Boss DS-1 modded for bass CLIP included.

[BassJunkie730]

So I was very methodical with this mod and in the end - I only ended up switching out 6 parts. Not bad for a pretty drastic mod in terms of the pedals over all response.

I read over and over the DS-1 notes on premier guitar written by Mr. Wampler which were very very helpful.

Also it's of note that the tone control of the DS-1 is basicaly the same as the one in a big muff - something very familiar to me from a modding standpoint.

I'll go through each mod and what it does so you can crack open your DS-1s and get a fuller sound. Or go down and pick one up for $40 and spend $2 in parts to get an amazing sounding distortion pedal that can do a reasonable light overdrive, is very responsive, and go all the way to a near fuzz like raging distortion.

The component numbers correspond to the current board found in the DS-1.

C3 - change to .1uf

this mod lowers the cutoff frequency of the signal coming in from 33hz to 18hz. I did this so I could use the pedal with an octave pedal.

C8 - change to .22uf

this mod changes the RC filter which determines at what frequency the pedal starts to clip. Stock it clips full range at 33hz but I bumped it up to 154hz with the .22uf cap in order to keep the fundamentals and second harmonics clean for the lowest notes. I was nervous about this mod that it might not sound right - but it sounds great!

D5 change to an LED or a 1N4001 diode.

This mod decompresses the distortion character and ups the volume a bit. It resulting in more dynamics which is nice.

C12 - change to .047

this mod is a part of the tonestack mod that adds a solid 8db of high mids (600-800hz) and 6db at 300hz back to the signal when the tone is a noon and it almost flat in terms of response.

R17 - change to 15K

This brings the bass WAY UP in the tone stack, especially on the treble side. It also keeps the 2db dip in mids (instead of a stock 9db dip) centered at around 600 to 800hz.

So there you have it - a great sounding mod to a super cheap pedal. The DS-1 is certainly useable stock at lower settings and more bass side tone settings but I wanted to be able to use this pedal as more a raging distortion so the mods were certainly needed.

Here's a sweep of the stock tone stack using Duncan Amp's TSC



Here's my version with just two components changed in the stack.


Pretty drastic.


here's a clip

CLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and here's a rundown of the clip recorded straight into garageband - dry - with my P-bass with flats.

clean

light dist.
tone noon
dist full counter

light dist treble
tone full clock
dist full counter

light dist bass
tone full counter
dist full counter

med dist
tone noon
dist noon

I dig in after a while to show the dynamics of the pedal

full dist
tone noon
dist full clock

full dist bass
tone full counter
dist full clock

full dist treble
tone full clock
dist full clock

med dist pick
tone noon
dist noon

full dist pick
tone noon
dist full clock

tone roll off light dist
tone noon
dist full counter
bass tone rolled off

tone roll off medium dist
tone noon
dist noon
bass tone rolled off.


Enjoy guys.

I really think this turns the DS-1 into an essential pedal for the distortion crowd.



michael

[Thunderscreech]

WOW! I'm impressed by what I'm hearing!

I'm considering doing that mod myself now after i heard what you recorded. Seriously, I am.

[CuticleThorns]

I have a DS-1 which I modded so it self oscillates when the DIST is turned up past 12o'clock, definitely going to try this out to beef the little devil up some!

Thanks & I'll post back when I've tried this out.

[keb]

Oooh, nice. I do like how that sounds. Got me thinking about modding my DS-1 now...

[BassJunkie730]

Bump for sweep updates.

[Tbirdbassist]

S***, I was already pretty content with my DS1. This sounds great! I think I might try this.

[selfblessed]

Cool man. Total sleeper pedal!

[BassJunkie730]

I made some big changes to this mod.

Please do not perform until further notice.

[CuticleThorns]

Subscribed

[RMay]

Originally Posted by BassJunkie730

I made some big changes to this mod.

Please do not perform until further notice.

[keb]

I just did a partial mod to my DS-1, all I did was swap out the C12 capacitor for a .047, of which I happened to have a couple laying around in my parts bin. That was the element of the mod I was most interested in anyway, as it adds some mids back into the tone of the pedal. The distortion sounds "creamier" now, and I am pleased with it.

[BassJunkie730]

I just realized I have two threads going on this. if the mods can merge them - great - if not then they can delete the one started AFTER this one


The mod is complete.

here's a clip - I'm going to record a much clearer one tonight.

http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7016...mod%20bass.mp3

and i'm going to fully disclose the mod with possible component upgrades.

After such a disclosure I expect all of you to run out and grab one for $40 or so and make your own - super awesome bass distortion for the cheep beer crowd.

[Lucas G]

wow! both clips are mighty fine, but the second one is just awesome!

i think i will be buying one of these this weekend.

this might make a great first pedal mod project for me.

[BassJunkie730]

Yeah I think that's what I like most about this Boss pedal mod. It's cheaper to just pay retail for the pedal and make the mods than it is to buy boutique - and you get a fine specimen when you are done - well save people's thoughts about Boss switching system.

And please let it be known that this is NOT a copy of the Keeley mod, the Analogman mod, the Stinkfoot mod, the Allums mod, or any other.

I want to be clear. I'm not trying to take the convenience or wind out of any hard working modder's sails. There are parts of my mod that reflect changes in the Allums mod, and I have reviewed the Keeley mod. In fact I've done the allums mod on a pedal for a client. But this mod has literally opposing results from the Allums mod and Keeley mod - with corresponding different values.

I researched this circuit using the duncan Tone Stack Calculator, a great article in the february issue of premier guitar magazine that explains what different parts of the DS-1 circuit do and their modding potential, and a few web based RC filter calculators. It is an original mod.

I will release this mod freely and willingly, with no expectation for financial gain. I chose to do it for myself and for the benefit of those on a tight budget.

thanks,

And like I said - Component replacement values to come tonight.

finally.

[bassman251]

Originally Posted by BassJunkie730

Yeah I think that's what I like most about this Boss pedal mod. It's cheaper to just pay retail for the pedal and make the mods than it is to buy boutique - and you get a fine specimen when you are done - well save people's thoughts about Boss switching system.

And please let it be known that this is NOT a copy of the Keeley mod, the Analogman mod, the Stinkfoot mod, the Allums mod, or any other.

I want to be clear. I'm not trying to take the convenience or wind out of any hard working modder's sails. There are parts of my mod that reflect changes in the Allums mod, and I have reviewed the Keeley mod. In fact I've done the allums mod on a pedal for a client. But this mod has literally opposing results from the Allums mod and Keeley mod - with corresponding different values.

I researched this circuit using the duncan Tone Stack Calculator, a great article in the february issue of premier guitar magazine that explains what different parts of the DS-1 circuit do and their modding potential, and a few web based RC filter calculators. It is an original mod.

I will release this mod freely and willingly, with no expectation for financial gain. I chose to do it for myself and for the benefit of those on a tight budget.

thanks,

And like I said - Component replacement values to come tonight.

finally.

DS-1 pedals are not my favorite pedals. It is nice to know that they can be successfully modded for bass. I like Boss SD-1 for bass better. Finished a keeley 5 star modd it actually sounds great on bass & there are modds to make it full adaptable for bass. They are just $20.00 more then ds-1's

[BassJunkie730]

here you guys want to know what I did

c2 - 1uf
c3 - .1uf
c1 - .1uf
c5 - .1uf
d5 - 1n4001 (Led like)
d4 - led
c13 - .1uf
c9 - 1uf
c8 - 1uf
c12 - .047uf

I have a resistor change or two to document but I'm still trying to locate it.

[BassJunkie730]

Originally Posted by bassman251

DS-1 pedals are not my favorite pedals. It is nice to know that they can be successfully modded for bass. I like Boss SD-1 for bass better. Finished a keeley 5 star modd it actually sounds great on bass & there are modds to make it full adaptable for bass. They are just $20.00 more then ds-1's

yes but the SD-1 is an entirely different circuit. It can work for the OD folks - but for those wanting distortion - the DS-1 is a great option.

[BassJunkie730]

bump for clip hosting update.

also I want to check the BOM just to make sure my resistor mod is just that 15k one.

let me crack open one of the modded ds-1s sitting in my room.

new clip link is

http://www.marysmonster.com/ds1mod.mp3


PS. the track in my sig uses the DS-1mod MAXED with a little bit of software EQ and a tiny bit of compression from the Stillwell Major Tom plugin.

EDIT: 15K resistor confirmed - the ONLY resistor mod made in the circuit at r17

This is a cheap one folks with BIG results

i tried it out today with my VB2, THA Flatty P-Bass of Justice, a ripping 3015 and an angry drummer - lots of good stuff - no super lows - but then this is a distortion - not a fuzz -

you should be happy for ANY low end. :-)

[rcubed]

I just modded my DS-1 this weekend. Did the Keeley mod minus the diode/LED swap. Definitely helps retain the low end a lot better.

[lobey]

Hell in a handbasket! I love this!!!