Boss DS-1 Mods

[pkvine]

I'm just a beginner at building pedals and I have a Boss DS-1 sitting at home that I've been thinking I should modify.

Anybody know of any good mods for the DS-1 that I can do myself?

I read an article by Brian Wampler and he has a couple mods for the DS-1 in that article (JCM Marshal, Modern, and Vintage...I think)...anyway, I'm not sure about any of those because some of the comments after the article were saying there were issues with some of the mods or they didn't work right (could have just been the person screwing it up too!). If anyone has experinece with any of these "Wampler Mods" I'd like to hear which one sounds the best overall.

Thanks

[rousejeremy]

Here's the JCM 800 mod with the "tons of gain" mod as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSv9W0IXgA
I also have a DS-1 with the JCM800 mod substituting an LED for the 1n4001. I love them both.
The DS-1 is so cheap (I see them on CL for around 20-30) that you could buy a few and try all the mods.
Wampler does great stuff.

[pkvine]

Thanks.....I think I'm going to do the JCM mod too!  It seems to be the mod with the best reviews!

[Electron Tornado]

Here's a link to Keeley's mods:

http://www.robertkeeley.com/audio6l6/dstech.html

[nomorebetts]

I did the JCM mod.  Sounds much better to the stock unit.  Well at least to my ears.

When I was thinking of doing this I found a great youtube clip where a guy had all three modded units lined up and was testing each of them out.  I'll see if I can find it again.

[rousejeremy]

I did the JCM mod.  Sounds much better to the stock unit.  Well at least to my ears.

When I was thinking of doing this I found a great youtube clip where a guy had all three modded units lined up and was testing each of them out.  I'll see if I can find it again.

Did you do the gain mod as well?

[askwho69]

try modding it jcm800 mod its the best! and tons of gain! its better it you use good components to it! for 1uf it think i like Electrolytic rather than metalfilm its much crunchy! and resitor is metalfilm for less noise and smooth sound:D try to change the opamp to OPA2134 its the beast!

[clamup1]

Put this mod on the list of things to do. as if the list wasnt long enough lol

[nomorebetts]

I did the JCM mod.  Sounds much better to the stock unit.  Well at least to my ears.

When I was thinking of doing this I found a great youtube clip where a guy had all three modded units lined up and was testing each of them out.  I'll see if I can find it again.

Did you do the gain mod as well?

No I didn't do the tons of gain mod... but I'm thinking I might have to crack it open again after listening to that!

Here is the you tube vid I was referring to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmARgeZPTN4
He lines up all three mods and tries em out.

[Willybomb]

I've done the Keely Ultra/All Seeing Eye mods to my DS-1 and they're not too bad.  I want to try the "Snip-snip" mod where you remove both diodes.  Should see if I can't work out how to wire a toggle switch for "both/one/none" settings.  Can't be too hard - any suggestions.

[Electron Tornado]

I've done the Keely Ultra/All Seeing Eye mods to my DS-1 and they're not too bad.  I want to try the "Snip-snip" mod where you remove both diodes.  Should see if I can't work out how to wire a toggle switch for "both/one/none" settings.  Can't be too hard - any suggestions.

Removing the diodes will give you an increase in volume. How it sounds as a distortion effect will depend on whether you like how the op amp sounds when it's driven to clip.

A both/one/none mod will be easy with a 3 position ON/OFF/ON switch and an extra diode. I guess that would make it a one/none/both, or both/none/one mod. I've tried single diode clipping and it's always been too subtle for me. But try it and tell us what you come up with.

[Willybomb]

A both/one/none mod will be easy with a 3 position ON/OFF/ON switch and an extra diode. I guess that would make it a one/none/both, or both/none/one mod. I've tried single diode clipping and it's always been too subtle for me. But try it and tell us what you come up with.

I'm having trouble visualising the wiring on that... can you give me a hint?

[soupbone]

Here's the JCM 800 mod with the "tons of gain" mod as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSv9W0IXgA
I also have a DS-1 with the JCM800 mod substituting an LED for the 1n4001. I love them both.
The DS-1 is so cheap (I see them on CL for around 20-30) that you could buy a few and try all the mods.
Wampler does great stuff.

Hey Jeremy.Do you have link,or something you can P.M. me for the "Tons of Gain" Mod?Thanks!-soupbone

[rousejeremy]

Change R13 to 1k and C8 to 1uF

[rousejeremy]

I recently tried the Phlat mod with Wamplers JCM mods. Amazing.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf

[soupbone]

I recently tried the Phlat mod with Wamplers JCM mods. Amazing.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf

Right on!Thanks for the info!

[soupbone]

I recently tried the Phlat mod with Wamplers JCM mods. Amazing.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf

I just realized i was changing those parts to those values for one my mods!lol! I posted this in the forum.You might try it out for fun sometime!I call it the "Bone Mod 2 MK".Here's the changes i did.(p.s. I'll have to try the JCM 800 and phlat mod!Thanks!)R6-150k
R9-10 ohm
R13-1k
R14-10k
R16-5k pot (midrange knob)
R17-15k
C2-.022
C5-1uf
C8-1uf
D4-D5-Taken out

[soupbone]

I recently tried the Phlat mod with Wamplers JCM mods. Amazing.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf

I just realized i was changing those parts to those values for one my mods!lol! I posted this in the forum.You might try it out for fun sometime!I call it the "Bone Mod 2 MK".Here's the changes i did.(p.s. I'll have to try the JCM 800 and phlat mod!Thanks!)R6-150k
R9-10 ohm
R13-1k
R14-10k
R16-5k pot (midrange knob)
R17-15k
C2-.022
C5-1uf
C8-1uf
D4-D5-Taken out

I forgot about this post.One reason i took the diodes out is because it's now just clipping the opamp.Get's a really nice 'big" sound.Try it you might like it.Mikey did

[WGTP]

TLC2262 opamp, LED clippers, tweak tonestack to amp. 

[askwho69]

TLC2262 opamp, LED clippers, tweak tonestack to amp. 

badass style