The Ibanez TS808TMB is a Tube Screamer overdrive pedal with a level boost mod, built on the TS808 circuit that Susumu Tamura designed in 197912. The "B" in the name stands for boost: the pedal carries the Tamura mod and adds an extra amplifier stage that raises the output level by 6 dB over a standard TS8081. It was sold in limited quantities and is now listed as sold out2.
What the boost mod does
The mod works by adding a second JRC4558 op amp on top of the "magic" IC found in the standard Tamura-mod 808, placed after the main circuit as an additional amplifier stage1. Ibanez's page describes the result plainly: "What you get are all the incredible tones of the TS808-TM, just LOUDER"2. In practice that means the pedal keeps the Tamura-mod Tube Screamer character and simply has more level to push into an amp or a downstream pedal, which is where a level boost earns its place on a board2.
The pedal also uses what the maker calls a "Magic" IC and NOS Toshiba clipping diodes, the same component choices that define the Tamura-mod 808s2.
The TS808TM family and limited availability
The TS808TMB was offered in two variants2:
- TS808TM, with the +6 dB boost mod
- TS808TM True Bypass, with the same +6 dB boost mod plus true bypass switching
The maker stated that "Due to the complex nature of the TMB mod, we are only offering these units in limited quantities," and the page now shows the pedal as sold out2. A 20% restocking fee was charged on all canceled orders2.
The Tamura-mod line extended beyond this pedal. The TS808TM2 Tamura-Mod v2 Level Boost Tube Screamer is the current v2 version, listing increased output level among its features3, and the same level boost mod was applied to the TS9TMB Tamura-Mod Level Boost Tube Screamer in the TS9 chassis. The related Fortin-modded TS808 is listed as discontinued4. Players looking at the wider family can also see the standard overdrive pedal and boost pedal categories for how these sit among their peers.
Where the circuit came from
The TS808 circuit dates to 1979, when Susumu Tamura designed what the maker calls "the legendary 808 circuit"2. Premier Guitar's history of the Tube Screamer notes "the famed TS808 that debuted in 1979," made in Japan5. The Tamura-mod pedals carry that lineage forward, and the maker describes the units as signed by Susumu Tamura1. For reference material on the original circuit, TONEHOME hosts the TS-808 Tube Screamer Overdrive Pro schematics6.
Questions
What does the B in TS808TMB stand for?
The B stands for boost. The TS808TMB is the Tamura-mod TS808 with a level boost mod: a second JRC4558 op amp added after the main circuit as an additional amplifier stage, raising the output level by 6 dB over a standard TS808. Ibanez also offered the mod in the TS9TMB, the same level boost circuit in the TS9 chassis.
How much louder is the TS808TMB than a standard TS808?
Ibanez's product page states the added amplifier stage offers a +6 dB output level boost over a standard TS808. Beyond the louder output, the maker describes the pedal as delivering all the tones of the TS808-TM, just louder, with the overdrive character of the Tamura-mod circuit otherwise unchanged.
Who designed the original TS808?
Susumu Tamura designed the TS808 Tube Screamer circuit in 1979. The TS808TMB is built on that circuit, and the Tamura-mod pedals carry his name; the maker's page describes the units as signed by Susumu Tamura.
Is the TS808TMB true bypass?
The TS808TMB line came in two variants: the TS808TM with the +6 dB boost mod, and a TS808TM True Bypass version with the same +6 dB boost mod plus true bypass switching. Both used a Carling SPST plunger footswitch.
Is the Ibanez TS808TMB still in production?
No. The maker's product page lists the TS808TMB as sold out, and notes that because of the complex nature of the TMB mod, the units were only offered in limited quantities. The related Fortin-modded TS808 is likewise listed as discontinued.
Sources (6)
- TAMURA-MOD LEVEL BOOST TS808 Tube Screamer (TS808TMB), Godlyke, Inc. (maxonfx.com)
- TAMURA-MOD LEVEL BOOST TS808 Tube Screamer (TS808TMB), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TAMURA-MOD v2 TS808 Tube Screamer (TS808TM2), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Fortin-Modded Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer Overdrive, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Green Giant: History of the Tube Screamer, Premier Guitar (www.premierguitar.com), 2011-10-18
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
