It may be my ear, but I can clearly tell the difference between effects, but I can’t hear significant differences between different versions of a tube screamer, or a between the various Klon clones. Different overdrives can be fun though.
I’m not sure how many genuine Tube Screamers you’ve tried, and the differences take a bit of playing in your environment to become apparent. I’ve settled on an original TS9 as my TS flavor, although I’ve favored the King of Tone when using a pedalboard. I’m now playing with them together to see how that works. I’ve never had the opportunity to own a real Klon, so I can’t comment on them, but I would LOVE to give one a go.
I have to own up, I suppose, to being a touch “pedal snobby” about what I use. Some of the new stuff is just better, and I use it when it is. My normal gig rig for the last 9 years has been an Axe Fx, so I’m not adverse to change. But when it comes to clones of pedals, I normally save my money until I find a deal on a good example of “the real thing.” While clones can sound good, what can sound more accurate and real than the actual thing that was so good it got cloned? So, if I’m going “modeled version” I go all the way in the pool and play the Axe Fx. But when I go hands on, plugging in boxes in certain orders and wiring up power supplies, I prefer the originals. It just makes my mind settle down, forget about whether it’s “close enough” or “right,” and get on with making music. If it sounds good, then it
is good. This is more of a disclosure so you understand where I’m coming from than it is a recommendation anyone else do it the same way. It specifically isn’t a “my way is better than your way” statement.
Having cleared that bit of air, I can say that online demos are useful for narrowing down the myriad of options in any music equipment decision, but for us there is simply no alternative to getting the equipment into your signal path, in your playing environment(s), if your intention is to find out what is the best anything for you. I realize it’s not always possible. But with the generous return/swap provisions of many dealers, it’s more than worth your while to take the time to establish a relationship with one sales rep at two good stores so you can try more than one of a pedal type when needed. Having two provides honest competitive pricing, any keeping it to a few assures they make regular sales so that helping you is also helping them and their company. That sort of symbiosis is a great thing. I’ve found what I heard in YouTube demos or “shootouts” to be both dead on, and dead wrong, when I got the same gear in my rig. No two minute tryout has ever shown me the depth of things a week of playing through them can do.
Hint: If you’re going to gig something during your test, the low-tack painter’s tape is a great way to protect exposed surfaces so any returns go back in 100% condition.
Sermon over. Just a PSA for hands-on, ears-on testing. And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...