Transformation of a DS-1

[Guitar Toad]

I got my DS-1 back from John Spina, Stratdeluxer97. It’s true! All that I’ve heard about his mod to the DS-1 is true. Before I sent it to him, I was content with it. But, I would simply set the tone knob at about 3 O’clock, Level 12 O’clock, and never touched the distortion knob, I always left it at the minimum setting because the distortion control simply was not useable. It sounded like a zillion mosquitoes buzzing in your ear. The DS-1's clipping was very harsh. The clipping was not a good quality tone. I used it as a booster and I liked what it did to add a little extra beef to the tone.

But, The Guy Who Invented Fire spoke so highly of what John does to the DS-1, that I had to find out.

I don’t know what he did, but now the distortion on this pedal is fabulous. It sounds very rich and smooth, silky smooth. This is pedal gives my single coils a PAF-ish tone boost. I've never plugged into a rich, primo-Marshall Plexi but this is what I imagine it sounding like. The pedal makes my amp sound better and I can actually use the distortion control on the DS-1 now if I want to add a little more rich French-silk-chocolate-mousse smooth distortion, I can do it.

So, many guys have recommended John Spina, and now there is one more guy ready to make the recommendation.

 

[Curly]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I liked it so much, I got two.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

You oughtta see & hear what he can do with a SparkleDrive.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

does the DS-1 as modded by john give the player more 'touch sensitivity'? ... does it alow for more 'controlled feedback at will' like a dumble, fuchs, or two rock kinda thing? ... i apologize in advance if these are hopelessly naive questions ... i am just really not at all familiar with pedals, especially modded ones ... i've always had multi channel amps with a footswitch to a distortion channel for times when i wanted that

t4d

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I liked it so much, I got two.

Curly, I'm tempted to do another one, jsut because the DS-1's are so cheap.
And Joe, I'm really tempted to try the SparkleDrive with the Spina magic.

 

[Artie]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I'll be placing mine in Johns trusty hands tomorrow.

Artie

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I've used DS1's for years.... i always found the stock ones sound great thru some amps and not so great thru others.... it depends..... Thru my Peavey Classic series amps they make an almost Marshall tone that i like..... I've been wanting to try a modded one from John for a long time...

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

How could I forget to mention that he also replaced the weak red indicator with an awesome blue LED. It looks really sweet. I tried to search and find the description that Stratdeluxer97 does to the DS-1. but, I haven't found it. Yet.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

Todd....Thanks for the nice post about your pedal brother! I Love reading these kinds of posts from all of you...

does the DS-1 as modded by john give the player more 'touch sensitivity'? ... does it alow for more 'controlled feedback at will' like a dumble, fuchs, or two rock kinda thing?

T4Days....Regarding your questions buddy....The modded DS1 is more like a JCM 800 on steroids and not like what you were asking....You do get alot of harmonics and sustain that is easy to get,but I'd say the pedal is tighter overall and not sweet like a Dumble tone...Just trying to be honest! Not sure if it adds touch sensitivity either? It's just a $40 modded pedal that reminds me of a higher gain JCM 800 Marshall,but it's almost like a fuzz if you max the drive on the modded version DS1...

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

How could I forget to mention that he also replaced the weak red indicator with an awesome blue LED. It looks really sweet. I tried to search and find the description that Stratdeluxer97 does to the DS-1. but, I haven't found it. Yet.

Blue LED to play "The Blues" :laugh2:

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

John's mods to a SD-1 were just stunning. I keep coming back to that pedal and its become my gold-standard overdrive for single coils.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

Todd....Thanks for the nice post about your pedal brother! I Love reading these kinds of posts from all of you...



T4Days....Regarding your questions buddy....The modded DS1 is more like a JCM 800 on steroids and not like what you were asking....You do get alot of harmonics and sustain that is easy to get,but I'd say the pedal is tighter overall and not sweet like a Dumble tone...Just trying to be honest! Not sure if it adds touch sensitivity either? It's just a $40 modded pedal that reminds me of a higher gain JCM 800 Marshall,but it's almost like a fuzz if you max the drive on the modded version DS1...

thanks john .. i think i get it .. i am just not experienced enough with pedals to really grok the feel they provide

cheers
t4d

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

thanks john .. i think i get it .. i am just not experienced enough with pedals to really grok the feel they provide

cheers
t4d

Yeah if you don't need em.don't use em buddy!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

Ah I'm fairly interested now... But living abroad it'd be stupid to send in the pedal and get it back Do you sell modded pedals already John?

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

say John, you should sell some of your modded stuff online. I'll get it from ya
Not to mention the keeley modded, they are kindda ex for me though =P

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

Ah I'm fairly interested now... But living abroad it'd be stupid to send in the pedal and get it back Do you sell modded pedals already John?

Nope....Guys send them to me,I Mod em,and send em back...That way I don't sit on any pedals..

 

[gripweed]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I have an Ibanez TS-7 that I may send to John as soon as I have some pickups rewound, put my Strat back together and buy another guitar. Sigh ---it's gonna be a while:yell:

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

if I ever get back into the real world of guitar (aka stomp boxes and amp)
all my boxes are going to john

chris

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

Amen to that, i still love my SD1. Im still pondering the idea of getting one of his DS1s.. id like to have one with a really beefy tone instead of a tight marshall like distortion.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Transformation of a DS-1

I think John does the best pedal mods I have ever heard!

He's rebuilt a few Vox Wahs for me and also a couple of TS-9's.

I've tried John's DS-1 mod too. It makes for a DS-1 with more gain, a fuller tone and more bottem end. Perfect if you're using the DS-1 as a stomp box that you stomp on for soloing and then stomp off for playing rythym.

I don't use a DS-1 that way...if I'm going to use one I tend to set it for low distortion and then I leave it on all the time and use it as more of a boost than a distortion generator that I stomp on and off.

But John is clearly one of the guys here with great ears and taste.

I liked the modded DS-1 he sent me to try alot more than the Keeley Seeing I modded DS-1 I had.

Lew