Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

[pagemalicious]

Just got it yesterday and already i've dialed in a good tone from it. I'm using it to boost my lead sound more to add more highs as i think they don't cut through very well within band practices and gigs.

Here's the rig now:

Washburn 7 string or Jackson RR3 - Boss SD-1 - Jcm 900 2100.


Not only does it boost the signal, but it gives more clarity to my solos. Totally shocked by this, i always thought effects pedals were the devils doing. But now i guess they aren't when used properly [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Any one else have the SD-1? what do you think of it?

also, is it better to run the pedal through the effects loop? or through the front of the amp?

[Crusher]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Cool [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Congrats...I remember when I first got a SD-1 way back in 82 and the smile it put on my face when I first used it [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] That pedal is still alive today and has seen many a stage slamin the front end of JCM800 2203/2204's [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I don't know much about the 900's and how they react to pedals in front but I'd keep it front and run other effects through the loop if you have them, chorus, G major, delay etc.

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

My engineer friend in Boston has been modding these and the Tube Screamer. He's about to start building his own as well.

Here's what he sent me as far as what he does to them if anyone is interested.

__________________________________________________ _____
1) Improve the frequency response. Adding more bass is
crucial since most pedals cut entirely too much bass
leaving the sound thin.

2) Replacing the op-amp with a high quality expensive
model. This helps reduce noise and improve the
transient response/slew rate. The myth of the JRC4558
op-amp being the holy grail of tone is complete
bullshit! It is a shitty cheap op-amp. I am an
electrical engineer and a slave to achieving good tone
so I am always pissed when I hear people touting that
crap. It is a noisy op-amp and it does not respond to
quickly changing signals which guitars are known for.
Ergo: the dynamics of your playing are lost and
shmeared.

3) Reduce total noise floor of the circuit.

4) More clean output so you can just slam the front
end of a tube amp without adding distortion and when
the gain is full on it adds some grind to the signal.

5) Soften up the distortion a bit to make it smoother
and more tube-like. Less buzzy (or make it more buzzy
and grindy if that's what someone want)

[Twisteramps]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

[ QUOTE ]
My engineer friend in Boston has been modding these and the Tube Screamer. He's about to start building his own as well.

Here's what he sent me as far as what he does to them if anyone is interested.

__________________________________________________ _____
1) Improve the frequency response. Adding more bass is
crucial since most pedals cut entirely too much bass
leaving the sound thin.

2) Replacing the op-amp with a high quality expensive
model. This helps reduce noise and improve the
transient response/slew rate. The myth of the JRC4558
op-amp being the holy grail of tone is complete
bullshit! It is a shitty cheap op-amp. I am an
electrical engineer and a slave to achieving good tone
so I am always pissed when I hear people touting that
crap. It is a noisy op-amp and it does not respond to
quickly changing signals which guitars are known for.
Ergo: the dynamics of your playing are lost and
shmeared.

3) Reduce total noise floor of the circuit.

4) More clean output so you can just slam the front
end of a tube amp without adding distortion and when
the gain is full on it adds some grind to the signal.

5) Soften up the distortion a bit to make it smoother
and more tube-like. Less buzzy (or make it more buzzy
and grindy if that's what someone want)

[/ QUOTE ]

1) changing out capacitors does this

2)Burr Browns are favored by a lot of the mod guys, including Keeley. The best mod you can make like this is to put a socket on the pedal, so one can try different chips in there. Even if you try a bunch of cheaper chips like JRC4558, TL072, TL082, etc - some are better than others. The Burr Browns are a few bucks to several bucks each, and are higher fidelity and lower noise.

3) Just changing all the resistors to metal film will go a long way towards this... also using bigger wattage ones than necessary as space allows. I think the myth about carbon comp resistors in pedals is bullshit in the extreme.

4) reistor value swaps can accomplish this

5)This is done by changing the diodes (this pedal has clipping diodes in it - the stuff that people HATE in a tube amp, but love in a pedal. go figure!)

I modded an SD1 for Fritzreiser here on the board with the above stuff, and a 6 way switch for different levels and qualities of clipping overdrive. It was a pretty interesting pedal.

Pete

[JDA]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

I use to own the SD-1 and always liked it. I'll probably get another one and I might try the Keeley SD-1. I've read good things about his modded pedals.

Have Fun! JD...

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Uhh, yeah.... Thanks for clearing all that Pete... sigh...

[Twisteramps]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Why ya sighing? Maybe you could clear that up for me?

Pete

[mogar]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

SD-1's are the best OD pedals in their price range. I've been using one in foront of my 5150 for about a year now. Does alot to tighten up the flab of the lead channel a lot.

[aldog1330]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Been meaning to pick one up as a boost if nothing else. For the price and the reviews it sounds like they can't be beat.

[nonamemx]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Pedals that boost the signal should go on the imput, like overdrive, distortion and wah pedals.

Modulation effects that dont change the strength of the signal can go in the loop, like chorus, phaser, flanger, delay, reverb, ect.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

I'd put a graphic EQ in the loop too... that boosts and/or cuts the signal.

Pete

[toejam]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

[ QUOTE ]
I'd put a graphic EQ in the loop too... that boosts and/or cuts the signal.

Pete

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, a graphic EQ sounds better to me in the loop, but some people use them in front.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

In the loop will affect the tone so much more... if you're just looking to make your guitar hit the amp harder, in front. If you're looking for a radical volume boost or more effect on the eq, put it in the loop.

Pete

[nonamemx]

Re: Just bought a Boss SD-1 pedal

Oh yeah, I forgot about the EQs. . .I dont ever use mine, it just sits in its box, waiting for the classifieds or ebay.