Outstanding tone - adds just the right amount of wool on my Mesa Express clean channel. I'm running the overdrive at 3 o'clock and level is down around 9 o'clock. The tone control works best for me a little past halfway up with my Telecaster, but will go to an extremely bright high end when maxed out. This combination reminds me of a cranked Fender Bassman - it has a very desirable vintage sound to it. It's perfect for Thorogood style rock and roll crunch.
Stepping on the gain channel of the Mesa Express I get a very dry, sweet compressed tone with excellent chord articulation. Single notes hang on forever with just the right amount of bite. The pedal has a much rounder, pleasing tone to it after the Keeley modifications.
This pedal has pushed my almost new BB Preamp out of the lineup! It's running inboard of my Keeley compressor, one of the most impressive tools I've ever had the pleasure to use. So for me it's just guitar, two pedals, and amplifier.
Worth noting is the fact that the TS-808 Reissue comes with the old square footswitch. I wondered, after sending my pedal in for the mod, if that one could be replaced with the true-bypass 3PDT round switch. Yes, it can! And the best part is that the pedal body has green paint beneath the square footswitch, so when it's taken off and refitted with the new one, it still looks like a new pedal. The workmanship is first class.
Reliability/Durability:
This is a new pedal which has been overhauled by an expert. It will probably outlive me. Besides, it's guaranteed for life against defects, but don't run over it with your steamroller.
Ease of Use:
It's idiot proof. Dial everything in at 12 o'clock and adjust according to taste. Keeley sends a fact sheet containing all pertinent information on the modifications.
Customer Support:
I just ordered the mod on the Keeley website and sent him my pedal. Didn't see any need to shoot the breeze with him over the phone - I knew I'd be pleased. The turnaround took just six days via Priority Mail. I got exactly what I wanted in less than a week.
Overall Rating:
Original Tube Screamers are really to valuable as collectibles to modify. Why not get a brand new reissue and have it upgraded into a key element in your signal chain? This little green box is underfoot to some of the best players in the world. The modified Keeley pedal makes the very best of what's there. I'm extremely pleased.
Now if you'll excuse me, my guitar is waiting...
