It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:01 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 10:39 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
Hi everyone. I just received my Fender Blues Junior NOS, which is Fantastic by the way. I am really glad that I bought it. I am putting my first pedal board together and I am torn between two overdrive pedals. The two pedals are the Ibanez Tubescreamer (Ts9?), and the Boss Blues Driver. Although I am leaning towards the Boss Blues Driver, I wanted to get some opinions from others who have used these pedals with the a Blues Junior. What are your opinions/impressions. I don't need a massive amount of distortion, just something middle if the road that I can kick in with a quick tap of the foot.

Also, while on the subject of pedal boards, I am looking at the Pedaltrain series of boards. Would the PT1 handle about 5 pedals comfortably (Boss CE5 Chorus, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, Dunlop Cry Baby, Polytune 2 tuner, and an overdrive pedal)?

Thanks for any advice...


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 11:13 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:32 pm
Posts: 20
I'm by no means an expert, so take this with a huge grain of salt. However, I just recently got a BJR and when shopping for my first pedal I looked at the TS9, Boss DS-1 and Blues Driver. I went with the DS-1 and really liked it. However, at the advice of someone on this board I tried the Fullerton OCD pedal and loved it. If you want a little les overdrive and a more transparent sound, I'd suggest at least looking at it. I'm still experimenting with the tones but so far I love it. Just my $0.02


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 11:36 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Posts: 2561
This thread is a little like a which Strings or Motor Oil is your fav.

You really need to hear them all and decide. They're all good, but in different ways, many of which are subjective.

I have both the Fulltone OCD and the Boss Blues Driver (a gift). I have little, but some, experience w/ the TS-9.

Between them all, I like the Fulltone... but only if driven w/ 18VDC (optional power supply). At 9VDC, it's a different animal.

The BBD is nice too but primarily concentrates on the mids (Blues sound). It's a little less versatile IMHO.

The TS-9 is 'legendary', but there's a caveat... this one is not the original TS808 or TS9 Tubescreamer, which were manufactured for Ibanez by Maxon. Ibaneze claims it's an identical twin, but many players disagree and lots of them are modded to improve them.

Maxon has their own 're-issue' versions of the Tubescreamer - the OD-808 and OD-9. Again, IMHO, these come much closer to the originals of the '70s and '80s. But, they are limited production and so not as easy to find.

My choice among all 4 would be the latest gen of the OCD. I just think it's the most versatile, distinct and covers a broader spectrum.

Hope this helps.

cheers!

_________________
Image

'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:06 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 282
I can weigh in a little in favor of the TS9 over the Blues Driver. Both are excellent OD pedals however IMO there is a better option if you have any inclinations towards the TS9 give the TS9 DX a test run. You can get more low end umph out of it.

_________________
R/Jim
2016 Gibson SG Standard T
2014 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
2013 Fender Dlx Players Stratocaster
2013 Fender FSR American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro II
2012 Ibanez AR 325
Super-Sonic 112
GDEC 3 Thirty
Champion 600


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:22 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:51 am
Posts: 246
Location: Alberta
My 2 cents .......

I have the same amp , I have a small pedal board which just happens to have a Boss Blues driver on it. To start with , I play at home , no gigs , even though I have some pedals I don't all that often use them so my opinion may be worthless. My basement isn't a large jam space.

Here's what I'd do first , get used to your new amp , play it for a while , find the sweet tones that it is capable of without using the fat switch . Then use the fat switch , find some EQ settings that work well with and without the fat switch. Bond with your new amp.

Go buy a fender footswitch , that's what I did , once I had found some pleasing tones with the amp , then engaging the fat switch when needed , was enough of a boost for me.

The blues driver is a cool pedal for sure , yes , I'd like to try a TS9 . Like I said , I don't often use pedals and when I do , it's usually with one of my other amps.

I prefer the sound of my blues junior as it is , straight in , no pedals .


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:48 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
LouisvilleNoob wrote:
I'm by no means an expert, so take this with a huge grain of salt. However, I just recently got a BJR and when shopping for my first pedal I looked at the TS9, Boss DS-1 and Blues Driver. I went with the DS-1 and really liked it. However, at the advice of someone on this board I tried the Fullerton OCD pedal and loved it. If you want a little les overdrive and a more transparent sound, I'd suggest at least looking at it. I'm still experimenting with the tones but so far I love it. Just my $0.02


LouisvilleNoob:

I had a chance to look at the Fullerton OCD at Guitar Denter yesterday. You are right that it is a great pedal. I liked it better than the Tubescreamer but not as much as the Blues Driver. That said, it did seem to get a greater range than the Blues Driver. Thank you very much for the advice. I appreciate it greatly.

Truebluefliplover


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:51 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
j.4knee wrote:
I can weigh in a little in favor of the TS9 over the Blues Driver. Both are excellent OD pedals however IMO there is a better option if you have any inclinations towards the TS9 give the TS9 DX a test run. You can get more low end umph out of it.


Thanks j.4knee, I will look at the DX when I return to Guitar Denter...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:58 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
bluesguy55 wrote:
My 2 cents .......

I have the same amp , I have a small pedal board which just happens to have a Boss Blues driver on it. To start with , I play at home , no gigs , even though I have some pedals I don't all that often use them so my opinion may be worthless. My basement isn't a large jam space.

Here's what I'd do first , get used to your new amp , play it for a while , find the sweet tones that it is capable of without using the fat switch . Then use the fat switch , find some EQ settings that work well with and without the fat switch. Bond with your new amp.

Go buy a fender footswitch , that's what I did , once I had found some pleasing tones with the amp , then engaging the fat switch when needed , was enough of a boost for me.

The blues driver is a cool pedal for sure , yes , I'd like to try a TS9 . Like I said , I don't often use pedals and when I do , it's usually with one of my other amps.

I prefer the sound of my blues junior as it is , straight in , no pedals .


Thanks Bluesguy55. I agree that I need to spend time with this great amp to get used to it. Heck, just playing around with the volume and gain on the amp versus the guitar, I have seen quite a bit of variation in tone. I probably need to get a stand to get the amp up off of the floor so that I don't mind fiddling with the buttons so much (2 failed back surgeries). Thanks for the kind input...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 3:18 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:56 pm
Posts: 4033
Location: 16 Miles North Of The Red River
I own (and love) the TS9...to me, it's a holy grail/benchmark/touchstone/reference point to start the discussion about many blues-rock tones and blues-rock overdrive pedals. I have one on my pedalboard, and it probably won't ever be removed...and that's after comparing many many many OD pedals. (The OCD is one of the few that makes me waver in that statement, but obviously not enough to make me go out and get one--or I'd already have it!)

Having said that, the Blues Driver is a dang good pedal with many, many useful tones hidden inside. It seems to be a Tube Screamer with some snottier attitude. The Blues Driver seems to fit with many rock players who are looking for a blues sound, whereas the Tube Screamer is what many blues players use to raunch up their blues a bit.

Play both of them again and then pick the one that fits your personal style best.

Congrats on the new amp!

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!

Image

Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 3:31 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
I own (and love) the TS9...to me, it's a holy grail/benchmark/touchstone/reference point to start the discussion about many blues-rock tones and blues-rock overdrive pedals. I have one on my pedalboard, and it probably won't ever be removed...and that's after comparing many many many OD pedals. (The OCD is one of the few that makes me waver in that statement, but obviously not enough to make me go out and get one--or I'd already have it!)

Having said that, the Blues Driver is a dang good pedal with many, many useful tones hidden inside. It seems to be a Tube Screamer with some snottier attitude. The Blues Driver seems to fit with many rock players who are looking for a blues sound, whereas the Tube Screamer is what many blues players use to raunch up their blues a bit.

Play both of them again and then pick the one that fits your personal style best.

Congrats on the new amp!


Thank S-Armadillo, I appreciate the advice. I got to try them out at Guitar Denter this weekend. They have a little pillar with pedals all over it for people to try out. It's a good thing that I am not rich or I would have walked out of there with a truckload of stuff :lol:

Thanks again...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:50 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:56 pm
Posts: 4033
Location: 16 Miles North Of The Red River
truebluefliplover wrote:
Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
I own (and love) the TS9...to me, it's a holy grail/benchmark/touchstone/reference point to start the discussion about many blues-rock tones and blues-rock overdrive pedals. I have one on my pedalboard, and it probably won't ever be removed...and that's after comparing many many many OD pedals. (The OCD is one of the few that makes me waver in that statement, but obviously not enough to make me go out and get one--or I'd already have it!)

Having said that, the Blues Driver is a dang good pedal with many, many useful tones hidden inside. It seems to be a Tube Screamer with some snottier attitude. The Blues Driver seems to fit with many rock players who are looking for a blues sound, whereas the Tube Screamer is what many blues players use to raunch up their blues a bit.

Play both of them again and then pick the one that fits your personal style best.

Congrats on the new amp!


Thank S-Armadillo, I appreciate the advice. I got to try them out at Guitar Denter this weekend. They have a little pillar with pedals all over it for people to try out. It's a good thing that I am not rich or I would have walked out of there with a truckload of stuff :lol:

Thanks again...

You're more than welcome...
I have to be careful at ANY guitar shop I walk into, whether I'm rich or poor, lol...
I used to have a t-shirt that said, "My wife said she would leave me if I brought home one more guitar. I'm sure gonna miss her!" :lol:

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!

Image

Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:32 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 12:32 pm
Posts: 10
I watch a lot of (probably too many) gear review videos on YouTube which is a good way to get a general idea of how a piece of gear sounds, although some reviewers are definitely better than others in terms of review method and equipment used to create the review. There are quite a few pedal comparison videos out there, and BD-2 vs. Tube Screamer is probably one of the most popular.

Also, I recently found this website which compares many different OD pedals against one another in a more controlled environment:

The OD Pedal Comparinator

The BD-2, Tube Screamer (TS-7 and TS-808), and Fulltone OCD pedals are included in the Comparinator.


sleepy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:01 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 378
I went back to Guiter Denter and tried out the pedals again. I ended up purchasing the BD-2 along with a Polytune 2 Tuner pedal and a Pedaltrain Jr pedal board to go along with a few pedals that I already have(I have no self control).

Thanks for all the input:

LouisvilleNoob
j.4knee
bluesguy55
Screamin' Armadillo
sleepyEDB


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:22 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
Can't say anything bad about the TS9 but Keely Electronics takes it to the next level with there Mod versions.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Boss blues driver versus Ibanez Tubescreamer
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:49 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:56 pm
Posts: 4033
Location: 16 Miles North Of The Red River
truebluefliplover wrote:
I went back to Guiter Denter and tried out the pedals again. I ended up purchasing the BD-2 along with a Polytune 2 Tuner pedal and a Pedaltrain Jr pedal board to go along with a few pedals that I already have(I have no self control).

Thanks for all the input:

LouisvilleNoob
j.4knee
bluesguy55
Screamin' Armadillo
sleepyEDB

What is this "self control" of which you speak? :P

...and you know: PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!! Post a pic of your pedalboard as soon as you can...

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!

Image

Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: