Review
With its basic black and white screening offset with paduk hardwood knobs and bright orange LED the Musicians Junkyard Screamer is one strikingly good looking pedal. Based on the time tested Ibanez vintage 808 circuit the Screamer is tweaked to 2006 tone requirements and way beyond. To say that alot more is expected out of an overdrive in current times as opposed to when the original tube screamer came out might be an understatement. Denny Coleman has had years to look at the shortcomings of the 808 pedal that everyone loves but still had some major issues to deal with.
First issue would be the noticeable bass loss that happens. This was addressed in the Junkyard Screamer and keeping the original base guitar tone was not only a goal but an achievement with this pedal. Unlike the 808 the Screamer does not have that nasty bass cut off and keep your original tone in full force.
Next on the list is the bypass / tone loss issue issue. Old greenie seemed to never be happy being off and had to suck your tone even while it was off. Not only does Denny uses all true Bypass switching but uses the most expensive Fulltone TB switch on the market. Thats right, no corners are cut on this pedal. All top notch parts are used. Check our your overdrive, what switch are they using? Ok its True Bypass also and maybe might not be that big of a difference but wouldn't you think if all the best parts were used it would make a difference in the end when the pedal is completed? I am convinced top shelf parts DO make a difference after hearing this pedal. Not to mention the custom hardwood knobs that Denny has custom made for this pedal, they are stunning! When this pedal is off it takes itself out of a chain and retains all of your original tone. The Junkyard Screamer also totally eliminates that nasty compression that just never felt right in the 808.
My personal biggest gripe with the 808 was the horrible tone control. I think it should have been labeled "less blanket" or "more blanket." The tone control on the original 808 for me was almost hard to find a useable setting. Most of the controls sweep just sounded like mud. If I had to guess I would say this is where Denny spent most of his time designing. There is not a bad setting on the entire tone control sweep. Its a very open and uncompressed tone that sounds equally as well into a totally clean amp or to drive an already dirty amp tone. Being a big fan of "clean gain" overdrives like those offered from Hermida audio, Keeley elec., Homebrew Elec., Lovepedal and others I have really enjoyed the Junkyard Screamer as another great flavor of toneful overdrive.
Into a totally clean amp even at full gain its a low gain drive. The soundclip on Denny and Pattys site that I recorded has all the gain coming from the Junkyard Screamer. Driving a slightly dirty amp the Screamer keeps the original tone in the forefront and blends in with it to push it over the edge. If you are looking for a higher gain drive with the same attention to detail, Dennys GuitarBQ distortion just night fit the bill.
All in all I am really knocked out with this pedal, It adds the clean gain and harmonic sugar that is truly inspiring.
Check one out today at www.musicianjunkyard.com
