Boss DS-1 Mod

Ricky Lee · Post by **Ricky Lee** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:15 pm

The Boss DS-1 has got to be the best distortion pedal available today, after all it's only been around for over twenty years or so. I thought it sounded great before doing extensive surgery on it. But now it sounds exceptionally great. One thing I like most about this pedal it seems to have a mind of it's own by adjusting to ones picking technique. What does the mod do? Well, I only know that it takes every thing that's great abouth this pedal and makes it even greater and for only about $10.00 in pieces/parts. For those looking for an all out shred pedal, look elsewhere, this is NOT the pedal for you. But if your into the 60, 70, & 80's classic sound like I am, this pedal shines. AC/DC, Led, Mountain, Cream etc... NO problem. Also, if anyone has the spec for a RAT mod I would be interested in doing that mod as well. I have a RAT that's just way to thin. Just my thoughts for today.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:59 pm

I gotta say ricky. I couldnt agree with you less. I have 2 DS1s. An old MIJ and a newer one with all the mods. I guess Im just too conditioned to tube amps. I do like the SD1 however but not that much. I will say the DS1 sounds liek a completely different pedal in a clean Marshall with a 4x12 then it does in a combo amp or open cab. Not the tin bee most people make it out as. Closer to a rat at that point but less midrangy.

Ricky Lee · Post by **Ricky Lee** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:21 pm

Is there much difference in sound between the Jap made and the mod? I've never played thru the Jap ones, but I hear they don't need any mods. The Rat sounds great thru my Bluesbreaker but gets real thin, almost like a booster when I put it thru one of my plexi's with a 4 x 12. That's what I think Gilmore uses the Rat for in his rig as kinda a booster. I think of all the type of pedals people have a hard time settling with is a distortion pedal. I've got them all I think, and just about the time I think I like one I then don't like it. I'm really not much on any distortion pedal, especially all out distortion, and go more for a good overdrive pedal that will not color and give lots of sustain. I use the BD-2 alot which doesn't color the sound, especially since I did the mod thing with it but it's not one that gets hard into the rock side of things. Right now I have to say again the DS-1 is sounding killer thru the Plexi's.

myker · Post by **myker** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:13 am

i like the ds-1 in front of a jcm800, and even more in front of my 18 watters. i have a really old one though, it sounds beefy if you know how to set it up. takes some experimenting to get all the fizz out.
mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:07 pm

Headshot over at the Musictoyz forum does a DS-1 mod that smokes the others. I recently got to compare his mod with a Analog Man mod and a Stock DS-1 and it was the winner hands down.

http://musictoyz.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x/a ... 6821082342

dosmun · Post by **dosmun** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:07 pm

Headshot over at the Musictoyz forum does a DS-1 mod that smokes the others. I recently got to compare his mod with a Analog Man mod and a Stock DS-1 and it was the winner hands down.

http://musictoyz.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x/a ... 6821082342

allynmey · Post by **allynmey** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:02 pm

The DS-1 sound really good in front of an 18 watter. I have 4 different 18 watt amps and It sounds great with all of them. AC/DC to Van Halen this $39.00 can get 'em all!

Allynmey

Ricky Lee · Post by **Ricky Lee** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:33 pm

I moded mine myself, and there is a world of difference in an already great pedal i.e. more controlled sweep, less fizz on the top side, with a more prononced distortion at no matter what level of distortion your using. Also, seems to adapt to ones picking attack, if that makes sence. Seems like it will get what ever classic rock tone your going for and then some. I don't know of a distortion pedal more popular than this one and you certainly can't beat the price. I Don't know how all the individualized mods sound, but I'm sure they all have their own personality, tone wise. I sell the moded versions of the DS-1 and other BOSS pedals like hot cakes to the local music stores and muscians and they all say it's a greater pedal even before being moded. You got to admit, Boss builds good pedals, built like a tank right off the shelf and generally if they go bad they're affordable enough to just go buy a new one. Although, they do have some combo units that get pricey!