More fun with Tubescreamer mods!

[javacody]

Ok, I was wondering what the heck the famous silver mod was. I found a description for it on Keely's TubeScreamer mod page. I ended up using 2 1n914 diodes on one side of the clipper and 3 on the other. This gives me more clarity, less compression, and assymetrical clipping. I also swapped out my stacked TI RC4558s for a Burr Brown op-amp. I'd also previously swapped out the 1 uF electros for 1uF film, swapped out the tant 0.22 uFs for film, did the 808 mods (with metal film resistors, no carbon comps for me!) and did the more/less distortion mod. I also added a switch to add more bass.

I started out with an ok sounding TS5 that I got on ebay for $20, now I have the best od pedal I've ever played! I highly recommend these mods! It used to be a gritty, mid range humper, now its just fat, fat, fat!

I also tried using two 914's in series on one side and two ge diodes in series on the other side, but for some reason it made the bass strings sound "gatey" and restricted? Weird.

[javacody]

Oops, I was looking at Keeley's site and noticed that he no longer lists what his mods are? I wonder why? He used to be very up front with exactly what he was replacing?

Fortunately, his old pages are still up and listed in the search engines:

http://www.robertkeeley.com/audiokt88/tonecap.html

Oh well, fortunately, Aron lists most of these mods on his simple mods page.

[Fret Wire]

Which Burr Brown did you try, the 2134 or 2064? What did you like about them compared to the TI RC4558? I don't remember, was there a resistor change to increase the impedance for clearer sound both bypassed and engaged? Like he does with his Boss mods?

[javacody]

2134, but that was a sublte change. The diodes had the biggest effect.

Yes, there is also a resistor change to increase input impedance, but I don't remember what it was. I did that one about 6 months ago.

[LH]

Here's Analog Man's description of the Silver mod.

http://www.analogman.com/ts9silv.htm

[Fret Wire]

It's funny, between the TS-9, DS-1, and SD-1, the mods have all become a blurr. Now I have to check my notes to remember what's what. Thank god that once I find what sounds nice, I make detailed notes. Saved me a few times.

[Ben N]

Did you rebox?  If not, where'd you put/how'd you mount the bass switch?

[javacody]

I didn't rebox. I used a mini-toggle, but it was a very tight fit. It's sticking out the side of the TS5 plastic enclosure.

[BDuguay]

Yesterday, a friend gave me a TS-9 to have a look at. You know the story - it worked, then it didn't. It's a M.I.J. with a maxon pcb. It's got the elcheapochip in it so I'll suggest swapping that one out. Any opinions on substituting that one with an RC4558? I'll also suggest the other mods mentioned here. What say you fine fellows and ladies?
Brian

[javacody]

I would put a socket in place of the chip and have your friend do a blind test to see what he likes.