Modified Ibanez Tube Screamer

Standard

A true classic - it is hard to find any negative things to say about this pedal. It is more or less perfectly suited to blues/rock playing, as long as you're not expecting to coax a high gain lead sound from it, that is. The TS-9 simply shines when combined with a tube amplifier at medium to loud volume, and it delivers a proper kick in the midrange, which helps push your solos through the band. But even the sun has its spots... Changes to the output section and varying op-amp chips meant that the TS-9 (and its successors) never really got up to the standard of a great-sounding TS-808. Its nearest successor - the TS-10 Tube Screamer Classic - has even more circuit changes, compared to the original circuit, but in return often comes with one of the two "correct" op-amps. The current reissue TS-9:s (1993 onwards) use the Toshiba TA75558 - in my opinion the least suitable op-amp that appeared in the original TS-9 production run.

The Tube Screamer circuit itself has a high-pass filter in the clip/distortion circut, which starts to cut off the bass as high as at 720 Hz, leaving the lowest frequencies without any overdrive at all. This was done to prevent floppy distortion on the low strings, and it (in conjunction with a treble limiting circuit) is also from where the TS gets its famous mid-range. The downside to this is that the pedal really only starts to shine when the amp is on the loud side - only then will you start to hear enough bottom end from the pedal.

So it's time to break out the soldering iron, I guess... Please note that the mods listed below apply to both original and reissue TS-9s, as well as the TS-10 and TS-5. The new reissue TS-808 is internally the same as a new reissue TS-9, but comes with the JRC4558D and 808 output section already installed. Aside from that, it's exactly the same, and can therefore be modified the same way. The switch for the Stage 2 mod does not fit in the TS-10, and the TS-7 can not be had with the Stage 2 mod (since it already has a gain boost mode).

To minimize hiss and noise, only 1% tolerance metal film resistors are used in these mods.

Modification Stage 1

I replace the stock LED with a bright yellow item, for that distinctive StinkFoot vibe... Besides looking good, it also makes the pedal easier to identify onstage.

I install an IC socket and replace the op-amp with a JRC4558D. On request, I will install an RC4558P instead. Both circuits were common in the TS-808, and the difference between them is slight, but the RC4558P sounds slightly dryer with a little more grit to it. The IC socket I use makes it easy to experiment with different op-amps, should you want to.
The output circuit is backdated to 808 specs, giving the pedal a slightly rounder and more natural sound.
The high-pass filter in the clip circuit is modified to let more bass in.
Finally, the whole pedal gets a once-over - I strenghten solder joints that are poorly made at the factory, and tighten nuts and bolts that can otherwise come loose and cause trouble.

Modification Stage 2

I do all the Stage 1 modifications (as outlined above), plus:
a hefty increase of the available gain (about double the amount, actually...) and
a switch that controls the clipping section, for standard compression or lower compression/more output and presence
This mod is for those who want to use their Tube Screamer in the twilight zone between dirty rythm playing and long-sustaining lead sounds. All the usual Tube Screamer sounds are still there, only laid out a little tighter around the drive knob. When the Stage 1 pedal runs out of steam, the Stage 2 is only at 1 o'clock on the dial, and ready for more... The switch in the clipping section makes a subtle but very real change in the way the pedal feels and projects.

...and the result?

What was a perfectly good blues/rock pedal now has more of the same. The basic character is still there - the typical tube screamer midrange is still there - but the pedal now has a little more nuances, and a softer, wider tone than before. Longer will you have to crank the amp to get *that* sound from the pedal - the low end is present, even at normal/humane levels. The pedal will now also sound even better at low gain settings, for instance when boosting the amp input. If you chose the Stage 2 mod, cranking the gain knob reveals a monster - it still sounds like a Tube Screamer, but with more grit and plenty of extra gain.

Prices:

Stage 1: 250 SEK / 23 EUR
Stage 2: 350 SEK / 32 EUR

Replace TS-9 switch: 80 SEK / 7.25 EUR

(50 SEK / 4.50 EUR if done at the same time as one of the above modifications)

True bypass: 250 SEK / 23 EUR
On the TS-9, the new switch is mounted through the faceplate, right above the regular switch. On the TS-808, it replaces the stock switch. At the same time, all electronic gubbins associated with the electronic switching is removed from the signal path, for an even clearer and more distinct sound.

Stage 2 mod on a TS-10 (without clipping mode switch): 300 SEK / 27 EUR

Prices do not include shipping.