Which Tube Screamer do I need?

Philtre

I need to get a Tube Screamer as a reference pedal to compare to clones and pedals that I build. What would be the best option? I need the classic TS sound (whatever that is) and to be cheap.

soma1975

Ibanez TS Mini. It's like £55 and is spot on. 

ICBM

Ibanez TS-5.

It's the exact same circuit as the TS-9 but sells for around £25-£30 on Ebay.

57Deluxe

I have several mini types and is slight differences but I agree that the Ibanez TS Mini does sound rather good - better than the larger sibling even!

Philtre

I have an Ibanez TS Mini arriving later today. It's my first Tube Screamer! (No longer a TS virgin?)

dindude

Get a green one 

gearaddict

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/behringer-to-800-tube-overdrive/968

Sassafras

Accept no substitute:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-80S-Ibanez-TS-808-TS808-Tube-Screamer-JRC4558D-Chip/113630528771?hash=item1a74e84503:g:BMYAAOSwKOZcVt2P:rk:11:pf:0

gearaddict

£500?

Accept a substitute and £487 beer money

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/behringer-to-800-tube-overdrive/968

colourofsound

If you can get a Mojo Hand Rook OD second hand (around £70-£90 usually) that would be ideal. I have one and its an excellent TS that will also give you clean boost, rawer asymmetic clipping and you can get rid of the mid hump if you wish.

EDIT: I did not read your OP properly. TS Mini is the one to get,

Philtre

Philtre said:

I have an Ibanez TS Mini arriving later today. It's my first Tube Screamer! (No longer a TS virgin?)

Thought I better re-post this. Thanks for advice, guys!

soma1975

Well done. It's all the tubescreamer anyone needs. 

gearaddict

colourofsound said:

EDIT: I did not read your OP properly. TS Mini is the one to get,

Ah. Me neither. As you were.

You should still get the Berry though. 

Philtre

Update - I'd been using a Tone City Kaffir Lime as (what I thought was) a TS clone. There are videos comparing the Tone City with a TS which may lead you to think this.

Actually the Tone City Kaffir Lime is not a TS clone, but rather a Xotic BB Preamp clone. Now I have a real TS I can compare. The TS has more mid-range than the Tone City. Similar, but different.

Hydra19

I got a maxon od9 as my first tube screamer. It's good, I'm certainly satisfied and think it sounds better through my Fender boosting the clean sound rather than adding overdrive but I have a very good use for mine