Favorite DS-1 Mods

5

'59

New member
So I recently bought a Boss DS-1, and while I like it, I get the feeling that it could be better, but I don't know exactly how. I was wondering what mods you guys know of that have fixed your issues with the DS-1. I may not even mod it, I just want to know what short comings other folks have found so that I can better know how to adjust my other settings around them.

I may also mod it just because I've never had the chance to mod a pedal before. :D
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

Everyone who plays guitar needs to have a DS-1 on their pedal board at least once in their lifetime. I’ve thought about modding mine several times but just never got around to it.

One of the keys to getting the best out of the DS-1 is to put it in front of an already overdriven amp as opposed to a clean amp. Many people find that when using it purely as a distortion pedal in front of a clean amp that it sounds too brittle and harsh. Drive the amp first, then add in the DS-1 and you’ll find that’s where it really shines. It’s not the most versatile pedal ever, but it’s definitely not as bad as people make it out to be.

This guy has some decent tips on the stock DS-1.

https://youtu.be/9Vz63o-wmXo
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

Oh, and one other question. I want to experiment with using it as a preamp to my Johnson 150 Millenium. While the loop does exist in the signal path before the modeling circuit, it is also line level. I know that running a pedal in a line level loop is bad, but should it be alright if I just plug a pedal into the return?
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

There is a mod for this pedal that literally involves snipping out one diode or whatever. There is a thread in here on it somewhere.

I'll recommend the MXR 78 BAd@$$ if a DS-1 pedal that sounds awesome is what you want. But if you want to play - go for the cheapest you can find. Great place to start modding from what I have heard.
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

Aceman said:
There is a mod for this pedal that literally involves snipping out one diode or whatever. There is a thread in here on it somewhere.
Click to expand...

I recently bought one of the 40th Anniversary DS-1s that had that the previous owner did that mod to. I'll report back once I get a chance to play it.
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

I've been doing my research and I've found do popular sets of mods. The first involves biasing transistor Q2 and the second involves modifying the tone stack.

I like the DS-1 as it gives you that sound for garage style punk rock, but I also think it has some room for improvement. So keeping in mind I like the character of the pedal but would like a better sound:

This mod is essentially the AMZ Fat Mod, so it reduces harshness and buzz, but the values are much closer to the original values of the pedal:

R9: 680 Ohms
R6: 68K

This mod closes the gap between the high and low pass filter so that there is still a mid cut, but it's not nearly as extreme:

R17: 8.2k
C12: 47nF

The thing about these mods is that I'm not changing so much as to completely alter the character of the pedal. I'll let you know how these mods go once I get the chance to do them.
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

I did one of the Monte Allums mod kits on it and thought it was a huge improvement. I eventually moved it on because I still had other pedals I liked more, but there are some good options out there.

If one comes up locally cheap enough, I’ll probably pick up another to test out one of the Machinehead Pedals mods on it too. http://machineheadpedals.com/pedal mods.html
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

I had one with the snipped resistor/capacitor?? mod to give it much more push/volume.
I used it for about a week and then sold it, I think maybe I sold it here? Not really my flavor.
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

80's_Metal said:
I had one with the snipped resistor/capacitor?? mod to give it much more push/volume.
I used it for about a week and then sold it, I think maybe I sold it here? Not really my flavor.
Click to expand...

The DS-1 is a really funny circuit in that if you clip only 4 components, you can turn it from a garage band distortion pedal into a somewhat refined overdrive. Just cut the high pass filter off the tone stack and remove the clipping diodes and there you have it.
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

Well, that's fine, if you don't want a garage band sound.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: Favorite DS-1 Mods

My best mod is throwing in the corner. Lol.

I dont get this pedal.

It only sounds good to me with the tone and drive down. I use a rat way more
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
For DS-1 Record Keeping
Replies
0
Views
47
Chistopher
C
C
New Rat Day
Replies
3
Views
72
Chistopher
C
C
Big Muff Mods
Replies
2
Views
87
80's_Metal
80's_Metal
C
Vibrato Parameters (H90 Content Warning)
Replies
1
Views
43
Securb
Securb
Butch Snyder
Best Distortion for $100 or less
Replies
8
Views
198
donaldr
donaldr
Back
Top