There's definitely something going on with the high end with the Apex that the OD doesn't have. It also brings out just a little more clarity to the crunch or something that sounds really good. Not worth 300 bucks IMO but still cool
I have it. Still prefer the newer, standard version for high gain. The Apex has more clarity, but doesn't have that thing going in in the mids. Both are good TBH, but for high gain, it's a waste of $300.
I’m glad that all my review watching of you and Ola has been training my ear pretty well. I’m nowhere near your guys’ level, but I was able to detect and tell my wife the differences (she has to suffer through my TH-cam binges on the tv), but I was able to point out the same differences prior to you pointing them out too. I’m finally investing in my musical hobby and I think it’s finally showing, at least to myself.
I love seeing these evolutions, but at the end of the day my OD808 does the job and sounds great. I think these more boutique revisions are for the “edge of breakup” guys. My 0.02 🤘
Definitely adds a tightness that the standard model didn't. Have been in the market for a new OD rince I'm running stereo heads now, might just have to find one of these
I have a TS9 that I bought at a swap meet about 15 years ago. A lady that was obviously selling the music gear of an ex after a bitter break up. It's been modified but I honestly don't know what was done to it. It has a tag across the back with tiny writing and the name of the tech that modified it. It's the single best pedal I have ever owned. It sounds a LOT like this pedal. Clarity, booming lows, screaming highs and crushing mids. Sounds equally good fully scooped. I've had some pretty substantial offers for it but I'm not interested in selling it.
I have one I agree it's overpriced but I'm not unsatisfied with the purchase because I love the clarity of it and the fact that you don't get mud when you add gain in , I also got one of the signed ones , I'd recommend getting it used and haggle or trade the price down , however if you want it for blues and not high gain it's absolutely worth the money best blues od ever used
It's expensive because so much work went into making it and finding all the chips. It's also almost like a collectible just for the fact who made it, Mr. Tamura. I have serial number #271. One of the best tube screamers I've ever played, especially through a slight crunchy amp setting! Its a steep price , but if you can grab one, do it!
Can you share your settings? Do you find the same settings transfer well across amps? I personally find my SDv4 to sound far inferior to my TS9 and Abominable Hellmouth. I am 100% sure I must be using it incorrectly, as I seem to be the only one that doesn't love it...
@@eddyray666 not necessarily. could be that it's just not for you, nothing to feel bad about. just go with what you like more. or it's broken, but that's unlikely. don't beat yourself up about it, or give it too much thought (: I've got one for my TH30, and love it; but again, that's just personal preference.
The best tube screamer is a Furman PQ3...it’s just not a pedal but if you want a boost that tightens the lows but hits the amp hard it’s amazing. Every studio that records metal should have one.
I dont think I'll ever need anything else other than the Amptweaker Tight Drive Jr. You get a few EQ options and on top of that you get a very usable Noise Gate. Definitely check one out!
always been a Maxon OD808 user and this is very interesting. I feel like i like the sound of the original better but that may be me just being used to that sound
What do you like more about the 40th anniversary model over the APEX 808 and is it one by one of the outside builders that made their own tweeks (is Keeley, Catlinbread, Mr. Tamura)
Bit off topic I guess but actually been favouring a Klon-type for a boost lately, volume lower and gain higher than on the TS, found it to be a bit brighter and higher in the midrange, kinda mixes the best of a TS and Fortin Grind/33 kinda vibe for me.
@5:35 APEX 808 vs OD808 40th anniversary - 40th better in what way? 5:20 :) seems like the Apex has a tad more high-mids, and doesn't necessarily provide the low and high-mids cut as a typical 808.... How does the Apex sound thru the 5150BL? Seems like the APEX and the 808X should have a shoot out! :) GREAT VID btw - thank you Ryan!
It’s a nice video man, great sounds, etc... I just wish the demo was on something just a little bit more basic and affordable, to put the sound within reach. Ya know? Maybe instead of high end Fishman pickups and Badcat amp, (which sound awesome by themselves) use something more common/attainable like Seymour Duncans or Dimarzios and a basic 40 watt Fender or Marshall tube amp..
Great video man! The apex does seem to have JUST a little more to my ear though not too much. I'm totally happy with my old ts-9 I paid 60 bucks for lol. Pretty sweet pedal though dude!
Thanks for another great vid, Fluff. Cool pedal. With all due respect, chug metal is not the ideal genre to discern the nuances of tube screamer tones,...imho. For example, see SRV, John Mayer and classic rock/blues for nuanced tube screaming tones.
Lol thats tube screamers. Thats why i use a 20$ ts clone. People will collect and argue over this circuit. But they all do 90% the same thing. Theres no magic chip
I have a joyo vintage overdrive, I know it's a ts clone, don't know which one though. anyway, it sounds great, the way I use it is level all the way up and gain all the way up, tone at 1 o'clock-ish
it's almost 100% part for part original TS 808 clone, there are some minimal differences in potentiometer taper/values(probably because of easier sourcing of parts)
Wow! I appreciate the price saving and what you get for your cash, but I knew before this video started, it would be AN EXPENSIVE ITEM people couldn't justify buying (edit, fixed spelling).
Apex has more gain and sounds more plasticy. The frequency peak sounds lower on the apex(more 500-1000hz on apex and more 2-3khz on od808. I prefer the od808. Apex sounds fuller if that's preferable.
Omg.... not another person claiming the op amp makes a big difference in sound... This has been proven wrong by so many different videos.. at this point this is painful to watch. I'm kind of disappointed honestly. Visual sound. Wampler. The list goes on. Watch any of their vids. An especially funny one is when JHS looks at all the behringer pedals and puts the 30$ TS808 clone against a real vintage ibanez 808. Engineering talk time. The potentiometers and capacitors in all tube screamers have a tolerance of at least 5% in them. And one of those caps dictates the low end roll off. One cap could be +5% and another could be -5%. Boom. There is a 10% potential difference right there. The diodes dictate the clipping level, which also makes a massive difference in tone. NOT THE OP AMP.
At the 7:15 mark Brian says Op Amps DO make a difference, just 'not a dramatic one". th-cam.com/video/PH2uj9bWfM4/w-d-xo.html Which, I totally agree with. The Apex DOES sound different.
@@RiffsAndBeards Right. That is actually one of the vids I was thinking about. A slight difference, but as I mentioned. Definitely not as big a difference as some people make it out to be. To be clear, I'm more irritated by maxon for claiming the chip is what makes the pedal fart golden rainbows. Not you for reviewing it I'm a numbers guy and I would really like the know the actual percentage difference (though it would probably be a nightmare to calculate).. Maybe I'll make a breadboard myself and make a video of the op amp tone vs the capacitor/resistor that dictate the low end cut. Because I'm sure difference there would be drastic. It actually sounds like a mod that the djenty players might light... a "tight" nob on a tube screamer that dictates the low end cut... hmmmmm
The Apex is like a very fine wine as @Garth Vader said. To me the affordable option would just go with the Maxon OD808. Stock can be good sometimes. :-)
this shit drives me nuts! it doesn't matter what you put in front if you're not using the drive .. all it's doing is acting like an EQ because it pushes the mids which in effect sounds like it tightens up the lowend. any of these alone will let the clean sound through even when driven so they are not great overdrives by themselves. seriously, are you going to hear which components that are in a pedal when you're running it through a Mesa as a clean boost? I'm calling bullshit.
I just received my autographed Maxon Apex. Such a rich organic articulate overdrive pedal. I love it
There's definitely something going on with the high end with the Apex that the OD doesn't have. It also brings out just a little more clarity to the crunch or something that sounds really good. Not worth 300 bucks IMO but still cool
I have it. Still prefer the newer, standard version for high gain. The Apex has more clarity, but doesn't have that thing going in in the mids.
Both are good TBH, but for high gain, it's a waste of $300.
I’m glad that all my review watching of you and Ola has been training my ear pretty well. I’m nowhere near your guys’ level, but I was able to detect and tell my wife the differences (she has to suffer through my TH-cam binges on the tv), but I was able to point out the same differences prior to you pointing them out too. I’m finally investing in my musical hobby and I think it’s finally showing, at least to myself.
Should be called the CS808 for cork sniffer. Keep em coming fluff!
I love seeing these evolutions, but at the end of the day my OD808 does the job and sounds great. I think these more boutique revisions are for the “edge of breakup” guys. My 0.02 🤘
Definitely adds a tightness that the standard model didn't. Have been in the market for a new OD rince I'm running stereo heads now, might just have to find one of these
I have a TS9 that I bought at a swap meet about 15 years ago. A lady that was obviously selling the music gear of an ex after a bitter break up.
It's been modified but I honestly don't know what was done to it. It has a tag across the back with tiny writing and the name of the tech that modified it. It's the single best pedal I have ever owned. It sounds a LOT like this pedal. Clarity, booming lows, screaming highs and crushing mids. Sounds equally good fully scooped. I've had some pretty substantial offers for it but I'm not interested in selling it.
I have one I agree it's overpriced but I'm not unsatisfied with the purchase because I love the clarity of it and the fact that you don't get mud when you add gain in , I also got one of the signed ones , I'd recommend getting it used and haggle or trade the price down , however if you want it for blues and not high gain it's absolutely worth the money best blues od ever used
It's expensive because so much work went into making it and finding all the chips. It's also almost like a collectible just for the fact who made it, Mr. Tamura. I have serial number #271. One of the best tube screamers I've ever played, especially through a slight crunchy amp setting! Its a steep price , but if you can grab one, do it!
Only boost I'll ever need is my Airis Savage Drive v4
Can you share your settings? Do you find the same settings transfer well across amps?
I personally find my SDv4 to sound far inferior to my TS9 and Abominable Hellmouth. I am 100% sure I must be using it incorrectly, as I seem to be the only one that doesn't love it...
@@eddyray666 not necessarily. could be that it's just not for you, nothing to feel bad about. just go with what you like more. or it's broken, but that's unlikely. don't beat yourself up about it, or give it too much thought (:
I've got one for my TH30, and love it; but again, that's just personal preference.
They both sound great. The apec 808 tho sounds a lil cleaner with a lil more bite.
Wow, surprised at how much better the Maxon sounds. All the people listening to me riff out in my basement will definitely notice.
The best tube screamer is a Furman PQ3...it’s just not a pedal but if you want a boost that tightens the lows but hits the amp hard it’s amazing. Every studio that records metal should have one.
Wow it is different!
I dont think I'll ever need anything else other than the Amptweaker Tight Drive Jr. You get a few EQ options and on top of that you get a very usable Noise Gate. Definitely check one out!
always been a Maxon OD808 user and this is very interesting. I feel like i like the sound of the original better but that may be me just being used to that sound
So it's darker and grittier. That's the Grid Slammer, it basically now sounds like the Mesa Grid Slammer.
Still don't understand why an overdrive would cost so much (in general, not this one in particular) being so simple.
Simple supply and demand... but you knew that...
That apex sounds a lot more rounded and controlled as other 808 sounds a bit muddy
The Apex seems fuller than the older one...
What do you like more about the 40th anniversary model over the APEX 808 and is it one by one of the outside builders that made their own tweeks (is Keeley, Catlinbread, Mr. Tamura)
Surprisingly I think the OD808 has a better midrange presence, especially in the high mids
Great video man!🤘🏻
Bit off topic I guess but actually been favouring a Klon-type for a boost lately, volume lower and gain higher than on the TS, found it to be a bit brighter and higher in the midrange, kinda mixes the best of a TS and Fortin Grind/33 kinda vibe for me.
A video of your favorite OD pedals maybe ?
@5:35 APEX 808 vs OD808 40th anniversary - 40th better in what way? 5:20
:) seems like the Apex has a tad more high-mids, and doesn't necessarily provide the low and high-mids cut as a typical 808....
How does the Apex sound thru the 5150BL?
Seems like the APEX and the 808X should have a shoot out! :)
GREAT VID btw - thank you Ryan!
to my ear the Apex doesn't cut the lows as much, and really that throaty 400-500 hz area that's already present in the guitar/amp setup here
They nearly sounded simliar for those tubescreamers.
Also, abrupt outro on 6:21.
Sounds like my EHX East River Drive that I got for 40 bucks
Nice baritone obsessed Tee. You should join the facebook group, i think you'd enjoy it. Its pretty chill
It’s a nice video man, great sounds, etc... I just wish the demo was on something just a little bit more basic and affordable, to put the sound within reach. Ya know? Maybe instead of high end Fishman pickups and Badcat amp, (which sound awesome by themselves) use something more common/attainable like Seymour Duncans or Dimarzios and a basic 40 watt Fender or Marshall tube amp..
If something has a higher price tag Americans will instantly hear that it's "fuller" "brighter" or "cleaner"
You bet your ass. MURICA!
Best OD I've ever used as a boost cost $38. Some Klon clone off of wish
Great video man! The apex does seem to have JUST a little more to my ear though not too much. I'm totally happy with my old ts-9 I paid 60 bucks for lol. Pretty sweet pedal though dude!
Thanks for another great vid, Fluff. Cool pedal.
With all due respect, chug metal is not the ideal genre to discern the nuances of tube screamer tones,...imho. For example, see SRV, John Mayer and classic rock/blues for nuanced tube screaming tones.
I thought the Apex sounded tighter and crisper. OD808 sounded a little flubbier especially when running the typically metal boost settings.
I'll keep rocking my TS-9 for the prince the sound.....
while an excellent pedal I personally think the Catalinbread mod 808 is my first choice.
Wow, that was underwhelming. Such a minimal difference no one will ever hear in a full band mix.
Lol thats tube screamers. Thats why i use a 20$ ts clone. People will collect and argue over this circuit. But they all do 90% the same thing. Theres no magic chip
@@Ottophil the guy from JHS pedals says that the Behringer TS clone is spot on and sounds exactly like the first run vintage TS from Ibanez.
Rotten*Sludge i know, and his name is josh
808 Apex has or preserve more midrange.
I have a joyo vintage overdrive, I know it's a ts clone, don't know which one though.
anyway, it sounds great, the way I use it is level all the way up and gain all the way up, tone at 1 o'clock-ish
it's almost 100% part for part original TS 808 clone, there are some minimal differences in potentiometer taper/values(probably because of easier sourcing of parts)
Wow! I appreciate the price saving and what you get for your cash, but I knew before this video started, it would be AN EXPENSIVE ITEM people couldn't justify buying (edit, fixed spelling).
What is the chip?! Tear it down please!
Apex has more gain and sounds more plasticy. The frequency peak sounds lower on the apex(more 500-1000hz on apex and more 2-3khz on od808. I prefer the od808. Apex sounds fuller if that's preferable.
I know you have a sugar drive, but have you considered trying other Klon style pedals?
Review the gamechanger plasma pedal next
@ Fluff, where do you rank the Gojira Mr. Sparkle Tube Screamer 808?
Someone's been using riffhard 🤘
maxon, maxoff. heh 😁
I still prefer the maxon 808x!! the red one!!!
Sounds great but for that money i will keep my 808 and boost it
The TS, the overdrive that no one uses as an over drive. And before the dullards get in, no, a boost is not an OD.
Tbh I think in a mix with vocals and lead guitar, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference at all.
What is number 1 on your list?
Ill just keep my 40th anniversary Maxon. Not spending $300 for a pedal that doesn't sound any better to my ears
The 40th Anniversary OD808 is my absolute favorite
Its a tube screamer.. woot
Can you review a Hamer Californian Elite...
I don't care about the maxon. I want that axis!!!
can we get a riffs beards and gear yootooz?
Meh ill still take the od808x.
Omg.... not another person claiming the op amp makes a big difference in sound...
This has been proven wrong by so many different videos.. at this point this is painful to watch. I'm kind of disappointed honestly. Visual sound. Wampler. The list goes on. Watch any of their vids. An especially funny one is when JHS looks at all the behringer pedals and puts the 30$ TS808 clone against a real vintage ibanez 808.
Engineering talk time. The potentiometers and capacitors in all tube screamers have a tolerance of at least 5% in them. And one of those caps dictates the low end roll off. One cap could be +5% and another could be -5%. Boom. There is a 10% potential difference right there. The diodes dictate the clipping level, which also makes a massive difference in tone.
NOT THE OP AMP.
At the 7:15 mark Brian says Op Amps DO make a difference, just 'not a dramatic one". th-cam.com/video/PH2uj9bWfM4/w-d-xo.html
Which, I totally agree with. The Apex DOES sound different.
@@RiffsAndBeards Right. That is actually one of the vids I was thinking about. A slight difference, but as I mentioned. Definitely not as big a difference as some people make it out to be. To be clear, I'm more irritated by maxon for claiming the chip is what makes the pedal fart golden rainbows. Not you for reviewing it
I'm a numbers guy and I would really like the know the actual percentage difference (though it would probably be a nightmare to calculate)..
Maybe I'll make a breadboard myself and make a video of the op amp tone vs the capacitor/resistor that dictate the low end cut. Because I'm sure difference there would be drastic.
It actually sounds like a mod that the djenty players might light... a "tight" nob on a tube screamer that dictates the low end cut... hmmmmm
I’ll keep my $150 Savage Drive
300 bucks...way out of my price range. Some affordable alternatives?
Horizon devices precision drive.
Any ts808 will do. This is more like wine tasting.
The Apex is like a very fine wine as @Garth Vader said. To me the affordable option would just go with the Maxon OD808. Stock can be good sometimes. :-)
The difference is not enough to justify the price difference in my opinion.
Waaayyyyy over priced hyped up BS, for $300? Come on man... screw that.
hey is the zoom g1 on any good?
Not as good as a G2
It's the apex...of snake oil.
that pedal sounds like how five gum tastes, nice but weak
So sue me tomorrow!
Apex sounds nasally to me...and i'm not just saying that because i use the OD808 OG Maxon, which just sounds better to me.
👍🏻
analogman 808's go for cheaper with silver mods, oof
Just didn't do it for me. For $300 dollars I've got 5 at home that are better imho.
Not 300 worth of improvements
this shit drives me nuts! it doesn't matter what you put in front if you're not using the drive .. all it's doing is acting like an EQ because it pushes the mids which in effect sounds like it tightens up the lowend. any of these alone will let the clean sound through even when driven so they are not great overdrives by themselves. seriously, are you going to hear which components that are in a pedal when you're running it through a Mesa as a clean boost? I'm calling bullshit.
The Apex sounds boxy, what a scam.
3rd comment
1st comment!
Fools and their money lol.
fools with money vs fools without money
Sounds like the Maxon OD808X.
🤘🏼🤘🏼