Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

[OlinMusic]

I got a fake modded DS1 from a guy locally, reaaallll cheap. I have never had a chance to play any Keeley but the Ts9 which I want.

This fake one has everything on it, but I do not know if it is the real deal or not. It does this trippy heavy saturation thing that almost gets vocal like as it compresses and limits itself when you spank it (rather than getting peaky).

I try to limit my pedal buying because I end up spending wayyy too much thinking "oh, it's only $50" etc etc til it adds up. I ran this thing thru different amps and it sucks, but thru the Marshall and the Shiva it is really interesting and expressive while being saturated.

Anyone know that I am talking about?

Regardless, for this price it's a keeper.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

What's a "fake modded DS-1"? I mean, the real pedal is only like $40, then another $50 for the mod..... why would somebody make a fake?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

It means it was the Keeley kit installed by a guy off TGP
and it was like $40 or something, so between selling my DS1 and getting this it was next to nothing for me. It's like $15 out of my pocket.

DS1's really aren't important to me, I prefer OCD's and FD2's. Every so often I play with people like my friend who runs a cheap DS1 into a 6550 JCM800 and I drool, so I keep them handy just for "that" DS1 sound.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

Welllll ... you COULD pay Mr Keely a hojillion dollars to do what anyone with a soldering iron could do for $10 worth of parts ... or you could just keep the pedal you have now. When in doubt, crack it open and compare the components to the known mods for the DS-1 (Google will help you there).

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

Ok. I think modded DS-1s are pretty killer, depending on which mod it is, of course.

If it's the same mod, who cares who did it?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

BTW,

On No more Tears and other Label stuff, did Zakk play Keeley moded DS-1 through his JCM800 ??? could it be that MXR now is selling just a Keeley DS-1

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

No, Zakk used a Boss SD-1, not DS-1.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

BTW,

On No more Tears and other Label stuff, did Zakk play Keeley moded DS-1 through his JCM800 ??? could it be that MXR now is selling just a Keeley DS-1

Zakk used the SD-1 for years until the MXR pedal came out. It was stock, not modded.

The DS-1 is a great pedal for modding. I'm still messing with mine but based a lot of the mods of the Keeley mod and another guy's on the diystompboxes forum (screenname: Melanhead).

O, I know what you mean about the different amps. There has to be some Marshall character to the amp or it just won't sound right. For example, through a Fender Tweed, forget it. But put it through a Mission Aurora (which has some Marshall character, not a lot, but enough) and it shines.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

I got mine to sound pretty good, it loves my Hiwatt and Rooster 55 (EL-34) amps.
Changed the pots, and took out almost all of the caps and replaced them with better quality ones, took out the diodes and replaced them with 4 others.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

Yeah, basically this FAKE I got was done by a guy on TGP. You can see these big parts soldered on, and inside...lol the guy got lazy. The SEM or seeing eye mod is IN the unit, he didn't drill it thru the tone. It has the flip switch too.

It sounds really saturated and has a hint of what feels almost like a fuzz in ways to me when you put your guitar all the way up. As a guy who mainly used an SD1 for years, then went to a TS9 RI, then to FD2 and OCD, it's a trippy feeling. It's like 80s Marshall meets something kinda new.

I gigged with it thru my Shiva last night. It was a blast. It felt really nasty with lots of attitude, but never over the top. Very 80s. In fact, it was at a bar in Hermosa Beach, and to keep the girls shakin' we broke into Rebel Yell and it really felt nice. Verrrrrrrrrry interesting sound for me.

For some reason I broke out the old Boss BCB6 last night. I forgot how much I love Prince, and the simplicity of running Boss stuff into a good amp. The Chorus Ensemble, Ph-2 Phaser etc all sounded great. I have just never cared much for their Delays. I have the Dynamic Wah, but it's hell to set it.

I would like a Keeley TS9 to go with it as a second option. Boss FX are fun!

 

[baritone]

Re: Anyone played a Keeley DS1?

I'm a big fan of Boss effects. Especially their overdrives and distortions. They have this grainy character about them. It makes me feel like I have to work my fingers harder when I play.