Beyond the Mid-Hump: JAM Pedals Tubedreamer Mk.2 Review

Do we really need another Tube Screamer clone? It is a question guitarists have been asking for decades, and by 2026, the market is absolutely saturated with green boxes promising vintage mojo. But Athens-based boutique builders JAM Pedals have thrown down the gauntlet with the JAM Pedals Tubedreamer Mk.2.

Instead of just copying a legendary circuit and painting it a cool color, JAM Pedals has fundamentally re-engineered the 808 formula. Retailing at an NSRP of £249, this premium analogue overdrive promises to be a Tube Screamer, a clean boost, and an open, amp-like drive all in one compact enclosure.

Let's find out if it lives up to the hype or if it’s just history repeating itself.

The Ultimate Tube Screamer Comparison: Evolution or Clone?

To understand why the Tubedreamer Mk.2 is turning heads, you have to look at the traditional Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS808/TS9) formula—and where it typically frustrates players.

A classic Tube Screamer is famous for three things: a massive mid-range hump, a compressed top end, and a distinct loss of bass. It is the perfect tool for cutting through a dense band mix or pushing a dirty Marshall into singing sustain, but as a standalone overdrive into a clean amp? It can often sound boxy, thin, and choked.

JAM Pedals addresses these flaws head-on while keeping the "good stuff" intact.

1. The Vintage Core vs. Modern Headroom

At its heart, the Tubedreamer Mk.2 uses the legendary, vintage-correct JRC4558D chip to deliver that authentic, velvety smooth clipping and focused mid-range. However, the magic lies in the clipping toggle switch.

• Asymmetrical 3-Diode Mode: This gives you a richer, more harmonically complex take on the classic TS sound, offering extra bite and a texture that feels more like an old tube amp on the verge of exploding.
• No-Diode Mode: This is where the pedal completely departs from Tube Screamer territory. By bypassing the clipping diodes entirely, it relies solely on pure op-amp gain. The result is a massive jump in headroom, a wide-open frequency response, and an incredibly touch-sensitive drive that respects your guitar's natural voice.

2. Fixing the Gain Taper

If you’ve ever used a vintage TS, you know that the first 40% of the gain knob does almost nothing, and the last 10% turns into a compressed mush. JAM Pedals redesigned the gain control potentiometer to provide significantly more resolution at lower settings. This means the Tubedreamer Mk.2 actually excels as a transparent, clean-ish sparkle boost—something a standard Tube Screamer simply cannot do cleanly.

3. The Dual-Channel Illusion

Traditionally, players stack a Tube Screamer into another overdrive or a boost pedal for solos. The Tubedreamer Mk.2 eliminates the need for extra real estate on your board by including a dedicated High-Gain footswitch. This doesn't just slam the front of the pedal with a volume jump; it engages an additional gain stage natively within the circuit, adding immediate saturation and sustain without ruining your level staging.

Performance, Design, and Internal Secrets

On the outside, the Tubedreamer Mk. 2 sports JAM Pedals' signature hand-painted look, high-quality top-mounted jacks, and a beautifully simple layout: Level, Tone, and Gain.

However, the real professional-grade features are hidden underneath the chassis. Pop the back plate off, and you will find dual internal trimmers. These let you fine-tune the exact output level in high-gain mode. If you want your high-gain channel to stay at unity volume but with more compression and sizzle, you can set it that way. If you want a massive 6dB solo boost, just dial it up.

Furthermore, the pedal features selectable power-on states. You can program it to boot up automatically, activated, or with the high-gain stage already engaged—a massive quality-of-life feature for complex switching rigs.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Tubedreamer Mk. 2 just a clone of the Ibanez TS808?

No. While it uses the same core JRC4558D op-amp chip to achieve classic mid-focused tones, its switchable "no-diode" mode, improved gain pot resolution, and secondary high-gain stage make it vastly more versatile than a standard TS808.

What do the internal trimmers do?

The dual internal trimmers let you independently set the volume output in high-gain mode. This ensures that when you step on the high-gain footswitch, your volume level behaves exactly as you want relative to the main drive setting.

Can I run the Tubedreamer Mk. 2 at 18V for more headroom?

No, the pedal is designed to operate at 9V DC (center-negative). Running it at a higher voltage could damage the vintage-correct internal components. It already features a "no-diode" mode specifically designed to maximize headroom at 9V.

How does the current draw compare to a standard overdrive?

The Tubedreamer Mk. 2 draws 60 mA. This is higher than a primitive vintage TS9 (which usually draws under 10 mA) due to the digital switching logic used for the dual footswitches and selectable power-on states, but it is still easily handled by any standard isolated power supply.

The Verdict

The Cons: At £249, it is a serious financial investment for an overdrive pedal. Additionally, having to unscrew the backplate to adjust the high-gain volume trimmers can be a bit tedious during initial stage setup.

The Pros: The tone is undeniably stellar. JAM Pedals has successfully retained the mixing-cutting magic of the 808 blueprint while stripping away its annoying limitations. The no-diode mode sounds like a boutique boutique amp, the gain sweep is remarkably smooth, and the build quality is flawless.

If you are a guitarist who thought you were completely done with the green-box era, the Tubedreamer Mk.2 is the pedal that will prove you wrong. It is an incredibly musical, gig-ready tool that redefines what a classic circuit can do.

Final Score: 9.3 / 10

Where To Buy

Available at Andertons Available at Thomann

• JAM Pedals
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