Have you ever wanted a vintage Ibanez TS808 tube screamer but can't afford one or can't find one anywhere. The TS808 was reissued but it doesn't have the tone of the original. If you own a TS9 you can mod it to the original 808 specs with a little know how.
Below is a list of the TS series pedals and what resistors values are used in the output buffer stage.
| Model |
808 |
9 |
9RI |
10 |
5 |
| Series res. |
100 |
470 |
470 |
470 |
470 |
| Shunt res. |
10K |
100K |
100K |
100K |
100K |
Since the TS9 has basically the same layout as the TS808 all you would need to modify is the 2 output resistors 470 ohm to 100 and the 100K to 10K an BAM you have a TS808. You may also need to replace the opt amp with a JRC4558D or a RC4558. For some reason, the JRC4558's seem to be well suited to duty in the TS type circuit. JRC later changed its name to New Japan Radio Corporation and made parts titled "NJM4558". When you order these, you get parts that are labeled "JRC4558". By all reports, these sound as good as the original. The tube screamers made with 72558A are reported to sound abysmal. The following types of opamps do seem to sound good.
new manufacture JRC4558D
LM833
RC4558, made by a couple of US firms
TLC2202
TLC2272
OP275
LT1214
Have fun!
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