of their overdrive...
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Tube Screamers: you love ’em or you hate ’em, so far as I can tell. The stock ones that I’ve played have never really overly impressed me much (although I’ve never had the opportunity to play one of the old classics from the early 80s) – they’re nice overdrives, but nothing too spectacular, in my book. The 808 we’re reviewing today is one of the reissues, but it has been modded by Analog Man,...
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I’ve never been a huge fan of the classic Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal. There, I said it. It might be because I’ve never had the opportunity to play one of the “great ones” from the early 80’s, or maybe it’s just how they’ve always reacted with the amps I’ve played, but it just never grabbed me like it has other folks. So, I was a little skeptical to try the TS9 Strong Mod from JHS Pedals,...
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Alchemy Audio is a small company based out of Chicago, and the majority of their work stems from performing great upgrades to some of the most famous guitar effects pedals ever created, such as the ProCo Rat, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food, a slew of Boss pedals and, of course, the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. As most of you know, this pedal is a classic overdrive, used by countless artists since its release in 1982. A good pedal on...
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For those searching for the modern metal djenty tone, the Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer is best used with the overdrive on 0 so all gain comes from the amp. The pedal is great and the reviews speak for themselves, but Keeley is a god – he can bring things out of pedals you didn’t know existed. So much middle and the bass is as tight as it gets, it’s a stand alone pedal and the most interesting things happen in the...
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Today, we’re heading back into the wonderful world of Keeley Electronics, with one new-ish pedal and one brand new creation, both coming out of the Overdrive camp. The Muse Driver sees Keeley collaborating with guitarist Andy Timmons once again, while the Noble Screamer harkens back to classic, battle-tested drive tones. Each of these pedals have modern options, a wide spectrum of sounds and that superb Keeley build we all know...
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The Dreivoost All-Tube High-Gain Boost was created when Will from EEIDI FX / Third Age Amplifiers saw Fluff (Ryan Bruce) and Ola Englund on YouTube using TS style pedals to boost their Dual Rectifiers, and realized the amplifier tone could be preserved 100% by using a tube boost. This provided the gain kick they wanted with the choice of full range or treble boost. 11 years later, this powerful pedal will do just that…and...
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After recently jumping back into the marvelous world of pedals from Cusack Music with the brilliant Meta Plexi Distortion Boost, we were stoked to have another piece of their gear on our demo table. The Screamer Fuzz V3 Fuzzdrive combines elements of overdrive and fuzz in one pedal, allowing you to blend and mix as you see fit. Along with a great control section and several clipping options, this was a fun one right out of the...
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The Tube Screamer. Since the inception of this green monster in the late 1970’s, it has become a staple on many pedalboards throughout the globe, as well as having been heard on countless classic albums and songs. While it has a bit of a Love/Hate relationship with most guitar players, its presence and impact on the music world simply cannot be overlooked. Since many versions are rare, hard-to-find and extremely expensive if...
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The third pedal in the current lineup of Cathouse Pedals that we get the pleasure to check out today is a complex and option-filled distortion/overdrive. The Screamer will keep you on your toes as you attempt to figure out just what it is, and how it can benefit you sound. Relatively simple but full of flavor and oomph, this thing comes at you like a ton a rock and roll bricks. Gain, Tone and Volume all show up on the control panel,...
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Ever since I first the opening notes of ‘Battery’ off of Metallica’s 1986’s masterpiece album ‘Master of Puppets’ as a youngster, I’ve been a fan of Kirk Hammett’s playing. Today’s pedal is not only a pretty kickass overdrive, but it comes to us from Kirk’s new pedal company, KHDK Electronics, making it just a bit more special coming from one of my idols. The Ghoul Screamer...
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Sometimes, you want an overdrive pedal to capture ONE sound, and ONE sound only. While the different controls allow for some slight variation on this theme, certain drives just have “that sound” you’re after, and that’s all they’re really gonna sound like. The folks over at Big Joe Stomp Box Company had just that in mind when they worked in collaboration with the great Johnny Winter to create the Texas...
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We love checking out new companies here at Pedal of the Day, and we love a good distortion pedal, too. Today’s effect checks both of these boxes, as we explore the Tavysh Effects HARM Distortion. Coming to you all the way from Serbia, this dark machine features more switches and knobs than you could ever need, which allows for a multitude of sonic options to experiment and create with… HARM is the essence of all the...
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We’ve been trying to collaborate with Don Poniz for the last few years, and we’re finally making it a reality today! Presenting the Power Contol Unit, a massive silicon/germanium overdrive with a simple control section and a huge range of sounds on tap. The note that came with the pedal said, “Worth the wait, trust me, Mike!” and after playing this pedal, I believe that to be a very true statement… From...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Guitar Tricks presents A Look at the Vintage Pedal Market By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. Vintage pedals are so popular that many modern manufacturers attempt to replicate them so there are more to go around! Not only do some pedals...
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The Norris Fuzz was a surprisingly amazing 2-knob fuzz we saw from Alaskan-made MMK Electrics a few months back, and we’re excited to bring you another super-fun and tonally-powerful pedal from them today. The Red Cream Soda is a wide-ranging overdrive and distortion unit, with eye-catching graphics and bold, tone-shaping sound. Sometimes, three knobs is all you need to completely transform your rig, and that is most certainly...
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A tube screamer is just a tube screamer, right? Well, not if you’re the Maxon Overdrive Pro Plus (OD-9 Pro+)! Today’s pedal takes a dive into that vintage mid-boosted overdrive circuit, and gives it some more options and an extra boost. If you’ve ever really wanted your TS to scream and lit your rig on fire, this just may be the pedal to do so… The Nine Series Overdrive Pro+ takes Maxon’s classic OD-9 circuit...
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We have had a bunch of new pedal companies join our ranks as of late, and they just keep on comin’ with today’s featured builder, HTJ-WORKS from Japan. As soon as I plugged in their Ventura Overdrive, I knew something special was happening, and it has not disappointed yet. Bringing vintage and modern overdrive elements together, this monster shapes your tone and drives your amp in a unique and beautiful way… Although...
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Effects that come with a backstory, or some kind of accompanying literature, are always a hit here at Pedal of the Day (and elsewhere, we assume). Today’s pedal has a bit of mystical mystery to it, as well as sounding absolutely incredible. The Tulpa FX Tsathoggua Overdrive is rooted in dangerous adventure, but brings all the tone and power to back it up… In certain circles, Tsathoggua (also known as The Sleeper of...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pedals By Steven Kendzorski for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. I have GAS, and it’s bad. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a common ailment among new guitar players, triggered by tone-envy, causing them to spend every...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) The Buzz on Distortion Pedals By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer Ever since the electric guitar was invented guitarists and sound engineers have attempted to manipulate its signal. When you pluck the strings, the pickup changes sound waves into electrical energy, which can then be...
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THE RAT. Few distortion pedals have as much instant recognizability, despite (usually) just bearing the colors Black & White. There are many iterations of this classic effect, but how could you possibly collect them all without breaking the bank? Well, as usual, JHS Pedals comes to the rescue, in the form of the PackRat Distortion. Taking different RAT circuits from the last 4 decades, from different manufacturers, this pedal...
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There are certain tones that are highly sought-after in the guitar player world, one of them belonging to a Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn. However, most of us cannot afford an original early ’80s Tube Screamer, much less a $50,000 Dumble Amp, so we rely on pedal companies to create those tones for us. Today’s effect, the Pedal Pawn Texan Twang Overdrive Boost, seeks to encapsulate SRV’s ‘Twang’ in a box,...
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There are a LOT of overdrive pedals in our world today, and we’ve seen a pretty decent number of them here at Pedal of the Day. A certain green screamer effect circuit seems to get copied and cloned, or slightly altered to fit the maker’s sonic needs, as does today’s specific pedal. The Vertex Tone Secret Overdrive recreates the sound of these “classic” pedals hitting a Blackface 12AX7 preamp, but with...
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We were first introduced to KHDK Electronics, the brainchild of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and industry pro David Karon, when they first started releasing pedals in 2016. The Ghoul Screamer is their take on the classic Tube Screamer, on steroids, and we really dug it. So we were pretty excited to dive into the Unicorn Blood II Octave Fuzz, a mammoth of a dirt pedal not for the tame or timid – this thing crushes eardrums and...
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The Fuzz Face is one of the most iconic fuzz, if not all-time, pedals in existence. Utilized smartly by the likes of Hendrix, Gilmour, SRV, Duane Allman and many more, it has a defining quality that has been heard on countless recordings. While the originals are not the easiest to find, or keep in perfect working order, we have pedals like today’s that allow us peasant-folk to experience the sonic sounds of the masters. The...
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Hey everyone! I’m Evan Miller, the guitar player from the band Funk You. www.funkyoumusic.com www.facebook.com/funkyoumusic www.youtube.com/funkyouaugusta Instagram – @funkyoumusic How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Ive been playing in bands for the past 15 years but I started on the piano around the age of 10 years old. My grandma played the piano for our church, so I was drawn...
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My name is Luis Aznarez, I am from Barcelona, Spain and I have a pedal company called Lefa Pedals located in Seattle, Washington www.lefapedals.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing bass more than 25 years ago. A friend from school told me to join his band. My musical knowledge at that time was practically non-existent, I thought that a bass was a 4-string guitar that did...
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A few months back, we brought you the first pedal we’ve reviewed from Industrialectric, the Generator 7446 Fuzz Tremolo Ring Modulator, and it was a magnificent noise-making wonder. Eager to see what they came up with next, we were stoked when today’s pedal landed on our doorstep, for sure. The Industrialectric Actuator OD-187 Overdrive gives you an overdrive, yes, but in only the way that these guys from up in Toronto,...
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TUBE. SCREAMER. These words are loved (and sometimes hated) by guitar players the world over. So many classic sounds from some of the best players ever have come via the Tube Screamer, including Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer, Trey Anastasio, Eric Johnson, The Edge and many, many more. With so many variations and models, not to mention the price tags for some of the more sought-after pedals, its hard to know where to start with these...
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Like ’em or not, Tube Screamers and their clones are a HUGE part of the effects pedal world. They’re found on pedalboards, in studios and adjacent to practice spaces the globe over, and can be heard on countless classic and modern recordings alike. For those of us that DO enjoy a good TS, wouldn’t it be nice if you could find one that had a built-in Boost section as well, to give you that over-the-top punch if you...
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In The Whale Denver, CO Eric Riley – drums/vocals Nate Valdez – guitar/lead vocals inthewhale.com instagram.com/in_the_whale twitter.com/inthewhale facebook.com/inthewhale How long have you been musicians? How did you get into it in the first place? ERIC: I started playing percussion in the school band in junior high. I got a drum kit for Christmas when I was 13 and never looked back. I continued to play in school band throughout high...
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While we’ve heard about the ODR-1 Overdrive from Nobels for years now, it’s not the most widely-known drive out there, but is apparently a staple of the Nashville sound, and has been for a while. This green beast falls into an overdrive category somewhere between the Klon and the Tube Screamer, with similar controls, but a voice all its own. Recently, the Nobels crew released the ODR-Mini, a smaller version of this classic...
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Brandon “Taz” Niederauer tazguitar.com @brandonniederauer @NiederauerMusic How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been playing guitar since I was eight years old. I became fascinated with my father’s album and video collection and was listening to The Allman Brothers and other guitar and jazz music. When I went to my first concert at eight, I knew I wanted to play. Who...
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If you are in the market for a Tube Screamer-type of pedal, there are a good deal of choices out there. Some are basic replicas of the vintage three-knob machines, and some like to take it a step further. Today’s pedal completely engulfs the latter category, keeping those tasty-mid tones in tact, but adding a slew of options to really let you dial in your own unique sound. Let’s take a gander at the Direwolf Overdrive from...
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Trey Anastasio. For those of you who don’t know (or don’t care), Trey has been a HUGE guitar influence on us for almost 3 decades, and today’s pedal encompasses some of the best aspects of his tone. From his use of the famed grey Ross Compressor at various stages of Phish’s career, to his consistent use of different variations of Tube Screamers, his tonality and superb sustain give him an unmistakeable and...
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The elusive Harmonic Percolator. Part distortion, part fuzz, all legend and pure myth, the original from Interfax has been a source of discussion to collectors and aficionados for years. We have had the opportunity to check out a few different copy versions here at Pedal of the Day, each is its own beast, with no two being alike, and none being a precise recreation of the original, either. Until, perhaps, today. The controls on the...
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The Tube Screamer. Iconic. Classic. Overdrive. Green. All of these things it may be, and there have been many copies/recreations that have tried to capture that special tone as well. Today’s pedal uses the famous green monster as a base, then builds on it, adding switches and options to produce a more complete overall unit of sound. The Hangover Overdrive comes to us from Rocket Scientists Electronics, and, as you can clearly...
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Hi, my name is Brian Moss. I play guitar and sing in Spafford. We are based out of Phoenix, Az and our website is www.spafford.net. Follow us on all social media platforms as well! How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been a musician as long as I can remember. I grew up in northern New Jersey. My older brother and I, naturally, grew up competitive. He was bigger, faster and stronger at...
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This week has been dubbed “Deadbeat Week” here at Pedal of the Day, having been taken over by the folks at Deadbeat Sound. Starting off our run of their pedals is The Visible Overdrive, a clear, see-through dirt pedal designed to emulate the tones of certain 1980’s, green, mid-focused overdrives, all at a ridiculously affordable price range. Working not only with guitars, but bass, keys, drum machines and more, this...
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Robert Walter Los Angeles, CA Robert Walter’s 20th Congress https://robertwalter.com Greyboy Allstars https://greyboyallstars.com Mike Gordon https://mike-gordon.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing music when I was 8 or 9. My father plays drums so I have been around music all my life. My parents also had a great record collection so I spent a lot of time listening to...
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TWENTY-FIVE VOLTS OF POWER? Welcome to today’s beast of an overdrive, folks: the Two Five 25V from classic noisemakers Wren and Cuff. It’s been a minute since we had a pedal of theirs pass through the shop, and what a way to return! This yellow monster reminds us of those striped, buzzing insects you hope don’t sting you on a picnic, full of terror, gusto, determination and oozing with grit and tone. Not only do the...
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We’ve been wanting to get our grubby mitts on a pedal from Wilson Effects for a couple of years now, and that day has finally arrived. Today’s featured pedal, the Stoned Grasshopper, not only has one of the best monikers we’ve come across so far, but also houses three independent effects that can be used by themselves or in conjunction with each other. While Boost, Overdrive and Fuzz are three fairly popular effects...
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Jeff Lewis Northampton, Massachusetts Sun Parade http://www.thesunparade.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been obsessed with music for most of my life. I started playing guitar and mandolin when I was 9 or 10. My dad was always in bands when I was growing up so I was always surrounded by his and his bandmates’ rehearsals and great vibes. He got me started on both instruments and...
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Chris Marlon Jennings Northampton, Massachusetts Sun Parade http://www.thesunparade.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? When I was 5, I took some guitar lessons for a little, until I ran away from a lesson. So I guess I started when I was about 12, after I broke my foot during the baseball season and then asked my dad to show me bar chords. I also saw a Sum 41 music video on MTV of them...
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Woodroe “Woody” Weatherman Corrosion of Conformity COC How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? We started the band in 1982 while still kicking around in High School, we just wanted to make our own sounds. Had no intention of it lasting this long at the beginning. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? I’m a huge Billy Gibbons fan, really dig the solos...
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