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Ibanez TS808 Original Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal

The TS808 reissue features the same famous large square footswitch and the even more famous warm tones of the JRC4558 chip used in most of the original TS808's. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
It only has three knobs, but that's all it needs. The tone knob is not very responsive, but the TS-808 has such a great tone, it doesn't really need one.

Quality:
I have owned this pedal for a year-and-a-half, and have gigged with it at least every other weekend. It barely has a scratch. Top-notch.

Value:
This is a rather expensive pedal. Of course it is a reissue of a classic. If you are actively recording or playing shows, this is a great buy. However, if you are starting out, and just want a boost, I advise to save some mulah and go for a cheaper overdrive.

Desirability:
This pedal was used by the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn, so if you dig his music, then you probably already want or have one. But this is just an overdrive pedal (an expensive one at that). I have heard numerous complaints form other players that "it doesn't have enough gain." This is not a distortion pedal, just anoverdrive. If you want both you may want to srring for a combo like BOSS's OS-2. Of course, you need to try this pedal to decide for yourself.

Sound:
In a word: beautiful. Nice raunchy overdrive that adds crunch to any riff or an excellent sustainer and boost for leads. The tone knob's effect is somewhat subtle, but keeping it right in the middle lets you dial in your tone elsewhere (guitar, amp, etc...). This pedal adds a "vintage" sound to your tone, but that's half of its appeal.

Ease of Use:
Three knobs. It doesn't get any easier than this. Its very straight-foreward controls let you plug-in and play without having to read a manual first.

Support:
A ten because I have never needed any support with this product.

Overall:
Of all the overdrives I have tried, this is the best. Sweet tone, raunchy crunch and I guarantee it will last for ages. This will always have a spot on my pedal board.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Three knobs: Overdrive, Tone, and Level. That's all you need.

Quality:
Great construction. This thing is very solidly built.

Value:
Considering that original TS-808's are going for $450 nowadays, I'd have to say that despite the higher price you pay compared to other kinds of pedals, this is a great value considering what you get.

Desirability:
I just had to have this pedal after playing around with it a few times in a various guitar stores. I've been moving towards a more vintage sound in my playing, and the Tube Screamer adds that "vintage" grittiness that I like.

Sound:
Tonally, this is a great box, and it really responds well to volume changes on your guitar. At low volume settings it adds just a touch of grit. When you crank up your guitar's volume, the overdrive gets nicely dirty, but it doesn't sacrifice the overall clarity of your tone. That's important because when I get into a lead, I can go over the top of the band, without having to add more a lot more volume.

Ease of Use:
As I said above: Three knobs. It couldn't get easier than this. As another reviewer mentioned, tone control could be a little better, but I tend to use my guitar's tone controls for that, so I usually just keep the tone knob set to 12 o'clock.

Support:
Haven't had to call support on this.

Overall:
Note that this pedal is all about tone, as another reviewer stated. Yeah, you can boost your signal as that's what an overdrive does, but it's not meant for really heavy distortion. For that, you should just get a distortion pedal. But if you want to add punch and grit to your sound, the TS-808 is literally a must-have.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
More tone control would be nice, but otherwise the controls give a significant amount of possible sounds.

Quality:
Built like a friggin' tank. Cool colour, too.

Sound:
Sounds really warm, ideal for blues or just adding a bit more gain to your tone. I use it with the MXR Zakk Wylde distortion, and it's lethal. It's a very good purchase.

Ease of Use:
Just play and play.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
It doesn't have a lot of features, simply because this pedal is simply a one-trick pony. Plug it in, fire it up, adjust the 3 knobs to taste and the rest is up to you and your fingers. I can't stress this enough: think of the TS808 as a TONE effect, and not so much as a fuzzbox. If you're looking for heavy overdrive, you're in the wrong place. The TS808 is all about WARMTH and subtlety. I never did understand why they put the word "Screamer" in it's name... although if you really push it, it can wail Steve Ray Vaughan style with no troubles at all, and a minimum of hissy noise (thanks to the coveted 4558 chips).

Quality:
It's a tank. My only issue is with the footswitches, which I've mentioned already. More specifically, after owning one for several years, don't be surprised if the footswitch goes intermittent on you. This was particularly bad on the original TS9's, but the 808's also occasionally suffered from footswitch problems over the years. Fortunately, it's not too difficult to repair if this ends up happening to you. It's not common enough to worry about in any case.

Value:
This is where we come to a parting of the ways. This pedal is a re-issue of a unit that originally sold for around 45 bucks when it was first introduced. Ibanez has obviously priced this re-issue VERY high, no doubt because it has become legendary amongst professionals as being one of the finest overdrive units ever produced. Well... I'm sorry, but as wonderful as the TS808 may be, it's not worth the re-issue price. That is, not unless this is the ONLY way you can get your hands on a working TS808.

Desirability:
The unmatched tones of this unit are super-sexy. I've never minded its funky "Kermit green" color, either. The TS808 is a winner. You'll be proud to have one in your lineup. At present (and for over 25 years), there simply is no substitute for this pedal... which is no doubt another reason for its high price.

Sound:
I've been playing for 35+ years, and I purchased my first Tube Screamer back around 1980. If you're looking for a warm, bluesy overdrive with a minimum of noise... look no further. This is an effect which is best used for its subtle tones and relatively "sane" overdrive characteristics. In fact, in combination with a vintage Strat, I can't think of any other device that comes close to this pedal when it comes to producing the perfect "flavor" for Texas-style blues.

Ease of Use:
The footswitches on Tube Screamers have always been a point of contention over the years, but overall it's a very easy pedal to use. You'll have it up and running just the way you like it in no time. Works best in conjunction with a tube amp, or at least with an amp modeled after one of the classic tube stacks and combos.

Support:
Ibanez has always had their you-know-what together. I've never heard of any complaints about their support, and I doubt I ever will.

Overall:
This review would have gotten a perfect 10 across the board, were it not for the hefty price tag. That aside, there is really nothing bad to say about the TS808. If you get one, you'll fall in love with its beautiful tones and response characteristics immediately. This is a pedal that you'll end up using for life. I've had mine for over 25 years, and it still kicks major booty each and every time I play.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
what more do you need in an overdrive: tone level and my favorite gain

Sound:
perfect, no other pedal comes close to these rich, warm, blues tones

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
AC adaptor has better tone than the others(ts9,808 maxon), but still like the batteries for the best tone.

Quality:
Simple and ready to work for you until you drop.Tough made.

Value:
Hey if you want the best, you can' beat the price!

Desirability:
Looks like the original! SO it's great!

Sound:
Full and creamy gain, very nice!

Support:
No problems yet!

Overall:
I will have it for life..Maybe buy another one.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Can be used to play funk, fusion, blues, and rock.. the drive is not dirty enough and square enough for metal playing

Value:
many of the other products sound like toys in compare to this one. If you're playing blues or fusion, you should get one in any price.. It would sound also great for funk and rock.

Desirability:
It so not importent question...

Sound:
Great warm sound, which any professional artist, that know how to use his guitar, will love.

Overall:
Very good product.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
the overdrive gives you a clean crunch, i love to blast my overdrive.

Quality:
my friend has a ts808 and he got his with his guitar

Value:
tis great for what you get!!!!

Desirability:
i want it.

Sound:
i don't have a tube amp but this amp sounds so much like a tube amp.

Support:
Ibanes has great support. you want it thay make it.

Overall:
the best i have ever seen.

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