Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

[raistlin]

Hi guys,

Scored a SD-1 used today, and in keeping with my tradition of not leaving well enough alone, what mods should I make on this pedal?

1. Straight to TS-808 conversion
2. the mythical (or not) Clay Jones Overdrive
3. Keeley 5 Star Mod
4. Fulltone Fulldrive? mod

Playing blues into Vox AC15C1.

Appreciate your ideas, thank you!

 

[allstarrme]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

I have one I did the Monte Allums mods to, really made a difference for under $30 and an hour soldiering. The hardest part was drilling for the switches.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Here are the Wampler mods:





These are from Bryan Wampler's book about modding pedals, if you like these he has several hundred more for different pedals in the book, which can be bought in Amazon. I am not affiliated, I just think it's a good resource.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Here are the Wampler mods:

These are from Bryan Wampler's book about modding pedals, if you like these he has several hundred more for different pedals in the book, which can be bought in Amazon. I am not affiliated, I just think it's a good resource.

Wow that's great! Here's to hoping I got the pre SMT version.

 

[Purpletele]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Hi guys,

Scored a SD-1 used today, and in keeping with my tradition of not leaving well enough alone, what mods should I make on this pedal?

1. Straight to TS-808 conversion
2. the mythical (or not) Clay Jones Overdrive
3. Keeley 5 Star Mod
4. Fulltone Fulldrive? mod

Playing blues into Vox AC15C1.

Appreciate your ideas, thank you!

I am getting ready to do the Monte Allums Dual Stack Mod to mine.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

I am getting ready to do the Monte Allums Dual Stack Mod to mine.

Awesome, keep us updated as to how it sounds! Too bad indyguitarist is no more , there seem to be a wealth of mods in there...

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Monte Allums GT mod is the way to go.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Honestly I think it’s best to start with a goal in mind of what you are trying to get it to do and what you are looking for, go from there. What is that you want to change? You will have some limits because it’s such a fundamentally simple pedal, but for what it is it does have potential to go a lot of places.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Honestly I think it’s best to start with a goal in mind of what you are trying to get it to do and what you are looking for, go from there. What is that you want to change? You will have some limits because it’s such a fundamentally simple pedal, but for what it is it does have potential to go a lot of places.

One of my main goals would be getting a nice blues crunch at bedroom levels.

As it is, straight to my Vox AC15C1 Top Boost Channel my MV is barely 9 o'clock, so my pre-amp is around 2 o'clock to get a slight-breakup at realistic home levels.

I am hoping to try getting the power amp overdrive, perhaps at MV 1 o'clock, pre-amp volume at 9 o'clock, and the pedal providing the gain (or boost)?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

One of my main goals would be getting a nice blues crunch at bedroom levels.

As it is, straight to my Vox AC15C1 Top Boost Channel my MV is barely 9 o'clock, so my pre-amp is around 2 o'clock to get a slight-breakup at realistic home levels.

I am hoping to try getting the power amp overdrive, perhaps at MV 1 o'clock, pre-amp volume at 9 o'clock, and the pedal providing the gain (or boost)?

Thanks for your thoughts.

So for that I would start by increasing the clipping threshold and delaying the transition into clipping. Then I would consider playing with the frequency response a little. So the two most simple things you can do would be to maybe adjust c3 to .22uf, or .1uf to shape the mids/low mids a bit more, and then adjust d4 to an LED, and d5 with a 1n4001, replace d6 with a 470r resistor.

Simple stuff like that first.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

you cant push the power amp and keep the volume down that way. in order to get the power amp to sound the way you say, it needs to work hard and that means volume. doesnt mean you cant get great tones from what you have, you just need to think about it differently. the power amp only works as hard as the preamp forces it too. by running the master high, you just arent reducing the signal hitting it from the preamp but since you are running the preamp low you arent pushing as much signal to the power section.

 

[Artie]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Another vote for Monte Allums mods.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

With the level and drive maxed out there is a very slight increase in distortion. My MV is 8 o clock, top boost channel is 3 o clock. Am I missing something here? Nothing super crunchy like in the YouTubes.

A bit fizzy, grainy, fuzzy, a slight increase in picking dynamics. Rather underwhelming.

After reading another thread on the SD1 I am thinking I am just not cooking the power tubes enough. Am I correct in that assumption? I have no feasible way to crank without being reported to the police. As it is I much prefer the sweeter cleaner chimey Vox sound without the Boss.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

With the level and drive maxed out there is a very slight increase in distortion. My MV is 8 o clock, top boost channel is 3 o clock. Am I missing something here? Nothing super crunchy like in the YouTubes.

A bit fizzy, grainy, fuzzy, a slight increase in picking dynamics. Rather underwhelming.

After reading another thread on the SD1 I am thinking I am just not cooking the power tubes enough. Am I correct in that assumption? I have no feasible way to crank without being reported to the police. As it is I much prefer the sweeter cleaner chimey Vox sound without the Boss.

Cut the master volume and jack up the top boost volume to get a dirty sound at reasonable volume. Then you can use the SD-1 at a lower gain setting, and with better results.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Thanks , I will give it a whirl tomorrow. I should also mention that my pup height (all vintage output SDs) is rather low (almost flush) and am using moderate action.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Add another diode to the clippers so you have four of em running in two pairs, symmetrically if you want more headroom and output and less of that signature sd-1 "rip".
Change c3 to .1uf if you really feel the need for a more fulldrive like low end.
Don't spend more than a buck on parts.

 

[devastone]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Thanks , I will give it a whirl tomorrow. I should also mention that my pup height (all vintage output SDs) is rather low (almost flush) and am using moderate action.

Yes, it could. You may not be feeding enough signal to anything. General rule of thumb for the bridge pickup (as a starting point), hold down the strings at the highest fret, adjust the treble side to about the thickness of a nickel from the strings and about the thickness of 2 nickels stacked on the low e string.

And as mentioned, you can't get power tube saturation at low volumes, volume is what causes power tube saturation. Not turning up the MV and turning down the preamp, it has to be actual signal pushing the power tubes past their limits.

I have an SD-1 that I have done a bunch of mods to, not even sure exactly which ones, but it can be a great pedal, although, it might not be what you are looking for(?). I would probably recommend the OD-3 over the SD-1 for low volume blues tones out of a clean-ish amp.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

Thanks for everyone that replied.

I have replaced the resistors and the diodes (2 LEDs in D4 and D6, D5 jumpered) according to the CJOD mod, and it gives much more gain and volume (though more trebly) that I can use it on the clean setting. Doesn't sound like a Vox anymore though, more like a high-gain Marshall.

The caps haven't arrived yet unfortunately, so it's still pending.

Can't wait.

 

[raistlin]

Re: Boss SD-1 mod suggestions

All wired up!

First impressions: much more adjustability compared to stock. Stock was raspy, the od was rather subtle, so much so there was barely preceptible difference in the clean channel.

Now on the clean, level at 9 o clock I get this almost Marshall like roar! Still not a power tube OD but I can get two tones from my Vox now; the Vox chime and when I want to rock out , the modded Boss.
Thanks for everyone's comments , you guys are the best!