Modifications to existing effects

[youngcoby]

Does anyone know a site where they give modifications to existing stomp boxes.  
I know generalguitargadgets who gives some, but are there other out there?

I have had a look at the archives, and there are some mods available here, but not in a structured way.  There are quite many people here who are modifying their stomp boxes, so maybe it might be an idea to create a new forum about modifying existing stomp boxes?

[petemoore]

Have you tried Links, Schematics, AMZ, Many Faces Of Fuzz?...Runoff Groove?
 Here
 There's liek what kinda mod aren't you talking about?

[youngcoby]

Thanks for your reply.

I have searched for one specific effect (Guv'nor) and in general for "modif*" (on this forum).

I got a lot of results, I haven't looked at all of them though.

I have tried the websites I know, but I will try the ones you just mentioned.

[Ansil]

Thanks for your reply.

I have searched for one specific effect (Guv'nor) and in general for "modif*" (on this forum).

I got a lot of results, I haven't looked at all of them though.

I have tried the websites I know, but I will try the ones you just mentioned.

are you talking about the original guvnor.. is so then email me. with what you want it to do. i have made these thing into two channels  switchable eq stages.. more gain. better chips..  more lowend on the first gain stage.  cascade control between stages.

austenfantanio@yahoo.com

[youngcoby]

Pff, a lot of information out there.  Isn't it strange that schematics can be found all over the net, but modifications is one here, one there etc.

I thought of finding some good modification, turning a let's say Boss distortion into a "nicer" distortion.  Then I would go out, by this pedal and start modding.  I know a normal human being would have a pedal and then start looking for a mod, but I like to turn around things.

I have found a mod for the Guv'nor.  It's in French, but here it is:
http://optimisetonampli.chez.tiscali.fr/exemple.htm
guv'nor is under exemples on the left

If anyone is interested in having the text in English, let me know.  I will try to translate it.

[aron]

>I thought of finding some good modification, turning a let's say Boss distortion into a "nicer" distortion. Then I would go out, by this pedal and start modding. I know a normal human being would have a pedal and then start looking for a mod, but I like to turn around things.

The problem is what is "nice"?

All most people can do is point you to places where you might want to try mods. Whether you like it or not is your call.

There are tons of mods around, but the best way to figure out how to mod something is to understand the circuit.

This forum was created to point you to the fact that you can mod your own pedals. Whether you want to make the pedal "more bright", "darker", etc... is your call.

[gez]

I used google.  It didn't want to do the whole page, but I pasted the text (I think, I haven't read through all this so apologies if it's about indoor gardening or something) in and this is what it spat out:

"OPTIMIZATION NOR MARSHALL GUV':  (of the 17/11/03) Marshall Guv' NOR is a pedal overdrive dating from the end of 1980.  It is robust and of a very good design, simple and effective.  Its precise equalization makes it possible to use it like a channel overdrive on any type of amplifier while not laying out, but preferably via the loop of effect of the amplifier.  It functions under 9V, pile or sector, with a semiconductor, IC1 on the diagram, Motorola TL072CP. It is a double Operational Amplifier (AOP) at entry JFET.  This type of AOP is very much used out of audio guitar because it is very cheap and a good compromise between bipolar technology and FET.  The distortion at exit of stage is carried out by a bridge of 2 diodes LED 3mm of which threshold VF=1V6.  Optimization especially consists in approaching the its tube by gaining even harmonics.  For that IC1 will be replaced by technology nearest to the characteristics of the tubes, a double AOP with entirely compatible FET electrically.  We will see Burr Brown OPA260Ã,P initially then the OPA213Ã,P.  Comparative of the harmonic spectra:  For all these measurements, I injected in entry of NOR Guv', a pure sine of 131mV with 1Khz, fundamental H1 is thus at the same frequency.  I raised chaques harmonic measurements of the analyzer of spectrum in the Excel spreadsheet, which makes it possible to display the following results....  Harmonic spectrum with IC1=TL072CP of origin:  The first 12 harmonics will be studied, it starts with H2 and finishes in H13.  H1, the fundamental one is not represented for reasons of legibilities, H1=100%.  The adjustment for measurements is Gain=10, Bass=8, Middle=8.5, Treble=2, Level adjusted around 5.  H2/H3=1.7% harmonic Spectrum with IC1=OPA2604:  The adjustment is identical and the Level is adjusted around 5 to obtain the same H1 level as previously, which remains the reference for 100%.  The harmonic report/ratio gains a factor 2.6, H2/H3=4.4%.  Harmonic spectrum with IC1=OPA2604 with decoupling of the 9V and the 4.5V:  The adjustment is idem...  The harmonic report/ratio gains a factor 4.7, H2/H3=8%.  Harmonic spectrum with IC1=OPA2134 with decoupling of the 9V and the 4.5V:  The adjustment is idem...  The harmonic report/ratio gains a factor 7.8, H2/H3=13.2%.  One strongly approaches the harmonic spectrum within the framework of use of tubes.  Description of optimization:  - To dismount the mask crushes 9V fixed by 1 screw punt.  - To dismount the back mask fixed by 4 Phillips screws.  - To remove with the hand the buttons of the 5 potentiometers.  - To unscrew the nut of the interrupor to foot, like those of the 3 jacks.  - To extract the block from the 2 charts, then to unscrew few turns the nut of each potentiometer, to be able to extract the principal chart.  - To unsolder the integrated circuit 8 pins IC1, to check the reference mark of pin 1.  For that to use either a pump to be unsoldered, or galvanized braid.  If you are not tested to cut to the grip the 8 pins, that will avoid too much heating the pastilles and avoiding separating them.  - IC1 places from There by respecting the reference mark, to install and weld a support tulip DIL8.  - To weld with dimensions welding between pin 4 and stitches it 8 of support IC1, a condenser of decoupling of IC1, MKP 10nF/63Vmin.  - To weld with dimensions welding on the terminal of R5, a condenser of decoupling of the reference voltage standard +4V5, MKP 22nF/63Vmin.  - To replace C7=10uF by 100uF/16Vmin for the decoupling of the +4V5.  - To weld with dimensions composing at the boundaries of R5, a condenser of decoupling of the +4V5, 10uF/16Vmin.  - To weld with dimensions composing between - of C7 and the reference mark R4, a condenser of decoupling of the +9V, radial 1000uF/25Vmin, to install it in order to be// with the 2 charts.  - To install on support IC1 according to the reference mark, OPA213Ã,P or OPA260Ã,P.  The 2 give a broader sound and more present.  The 2604 is a little faster and also a little broader and more shining.  2134 A a rounder grain and nearer to the its tube, and it brings also more bass.  The choice is a function of the quality of the guitar and the amplifier.  Note:  the use of AOP of better sound quality at a financial cost but also a cost of current consumption.  In comparison with the TL072, the 2134 consumes 2 times more, and the 2604 consumes 2.4 times more.  Option:  replacement of the condensers of connection:  - To replace C5=8n6 by Styroflex 10nF/63Vmin.  - To replace C3=220n by a radial MKC 220nF/63Vmin with the step nearest to 13mm.  - To replace C4=220n by a radial MKP 220nF/63Vmin with the step nearest to 13mm.  - To replace C9=220n by a radial MKP 220nF/63Vmin with the step nearest to 13mm.  - To replace C13=4n by Styroflex 4.7nF/63Vmin.  This option brings more fluidity and of heat to the overdrive.  Diagram of NOR Guv' optimized.  Files mp3 of NOR Guv' optimized (to be come)"

[youngcoby]

Aron: thanks for your reply.

I guess indeed "nicer" is very personal.  I think I will have to start studying electronics.

I just hoped that someone could help me out with (e.g.): I modded a Boss SD-1 (SuperOverdrive) by changing ... and now it sounds more natural.

I think I will try out the mod in the link mentioned above as soon as I have this Guv'nor.

[aron]

>I just hoped that someone could help me out with (e.g.): I modded a Boss SD-1 (SuperOverdrive) by changing ... and now it sounds more natural.


That's great, but as you design or mod your own pedals, you will find that the darn pedal sounds different on almost all setups. Yes, there are "universal" type mods and BTW these are listed in the simple mods page off of my home page. In general though, the idea is that you want to customize the pedal so it works for YOU.

[youngcoby]

@ Aron: thanks for the advice.  Indeed, my approach has been wrong.  I will use the mods on your page as a reference.  Thanks!

@ gez: I think this is the same page as the one I found.  The one I found however, is in French.  Could you post the url of this page?