LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

[Left_Hand_Strat]

setting up a thread for this, so anything I ask will be asked here, so all correspondence can be put all in one place.

Basically I have now definitely decided on modding my DS-1.

What I could do is with a mod that get's rid of the fizzy sounds and also lower the gain output, thus giving me more headroom (I think that's the word?). I also need a mod to give me a better EQ of the pedal without adding another pot to the circuit. Upgrading the parts inside to high quality diodes etc in the pedal will be good too (HiFi mod)

sounds demanding but I have summed this up from the research I am doing and so far that is what I want to aim for. Despite my limited electrical Knowledge I have enough to carry out the work and then reverse it to stock again should I ever want to.

 

[o.p-i.v]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

Step 1: Sell DS 1
Step 2: Buy nicer distortion

this may seem like a stupid remark to make but the ds 1 to me at least, is just not a great pedal. Never was loud enough, and always too fizzy. Sell it and get something you know you will like, no mods required.

 

[ErikH]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I have the perfect mod. You change 2 resistors.

The problem with the DS-1 is the input gain stage has too much gain so the signal is already clipped before it event gets to the clipping part of the circuit. This is what makes it harsh. This mod is by Jack Orman (very well respected in the DIY communuity) and I have done it myelf with really nice results.

Changing out parts won't do a whole lot, but changing these two resistors in the input gain stage will.

Check it out......http://www.muzique.com/news/fat-mod-for-the-boss-ds-1/

You will want the DS-1 PCB layout to you can find R6 and R9 easier.

 

[trevorus]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I would say, I like the idea Erik is proposing. I would change the clipping diodes as well. I like different colored ones, to give an asymmetrical clip. I like what it does.

 

[Left_Hand_Strat]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I have the perfect mod. You change 2 resistors.

The problem with the DS-1 is the input gain stage has too much gain so the signal is already clipped before it event gets to the clipping part of the circuit. This is what makes it harsh. This mod is by Jack Orman (very well respected in the DIY communuity) and I have done it myelf with really nice results.

Changing out parts won't do a whole lot, but changing these two resistors in the input gain stage will.

Check it out......http://www.muzique.com/news/fat-mod-for-the-boss-ds-1/

You will want the DS-1 PCB layout to you can find R6 and R9 easier.

I think I will go with this, easy little mod to begin with.

Bck to this again. Should I get High quality parts for this or just standard stuff?

 

[Left_Hand_Strat]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I would say, I like the idea Erik is proposing. I would change the clipping diodes as well. I like different colored ones, to give an asymmetrical clip. I like what it does.

Explain in more detail

Which numbers are you talking about?

also would anyone recommend the HiFi mod or not?

 

[marcello252]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I have the perfect mod. You change 2 resistors.

as I said before Jack Orman's is the best DS1 mod around

 

[Left_Hand_Strat]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

anyone got a decent and clear DS-1 PCB layout?

 

[ErikH]

PM me your email and I will send you the official layout. It'll be later today when I can send it.

 

[Aceman]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

Great thread idea! I'm always surfing for a cheap DS-1 for exactly this purpose....

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

There's an article by Brian Wampler with some info here. Shows 4 different mods you can do.

I picked up a used one a while back for modding purposes also, but haven't done anything with it yet. Leaning toward the Vintage tones mods.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Feb/Boss_DS_1_Mods.aspx

 

[marcello252]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

stick with Muzique.com mod, I've done quite every possible ds-1 mods and the best one remains that 2 resistor change, really, it's another pedal

 

[James Rock]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

Replacing the clipping diodes with LEDs or one LED and the two diodes in series will decrease the gain and should give a little more range. Mainly it will add way more dynamics range. You can also do the resistor mod to get less clipping early on.

 

[marcello252]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

Replacing the clipping diodes with LEDs or one LED and the two diodes in series will decrease the gain and should give a little more range. Mainly it will add way more dynamics range. You can also do the resistor mod to get less clipping early on.

the '2 resistors' mod combined with the LED mod can induce a decrease in the gain level significative, my advice is to do one mod only at once, then decide if you want to go further

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

Cool thread. I ran over to Radio Shack for the two resistors mod and of course they didn't have the 150k resistor. I only got to play at low volume, but the difference in the amount of gain is dramatic - in a good way.

Will report back later if I get a chance to crank it today.

 

[marcello252]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

and of course they didn't have the 150k resistor

120K or a 180K work quite similar to a 150K, the bias should not shift that much

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

120K or a 180K work quite similar to a 150K, the bias should not shift that much

I think all they had were 100k and 220k.

After I got home and browsed around, I saw online that they have a 500 pc. resistor assortment for $12.99. I think I'll just grab one of those and then I'll have on hand what I need in the future.

 

[marcello252]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

if you want there are a lot of sellers on the web, here an example:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Catego...resistor&searchpath=3863355&start=25&total=36

 

[Surgeon]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

John Spina (stratdeluxer97) modded mine and it sounds very very good. Maybe if you PM'd him and asked nicely he'd tell you what he did to it...

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: LHS's Boss DS-1 Mod thread

I got a chance to use the pedal through the amp at loud volume and I'm impressed. I may not even need to change the R6 value. Just the gain drop alone was worth it. Made it a very useable pedal.

I was using the pedal through the clean channel of my Stiletto Ace with the Dist. knob at about 2:00 - something I wouldn't even dream of before.

Heck, I was thinking a person make some extra dough by advertising the mod service for say, $10 on craigslist and perform it while the customer waits. Easy money!