What's your amp?

Since you seem to rock EMGs, I wouldn't say you NEED one to achieve the super-tight thing, but then lots of players use both. Generally you'll use it as a way to trim the bass and boost the signal to your amp. It is a very useful effect, but not necessary.

 

I use the Engl Invader my friend, and very happily so. I would like to "Djent-ify" my Rhythm tone a little more, and I don't know if it'll help or not.

I don't even know if it's one of those gizmo's that mythically makes a difference or not, like those Sonic Maximisers. Tiz why I appeal to you knowledgeable folk!

 

I'd say get it. You may not always use it but you may have uses for it from time to time.

 

Cool thanks. How do you use yours? I'm still trying to ascertain it's usage. Is it a gain boost for soloing?

 

It's basically used to slam the preamp tubes (adding some gain and compression) and because of the EQ characteristics of a tubescreamer, it cuts some bass and adds some mids, thereby tightening the tone. Basically there are two approaches. The one most people use is to have the level maxed (or close to it), gain off (or close to it) and then the tone to taste (usually somewhere in the middle.) However others will set the pedal to not add any gain or level, and use it strictly for the EQ purposes.

 

Ah I see. That'll be why Soopahmahn mentioned EMG's then, as they tend to do that by default. I'm assuming then if I used EMG X series and a tube screamer, it'd be overkill.

Better used for passive pickups then?

 

You can leave it on all the time. It's all on how you wanna use it. :cheers:

 

Thanks Andy

 

No problem. Anything I can do to help. And I'm pretty sure someone else may weigh in on their thoughts.

 

I have a TS9.
It doesn't do alot, but what it does is sometimes just that little extra you need.
If not the TS9 I would recommend trying out a Xotic BB pedal that has similar mid-characteristics and generally has more options due to a wider gainrange, volume ditto and bass and treble knobs. All in all - a nice pedal too. And a more reliable switch I think.

 

Thank you sir, I shall look that one up!

 

I use my modded TS7 to brighten and tighten my mesa. I like what it does to every channel - adds a bit of extra hair and tightens things up. I also like the way my rig sounds with the pedal off, but for metal I turn it on and leave it on.

You can pick up a used TS7 and mod it to TS808 specs for dirt cheap, and you'll have the same pedal in a different housing.

The best option, IMO, is to find a place with a 30-day refund and try the pedal out with your rig. The first time I tried boosting was in high school with an MXR Zakk Wylde OD - it added gorgeous grit to my clean channel, but it had zero effect on my gain channel (Traynor YCV80 at the time). The TS7 I tried in store with a Marshall combo didn't do it for me either. Gave in to hype, ordered my modded TS7 and it's the only pedal I use other then a tuner.

My friend recently had a TS9 into a loaner DSL50+mesa 212, and with the crunch channel he got an amazing lead tone with his HSS Fender Lonestar.

 

Cheers man. I didn't realise each TS was so different.

Ironically (after stating that I was after an Ibanez TS) since someone suggested the Xotic BB, I'm quite eager to give that a go. Will just have to see which comes up first.

How much do the mods really do then? I watched a YouTube vid last night comparing 4 different types of TS with and without the Keeley mod. I didn't hear enough to understand what the hype was about, and to be honest, I thought the unmodified Maxon sounded better :-/

 

If you have something with a relay out to do your switching (G Major, FCB1010 etc) what you want is an Nobels Alex 1. It's a relay triggered loop so you can have your TS or boost active on your dirty channels but not your clean channel, or even only on rhythm or solo channels if you choose. Noodles does exactly this.

 

Cool, cheers for that James. Only thing is, I can't seem to see anywhere that sells them in order to get a price.

 

Sorry, their site sucks for direct linking. The home page is Nobels Electronics - English Langauge (Englische Sprache)

I think being in Europe you might have to order from them, and it's 59.80Euro's

 

A damn sight cheaper than a GCX, and isn't too big for what I need it for. Thanks James

 

I use a modified TS7 with both my Budda and my Mesa for the crunchy/gainy stuff. However, before it was modified, I used the stock TS7 and it did pretty much the same thing. TS7s are much cheaper, too!

 

TS7's rule. :agreed:

Remember you are basically just rolling off bass and adding some volume. A 10-band EQ will do basically the same thing. :lol:

 

With more noise, cost, complexity, and pedalboard space :lol:

Also depends if the 10-band EQ is shelving on the lowest and highest frequencies or not. A lot of them aren't.

 

TS7s do indeed rule. :metal:

 

I got both a modded Nobles ODR-1 that was Chaos Modded and a TS-9 I got for free when I picked up my Mesa. Honestly, I think the TS-9 was more up my alley for high-gain sounds while the ODR-1 actually improved my clean sound a lot, but tended to actually add bass frequencies back in. I may have to give it another go though, though since I've yet to try the Nobles with the Mesa.

 

This might also be worth a read:

http://www.metalguitarist.org/forum/music-recording-studio/26617-recording-w-wo-tube-screamer.html

 

There's some really useful info there guys, thanks!

Ironic really that a gain boost pedal ends up primarily being used as a bass scoop lol

 

Might I suggest the Xotic BB preamp MB? Yes it's pricey, but with this you don't lose bass response, you get a tight, yet open sound and can totally mess with the bass/mid/treble as you see fit. Also knock the amp to the clean channel and this thing is KILLER for blues and breaks up nicely. My favorite boost, though I don't use many boosts.

 

Yeah someone else mentioned those earlier in the thread, and I've got my eye on one on ebay. Seems to be popular on MG.org

 

FYI, the digitech bad monkey also has dedicated bass and treble knobs to do the same thing. They are also about 30 bucks new

 

That's good to know! Have you used one personally?

 

TS.

I flip-flopped on it, and actually sold my first one. Then I bought another one on an impulse buy. Then I turned my amp up, and understood the love-in that everyone has for them.

 

Cool, which one did you go for?