Pedal Mods-I Am Becoming Addicted

[Trypp Powell]

Anyone else into these? I'm becoming addicted to modding pedals-particularly the Boss stuff. Right now, I'm just working with the various kits you can buy online, but pretty soon I think I might be ready to start experimenting to create some mods of my own. Having a board full of DS-1s might look a little strange though.

[vondran]

I'm a mod addict as well. Started with the Crybaby mod - true bypass, fasel, changed resistors for different voicings. Then I did the script mods to my block Phase 90 plus true bypass, converted my CoolCat to true bypass, and added high-cut filtering to my DD-5. I then built two Tube Screamers and a Keeley Compressor from scratch and made every possible parameter adjustable.

I haven't used mod kits as there are tons of instructions and schematics on the web - plus they charge 10x markup on parts you can get at Radio Shack for 50 cents (even better order from Small Bear http://www.smallbearelec.com, they have everything)

Good websites are:
http://www.tonepad.com/
http://www.geofex.com/
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/

A great discussion board is http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/. You can search on nearly any pedal and find advice on mods.

All of these sites have links listed as well to other sites so you can find anything you'd like.

[RoadRacerX]

I bought a Keeley modded DS-1 a while back. I haven't had a chance to use it much, but I just bought a JCM800 combo that I will use it with. Is modding a pedal tough? I'd like to get a new TS-9 and do a vintage mod on it.

[vondran]

I bought a Keeley modded DS-1 a while back. I haven't had a chance to use it much, but I just bought a JCM800 combo that I will use it with. Is modding a pedal tough? I'd like to get a new TS-9 and do a vintage mod on it.

Tough is a tough question to answer. First, can you solder? Second, can you understand and follow schematics? Third, do you understand electronics - resistors, capacitors, transistors, opamps, etc..

If you can do just the first, then you'll need the kits until you get more proficient. If you can do the second then you can pull a lot of mod ideas from the internet boards. If you can do the third, then you can experiment with your own mods.

It's a learning process and part of the addicting part is gaining knowledge of exactly how the effects work and mastering how to tweak them to get what you want.

[Trypp Powell]

Start off small if you haven't done electronics work before. I've picked up a few books from the local library and have taught myself to read schematics. Picking up used pedals on ebay or from the classifieds sections of various forums will help to keep your initial costs down.

[RoadRacerX]

LOL. Yeah, I guess I can solder. I've spent most of my career as an aircraft avionics technician, but not an engineer. Do you guys just do mods other folks have written out, or do you know how a circuit is affected when a part of a different value is substituted?

I don't think following a simple schem will be a problem for me. I'm just interested in how you come up with mods. Trial and error with jumper wires w/ alligator clips, etc?

[vondran]

LOL. Yeah, I guess I can solder. I've spent most of my career as an aircraft avionics technician, but not an engineer. Do you guys just do mods other folks have written out, or do you know how a circuit is affected when a part of a different value is substituted?

I don't think following a simple schem will be a problem for me. I'm just interested in how you come up with mods. Trial and error with jumper wires w/ alligator clips, etc?

With your background, you're good to go. Jump in. Analog pedals are simple circuits and generally playing around with simple mods are reversible and won't blow the circuit if you make a mistake - no engineering degree required.

Start with the modern to vintage TS mod you mentioned. A good description of the circuit and its mods is at http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folder...ch/tsxtech.htm.

To answer your question I usually install a switch or knob (if tweaking a resitor value) so I can switch between different values as I play. Most mods are subtle so I got to be able to swich back and forth as you play to hear the difference. I don't use jumpers or alligator clips since everything is crammed in so tightly that they're either always popping off or shorting something. It's simply easier to just solder it and if you don't like it, unsolder.

Ideas for mods - as you read posting on mods on the web you'll slowly get an understanding of the circuit and how the mods effect it. You then get ideas of your own and start trying them out.

[Valeck]

I use a Keeley MT2 in front of my 2203, it just kicks ass loud !
I've kept my stock MT2 to test the differencies, and they're just two different pedals, really amazing.