marcello252
Well-known member
I had the chance to buy a 2nd hand Boss SD-1w, I have several SD-1, one original, other modified in various ways, so this new one would had been not so useful but I've always been curious about this version, in the standard mode particularly.
If you look around most of the people say it's just the same as the original, just less noisy and much more expensive, others, minority, swear they are way different
On paper the topology is very similar, same frequency cuts, even same cap values, but the SD1 is opamp based, the SD1w doesn't have opamps, or better, the Opamp function is made by discrete transistors , fet and bjt, so the dynamics , especially near voltage limits, ought to be different.
Well, tested side by side, IMNSHO , they are different, the SD1w is way more dynamic, even more fun to play, not two worlds apart, but enough to keep the pedal. The frequency response is the same, so if you hear a demo on YT it's very likely impossible to tell one from another, under the fingers they are beasts of the same type, but different.
In custom mode the gain and bass raise , but I don't think it's so interesting, it's just another good OD, although very responsive.
So, if you have an old SD1 you might not need it, it's not worth it for its price, but if you have the chance of a 2nd hand unit try it, it's interesting you'll feel the different flavor and maybe keep it
If you look around most of the people say it's just the same as the original, just less noisy and much more expensive, others, minority, swear they are way different
On paper the topology is very similar, same frequency cuts, even same cap values, but the SD1 is opamp based, the SD1w doesn't have opamps, or better, the Opamp function is made by discrete transistors , fet and bjt, so the dynamics , especially near voltage limits, ought to be different.
Well, tested side by side, IMNSHO , they are different, the SD1w is way more dynamic, even more fun to play, not two worlds apart, but enough to keep the pedal. The frequency response is the same, so if you hear a demo on YT it's very likely impossible to tell one from another, under the fingers they are beasts of the same type, but different.
In custom mode the gain and bass raise , but I don't think it's so interesting, it's just another good OD, although very responsive.
So, if you have an old SD1 you might not need it, it's not worth it for its price, but if you have the chance of a 2nd hand unit try it, it's interesting you'll feel the different flavor and maybe keep it
