Ibanez TS9/TS808 Tube Screamer Conversion

TS9 Ibanez Tube Screamer

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 manufacturer JRC4558D
  • LM833
  • RC4558, made by a couple of US firms
  • TLC2202
  • TLC2272
  • OP275
  • LT1214

Have fun!

Visit http://www.geofex.com For tons of more info on the tubescreamer!

Another TS9 to TS808 mod to make it smoother sounding is to replace the (2) Tantalum caps with Poly Film Caps. It gets rid of most of the harshness that Tantalum caps tend to give.

.22MFD 35V

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