Ibanez TS808HW Tube ScreamerFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 18 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 18 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a wider, more open take on the classic TS808 tone
  • You play live and rely on mid-boost to cut through a mix
  • You're chasing blues-to-rock tones through a tube amp

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're not willing to pay $200+ extra over the standard reissue
  • You prefer a brighter, more hi-fi voiced overdrive
  • You can't tell PCB from hand-wired differences by ear

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Ibanez TS808HW Tube Screamer
Excellent blues and rock toneConsidered among the best overdrivesWide, open toneHigh price relative to alternativesDoubtful audible difference vs PCB versionNot ideal for smoother, creamier tones
Ibanez TS808HW Tube Screamer
Excellent blues and rock tone
Considered among the best overdrives
Wide, open tone
High price relative to alternatives
Doubtful audible difference vs PCB version
Not ideal for smoother, creamier tones

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tonally, it's wider and more open than standard tube screamers. Buyers describe the TS808HW as noticeably more open and wide compared to a regular TS9 or TS808, with a slightly deeper mid and bluesy voicing that pushes tubes hard, giving about 20dB of boost. It's praised as one of the best overdrives some players have tried, pairing especially well with strats, clean platforms, and Fender tube amps for blues tones.

It shines live more than at home. One commenter notes tube screamers are hard to appreciate outside a live setting, since the mid-level boost doesn't blow you away in bedroom practice but becomes huge for cutting through a full band mix on stage. This live-context effectiveness is repeated as a key reason players keep reaching for it during shows.

The hand-wired price premium is the biggest sticking point. Multiple commenters call it overpriced and overrated, saying the $179 reissue sounds just as smooth or better, and question whether anyone can truly hear a PCB versus hand-wired difference. Others admit they weren't convinced to pay the extra $200, while one buyer criticizes Ibanez's labor and assembly pricing as excessive for what's delivered.

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