So, the TS-9 really does tighten up the bottom end, and it does so with a pronounced mid hump and also a generous infusion of high frequencies. With a biting pickup like the Gibson 498T, this can be a little too bright and requires either EQ-ing or, at the very least, rolling off the bridge tone to about 7, which also dampens the string's response to pick attack and harmonics. However, pair that up with a mild mannered pickup - like a common humbucker in the 8-9k range - and it's almost a perfect combination.
I am currently using the TS-9 to boost the front of the amp in an already over driven state and the tone is absolutely divine when used as a clean boost. Driving the green channel puts you right into Angus Young territory, but boosting Lead 2 (gain @11am) with the Tone Shift 'in' for a slight mid scoop, but then offsetting that with mid EQ full up, gives you an almost perfect George Lynch tone as heard in 'Breaking The Chains.' Thus far, left-to-right TS-9 settings of '10-9-1' seem to be the best in terms of tonality, control-ability and overall sound quality
The brightness added by the TS-9 is welcome in most guitars, but in the case of the Gibson 498T, which is already a bright pickup, I've had to offset that a little to get things 'right' to my ears so to speak. When I switch guitars - from my 498T equipped 2016 Gibson 50's Tribute Les Paul - to my Les Paul Replica with stock Epiphone humbuckers - the tonal difference is really noticeable. The TS-9 makes a darker, weaker pickup really shine, adding mid and high frequency emphasis that you cannot seem to get any other way.
As much as the TS-9 works well with the all-tube DSL40C, it's not at all suited to a hybrid amp like the Marshall Valvestate VS265. Regardless of how you alter the TS-9 settings, the VS265 always sounds better, fuller and meaner providing it's own overdrive from a single 12AX7.
I suppose one would say that I am using the TS-9 in a most conservative way, and while it is true the TS-9 has a lot more to offer, I do not like the thinness and edge that higher drive settings produce, especially with higher output pickups, which do not need increased mid and high frequency emphasis.
The TS-9 seems ideally suited to weaker pickups, like the Gibson 57 Classic and Classic +. In my personal testing, I found the 57 Classic + measuring 9k to be very anemic in terms of its ability to produce a good 'metal tone' on its own accord. In fact, the 'Epiphone' embossed PAF style pickups in my Les Paul Replica - which measure 9.25k & 8.50k respectively - sound better in every aspect than my Gibson 57 Classic Plus. The Epiphone's are also quieter than the Gibson, far more articulate, especially when played clean and - quite literally - shocking. I wasn't expecting a $25.00 set of used Epiphone take-outs to literally destroy my brand new - $165.00 - Gibson 57 Classic Plus.
The Gibson 498T is in a completely different league and there are zero tonal similarities between the 498T and the Gibson 57 Classic or Classic +. The 498T is powerful, yet surprisingly articulate. It drives an amp into a very rich overdrive. In less than 1 year, I have used my 498T equipped Gibson Les Paul on over 500 recordings, including recordings for hire, and countless live performances and rehearsals. At this point, I would say that the 498T is probably the most versatile and well mannered pickup that I have encountered. It has far better manners - in terms of resistance to gain-induced feedback and clarity - than the DiMarzio and Carvin M22 Super Distortions and is about on par with the Suhr Doug Aldrich Set.
So, in this battery of testing, I have discovered more than just the effect of a TS-9 in general, but I also discovered something interesting about my guitars and amplifiers too. I would say the biggest surprise is the plain-jane 'Epiphone' embossed pickups without any 'CE' or 'RoHs' decals and only a single red and blue two-strand conductor. If you ever have the opportunity to try a pair of these pickups, I would encourage you to abandon the brand-loyalty prejudices and do so. The clean tones - especially in the middle position on a Les Paul - simply sound incredible...and it's a sweet-richness in tone that my 498T/496R simply cannot match.
This weekend, I will conduct more testing - at much higher volumes - and hopefully record some sound clips for you all to hear and enjoy.
