When searching for a high quality overdrive pedal that will enhance your playing experience and your overall sound, sorting the winners from the losers can be a challenge. The marketplace offers a great deal of options today, with the most expensive items not always delivering the best performance.
One pedal which has generated a great deal of interest is the Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue, as it makes a highly sought after product widely available again. Locating an original unit can be quite difficult, yet Ibanez has offered a convenient solution, by providing the same sound and feel using modern components. Yet, you may wonder if this is truly the right pedal for you, and if it will deliver the power and heft that you crave.
To find out, let’s look at this product in more depth below, by reviewing its sound, tone, design, value and build quality in greater detail.
The Sound
Serious guitar players will remember the original Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer, and its superior sound is undisputed. The real question is whether the Reissue can keep pace with the original, and the answer is that it does – in spades. The heart of this footswitch is its JRC4558 chip, which is the same hardware used in the vintage model. What can you expect from this setup? In a word, warmth, as it delivers a deep and rich tone which is second to none. The Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue can be used for both overdrive and distortion, and it has enough subtlety to show off the player’s skill – while still ramping up the overall sound.
The Design
Crafted to resemble the original, the Reissue has a straightforward design which makes it extremely easy to operate. Its three knobs provide enough control to fine-tune its output, allowing you to adjust the Overdrive, Tone and Level without any added complication. The final component is the on/off button, which is large enough to find quickly and simple to press.
Value
While some might find this unit on the expensive side, it is worth every penny. There is a reason that the original was so coveted – simply put, it delivered acoustics which other units couldn’t compete with. The Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue has lived up to its predecessor, recreating the same sound in a modern device.
Build Quality
If there is any black mark to be found when reviewing this product, the build quality is slightly less robust than the original. Yet, that is the trend of modern equipment, and the performance certainly doesn’t suffer because of it.
Is It Right For You?
If you are serious about your playing and want only the best, the Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue is a tremendous fit. With the same benefits of the original, this footswitch is a must, as it will deliver the warm, throaty sound which you’ve been searching for. When it comes to overdrive units, this one is a clear winner, and without it your equipment collection will simply be incomplete.
The Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue is still available online ($179.99) here.