JAM TubeDreamer 58 review

A non-green Tubescream

  • £165
  • €259
  • $189
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The TD58's control knobs have largely the same range as a vintage TS808

MusicRadar Verdict

Organic overdrive with real clarity.

Pros

  • +

    Great asset for a valve amp. Similar range to an old Tubescreamer. Handmade in Greece.

Cons

  • -

    There are plenty of options out there - so do your research.

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JAM has four different versions of the Tubedreamer in its range. All are based on the Tube Screamer but vary in their circuitry to produce a different tonal response.

This TD58's variation is that it uses the JRC4558D chip, as in the original TS808, but has three diodes for asymmetrical clipping instead of symmetrical.

"What you are getting is a natural amp-like overdrive that responds really well to picking dynamics"

The TD58's control knobs have largely the same range as a vintage TS808 and the sound naturally has a little extra added in the midrange area to help its prominence in a mix.

What you are getting is a natural amp-like overdrive that responds really well to picking dynamics and is endowed with plenty of clarity so that every note in a chord rings true.

It's a great asset in front of any valve amp, adding a natural leg-up whether you want a lead sound to complement your clean or to get a driven amp to sing.

Everybody's doing one these days, but as Tube Screamer-style pedals go, this is one of the best we have played through.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.