• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez TS808 (unmodded) on bass

jcburn

jcburn

Oct 11, 2003
2,628
1,674
53
Tasmania, Australia.
everburn.com.au
#1
What is the opinions on this pedal? I'm not looking for a high gain OD, but want something a little more than just warm fuzz. Just dont want to lose a ton of low end. Would be "always on".
The only reason I ask is Billy Gould's sound on The Real Thing was in some way attributed to his Ts808 from memory and solid state Peavey amps. Just not quite sure what else he had going on for his basic sound (I can here chorus on some songs and not others).
 
#2
Well you're going to lose a lot of low end with an unmodded TS808. That's just the nature of the beast. But there are of course plenty of boutique Tubescreamers, or even the Ibanez Bass Tubescreamer now, that will give you the Tubescreamer sound with more low end.

Also a lot of those old Peavey solid state amps could distort in a nice way. Most modern solid state gear doesn't do that at all. At any rate it's highly likely that the Tubescreamer was used to push the amps further, not as a standalone by itself solution.
 
#4
I agree with Mark Olson lots of low end loss on this one.

Some Tubescreamers are bass friendly that being said. I can recommend three and recommend to stay way from one.

The one I do not care for is the new Ibanez Bass Tubescreamer; there's been several postings on this and it's lackluster according to my ears.

The pedals I like the best for best in that family are (in order of preference):
- Way Huge Green Rhino
- Xotic Effect BB (the guitar version, the orange one - not the bass one)
- Badder Monkey
 
#5
Tonight I used a TS808 (reissue) with my bass and at least at bedroom volume I did not notice "lots of low end loss"... again that was at bedroom levels.

The tone is gorgeous vintage drive.... I'm blown away right now.

at least "tone wise" ...this is classic overdrive.

AGAIN! AT BEDROOM LEVELS I DID NOT NOTICE A BIG DROP IN MY LOW END

I'll try it again tomorrow at a higher volume to see what happens.
 
#6
I like to think that any pedal is useable but i haven't liked this pedal for bass the few times I've tried it. Joyo ultimate drive sounds way better for light od. Aside from my stock crybaby, ts808 is my least favorite pedal I've ever plugged a bass into. Maybe the behringer multifx.... Hard to say when there are so many terrible boxes in the world.
 
#7
I have an original 808, as stated you will lose a lot of bottom end, some top end and you'll get a fairly large mid hump and some compression.
it doesn't sound bad with an active bass because it can tame the top end and add some mids, I don't like it with passive basses personally.
overall, a great guitar pedal, not so much for bass.
 
#8
taurus1 said:
I have an original 808, as stated you will lose a lot of bottom end, some top end and you'll get a fairly large mid hump and some compression.
it doesn't sound bad with an active bass because it can tame the top end and add some mids, I don't like it with passive basses personally.
overall, a great guitar pedal, not so much for bass.
Click to expand...

I kinda like the "mid hump"
I'll try it in a couple of hours at a more generous volume...
 
#9
I might be deaf... but I don't notice that "low end loss"... maybe a little, but nothing out of this world.

I think that people might be a little "anal" about their low end. The TS808 Reissue is a great low gain overdrive/booster IMHO.
 
#10
I tried a ts9 in guitar center and didn't think the low end loss was that major. I almost got a ts808 based off that experience but didn't because i had a mxr di in the mail that i was pleasantly surprised by. I have still considered it though but i'm trying to keep my pedalboard as small as possible.
 
#11
danielfnj96 said:
I tried a ts9 in guitar center and didn't think the low end loss was that major. I almost got a ts808 based off that experience but didn't because i had a mxr di in the mail that i was pleasantly surprised by. I have still considered it though but i'm trying to keep my pedalboard as small as possible.
Click to expand...

I'm waiting for my new compressor to arrive... then I'll decide if I keep the TS808 or not.

But right NOW.... oh yes!! :bassist:
 
#13
FaithNoMan said:
Lots of people also complain about the low-end loss of a RatII. Seems like it works ok:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

There's a breed of bassists who are a little too concerned about their low end! (metal? reggue?...)

For the kind of music I play/like what is important is the "punchiness" not the "ubber low end"... maybe that's the issue

I'll try to post a clip and MAYBE a chart with the frequencies to see how much lowend (if any) is lost using the TS808
 
#14
GuzBaas said:
There's a breed of bassists who are a little too concerned about their low end! (metal? reggue?...)

For the kind of music I play/like what is important is the "punchiness" not the "ubber low end"... maybe that's the issue

I'll try to post a clip and MAYBE a chart with the frequencies to see how much lowend (if any) is lost using the TS808
Click to expand...

I can understand that if you're not a fan of low end, the 808 would be fine.
to those that like a reasonable amount of low end, no matter what genre you play, you will probably be disappointed with an 808 as far as low end goes.
if you use it as an always on, never off pedal, you could dial back in some low end on your amp, or with an eq, and be fine.
if you want to use it as an effect that's only on sometimes, you might not like the low end attenuation.
 
#16
taurus1 said:
I can understand that if you're not a fan of low end, the 808 would be fine.
to those that like a reasonable amount of low end, no matter what genre you play, you will probably be disappointed with an 808 as far as low end goes.
if you use it as an always on, never off pedal, you could dial back in some low end on your amp, or with an eq, and be fine.
if you want to use it as an effect that's only on sometimes, you might not like the low end attenuation.
Click to expand...

As I said earlier I'll research a little on the matter, but to my ears is not a low end loss... is a mid hump... (which I kinda like).
 
#18
Here are my "scientific" findings

BYPASSED SIGNAL

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

USING THE TS-808

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Nothing dramatic or even too noticeable... in a band context this will be lost in the mix...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back