VINTAGE
Tube Screamers
There may be no worse “mojo
offender” in the used pedal
marketplace than the statement “an
authentic JRC4558 chip” in regards
to a vintage Tube Screamer. Why?
Because the Japan Radio Corporation
is still making them. In fact, the JRC
part is just a manufacturer prefix;
there are several “4558” types made
by NJM (New Japan Radio), LM
(National Semiconductor) and others.
The original 4558 in vintage Tube
Screamers was actually a Texas
Instruments brand (RC4558) with a
few variants here and there (TL4558P).
However, these are all integrated
circuits (ICs), so each 4558 must adhere
to a block diagram—or schematic
of an array of semiconductors and
passive parts—or it’s not a 4558. That
said, original Tube Screamers used
more or less the exact same parts
as are available today, right down to
the carbon resistors and cheap green
capacitors that cost pennies.
It’s time to face facts about Tube Screamers; so many companies make Screamer
copies with the above knowledge that originals just aren’t worth upwards of a
thousand dollars unless you have some sort of Stevie Ray Vaughan shrine built in
your rumpus room. We’ve seen companies like EarthQuaker roll out Screamer war
machines like the Palisades, and even Ibanez has a handwired Tube Screamer out
there with absolute boutique construction for a third of the price.
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