Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Petrovsk Mizinski

Petrovsk Mizinski

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Also, while I'm hear, how does one mod an SD-1 into a Tube Screamer ? if the whole DS-1 thing doesn't work out, I'd just buy an SD-1 (seeing as how cheap they are in Australia) and mod it to TS specs

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Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

stock DS-1? There are tons of mods to make sound better...Marshall, Diezel, Recto mods..
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Well specifically I was interested to see if it could be modded into a Tube Screamer for amp boosting purposes.
I don't want to use it for my primary source of distortion, any tube head or modeling amp can do that better than a single Boss stomp box
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Have a look here at Monte Allums mods for the DS-1 and the SD1

http://www.monteallums.com/pedal_mods.html


I bought a brand new SD-1 from Billy Hydes at Flemington for $85 (they charge more in the store, you have to quote the price from their website), upgrade kits usually cost about AU$30 with postage.
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

The SD-1 and Tube Screamer are very similar; basically the same circuit with slightly different component values. The SD-1 has three diodes in its "asymetrical" clipping section for a little rougher sound than the TS' 2-diode "symmetrical" clipping. These pedals are both overdrive circuits, with the clipping section in the negative feedback loop around an opamp stage. It's not hard to convert an SD-1 into any of a variety of Tube Screamers, though why anybody would want to is beyond me. (OK, yeah, I'm a fan of assymmetrical clipping.) The SD-1 sounds better from the get-go, and with a few mods, can become any n umber of brilliant overdrive pedals. Mote Allum's GT Mod kit is a good one that I've built. Brian Wampler published a DIY Eternity Mod a while back that's extensive but sounds great. There are lots of others on the web.

The DS-1 is a distortion pedal; its clipping section is completely different, cliupping the signal to ground after the opamp gain stage. So, you're not going to be able to modify a DS-1 into a TS. However, like the SD-1, there are tons of great DS-1 mods published on the web. The best-known is the Keeley SEM/Ultra mod, which Keeley will do for you, but it's also published for DIY. The Ultra is much better than a stock DS-1, but still not the best if you ask me.

I recently tried Brian Wampler's Vintage mod - also a pretty good DS-1. That pedal I just re-modded into something like Monte Allums' Recto Mod for the DS-1, which is perhaps the best I've heard.

Keep in mind that the DS-1 is a distortion pedal, and it's purpose is to add distortion and compression, so in genreal the DS-1 is not the best choice for adding clean boost. The SD-1 and TS are better at that. But... if you want more volume boost and dynamics out of a DS-1, look at mods that replace the clipping diodes with LEDs. LEDs clip at a higher voltage than regular diodes, and so allow more clean signal through before they start doing their dirt thang. Of the mods I've mentioned, the Wampler Vintage and Keeley SEM replace one clipping diode with an LED. The Keeley Ultra takes it a step further and replaces BOTH clipping diodes with LEDs, so that one probably has the most boost before distortion.

Your DS-1 can be made a lot better than it is, but it will never be a Tube Screamer. Get yourself an SD-1, too, and mod them. Both styles of pedals are worth having in your arsenal.
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Rich_S said:
The SD-1 and Tube Screamer are very similar; basically the same circuit with slightly different component values. The SD-1 has three diodes in its "asymetrical" clipping section for a little rougher sound than the TS' 2-diode "symmetrical" clipping. These pedals are both overdrive circuits, with the clipping section in the negative feedback loop around an opamp stage. It's not hard to convert an SD-1 into any of a variety of Tube Screamers, though why anybody would want to is beyond me. (OK, yeah, I'm a fan of assymmetrical clipping.) The SD-1 sounds better from the get-go, and with a few mods, can become any n umber of brilliant overdrive pedals. Mote Allum's GT Mod kit is a good one that I've built. Brian Wampler published a DIY Eternity Mod a while back that's extensive but sounds great. There are lots of others on the web.

The DS-1 is a distortion pedal; its clipping section is completely different, cliupping the signal to ground after the opamp gain stage. So, you're not going to be able to modify a DS-1 into a TS. However, like the SD-1, there are tons of great DS-1 mods published on the web. The best-known is the Keeley SEM/Ultra mod, which Keeley will do for you, but it's also published for DIY. The Ultra is much better than a stock DS-1, but still not the best if you ask me.

I recently tried Brian Wampler's Vintage mod - also a pretty good DS-1. That pedal I just re-modded into something like Monte Allums' Recto Mod for the DS-1, which is perhaps the best I've heard.

Keep in mind that the DS-1 is a distortion pedal, and it's purpose is to add distortion and compression, so in genreal the DS-1 is not the best choice for adding clean boost. The SD-1 and TS are better at that. But... if you want more volume boost and dynamics out of a DS-1, look at mods that replace the clipping diodes with LEDs. LEDs clip at a higher voltage than regular diodes, and so allow more clean signal through before they start doing their dirt thang. Of the mods I've mentioned, the Wampler Vintage and Keeley SEM replace one clipping diode with an LED. The Keeley Ultra takes it a step further and replaces BOTH clipping diodes with LEDs, so that one probably has the most boost before distortion.

Your DS-1 can be made a lot better than it is, but it will never be a Tube Screamer. Get yourself an SD-1, too, and mod them. Both styles of pedals are worth having in your arsenal.
Click to expand...


I guess I'll probably leave the DS-1 for now.
I don't really have a use for stomp box distortion pedals for the main tone. Really most of the time I either play ultra clean or full bore high gain, and hardly anything in between. To get a lower gain sound I only just use the volume knob of the guitar, I don't actually play stuff with moderate gain on an amp itself.
I have a tube amp on the way, and I have a preference of getting the tone from the preamp of an amp first and foremost (I'm mainly a modern rock guy), with the power section working enough to add some shine, but not so much that it induces it's own compression and sag.
A TS style pedal is EXACTLY up my alley.
Problem is, I live in Australia, and pedals are pricey.
Over 400 bucks for a TS-808, (I **** you not), and even the TS-7 is 149 bucks, whereas an SD-1 is about $85, so you can see my reasoning for wanting an SD-1, and modding it on the cheap to TS specs.

As for why I want the TS sound and not the SD-1 sound, it's because the SD-1 overdrive sound is not exactly what I'm looking for and doesn't totally work for my style, whereas a TS style overdrive is exactly what I need (tightened bottom end/lower mids, core mid hump and smoothed off highs)

So how exactly is the SD-1 to TS-808 (or even TS-9, depending on what's easier) mod done?
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Petrovsk Mizinski said:
I guess I'll probably leave the DS-1 for now.
I don't really have a use for stomp box distortion pedals.
I have a tube amp on the way, and I have a preference of getting the tone from the preamp of an amp first and foremost (I'm mainly a modern rock guy), with the power section working enough to add some shine, but not so much that it induces it's own compression and sag.
A TS style pedal is EXACTLY up my alley.
Problem is, I live in Australia, and pedals are pricey.
Over 400 bucks for a TS-808, (I **** you not), and even the TS-7 is 149 bucks, whereas an SD-1 is about $85, so you can see my reasoning for wanting an SD-1, and modding it on the cheap to TS specs.

As for why I want the TS sound and not the SD-1 sound, it's because the SD-1 overdrive sound is not exactly what I'm looking for and doesn't totally work for my style, whereas a TS style overdrive is exactly what I need (tightened bottom end/lower mids, core mid hump and smoothed off highs)

So how exactly is the SD-1 to TS-808 (or even TS-9, depending on what's easier) mod done?
Click to expand...

Looks like for the price of the TS7, you can save up more and get a G2D stompbox.
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

I have a BOSS DS-1 modded to Monte Allums's Recto Mod specs --- it can do a very tubescreamerish tone, the way I set it: gain all the way down, volume to taste, and tone in the middle. It sounds great.

Hear it in action here:

Fast forward to 1:50 if you want to get to the part where I get in to the Monte Allums DS-1: I play a Strat, an ES-335, a Telecaster, and a P90 PRS through it in this video.

 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Anyway, I edited the topic name and first post.
Sorry about all this confusion.
Honestly, I'm not after a "G2D " or a "tube screamer-ish" tone (seeing as how a maxed out TS is not going to get me where i need to be), I'm really after finding a good way to mod an SD-1 to TS-808 specs that will still cost me less than buying a brand new TS-7 in order to boost an amp that will be primarily used for high gain playing.
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Harry, there's a guy who sells new SD-1s on Ebay for about AU$75 with free shipping ....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WORLDWIDE-FR...emQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item5d28594604

I can put a Monte Allums kit into an SD1 for ya for only the cost of the kit or parts, so you could do it all for around AU$100. I have done all my SD1s in a way that keeps them sounding like SD1s as opposed to Tubescreamers, but as has been mentioned, Monte Allums and many other sources provide mods to get the TS sounds. You'd probably find a well-modded SD1 has a better sound quality than an actual TS pedal anyway, more transparent with any 'harshness' smoothed out and a tone control that works more efficiently.

Have a listen to I6's youtube demo and also search youtube for modded 'SD1-to-tubescreamer' mod demo's and see what you think.
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

oddly i love using stock DS1's with the gain cut back to boost my Marshalls and my Peavey's more then any OD pedal i've tried...

i also use a new VOX Satchuator pedal a lot but it is basicly a modded DS1 anyways...
 
Re: Boss DS-1 : What pedals could I could one too, spec wise?

Hmm the SD-808 MOD PLUS looks enticing.
I might just snag a cheap used SD-1 off ebay.
Seeing as how it would end up being beat up anyway, no point buying a new one:laugh2: that and it would get a few new components which would make some of the internals just as new anyway.
 
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