Warm Audio WA-TS Tube Squealer

A Modern Take on a Classic "TS"

The WA-TS Tube Squealer follows in the footsteps of the legendary TS overdrives, which have become benchmarks for pushing tube amps, tightening the low end, and emphasizing mids. This "soft clipping" philosophy is especially appreciated for thickening a clean tone, energizing a crunch, or serving as a boost in front of an already saturated channel.

Offering three modes (TS9, TS10, and 808), the Tube Squealer covers several iconic variations of the same sonic DNA: more bite, more softness, or a more open grain depending on the selected mode. The goal is simple: to recapture the vintage character while adding the flexibility expected on a modern pedalboard.

Who Is the WA-TS Tube Squealer For, and Which Styles Does It Excel In?

This overdrive pedal is designed for guitarists playing tube amps who want musical saturation that responds to touch without squashing their playing. It suits beginners looking for their first versatile overdrive as well as seasoned musicians seeking a reliable gain staging tool.

In blues, rock, and pop, it delivers that warm bite that makes lead lines stand out and clarifies rhythm parts. In heavier rock and metal, it can serve as a boost to tighten palm mutes and improve clarity, especially in front of a high-gain channel. Both in studio and live settings, its Mix control helps preserve the attack and natural tone of the instrument in the mix.

Controls, Modes, and Pedalboard Integration

The heart of the WA-TS Tube Squealer is its ability to combine a TS-style saturation with fine signal control via the Mix potentiometer. By adding some clean signal, you retain transient precision and string snap while enjoying the overdrive grain. Conversely, increasing the saturated portion makes the pedal denser and more singing for solos.

The Single Coil / Humbucker selector adjusts the response so the pedal stays balanced regardless of pickup output level. The internal +18 V voltage boost enhances headroom, dynamic reserve, and feel-useful when pushing hard without losing definition. Finally, the True / Buffered Bypass option optimizes the signal chain: true bypass for a pure path, or buffered to preserve highs over long cable runs and large pedalboards.

The Sound

The Tube Squealer delivers an overdrive that is both tight and expressive, with a characteristic mid bump that helps the guitar cut through a mix. The tone remains musical, with natural compression that highlights vibrato and sustain while maintaining good responsiveness to guitar volume and pick attack.

Depending on the mode (TS9, TS10, or 808) and the Mix setting, you can go from a punchy boost to "push" the amp to a smoother drive for leads. The circuit based on the JRC 4558 op-amp contributes to this familiar character: a soft, singing saturation that respects the guitar's identity while adding a proudly vintage color.

Technical specifications

Effects	Overdrive	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Green
Type	sector

Compatibility	Tube amplifiers	Bypass	True / Buffered
Circuit	Based on the JRC 4558 op-amp	Inputs/Outputs	6.35mm mono jack (In/Out)
Voltage Booster	Internal operation at +18 V	Dimensions (mm)	130 (L) x 70 (D) x 67 (H)
Modes	TS9, TS10, 808	Weight	450 g
Controls	Mix (clean/saturated blend)	Power Supply	Mains only, 9V DC (center negative)
Pickup Selector	Single Coil / Humbucker	Consumption	12 mA (standard) / 25 mA (boosted)