Easy mods to change TS7 into TS808

[Uma Floresta]

http://www.dominocs.com/ToneWorks/shop.html#pedals

This guy has some good, easy tutorials on how to mod the Ibanez TS7 to TS808 specs (which only invoves swapping out two parts), and a few other simple mods. Includes some nice closeup pictures of the circuit board, and shows which components to swap out.

Also, if you own an MXR Distortion +, there are a few mods in here for you.

Good stuff!

[Uma Floresta]

Also, if you own a Boss SD-1, this mod will also take it to TS808 specs:

[Uma Floresta]

Originally Posted by Uma Floresta

http://www.dominocs.com/ToneWorks/shop.html#pedals

This guy has some good, easy tutorials on how to mod the Ibanez TS7 to TS808 specs (which only invoves swapping out two parts), and a few other simple mods. Includes some nice closeup pictures of the circuit board, and shows which components to swap out.

Also, if you own an MXR Distortion +, there are a few mods in here for you.

Good stuff!

Okay, I just modded my TS7 to the 808 specs (since this was already modded with the Monte Allums kit, I didn't have to change the two resistors -- I'd already done those earlier -- I just had to switch back to the original chip and two original caps).

A/B-ing it with a real TS808 that I borrowed, my conclusion is that the two are, for all intents and purposes, identical. I couldn't detect any substantial difference between the two. Maybe just a touch -- I think perhaps some of the components in the reissue 808 are of higher quality (though of the same values), and I *think* I can hear just a little bit higher fidelity sound in the 808, but that could be psychological. I might not be able to tell them apart in a blind test. At any rate, the tone is identical, and the character of the drive is identical. The overdrive and tone pots on the TS7 seem to have a bit more range and don't change the sounds as gradually as the 808. Very slight differences in operation. But the tone is the same.

What's amazing to me is how much more expensive the 808 is than the TS7 (or TS9 even, which can also be easily modded to 808 specs). Really, you're just paying for the packaging and the image. 50 cents worth of parts, and they're the same pedal in a different box. Admittedly, the TS808 looks very cool, but not cool enough to justify the extra $120 over the slightly homely TS7 -- at least not for me.

I may post clips later, if I get some free time.

[Uma Floresta]

I feel I should note for people new to this stuff, that's you'll need something like a 25 to 30-watt pencil-type soldering iron to do this, some fine solder (not the thick stuff), and some copper de-soldering braid for removing the original components. You can get all of that stuff here: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categor...ls+-+Soldering

It's not that difficult to do, but you might want to practice your soldering skills first if you've never done this before. Google is your friend. You can find out everything about soldering and de-soldering on the internet. Just google it. It's not that difficult, as long as you read up a bit before trying it to avoid making mistakes.

And of course, be careful not to burn yourself, as soldering irons get very hot. I take no responsability for any mistakes you might make that result in injuring yourself or ruining a pedal. I'm just trying to provide some helpful information. If you go carefully, and read up on soldering before trying it, you should do just fine. I'm not all that experienced myself, but I find these mods very easy to do.

[Whoopysnorp]

Once again, nice mod! I own one of the old cheap 'SoundTank' "Tubescreamers" (I hesitate to even call it by that name). I wonder if it's moddable. It's on its last legs and I don't really use overdrive pedals anyway, so why not. This is very exciting, though! I never imagined that the Tubescreamer sound everybody wants could be had for so cheap.

Oh, and by all means, post some clips. Make it a blind test so we have to guess which one is which.

[Uma Floresta]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

Oh, and by all means, post some clips. Make it a blind test so we have to guess which one is which.

Okay then, here is a clip:

TS808 shootout

I recorded the guitar clean first, then through the one of the Tube Screamers and then through the other. The first half is a simple rhythm part, and the second half is a simple lead part. I used a standard Telecaster and a bit of reverb, into a virtual Fender Blackface.

Both Tube Screamers were set with the drive at about 9 o'clock, the tone at noon, at unity volume.

If you want to find out which Tube Screamer was which, go here:

http://www.uncledig.com/content/view/475/52/



Note: the mp3 file name may or may not represent the order of the Tube Screamers -- make a guess and then see which is which.

[Uma Floresta]

PS. I know the old Soundtank TS5 Tubescreamer version is modable - Monte Allums offers one. I'm not sure if it's the same component change or not. You might want to do some looking.

[Uma Floresta]

I should also mention that since my TS7 was originally modded with the Monte Allums kit, there are several swapped out capacitors remaining. I changed back the two that are of different value, but the are still four or five caps in my TS7 that are not original -- they are the same value, but of different materials. That may have a slight effect on the sound of my particular TS7/808.

[Whoopysnorp]

Wow. Those sounded really really similar. I honestly could not tell any difference. Great tone on both of those, too. Now I know what to do if I ever want a Tubescreamer.

[Uma Floresta]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

Wow. Those sounded really really similar. I honestly could not tell any difference. Great tone on both of those, too. Now I know what to do if I ever want a Tubescreamer.

Also, you might find this interesting. This is some information on an easy way to increase bass response, to varying degrees. I'm thinking of wiring up a switch so that I can go back and forth between the standard 808 circuit and the specific Monte Allums mod I did originally with the increased bass response.

http://www.muzique.com/lab/fatt.htm

Also, here is an interesting project from Dano of Beavis Audio: The Screamer Lab. I wouldn't actually build one (it's very big and complex), but he has some great ideas that could easily be implemented on a smaller scale as mods.

http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/...rLab/index.htm