IbanezTS808 Original Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal

Its a tube screamer. It does what a tube screamer does.

There's one rule you must consider when considering a purchase audio products. The rule is this: It's impossible to get people to agree on an opinion for anything audio related.WIth that said, I spent a lot of time reading reviews from people who knock and praise this pedal.This pedal deliver phenomenal overdrive (think of overdriving a tube amp with tube rectifier). it's style of clipping gives a more vintage and warm feel of OD, especially compared to a boss sd-1When compared to a boss bd-2 it may sound less warm but not to fear but pedal is plenty warm and the "less warmth" is an illusion. I've found that this "less warm" feeling is not really the warm of the pedal rather the EQ. Just twist into the "+" mode and your problem is solved.Overall, this is a nice, sturdy, warm overdrive. I am personally glad i purchased over a TS9 or bd-2. I naturally chose it over a ts-808 because of price but i also because i'm not a huge fan of the sound of a ts-808.hope this helps.

The guitar player this pedal was bought for, absolutely loves it. He has many, but this one was needed. Lol

The TS 808 is a classic pedal that is a must have on your pedal board. Works best with Fender type single coil pickups through a Fender type (mid scooped) amp because it seems to add a mid hump making for a full rich sound (iMHO). I have one in my collection and I bought this one for my son who plays a Fender Telecaster through a Fender Deluxe Reverb Amo.. If you play through a Vox voiced amp (mid hump) or a Marshall Amp you may want to consider an OCD or a Timmy pedal as they don't have that classic mid hump that a TS 808 has that can add to the natural mid hump of the amp. But for a Tele or a Strat through almost any fender amp .... It's tone heaven.

What else is there to say? The classic Ibanez TS808 is great for any musician wanting a boost. I use mine essentially as a clean boost with tone/dist on zero and level on max in front of my high gain 6505 and triple rec. It amazingly tightens up the tone and boosts the signal in this config. Price is what it is, these things never really change cost. I honestly feel naked without one of these or a ts9 in front of my rig.

Many of pedals have come and gone during my years of playing guitar, this one stayed the entire time. Once you learn gain staging this guy is an awesome tool that cant be replaced.

So I've had the TS9 on my board for over 25 years. I didn't believe that the extra $ for the 808 could be worth it. And I loved my TS9 anyway, so why go changing? I read a bunch of reviews, I watched a few videos comparing different editions of the tube screamer, and the consensus seemed to be that the difference is subtle. Well, I got curious and took the bait And I'm So Glad I Did. Subtle difference? Not to my ear. The 808 is so much warmer and smoother. It's got a rich tone that I'm now truly in love with. Oh, my #1 axe is an American Standard strat that I modded with Texas Special pups. And it loves the 808 as much as I do.

My wife got me a TS808 for our anniversary (Yep, she's a keeper). It worked for a couple of weeks, then the power started flickering. I switched out the battery to no avail. After some research, I discovered that the "Smooth Switch" is faulty. I checked online and with a personal friend. Apparently Ibanez cut corners with the on/off switch, which gives out almost immediately. These switches are faulty across the board. Even my TS7 gave out after 10 years. The TS808 gave out after a month. I have a gig next weekend and I have to go back to my TS7 because my brand-new TS808 won't work. Look for a vintage one because the new ones suck!