Maxon OD-9 More Gain

[Voxin]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knows how I can get a bit more gain out of this pedal?  Will doing a gain mod on this pedal affect the boost function on this pedal (when the gain knob is turned all the way down)?  I really love how the pedal sounds in that mode so I do not want to alter that in any way.  Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

[ubersam]

Isn't the OD-9 pretty much the same circuit as the TS808/9 but without the FET switching? If so, check out the Technology of the Tubescreamer article at Geofex. That should get you started. There are a couple of ways I could think of to increase the gain. One would require the gain/drive pot to be replaced with a higher value, maybe 1M. This would give you more available gain without changing the frequency response. The other way would require a resistor and a cap change, the values of which have to be 'matched' (calculated) to retain the frequency response.

[Voxin]

Thanks for the tip.  After reading that article, some things made sense.  I ended up doing an 808 mod on the OD-9 along with the less and more gain mod w/added bass.  Everything worked like a charm and cost about $5.00  The pedal itself sounds more full and has more punch to it.  I did notice after switching out the 470ohm and 100K resistors for 100ohm and 10K ones made a slight change in noise.  The pedal is a little noisier with my single coil guitars but not so noticeable with the humbucking ones.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

[jpm83]

Did you use carbon film or carbon comp or metal film resistors? Metal film resistors and metal film caps should be less noisier.

Janne

[Voxin]

I used metal film.  There's just a bit more hiss out of it when the gain is cranked.  Maybe it's something that I should just get used to.  It's not that bad though, but it's there.

[jonathan perez]

when youre with a band,noone will notice.

[Voxin]

That's true...I guess you really can't have it all. 

[jonathan perez]

i had a gig last week....and when i got home and plugged in, i noticed my amp HUMS...i never noticed, because i never get to practice here at the house, at lowish volumes...