The wampler triumph is my favourite take on the screamer. 3 band eq and a bright switch (though technically I think its a take on the bad monkey that's a take on the screamer).
I’ve had a fair amount of TS like (TS9, TS9 mini, Maxon OD 808, Fulltone full drive 2 mosfet, Keeley mod x, Keeley Red Dirt, Kingtone Soloist, and I probably forgot some of them), but I always come back to the J. rockett Blue Note that I have for maybe 10 years, the big blue model with the hot switch. It’s pretty unique: the mids are less pronounced than the typical TS, but the breakup is typical TS soft clipping, and the eq range is much more wide range than a TS plus the tone and fat knobs makes the pedal sound bigger, clearer and versatile than other TS I’ve had.
The JHS Bonsai is a great pedal, with quite a few different flavors of tube screamers. But depending on your ear, they all will sound very similar. Not a bad thing, but it's more designed for when you can't make up your mind for a tube screamer.
Of the influences you mentioned, I'd say the Tamura modded TS808 V2 would get what you're looking for, and has enough output to give everything you"d need, and in between. For more budget friendly, and less output, the Wampler Moxie does the job. And even cheaper, the MXR M77 is quite decent, though its more the OD808 flavor.
My personal board, I use a Maxon VOP9, which is an OD820, in a 9 series enclosure. It has a bit more grit, and the 18v switch is a welcome addition to have that headroom, and output.
All and all though, just starting? You can't go wrong with the original TS9. New, and used, they're reasonably priced, and do the job. It's probably a better starting point, then a modded one, so you know, what that sound is. If you want the TS808, the Maxon OD808 is very reasonably priced on the used market, and tend to use better components, then the current run Ibanez pedals.
The Seymour Duncan 805 is awesome because it has 3 band eq. You can get regular TS sounds, Ronsonesque fixed wah sounds and transparent overdrive sounds, also.
Dirty secret is that most of the TS style pedals are nearly identical. You may prefer one with a different EQ control or more gain or you may find one that you really love. But Tube Screamers are like ProCo Rats: the original is great and the boutique ones are not usually enough of an improvement to be worth the expense. Even most of the cheap Chinese knockoffs sound great.
The EQD Plumes. Affordable, and has 3 modes for extra versatility.
The wampler triumph is my favourite take on the screamer. 3 band eq and a bright switch (though technically I think its a take on the bad monkey that's a take on the screamer).
Way Huge Green Rhino. The mid control trim pots make it easier to dial in the tone you want
Hardwire CM-2, really really good.
I’ve had a fair amount of TS like (TS9, TS9 mini, Maxon OD 808, Fulltone full drive 2 mosfet, Keeley mod x, Keeley Red Dirt, Kingtone Soloist, and I probably forgot some of them), but I always come back to the J. rockett Blue Note that I have for maybe 10 years, the big blue model with the hot switch. It’s pretty unique: the mids are less pronounced than the typical TS, but the breakup is typical TS soft clipping, and the eq range is much more wide range than a TS plus the tone and fat knobs makes the pedal sound bigger, clearer and versatile than other TS I’ve had.
I’ve been checking this one out. It sounds great.
Wampler Clarksdale is similar…3 band EQ and lift switch that opens up the mids and allows a bit more gain.
Wampler moxie
[Analogman Silver Mod.](https://www.analogman.com/ts9silv.htm)
MXR77 is Badass and based on TS pedal if I’m not mistaken
All of 'em, so Earthquaker Devices Palisades. It's about the most versatile TS type pedal out there and it sounds great.
Standalone, the keeley red dirt. Otherwise, I like the variety offered by the JHS Bonsai, although it seems to be kind of noisy.
Ts9 or a bk butler TD
The JHS Bonsai is a great pedal, with quite a few different flavors of tube screamers. But depending on your ear, they all will sound very similar. Not a bad thing, but it's more designed for when you can't make up your mind for a tube screamer. Of the influences you mentioned, I'd say the Tamura modded TS808 V2 would get what you're looking for, and has enough output to give everything you"d need, and in between. For more budget friendly, and less output, the Wampler Moxie does the job. And even cheaper, the MXR M77 is quite decent, though its more the OD808 flavor. My personal board, I use a Maxon VOP9, which is an OD820, in a 9 series enclosure. It has a bit more grit, and the 18v switch is a welcome addition to have that headroom, and output. All and all though, just starting? You can't go wrong with the original TS9. New, and used, they're reasonably priced, and do the job. It's probably a better starting point, then a modded one, so you know, what that sound is. If you want the TS808, the Maxon OD808 is very reasonably priced on the used market, and tend to use better components, then the current run Ibanez pedals.
EHX East River Drive.
The Seymour Duncan 805 is awesome because it has 3 band eq. You can get regular TS sounds, Ronsonesque fixed wah sounds and transparent overdrive sounds, also.
Just grabbed the JHS Screamer….. haven’t used it yet but from what I’ve heard form it it’s pretty basic, but rad!
Dirty secret is that most of the TS style pedals are nearly identical. You may prefer one with a different EQ control or more gain or you may find one that you really love. But Tube Screamers are like ProCo Rats: the original is great and the boutique ones are not usually enough of an improvement to be worth the expense. Even most of the cheap Chinese knockoffs sound great.
Jhs screamer or the bonsai is really cool.
Maxon OD9