Monte Allums DS-1
- Thread starter unshokie
- Start date
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
i modded my DS-1 with the monte allums rectifier tri-gain mod. although it was an older one which included an opamp.
sounds infinitely better than the stock DS-1, although one of the modes (can't remember which one is significantly quieter than the other ones). Definitely a richer sounding distortion. I wouldn't go as far as calling it creamy, but it's a more saturated sound than a gritty sound like the stock DS-1. Lower gain settings can be a little brittle sounding still, but it's still a lot more usable than the terrible farting sounds that the stock DS-1 used to make.
I like it quite a bit, can get some raunchy tones out of it, but the gain structure has improved, the sustain has improved, the usability of the tone knob has drastically improved, and it's a more fun pedal to play with.
but i'm sure it still pales in comparison to a keeley mod
i modded my DS-1 with the monte allums rectifier tri-gain mod. although it was an older one which included an opamp.
sounds infinitely better than the stock DS-1, although one of the modes (can't remember which one is significantly quieter than the other ones). Definitely a richer sounding distortion. I wouldn't go as far as calling it creamy, but it's a more saturated sound than a gritty sound like the stock DS-1. Lower gain settings can be a little brittle sounding still, but it's still a lot more usable than the terrible farting sounds that the stock DS-1 used to make.
I like it quite a bit, can get some raunchy tones out of it, but the gain structure has improved, the sustain has improved, the usability of the tone knob has drastically improved, and it's a more fun pedal to play with.
but i'm sure it still pales in comparison to a keeley mod
jammertom
New member
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
Oh, yes...I did try a Monte mod for a DS-1 once upon a time. The price was right and the reviews on Harmony Central and elsewhere were favorable...what did I have to lose? The kit I received seemed pretty straight forward and "beginner" level. One of the first things the instructions refers to is a clear drawing--not a schematic, but a layout diagram of the circuit board that the kit was meant to be used with. It said very plainly below the diagram that if my circuit board looked ANY different than the example, then the mod would almost certainly NOT work. Well, mine did look a little different in places, so I tried it anyway (of course). Guess what? It didn't work...surprise. Worse yet, I was unable to reverse my mess, try as I might. I still think Monte mods are probably good--lotsa people really like 'em! But do heed the part of the instructions about your circuit board being spot-on like the diagram. I dismissed that part and turned a perfectly good stock DS-1 into junk...kind of like the time I tried to fix a sticky Dymo labeler at work, but that's a different story. Hey, unshockie...you want my junker to tinker with? Maybe you have the patience and good eyeballs to fix it. If you want to PM me a shipping address, you can have it no charge....Tom
Oh, yes...I did try a Monte mod for a DS-1 once upon a time. The price was right and the reviews on Harmony Central and elsewhere were favorable...what did I have to lose? The kit I received seemed pretty straight forward and "beginner" level. One of the first things the instructions refers to is a clear drawing--not a schematic, but a layout diagram of the circuit board that the kit was meant to be used with. It said very plainly below the diagram that if my circuit board looked ANY different than the example, then the mod would almost certainly NOT work. Well, mine did look a little different in places, so I tried it anyway (of course). Guess what? It didn't work...surprise. Worse yet, I was unable to reverse my mess, try as I might. I still think Monte mods are probably good--lotsa people really like 'em! But do heed the part of the instructions about your circuit board being spot-on like the diagram. I dismissed that part and turned a perfectly good stock DS-1 into junk...kind of like the time I tried to fix a sticky Dymo labeler at work, but that's a different story. Hey, unshockie...you want my junker to tinker with? Maybe you have the patience and good eyeballs to fix it. If you want to PM me a shipping address, you can have it no charge....Tom
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
I have to give a huge nod to the Monte Allums Recto mod BOSS DS-1.
Now, I know what you're thinking - "I don't want a BOSS DS-1, and certainly don't want anything alluding to a Rectifier sound."
Well, I think the same way --- and the Monte Allums Recto mod DS-1 is definitely not what it sounds like.
On the low end of the gain spectrum, you get that crystalline "I can't tell if that's drive or compression" sound, exactly like this, and in the light to medium gain spectrum you get a spot on JCM 800 tone - great for your Aerosmith style kicks, nails single coil Rage Against the Machine tones, and I find it especially useful to roll back the volume on a 335 and get perfect soft rock and pop accent chord sounds with it; like Goo Goo Dolls, Train, etc.
When you push to the higher end of mid gain, you're into to perfect pop rock and punk territory --- fullness and warmth with punch end edge. It just sounds righteous. It got me the pop rock sound I was hearing in my head.
On the high gain end, you get in to where you can really achieve the metal or hard rock tone you hear on the radio; tons of harmonic content, and very, very controllable and responsive to tiny, tiny volume knob changes. I don't play a lot of metal, but I know 4 or 5 riffs, and they are tight, tight, tight with this pedal.
Get one.
Here's me demoing a new amp I got, which includes the Monte Allums Recto mod DS-1 on roughly half of it. I wasn't focusing on the pedal, but it's a good demo in a way, because I'm only using 2 tones, and I cycle through every major type of guitar: straight clean to the amp, and with the MA DS-1 engaged, so you really get a lot of data points on what it sounds like.
Get one!
I do each guitar clean, and then with the MA DS-1. Featuring Strat, Tele, 335, P90 LP style.
I have to give a huge nod to the Monte Allums Recto mod BOSS DS-1.
Now, I know what you're thinking - "I don't want a BOSS DS-1, and certainly don't want anything alluding to a Rectifier sound."
Well, I think the same way --- and the Monte Allums Recto mod DS-1 is definitely not what it sounds like.
On the low end of the gain spectrum, you get that crystalline "I can't tell if that's drive or compression" sound, exactly like this, and in the light to medium gain spectrum you get a spot on JCM 800 tone - great for your Aerosmith style kicks, nails single coil Rage Against the Machine tones, and I find it especially useful to roll back the volume on a 335 and get perfect soft rock and pop accent chord sounds with it; like Goo Goo Dolls, Train, etc.
When you push to the higher end of mid gain, you're into to perfect pop rock and punk territory --- fullness and warmth with punch end edge. It just sounds righteous. It got me the pop rock sound I was hearing in my head.
On the high gain end, you get in to where you can really achieve the metal or hard rock tone you hear on the radio; tons of harmonic content, and very, very controllable and responsive to tiny, tiny volume knob changes. I don't play a lot of metal, but I know 4 or 5 riffs, and they are tight, tight, tight with this pedal.
Get one.
Here's me demoing a new amp I got, which includes the Monte Allums Recto mod DS-1 on roughly half of it. I wasn't focusing on the pedal, but it's a good demo in a way, because I'm only using 2 tones, and I cycle through every major type of guitar: straight clean to the amp, and with the MA DS-1 engaged, so you really get a lot of data points on what it sounds like.
Get one!
I do each guitar clean, and then with the MA DS-1. Featuring Strat, Tele, 335, P90 LP style.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
I wish I could chime in about the DS-1, but I can't. However, his SD-1 GT mod made 100% difference. His description on the website was spot on, and it's definitely made the overdrive useful, whereas before it was bright and harsh. The mod was probably the best $25 I've spent on my pedal board. (The next best $25 went into my Carbon Copy, but that's a whole other story.) In other words, I heartily endorse his mods.
I wish I could chime in about the DS-1, but I can't. However, his SD-1 GT mod made 100% difference. His description on the website was spot on, and it's definitely made the overdrive useful, whereas before it was bright and harsh. The mod was probably the best $25 I've spent on my pedal board. (The next best $25 went into my Carbon Copy, but that's a whole other story.) In other words, I heartily endorse his mods.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
I have done his mods to 4 pedals (but still not my ds1). They were all easy, reversible and sounded better than stock. he is a good dude to deal with too.
I have done his mods to 4 pedals (but still not my ds1). They were all easy, reversible and sounded better than stock. he is a good dude to deal with too.
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Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Monte Allums DS-1
Yeah, I built that Recto Mod that IM6 is playing. I really like the Recto Mod... better than the Keeley SEM/Ultra.
The basic Recto Mod kit is pretty straighforward and simple to install. It gets trickier when you add the extra gain switch - Boss boxes with added minitoggles get kind of cramped, junky-looking, and unreliable. I think the basic Recto Mod is fantastic though, and gives plenty of gain.
Right now I have DS-1 that I did the IndyGuitarist "Vintage" mod on. It's a good one, too, and dirt cheap if you can get by without Allums' detailed instructions and daon't mind the hassle of sourcing your own parts. I want to build another Recto Mod so I can A/B the two.
Yeah, I built that Recto Mod that IM6 is playing. I really like the Recto Mod... better than the Keeley SEM/Ultra.
The basic Recto Mod kit is pretty straighforward and simple to install. It gets trickier when you add the extra gain switch - Boss boxes with added minitoggles get kind of cramped, junky-looking, and unreliable. I think the basic Recto Mod is fantastic though, and gives plenty of gain.
Right now I have DS-1 that I did the IndyGuitarist "Vintage" mod on. It's a good one, too, and dirt cheap if you can get by without Allums' detailed instructions and daon't mind the hassle of sourcing your own parts. I want to build another Recto Mod so I can A/B the two.
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