The world’s most iconic overdrive pedal, the legendary Tube Screamer, has just been fundamentally reinvented by the very pioneer who first developed its cherished circuit. Susumu Tamura, the Japanese electronics genius behind the original Ibanez TS808, has teamed up with Totally Wycked Audio (TWA) to launch the TWA Source Code, a “next-gen” drive that promises the “ultimate evolution” of the classic design.
This new overdrive pedal is set to challenge the ubiquity of Tube Screamer clones and replicas dominating the market, from mini-pedals to high-end, hand-wired limited editions.
The Creator’s Cut: Tamura’s Improved TS Design
While the market is flooded with variations of the famous green box, the launch of the Source Code is anything but a shrug-worthy moment. Designed and built under the direction of Susumu Tamura, who first developed the soft-clipping powerhouse in 1979 as a rival to the Boss OD-1, the Source Code is a TS-style drive in all but name.
Tamura’s original design cemented its place in guitar history by delivering the hot, juicy midrange boost beloved by blues legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, perfectly complementing the scooped profile of a Fender amp and Stratocaster. Today, the pedal is a permanent fixture on pedalboards across all genres, from blues and pop to metal.
Source Code: A Four-Knob Evolution
The Source Code is the result of years of Tamura revisiting and refining his original circuit. It reimagines the Tube Screamer as a four-knob drive pedal, adding an intriguing new control to the familiar Level, Drive, and Tone dials: Bite.
-
Bite Control: This unique feature alters the balance of odd and even-order harmonics. Turning it up transitions the clipping from symmetrical to asymmetrical, adding the feel and saturation often associated with a high-gain tube amp.
The unit is flexible, running on standard 9V DC or a 9V battery, but can also accept 18V for increased headroom. It features a dedicated onboard +6dB boost, ideal for driving the front end of your guitar amp hard without altering your core electric guitar tone.
Pro Features & Premium Build
To ensure signal integrity, Tamura has integrated a multi-transistor input buffer. The Source Code also features convenient top-mounted jacks and mechanical true bypass.
The metallic green finish, reminiscent of its iconic predecessor, is accented by striking LEDs. These pedals are handmade in the USA, reflecting the premium quality of this true evolution of the TS808 circuit.
The TWA Source Code is available for $299. For full details on this monumental addition to the world of boutique overdrive pedals and guitar effects, head over to Godlyke Distribution.
More Information
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Fender, Gear4Music, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
