Super Overdrive Conversion

ErikH

Well-known member
I posted this over at diystompboxes.com and thought I'd share it here too.

Since I have a Wylde Overdrive which is a SD-1 anway, I decided to take my SD-1 and convert it to TS-808 specs as much as possible.

So, I got both schematics and compared them, noting what I had to change and what was changed already from previous mods. In the end, I changed something like 13 components. There's more than that in the differences between the two circuits but a few of them had already been done already. Between previous mods and changing the rest, I've got 16 component differences. There's more like 20 differences +/- between a SD-1 and TS-808.

Off I went with the iron and desoldering braid. Little by little the SD-1 sounded more and more like an 808, but not exactly. It'll never sound exactly like one because I didn't change components in the tone control section and the pots values are different between the two. But the changes that I did make gave me the "flavor" I was looking for. All in all, a good experiment with much success. This is a conversion that I never thought I'd do a couple years ago.

All of the changes I did are documented on my site. If you want to sacrifice a SD-1 and do this, go for it. The changes can be found here, http://www.erikhansen.net/?page_id=29, under the heading "The Almost-TS-808 Conversion".

Enjoy!
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

... Just when I started to like you :(



;)

The SD1 is a fine pedal. I don't like it stock that much, but with a couple of component changes it can get cleaner, more transparent and (what I like the most) very UN tubescreamer like :D
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

LOL, Pierre. Yeah, the SD-1 is great. One thing I noticed when finished with the conversion was that it doesn't have that mid hump like tube screamers do. I'm pretty sure it's because I didn't change the main resistor and cap in the tone control ciruitry. Those are still SD-1 values. It cleans up really well too. Both the SD-1 and TS clean up about the same to me. That's more dependent, I think, on the amp.
 
Last edited:
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

I think it has it. I really liked my SD1 for the first 5 months, then I just... needed something else. I did the Monte allum set for a flattened EQ and I LOVED the pedal after. I had to sell it though but I got a new one so... it'll be modded soon :D

It is possible to totally destroy that midhump with just a couple of changes though! The TS style circuit is great, fo sho, I just feel Ibanez/Maxon/Boss got it entirely wrong.

The boost is not clean at all and sucks off all the bass, the gain is nasal and shrill sounding... meh. It should be called Solidstatescreamer, since I never heard it sound like tubes or remotely close :D
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

Neither one of them is not meant to be a clean boost anyway. They're stinkin' overdrive pedals. LOL And their purpose is to push the front end of an amp with some overdrive already going. Through a clean amp, yeah, they don't sound all that great, but through a mildy overdriven Marshall or Vox or even a Fender, that's where they shine.
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

Indeed. That's how I used it... but for some reason it still didn't do it for me :( Thing is, there are three knobs with it, but so little useable sounds I feel :(
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

It's not for everyone. I'm getting some pretty convincing Lynch tones right now though. It looks pretty cool with a green LED too. Might need to take a pic of that.
 
Re: Super Overdrive Conversion

Bump for anyone else who'd be interested. Since this was posted on Saturday, I'm sure a lot where out and about for the holiday weekend. ;)
 
Back
Top