midnite_man
New member
I received my SD-1 and TS-5 in the mail today from STRATDELUXER97; aka Pedal_Tweaker, aka John, (I hope he doesn't change his screename again any time soon....lol); who did some very cool mods to them. I just got through trying 'em out with my Strat and Les Paul. I compared the SD-1 to my modded DS-1 (also John's work) using them with my Les Paul and found the SD-1 to be warmer in tone than the DS-1, very vintage sounding as if playing through a Marshall amp. Excellent for a Foghat-type sound. Not too much distortion, which is what I wanted, I can crank the dist. all the way where it sounds almost a little fuzzy and still not be too overboard, but the gain is fine. The DS-1 has more crunch to it and more high-end and headroom, but the SD-1 definitely has earned a place in my effects chain as a good rockin' effect for rhythm power-chording and can be used for lead also. What's nice about the two pedals is the fact that I don't have to crank my amp up to get "that breaking up" sound I would get if I cranked my amp alone instead . Too hard on my ears with that DRRI amp and it's notorious brightness. I haven't tried my Strat through the SD-1 yet, but I'll post a review in this thread a little later.
The TS-5 totally and very pleasantly suprised my ears when I first used it with my Strat. I A/B'd it with my modded TS-9 and found the TS-5 to be crunchier and with a little more headroom than my TS-9 which has also had the dist. part of the effect modded, too. Adding my Voodoo Labs MicroVibe and a little echo to the mix with the TS-5 and I could've swore Robin Trower was standing next to me playing Bridge of Sighs. Great sustain. Way cool! SRV-sounding licks are a cinch with that high-end crunchiness combined with that nice tube-sounding smooth boost. I noticed just a very small amount of noise while in use during a pause in a riff, but I expected that from this type of pedal and it's very minimal. Unoticeable while playing.
My Les Paul really screamed through the TS-5 when I played some lead riffs, holding it's sustain for as long as I needed it, and when boosted up enough the sustain would turn into a really cool feedback.
This TS-5 has also earned a spot in the lineup and is a keeper. I had one a few years back and didn't keep it for long 'cause I thought it sounded kinda cheap, and looking the same. But there's no cheapness to the sound of this TS-5 this time around, and even though it's housed in a plastic case I'm pretty confident it'll stand up well as long as it isn't abused too much.
I wish I had recording capabilities right now so I could let you all hear what they sound like, but suffice to say that being a huge rock/rock n roll fan for 40 years and a guitar player for over 30 of those, I give both pedals two thumbs up. Of course all of the above is my opinion only, and I wouldn't mind hearing from others who have the same pedals modded to John's specs.
I strongly recommend John's mods if anyone is interested in either doing them on their own, or contacting John and arranging to have him do them. You can find more details about his mods at his thread in the Vault Room.
For only spending $35 for the SD-1 and $25 for the TS-5 on eSchmay and putting just a few more bucks into them by having John mod them, I feel I have made a few very wise investments.
My $.05 worth
ROCK ON, PEOPLE!!!
The TS-5 totally and very pleasantly suprised my ears when I first used it with my Strat. I A/B'd it with my modded TS-9 and found the TS-5 to be crunchier and with a little more headroom than my TS-9 which has also had the dist. part of the effect modded, too. Adding my Voodoo Labs MicroVibe and a little echo to the mix with the TS-5 and I could've swore Robin Trower was standing next to me playing Bridge of Sighs. Great sustain. Way cool! SRV-sounding licks are a cinch with that high-end crunchiness combined with that nice tube-sounding smooth boost. I noticed just a very small amount of noise while in use during a pause in a riff, but I expected that from this type of pedal and it's very minimal. Unoticeable while playing.
My Les Paul really screamed through the TS-5 when I played some lead riffs, holding it's sustain for as long as I needed it, and when boosted up enough the sustain would turn into a really cool feedback.
This TS-5 has also earned a spot in the lineup and is a keeper. I had one a few years back and didn't keep it for long 'cause I thought it sounded kinda cheap, and looking the same. But there's no cheapness to the sound of this TS-5 this time around, and even though it's housed in a plastic case I'm pretty confident it'll stand up well as long as it isn't abused too much.
I wish I had recording capabilities right now so I could let you all hear what they sound like, but suffice to say that being a huge rock/rock n roll fan for 40 years and a guitar player for over 30 of those, I give both pedals two thumbs up. Of course all of the above is my opinion only, and I wouldn't mind hearing from others who have the same pedals modded to John's specs.
I strongly recommend John's mods if anyone is interested in either doing them on their own, or contacting John and arranging to have him do them. You can find more details about his mods at his thread in the Vault Room.
For only spending $35 for the SD-1 and $25 for the TS-5 on eSchmay and putting just a few more bucks into them by having John mod them, I feel I have made a few very wise investments.
My $.05 worth
ROCK ON, PEOPLE!!!
You've made my day buddy...Make some inspiring music buddy..
