The Ultimate Tube Screamer?  

It would be difficult to name a more impactful and widely used pedal than the Ibanez Tube Screamer. It has come in many shapes and forms over the years and has been an integral part of a dizzyingly long list of guitar players boards for decades. It has a utility in nigh-on every genre, every style of guitar, every character of amp, every set of fingers. There’s a reason that it has been so extensively copied by basically every pedal manufacturer since the late ‘70s.

Almost everything there is to know about this little green box of magic is common knowledge at this point. One thing that may not be quite so widely known though is that Ibanez weren’t the ones who actually manufactured the pedal. It was made by a separate brand called Maxon.

The Originators of the Tube Screamer

If you look inside the chassis of an original Ibanez TS808 or TS9, you’ll see Maxon’s logo emblazoned everywhere. This Japanese company worked to create every Tube Screamer (as well as all of Ibanez’ other well-known pedals) up until the early 2000’s when the two companies parted ways and Ibanez started making them themselves. During Maxon’s tenure all of the best-known models which are beloved today were designed and produced.

The 808

As mentioned, one of the best known pedals of all-time is the Tube Screamer but the Tube Screamer came in a number of different versions throughout the years. One of the most iconic and favoured versions is TS-808. The TS-808 is the first iteration of the famous family of pedals and is known for its lower-gain, slightly grittier, more soulful tone. It was the one that started it all and so a lot of guitarists have chased originals and reissues to be the Tube Screamer that they choose to have on their board.

The OD-808 from Maxon is their offering for the ultimate Tube Screamer. However, although it draws inspiration for its name from the original Tube Screamer, the internals are not quite as faithful as one might expect.

The TS-10

Although the TS-808 is arguably the most widely known Tube Screamer, one of the biggest cult favourites is the TS-10. It is one of the later versions of the Tube Screamer family and one that flew somewhat under the radar in comparison to its earlier brethren. The TS-10 is the Tube Screamer of choice for the well known guitarist John Mayer and was the one that Stevie Ray Vaughan was using towards the end. For many, the TS-10 is the best sounding tube screamer that was ever made. The differences are subtle but it tends to just possess a certain magic, especially in the mid-frequencies. It is closer, tonally, to the TS-808 than the TS9. It shares a lot of the lower-gain bite and bark whilst suring up the mids and offering more robustness. It’s got a more square attack and seems to allow for a prettier array of harmonics to come through around the note.

It’s a tricky thing to describe and something that only really becomes clear when comparing the TS-10 to another of its siblings directly. Rest assured though, it is a beautiful, heavenly tone which, although being undeniably a Tube Screamer, definitely possesses its own je ne sais quoi.

The True Identity of the OD808

The reason we’ve been on this journey through the storied history of the Ibanez Tube Screamer is to make it clear where Maxon’s OD808 sits in the picture. The OD808 is the TS-10. Maxon were the ones who designed the original TS-10 and they have taken all of the glorious original circuitry and re-housed it as the OD808. TS-10’s these days are no longer made and second hand ones sell for hundreds upon hundreds of pounds. The OD808 is the best way to harness the heavenly tones of the cult favourite Tube Screamer for a fraction of the price.

The OD808 is authentic and modern at the same time. It strikes a great balance. One of the ways it has pushed the boundaries actually comes from how it has remedied one of the only undesirable traits of the original TS-10. The housing of the original TS-10’s was plastic and as a result a little less robust. They had to be treated with a little more care and weren’t the relative tanks that the prior two were. The OD808 places the precious circuitry back in a hardcore metal shell and uses a more traditional high-quality switch than the plastic hinged design of the TS-10.

Speaking of the circuitry, it really is the real deal. The OD808 uses the original Holy Grail JRC4558 IC chip. This ensures that the pedal retains it’s dynamic, nuanced, natural tone to the fullest extent possible.

Making a Stand

All of Maxon’s know-how and lineage are embodied in the OD808. You are taken on a masterful tour of the history of the Tube Screamer with all of the best bits combined to create a fantastic Japanese green overdrive pedal. It looks fantastic, it’s made by the originators of the original design, and it sounds Godly. The OD808 is a great choice if you’re looking to nail the John Mayer tone or even the later Stevie Ray Vaughan sound. It is a bit of a hidden gem. For an incredible, authentic Tube Screamer sound which offers a little extra magic than your standard TS-808 remake, look no further than the OD808 from Maxon.

Why Bonners?

Here at Bonners Music you have the opportunity to try one of these great Maxon effects pedals yourself. Just give us a call on 01323 636141 or better still, visit our showroom! If you can't see the Maxon pedal listed that you are after just call 01323 636141 for availability and the best price.

• Model: Maxon OD808
• Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
• Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
• Input Jack: 1/4 inch standard phone jack
• Output Impedance: 10K Ohms
• Output Jack: 1/4 inch standard phone jack
• Output: 1
• Controls: Drive, Tone, Balance
• Switch: Normal/Effect
• Noise (IHF-A): -110 dBu
• Max Amplitude: 35 dBu
• Power Supply: 9V Manganese dry cell battery (S-006P) or special AC adaptor
• Power Voltage: DC9 V (Battery) / DC10 V (AC-adaptor)
• Current Consumption: 5 mA (9V) / 6 mA (10 V)
• AC Adaptor: AC210N (option) Input: AC120V Output: DC9V/200 mA Center - / Sleeve +)
• Dimensions (main body): 61 mm (W) x 112 mm (D) x 35 mm (H)
• Dimensions (whole): 70 mm (W) x 112 mm (D) x 55 mm (H)
• Weight: 260 g
• Accessories: 9V Manganese dry cell battery (S-006P) x 1
• Non-skid pad: x 1
• Warranty Card: x 1
• User's Manual: x 1Input Impedance: 500K Ohms