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Monte Allum Mods

#21
totallyfrozen said:
I've never done one of these MA mods but I have soldered many electronics (used to fix CBs and radios back in the day). It's HIGHLY likely that's your problem. If solder from two different parts is touching, you've just make a short circuit.

Hope it works out well, bro. Please posts some pics of your project if/when you can. :bassist:
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Thanks for the input. I have gone back and checked and fixed all possible spots where solder meets the next point. Now I'm just waiting for the stack adapter and opamp that I ruined pulling the original ones from the MA kit. I put the old opamp in so all the other MA components are in there except the opamp and stack adapter. I'm getting a signal through the pedal, the problem is its a clean signal. No dirt at all even with all the knobs maxed so it may be something other than the opamp. We shall see. I was so disappointed I couldn't get it to work the first time. I really hope I can get er working once I replace the stack adapter and the new opamp.
 
#23
Sub'd
I'm thinking about getting his mod for the Boss GEB-7 bass EQ. I'm really interested in your experience installing his mod.

Not to high jack a thread but since we are talking about the Monte Allums mods, anyone have any experience with the GEB-7 mod? I'm hoping to get rid of the noise the pedal adds.
 
#24
totallyfrozen said:
Sub'd
I'm thinking about getting his mod for the Boss GEB-7 bass EQ. I'm really interested in your experience installing his mod.

Not to high jack a thread but since we are talking about the Monte Allums mods, anyone have any experience with the GEB-7 mod? I'm hoping to get rid of the noise the pedal adds.
Click to expand...

It's totally fine. I'd prefer it if we all share our experiences with any and all mods by monte. I think they are wonderful ideas and I'm sure they sound great. I just have to learn how to troubleshoot. I'm hoping I'll figure my SD1 mod out this weekend.
 
#25
So, I am giving up on my mod of the SD1. I just can't get it to work. I may have damaged the PCB but I'm not sure. All the components are changed out and I have no idea how to trouble shoot this. It gives a dirty signal if I jostle some of the components while I'm plugged in but something is def wrong, just don't know what.

You can see where the PCB may be burned and or damaged. I'm still getting something coming through though.

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1370050907.488024.jpg

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1370050932.142281.jpg
 
#29
totallyfrozen said:
Sub'd
I'm thinking about getting his mod for the Boss GEB-7 bass EQ. I'm really interested in your experience installing his mod.

Not to high jack a thread but since we are talking about the Monte Allums mods, anyone have any experience with the GEB-7 mod? I'm hoping to get rid of the noise the pedal adds.
Click to expand...

I did the GEB-7 Mod, let me know if you have a specific question. It's a bit complex to do, but if you're patient and good with the soldering iron it can be done.

Hellbastard said:
The GEB-7 Mod is pretty good though. The Noise Floor of the pedal drops and the Buffer circuit sounds better with the Burr Brown OPAs.
Click to expand...
 
#30
Hellbastard said:
I did the GEB-7 Mod, let me know if you have a specific question. It's a bit complex to do, but if you're patient and good with the soldering iron it can be done.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't even know where to begin. I'm pretty lost at this point. I have no idea where the issue is coming from. I'm admitting defeat unfortunately and eventually will be sending it to get repaired. Hopefully they still can repair it.
 
#31
I have a question. Did you follow the instructions, because if you did you should be able to troubleshoot this very easily. The Instructions clearly state that you have to check the pedal for functionality after changing each component.

Now from looking at the pictures I can't really tell what's wrong, but it looks like you did some damage to the PCB in the area of the capacitors c1, c2 and c3.

Make sure that the Legs of C1 and c2 are not touching the leads of any other components. Next time, if you need to keep the component's leads that long, try putting heat shrinks tubing ob them to isolate them.

I'm sorry this didn't work for you, but maybe you can try getting it fixed. Although for the price of the repair you could get a second DS 1 of off Ebay.
 
#32
Hellbastard said:
I have a question. Did you follow the instructions, because if you did you should be able to troubleshoot this very easily. The Instructions clearly state that you have to check the pedal for functionality after changing each component.

Now from looking at the pictures I can't really tell what's wrong, but it looks like you did some damage to the PCB in the area of the capacitors c1, c2 and c3.

Make sure that the Legs of C1 and c2 are not touching the leads of any other components. Next time, if you need to keep the component's leads that long, try putting heat shrinks tubing ob them to isolate them.

I'm sorry this didn't work for you, but maybe you can try getting it fixed. Although for the price of the repair you could get a second DS 1 of off Ebay.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know, it's an inexpensive pedal. But I want it modded. Didn't really dig the stock version.

I did indeed follow the directions to the T. The only thing I did wrong was not actively check the pedal in between each component change. I only tested to see if the power light came on. Which, after reading the directions more in depth, realized I needed to make sure it actually FUNCTIONED. That was my biggest mistake. I'll try your suggestions just to see if they work. I was really disappointed in myself because I couldn't mod it successfully. I felt so defeated. It's gonna cost me another $60 to $70 to get it repaired. If they even can :(
 
#34
Hellbastard said:
For the Repair Money I would rather buy a used one and try to do the mod again. Just try being more careful when removing the components and this time make sure you test the Pedal thoroughly after each change.
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I think you're right. I really want to do this on my own. It sucks I couldn't make it work/ruined the one I have but I wanted the satisfaction of saying I modded it and also the experience because I'm planning on buying a couple of projects from Build Your Own Clone in the future. That's a good idea Hell :) it would actually be the same cost as getting it repaired.
 
#35
Hellbastard said:
For the Repair Money I would rather buy a used one and try to do the mod again. Just try being more careful when removing the components and this time make sure you test the Pedal thoroughly after each change.
Click to expand...
^^This!

OP, maybe you can CAREFULLY salvage the parts that you got in the mod kit by CAREFULLY removing them. Then get on eBay and grab a used pedal for a cheap price. All you need is the guts to it so even if the pedal looks like a herd of elephants used it for a toilet before stomping it to death, it won't matter.

Question: The PCB board looks a bit toasted where you changed some components. Do you have a temperature controlled soldering iron? I think with those delicate electronics, it's probably best to use a soldering iron that has a variable temperature so that you can make sure it's not too hot. You only need it hot enough to melt the solder. Not hot enough to burn off all the flux; and certainly not hot enough to burn the PCB board.

Cheap-o irons like the Weller SP23 (which I have) are too hot for that kind of work, IMO. In the past, I've toasted electronics working with that iron. Spend a few more bucks and for less than $100, get a decent iron that you can change the temp on. For a few more bucks, you can get one that adjusts itself according to the tip temp.
 
#36
gregmon79 said:
...realized I needed to make sure it actually FUNCTIONED. That was my biggest mistake. I'll try your suggestions just to see if they work...
Click to expand...
Here's a crazy thought. Remove the components very carefully, in reverse order. Last in; first out.
Test the pedal after each removal.
If you did NOT toast the board, you may discover the problem component and be able reinstall it and progress from there. If this works, you may be able to mod this pedal afterall.

I'd try that before spending money on another used pedal.

Just my 2 cents.
 
#37
totallyfrozen said:
... for less than $100, get a decent iron that you can change the temp on. For a few more bucks, you can get one that adjusts itself according to the tip temp.
Click to expand...

not really necessary. I have a vintage Weller (I found it in the basement of my Wife's Grandfather, Who's been dead for over 20 Years) 25Watt Soldering Iron, it gets the Job Done. I have built Several Pedal Kits with the same Iron and using cheap Soldering tips.
You don't really need a fancy temp controlled Iron.
 
#38
Hellbastard said:
not really necessary. I have a vintage Weller (I found it in the basement of my Wife's Grandfather, Who's been dead for over 20 Years) 25Watt Soldering Iron, it gets the Job Done. I have built Several Pedal Kits with the same Iron and using cheap Soldering tips.
You don't really need a fancy temp controlled Iron.
Click to expand...
Are you familiar with the Weller SP25? The conical tip for that one seems large to me. I wonder if the tip on your iron is smaller?

I will agree that a temp control iron is not necessary for soldering (I've done plenty with that 25watt WellerSP25), but I think it's safer. I think it can make it easier to make clean connections without the same risk of overheating the solder or the board. FWIW, "a fancy temp controlled iron" is about $40 on Amazon.
 

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