Boss SD-1 - I'm digging it!

[dstroud]

So I've had Boss SD-1's laying around for many years. Some time long ago I had decided I much prefer Tubescreamers. Was doing a gig a couple months ago and somehow my Tubescreamer wasn't on my board. There was an SD-1 in my pedal bag that was actually there because I used it to sit under my amp and tilt it back a bit lol. well I plugged it in and holy cow it sounded awesome - I was thinking it sounded better than my tubescreamer. But I went back to the TS but the tone of the SD-1 was kinda haunting me. so the other day I busted it out and did some sound comparisons though my amps. Man it was the winner! So I was thinking "this must be a Japan one, or I modified it or something" so I look at the back... made in Taiwan... lol Pop it open - I can tell by the soldering it is all stock. I'm thinking this must be a "magical" one. So I bounce down to the music store and pick up a brand new one for $40 (I have many lying around but I'm sure they are all modded in some form or another lol). Plug it in... badda bing - sounds just like the "magical" one lol. So looks like my new go to pedal is the unmodded Taiwan SD-1 lol.

 

[DeezDemos]

I'm right there with ya brotha! A les paul into a stock SD-1 into the green crunch channel on my DSL50 is my goto rig these days!

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Such an underrated pedal.

 

[AndyK]

If only it didn't kill the low end, and, was full bypass!

 

[Chubtone]

If only it didn't kill the low end, and, was full bypass!

I don't think it kills the low end, just makes it more defined and puts it into a frequency that allows it to sit right in the mix when the bass player is playing.

 

[Chubtone]

So I've had Boss SD-1's laying around for many years. Some time long ago I had decided I much prefer Tubescreamers. Was doing a gig a couple months ago and somehow my Tubescreamer wasn't on my board. There was an SD-1 in my pedal bag that was actually there because I used it to sit under my amp and tilt it back a bit lol. well I plugged it in and holy cow it sounded awesome - I was thinking it sounded better than my tubescreamer. But I went back to the TS but the tone of the SD-1 was kinda haunting me. so the other day I busted it out and did some sound comparisons though my amps. Man it was the winner! So I was thinking "this must be a Japan one, or I modified it or something" so I look at the back... made in Taiwan... lol Pop it open - I can tell by the soldering it is all stock. I'm thinking this must be a "magical" one. So I bounce down to the music store and pick up a brand new one for $40 (I have many lying around but I'm sure they are all modded in some form or another lol). Plug it in... badda bing - sounds just like the "magical" one lol. So looks like my new go to pedal is the unmodded Taiwan SD-1 lol.

Hey Darren, 1983 called and said HELLO?!!!~!

 

[dstroud]

I'm right there with ya brotha! A les paul into a stock SD-1 into the green crunch channel on my DSL50 is my goto rig these days!

right on man, wish I still had my DSL. cool amp for sure!

 

[dstroud]

So I've had Boss SD-1's laying around for many years. Some time long ago I had decided I much prefer Tubescreamers. Was doing a gig a couple months ago and somehow my Tubescreamer wasn't on my board. There was an SD-1 in my pedal bag that was actually there because I used it to sit under my amp and tilt it back a bit lol. well I plugged it in and holy cow it sounded awesome - I was thinking it sounded better than my tubescreamer. But I went back to the TS but the tone of the SD-1 was kinda haunting me. so the other day I busted it out and did some sound comparisons though my amps. Man it was the winner! So I was thinking "this must be a Japan one, or I modified it or something" so I look at the back... made in Taiwan... lol Pop it open - I can tell by the soldering it is all stock. I'm thinking this must be a "magical" one. So I bounce down to the music store and pick up a brand new one for $40 (I have many lying around but I'm sure they are all modded in some form or another lol). Plug it in... badda bing - sounds just like the "magical" one lol. So looks like my new go to pedal is the unmodded Taiwan SD-1 lol.

Hey Darren, 1983 called and said HELLO?!!!~!

hahah no doubt!!!!

 

[paulyc]

I've always loved the SD-1 over the TS, but that's just me. I think it's more raw because of the asymmetrical clipping. Sounds better for hard rock with humbuckers. Can't beat a TS for singles for blues though. My favorite OD for single coils is actually the DOD YJM 308...it just gives you more of everything. Big and fat.

 

[Greazygeo]

Similar story Darren....used to use a SD-1 I bought new in '85. Used it forever and still have it. I show up to a gig and forgot it. Friend of mine had his with him so I borrowed it. A couple songs in I'm thinking the battery must need changed or something. Changed it and still didn't sound right. Ended up playing the gig without it....thought it was broken. Looked at mine later on and compared them....mine was Japanese his was Taiwan. Didn't think at the time there was anything different between them. Tried them side by side and there was a pretty big sound difference....

Always hated how much they killed the low end like was stated earlier. Later on I figured out how to change a cap to fix that. With all that said, I rarely use any od's anymore.

Good to hear you found a good couple of them.

 

[lespaul6]

I love the SD 1 as well.. with a marshall jcm 800 2203 the SD 1 sounds like its part of the amp.. great picking attack and note separation due to the asymmetrical design. I love it

I bought a Japanese one for a decent price on ebay and it sounds just like my Taiwan pedal.

 

[1meanplexi]

I love the SD 1 as well.. with a marshall jcm 800 2203 the SD 1 sounds like its part of the amp.. great picking attack and note separation due to the asymmetrical design. I love it

I bought a Japanese one for a decent price on ebay and it sounds just like my Taiwan pedal.

I have one from the 80's. No matter how many times I have tried to pull it from my board, I just cannot. With that said....I did try one that was made in Taiwan and well let's say that there is a difference.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

SD-1 + Marshall = Win!

 

[JB6464]

SD-1 was my go to OD pedal for almost 20 years until it finally died.
Picked up a MXR GT-OD and Bam , sounds exactly the same to me .
Come to find out the GT-OD uses the same clipping as the SD-1 , made my day .
Love cheap Od pedals , will never spend boutique prices again .

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I bought Bob Savage's MIJ SD1 many years ago. Countless pedals have come and gone since then, but nothing has topped the SD1. I use it as a clean boost and it just rules. Tightens up the bass and adds sustain.

PS: I've also got a cheap Soundtank Tubscreamer that rules as well

 

[Shask]

SD-1's are great pedals. I have had several of them over the years. Modded, stock, etc....

I dont currently have one, but have the MXR Classic OD (GT-OD and ZW), and it is very similar.

I generally prefer their crunchy upper mids over the smoother lower mids of an 808 style Tubescreamer.

 

[HerbieBoogie]

I always have recommend the Boss SD-1 as a great inexpensive overdrive. I think it is better than the ts9.

 

[1big1]

I'm right there with ya brotha! A les paul into a stock SD-1 into the green crunch channel on my DSL50 is my goto rig these days!

it's my go to as well. lester.. sd-1.. into a dsl 40c. works well on either channel.

 

[dstroud]

now see what you all went and did. I drank the Kool Aid and went on ebay and bought a MIJ 1985 SD-1 I'm curious to see what I find!!!! I do love gear and I think the chase is half the fun

 

[Rdodson]

I had an '84 MIJ SD-1 into a JCM800 50w combo (with original G12-65) that I recorded with for several years. Wonderful sound, especially once I replaced the 6550s with EL34s. Just killer.