VFE The Scream is a compact overdrive pedal from VFE Pedals, based on the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer circuit1. Where a stock Tube Screamer clips the signal with a fixed pair of diodes, The Scream adds VFE's variable HCC (harmonic clipping control) circuitry, which lets a player sweep continuously between asymmetrical diode clipping, crunchy LED clipping and symmetrical clipping, all from one knob12.
VFE covers The Scream with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor for pedals assembled by VFE Pedals, and a 30-day risk-free return policy: return it in new condition within the first 30 days for any reason for a full refund21. The pedal lists at $159.00, with a launch sale price of $109.001.
A Tube Screamer with variable clipping
VFE describes The Scream as "based on the TS808 tubescreamer," an overdrive "so ubiquitous that there's probably one in your grandmother's basement"12. The core topology follows the classic design: a 4558 op-amp gain stage with diode clipping in the feedback loop, and the mid-focused tone that players associate with the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 family of pedals.
What separates The Scream from a stock Tube Screamer is the clipping section. Instead of one fixed diode pair, it uses six 1S1588 or 1n914 diodes plus two red diffused 5mm LEDs, selectable via an internal DIP switch2. The S-L-A knob then blends between clipping characters rather than switching between them abruptly.
The controls
The Scream keeps the Tube Screamer's three-knob footprint but replaces the tone control with more targeted shaping tools2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| LEVEL | Sets output level. Maximum available volume is affected by the EQ and HCC settings. |
| DRIVE | Sets gain in the drive section, from clean boost to cascading layers of high gain saturation. |
| FAT | Sets pre-gain bass response and overall gain character. Acts like a variable mid/treble boost, with boosted frequencies rising as gain increases. |
| S-L-A | Variable HCC control, transitioning between sweet asymmetrical drive, dynamic crunchy LED tone, and sustaining symmetrical overdrive. |
Two internal adjustments add further range2:
- FREQ trimpot: sets the corner frequency of the tone stage from 1.2kHz up to 7.2kHz, so it can work as a fuller-range treble EQ or an airy presence EQ. Stock setting is 3.2kHz.
- DIP switch: shapes the A and L positions. The L position selects between 5mm LEDs or clean boost; the A position selects between 2x1 and 3x1 asymmetry to bring out greater even harmonics.
Power and internals
The Scream accepts an industry-standard 2.1mm pin, 5.5mm barrel, negative-tip power supply from 9V up to 18V1. Current draw is 13mA2. Unlike its sibling the VFE Ice Scream, which uses a charge pump for a plus/minus 9V split rail, The Scream does not use a split-rail power supply2.
The active circuitry is a 4558 op-amp with two MPSA18 transistors2. VFE notes that Version 2 of the pedal features the original HCC circuitry2.
The 9V to 18V supply range means The Scream can run at higher headroom than a stock Tube Screamer, but it needs a negative-tip adapter. No battery operation is described by the maker.
History and versions
VFE Pedals built The Scream around a circuit the maker describes as "an overdrive pedal so ubiquitous that there's probably one in your grandmother's basement"2. Its clipping stage uses 6x 1S1588 or 1n914 diodes, plus 2x red diffused 5mm LEDs selectable via DIP switch, and the effect does not use a split-rail power supply2.
The Scream sits in a crowded field of Tube Screamer derivatives. Other makers' takes on the same circuit include the Cusack Screamer, the Fortin-Modded Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer and the Tru-Fi Scream to Eternity Compact Series, each modifying the original in a different direction. Within VFE's own range, the VFE Ice Scream is a related overdrive with a different EQ structure and a charge-pump split rail, and the final VFE overdrive, the VFE Tiamat, is based on the Dragon circuit123.
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Questions
What diodes does the VFE Scream use?
The clipping stage uses six 1S1588 or 1n914 diodes plus two red diffused 5mm LEDs, selectable via an internal DIP switch. The S-L-A knob blends between them, and the DIP switch lets the L position run as 5mm LEDs or clean boost, and the A position as 2x1 or 3x1 asymmetry for greater even harmonics.
What does the HCC knob do on the VFE Scream?
HCC stands for VFE's variable harmonic clipping circuitry. The S-L-A control transitions smoothly between a sweet asymmetrical drive tone, a dynamic crunchy LED tone, and a sustaining symmetrical overdrive. It changes the compression and harmonic character rather than the amount of gain.
Is the VFE Scream discontinued?
Yes. The Scream belongs to a line of VFE pedals the maker describes as recently discontinued, and VFE Pedals has stated it will close down at the end of 2026 while continuing out-of-warranty repair service indefinitely.
What op-amp is in the VFE Scream?
The Scream uses a 4558 op-amp, the same type found in the Ibanez TS808 it is based on, alongside two MPSA18 transistors. The effect does not use a split-rail power supply.
Sources (3)
- The Scream, VFE Pedals
- Microsoft Word, madbeanpedals.com, 2019
- The Motherload - All VFE Design Files | VFE Pedals, VFE Pedals
