DS-1 (and Hello, I'm new)

[element062]

Hey, everyone I'm looking to mod a Ds-1 so I can use it as a clean boost without having to go out and buy caps and stuff.  Is that possible?


Yes, I know there are tons of topics on ds-1 mods but, I can't find what I'm looking for and I need help.

So is there anything I can just remove or unsolder or mod that I can do with just the DS-1 and a soldering iron and solder?  I want to use it in front of the dirty channel on my amp to really push it over the edge.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help.

[rockgardenlove]

Just remove the diodes...that should be the simplest without changing any other components.

[Transmogrifox]

Yes.  Clip the diodes out of the circuit.  It won't distort if you use it on its lower gain settings.  If you want to buy a little toggle switch, you could wire it up to the diodes so you could switch between booster or distortion mode.

[element062]

so then what would the diodes be called and where are they located?

thanks

[RDV]

so then what would the diodes be called and where are they located?

thanks

According to this they should be D4 & D5 and be located side by side in the middle of the PCB.

HTH

RDV

[wampcat1]

Yes.  Clip the diodes out of the circuit.  It won't distort if you use it on its lower gain settings.  If you want to buy a little toggle switch, you could wire it up to the diodes so you could switch between booster or distortion mode.

I would also change r11 to a smaller resistor...say 10k or so.

bw

[5150]

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you pull out the clipping diodes you very well may still end up with some op-amp distortion in the mess when you go for a significant amount of boost - the 10k in R11 suggestion should help out quite a bit (but if you're going out, might as well get a small trimpot in there to find your balance), but if you're looking for a lot of boost you might have trouble getting what you want without purchasing anything.  Also, keep fresh batteries - if you want clean, the DS-1 (along with almost every other box in existence) will not respond well to lazy batteries.

One thing to worry about, though, is that in addition to the 'crunch' you're presumably getting away from the clipping diodes from my experience tend to help prevent some awkward 'jumps' and unusual habits of the stuff before it - when I yanked out my diodes I noticed that for some reason there were some spots in the in the middle section of the neck on the top strings that didn't have the same volume or tonality as the rest of the guitar, so when I turned off all of my other distortion some notes seemed to QUACK at me.  My unit may be just a little weird, but if you can get around to it I'd suggest just buying a few sets of 1n400something diodes and putting several of them in line with each other so that this kind of thing mignt be kept under control.  Now that I think about it, any input on why my box wishes it were a migratory bird would be appreciated, if anyone has any insight.

Jeff