Demo:
Review:
Given the name and the green enclosure, you may have guessed that the TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive is Behringer’s take on the legendary TS808. At only $19.99 shipped, it’s really not a bad pedal at all. It sounds very, very similar to a Tube Screamer, providing that warm overdrive sound and that signature mid-range boost.
Behringer have had to make a couple of concessions to bring down the cost; appearance being one of them. The TO800 is never going to win any beauty contests. Honestly, compared to a Maxon or an Ibanez, the Behringer looks more like a Fisher-Price toy. The interface is simple and familiar. It features 3 knobs for Drive, Level, and Tone, as well as an on/off switch. The green plastic enclosure certainly isn’t as flashy as or robust as the pedals that inspired it, but it feels solid enough that it won’t fall apart mid-set unless you really put your foot through it. The knobs are also plastic, but are well fastened and have decent rotational resistance. Bedroom warriors need not worry, but touring musicians might want to look at re-housing the TO800 in a metal enclosure for peace of mind. New Behringer pedals also come with a 3-year warranty, a sign of how much confidence Behringer has in the quality of its products.
I know we gear-obsessed guitarists forget this sometimes but when it comes to pedals, it’s how the pedal affects your tone that’s most important, not how sexy it makes your pedalboard look. Like a Transformer in disguise, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the TO800.
Inside the pedal, Behringer has included the an original 4558 IC op amp and MA150 distortion diodes. These components are crucial in replicating that vintage, tube-driven sound the TS808s are so well known for, so well done Behringer on this one. When engaged, the TO800 effortlessly performs the duties of a high-end overdrive pedal. Used with the red channel on my Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, it tightens up the bottom end while giving the overall tone that little extra punch to cut through a mix. Used as a boost pedal, the TO800 has no problem ensuring leads soar through. It’s also got plenty of gain to dirty up a clean channel in that sweet, warm, overdriven tube kind of way. Fooling around with the tone knob really makes your amp sing and I was very pleased with the amount of warmth the Behringer pedal added to my sound. Best of all, like the pedal family it’s based off of, the TO800 only enhances your amp’s tone while retaining your playing dynamics rather than overpower them.
I don’t have a TS808 to compare the TO800 to, but I do have a Maxon OD808X and an Ibanez TS9. While the Behringer doesn’t sound exactly like either, the tonal characteristics are definitely much closer to the Maxon than to the Ibanez; there’s a little more of a mid-range punch than the TS9 offers at the same settings.
While the Behringer TO800 won’t be taking over as my number one choice for an overdrive pedal any time soon, I have to admit I’m still very impressed. It’s really a great overdrive pedal. My Ibanez TS9 and Maxon OD808X both provide a little more than the TO800 in warmth, in smoothness, and in depth. The Behringer is also slightly noisier, especially when the Drive knob is cranked. It’s noticeably brighter, which some guitarists may prefer, but in my opinion it slightly detracts slightly from the depth of my tone compared to the more expensive alternatives.
Despite the qualms about the plastic enclosure and the slightly inferior overdrive sound compared to an original Ibanez TS808, there is no denying the pedal is just awesome. An Ibanez TS808 Reissue goes for $179.99 new. The Behringer TO800 goes for $19.99. For a recording artist or a touring musician, I’m not suggesting the TO800 can fill in as a perfect low-cost overdrive replacement. Rather, with 95% of the tone at 10% of the price, this pedal offers incredible value for money. For the bedroom musician or the beginner guitarist that just wants that Tube Screamer sound without breaking the bank, Behringer offers the perfect option. At an entry level price, the TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive offers far more than an entry level sound.
Pros:
- Sounds very, very similar to a Tube Screamer. The overdrive is full of warmth, and provides that signature little mid-range boost.
- Simple, familiar interface.
- Incredible value for the money at only $20!
Cons:
- Plastic enclosure cause issues for guitarists with heavy feet.
- Slightly brighter than a Tube Screamer causes a slight loss in warmth and depth compared to more expensive options.
- Battery compartment requires a screwdriver to access.
Specs:
- Power Requirements: 9V DC
- Input: 1 x ¼” Jack
- Output: 1 x ¼” Jack
- Height: 2.125”
- Width: 2.75”
- Depth: 4.8”
- Weight 0.73 lbs.
Street Price: $19.99
More Information: http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Guitar/Guitar-Stompboxes/TO800/p/P0488
Signal Chain:
Gibson Les Paul Custom: http://amzn.to/1Th97IB
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EMG 60 18V Neck http://amzn.to/1SOEETP
ISP Decimator Noisegate http://amzn.to/1Px8CHZ
Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive http://amzn.to/1Th8oao
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier http://goo.gl/GqRqfl
Rivera RockCrusher http://amzn.to/1SOEICZ
Mesa Boogie Rectifier 2×12 Cabinet http://goo.gl/BQKhHD
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