Detail 01
TS808 circuit
Lower output and smoother, softer clipping than the later TS9 variant. Warmer top end, less aggressive attack.
Product detailSKU #1274115043041
IbanezTS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue Overdrive Pedal
aggressivehigh outputwarmmetalrockhard rock
1/6
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Reissue of Ibanez's original green overdrive. For players who want mid-focused, amp-pushing drive rather than heavy distortion.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Pushing an already-driven tube amp into thicker sustain
- Blues and rock leads that need midrange cut through a band
- Adding grit and note definition to a clean amp
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting high-gain metal distortion on its own
- Anyone needing a transparent boost that leaves EQ untouched
- Bassists — the midrange hump sits in guitar territory
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Overdrive, not distortion
Gain on its own is mild. Most of the character comes from how it drives the amp in front of it.
Detail 03
Midrange-forward voicing
Bumps mids and rolls off lows. Tightens up muddy amps but thins out scooped tones.
Detail 04
Level, Tone, Drive controls
Three knobs only. Set Drive low and Level high to use it as a clean-ish boost.
Detail 05
Reissue build
Modern production of the original design. Not a vintage unit, priced accordingly.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs a 9V power supply or battery — check what your board provides
- 02No patch cable or power adapter included
- 03Works best in front of an amp already on the edge of breakup
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What's the difference between the TS808 and TS9?
The TS808 is the original circuit — lower output, smoother clipping, warmer top end. The TS9 is brighter and more aggressive in the attack.
02Can I use it for metal?
Not as a standalone distortion. It's commonly run into an already high-gain amp to tighten the low end and add cut, but it won't produce heavy gain by itself.
03Does it run on a battery?
It takes 9V power. Confirm whether you want a battery or a supply — nothing to power it is included in the box.
04Will it work with a solid-state amp?
Yes, though the classic sound comes from pushing an amp that's already breaking up. Into a clean solid-state amp you get the pedal's own drive, which is mild.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Pickup Configuration
- HSS
