9 of the Best Mini Tube Screamer Style Pedals
In the wake of the recently released Becos FX Ziffer Overdrive and MXR Raw Dawg, I thought it opportune to do a roundup of some of the best Mini Tube Screamer Variants out there. In starting this article, as is often the case, I was encouraged to order the Ziffer Overdrive - where I’m currently awaiting its arrival. While previously I had the Function F(x) Clay Jones Overdrive and KHDK Ghoul Jr as my frontrunners.
I already own and have for some time - the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini, Keeley Red Dirt Mini and original version of OneControl Persian Green Screamer. The remaining two - the Mooer Green Mile, and Xvive Tube Squasher are also further worthy candidates for this selection - and both are pretty handy as such - while I obviously have my own preferences here and certainly don’t need or want every single one of these.
I’m a big fan of Dave Friesema’s output - so will likely grab a Clay Jones OD also at some stage - and I’m still quite soft on the Ghoul Jr - while neither is particularly a priority at the moment - and will likely be acquired rather opportunistically if and when that happens.
Obviously the Ziffer has the most bells and whistles - followed by the Ghoul Jr and Red Dirt (4 modes), then the 3 x 4-control varieties. Of my existing ones I have used each variously for different applications - with actually the Persian Green Screamer getting the most action overall - I found the Mini Tube Screamer to be a little low on Volume, and the Red Dirt is rather too fiddly if you want to change its internal Mode switches regularly - Alchemy Audio really needs to do a job on that - like it has done with the Xotic Minis.
As soon as I saw the Ziffer Overdrive I was pretty sure it would be my next Mini overdrive, and likely Mini Screamer of choice - or perhaps favourite screamer overall even. I will do first impressions when that lands, and I am also getting a discontinued Becos FX Mini Solo Boost - as graciously donated by friend Carsten - so will likely review those two as a pair.
Here follow the usual further details :
Becos FX Ziffer Overdrive - €149
Controls - Gain, Tone, Clip : Classic / Asymmetric / LED, Deep : On/Off, Level, Dry Tilt EQ, Dry Mix.
One of the many things I love about Castel Barac's output is how detail-oriented he is. His pedals are typically the most full-featured around - and they don't just feature a basic second Dry EQ - but an exotic Tilt-EQ variety! The number of options on this pedal are extraordinary and it out-punches many alternatives at far larger enclosure sizes. The added Clipping Option, Deep / Bass Boost, Dry Tilt-EQ and Dry Mix put this in a category of its own - the demos sound great - and the proper proof will be when I get my hands on my own - which hopefully is not too long away now.
Function F(x) Clay Jones Overdrive - $169
Controls - Level, Gain, Tone, Lift / Clipping : Asymmetrical / Diode Lift / LEDs.
This pedal is based on a very famous Tube Screamer Modded variant whose eye-catching swirly paint jobs fetch north of $1000 nowadays. So much better to get it for reasonable money then at the smallest practical enclosure size. Even with the more extended range of the Ziffer, I still want one of these. As I really rate Dave Friesema's output and really want to see what all the fuss is about here. I believe this clips slightly differently to a regular Tube Screamer, while there may also be some slight shift in EQ and compression. Note that there is still no official demo available yet for this pedal!
KHDK Ghoul JR Overdrive $150
Controls - Drive, Volume, Tone, Voice (Bass / Body) - Low Enhance / Stock / Tight & Midsy, Style - Stock / Dynamic + Cutting / Full-On + Aggressive.
This was for the longest time my favourite Mini Screamer candidate - in part because of its 2 additional 3-way Mode / Voicing switches which gave it an impressive extended range. And while the Ziffer delivers a little more in that regard I still have a soft spot for the Mini Ghoul - and if I see one going at exactly the right sort of price - I will of course snap it up!
Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini - $80
Controls - Tone, Level, Overdrive.
This is a great classic Tube Screamer - and for several applications pretty much indistinguishable from its larger siblings. There are though parts differences and subtle difference in output - particularly when you crank the pedal - where the relatively low output volume can be an issue at times. And possibly because of that doesn't quite have the attack of its larger siblings. I found some favourable subtle uses for this - but in the main tended to use the Persian Green Screamer when I wanted something a little more full-on / fuller!
Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive Mini - discontinued - $99 when new
Controls - Tone, Drive, Level, Internal Mode Dip-switches - Distortion / Overdrive / Crunch / Amp.
Robert Keeley famously did a number of celebrated mods for the original TS808, and the Red Dirt Mini supposedly gathers the best of those as Mode options - set via internal dip-switches. You can switch between Distortion, Overdrive, Crunch and Amp varieties - and all are somewhat distinct but somewhat overlapping too. I always find it rather fiddly accessing internal dip-switches and trim-pots - where I feel that all those settings should be externalised for easy and practical access. It's a pain in the butt if you have to keep removing the back plate to change voicing or modes - just stick an external rotary switch on the pedal - or externalise via toggle switches. These are some great tones within this pedal - but generally I found the experience a little finicky and fiddly and more typically deployed the Persian Green Screamer instead!
Mooer Green Mile Overdrive - $88
Controls - Level, Tone, Overdrive, Mode : Hot / Warm.
You typically can't go wrong with a Mooer Mini - all are eminently serviceable, some are really quite decent, and some are pretty killer - like the Blues Mood and Trelicopter. The Green Mile is a pretty decent TS9 variety with a couple of voicing options which amount to regular and thicker / gainier 'Hot' mode. At the time I went with my previous trio of Tube Screamer Mini, Persian Green Screamer and Red Dirt Mini - while I think I would have been happy with this one too. A great representative of the genre - well worthy of consideration.
MXR Raw Dawg Signature Eric Gale Overdrive Overdrive - $120
Controls - Output, Tone, Drive.
Eric Gale's Signature Overdrive is essentially a Jeorge Tripps evolved TS808 style overdrive 'with more bite'. So perfect for delivering those dynamically accentuated Eric Gale signature bluesy tones. Just a bog-standard 3-knob Tube Screamer, but distinctly voiced. It's a fine sounding overdrive - while others here deliver a little more versatility. So possibly mostly for fans of Eric Gale in particular.
One Control Persian Green Screamer - $112
Controls - Level, Tone, Drive.
I believe this was one of my very first Tube Screamer variants and very much the most used among my Mini Screamers. This is of course a Björn Juhl circuit - and readers will know I'm a big fan of that prodigious circuit designer. This is typically slightly sharper and louder than most typical Tube Screamers - which is why I liked it so much - I found the Red Dirt Mini a little fiddly to use, and the Tube Screamer Mini is a little underpowered for my preferences. The Persian Green Screamer is pretty much the Goldilocks level of those earlier TS808 Minis. I of course have the first edition of this, while the latest edition features really cool new swirly textured effects within the look and feel of the pedal.
Xvive Tube Squasher - discontinued - $80
Controls - Drive, Level, Tone, Lo Cut : On/Off.
Xvive are another brand that have some handy mini pedals - several of which benefited from input from the very talented Thomas Blug of BluGuitar Floor-Amp fame. Another decent take on the Screamer format with a 4th Lo-Cut control. And obviously tweaked to Thomas's preferences. These are long since discontinued - while you should be able pick one up relatively cheap. I feel this is another worthy consideration, while I obviously have some variants I prefer for my own needs.
Final Thoughts
As always this is just a curated selection of typical suspects - and there will be several more out there - particularly a wide variety of Chinese alternatives - including the Kaffir Lime from Tone City. I've always appreciated Tone City's output, while I've always felt its enclosures / designs looked a touch cheap too - and weirdly even more so than the Mooers. The Kaffir Lime is another equally valid alternative alongside several others that I omitted. I feel this selection of 9 is good enough coverage of some of the best pedals in this category.
When the Ziffer Overdrive lands - I will have 4, as mentioned. Where the Function F(x) Clay Jones and KHDK Ghoul JR are on my nice to have / opportunistic acquisition list. Once I've added those at some stage in the future - I will feel that my Mini Tubescreamer capsule collection is as good as can be - of course as longs as nothing else impressive appears - otherwise I will have to re-calculate my priorities as usual.
If you're thinking of dipping your toes into TS808 territory I don't think you can really go wrong with any of these - while some here obviously have a little bit more about them - like indeed the Ziffer Overdrive - which is my current favourite of the bunch. And for which there will be a full review coming soon - once I get my hands on it!
Any of you fans of these Mini Screamers?
