In the never-ending quest for tone, there are few pieces of gear as ubiquitous as the Tube Screamer. It has graced some of the greatest pedalboards in the world, for the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Vai, and probably some other guys named Steve.
That characteristic tone that some people just can't seem to get enough of provides all the motivation you need to start your journey down the pedalboard wormhole. Once you've experienced the signature mid-hump and low output of a Tube Screamer, you're probably gonna need a treble boost, or maybe a full-on EQ, and it's not really a pedalboard without a reverb so I'm gonna need one of those, but I'm not sure if that should go before of after the delay..
Where was I? OH YEAH.
With countless clones and reimaginations, the Tube Screamer has been a driving force in the world of overdrive and distortion pedals for many decades. Whether you prefer the TS-808, TS-9, or TS-10 circuit, once thing remains true... They all sound pretty much the same, and no you can't really tell them apart, you buncha cork sniffers.
From the countless clones attempting to "recapture it's magic" (sound the same), to the many pedals that were created with the sole purpose of being "not a Tube Screamer" (but still kinda sound the same), it's tough to deny the impact that bright green box has had on the world of effects! Love it or hate it...