Boss SD-1 - I'm digging it!

  • Thread starter Thread starter dstroud
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splawner":1jhzzy6t said:
SD-1 and a Marshall is the best 80's tone you can get.....Does not get any better :rock:

I agree, classic setup! :rock: :)
 
Just grabbed one for 20 bucks. Well, now I have my new favorite double boost...Boss OD1X into a regular cheapo SD1 into a 78 2203 or 2554....into G12 65s. All levels at noon on both pedals.....80s gained out heaven!
 
Tracii Guns posted a pic of his new board recently and his main drive was his SD-1 from the 80's with the tone all the way down... Thought it was funny people think pro boards need a 3k Klon or something and some people go around with an SD-1

If it works it works
 
I think with an amp that you're trying to push into high gain territory like a Marshall 2203/4 you can get soooo many different pedals/combination of pedals to get a nice tone. 20$ Danelectro eq+40$ Joyo Ultimate drive sounds great with either Marshall I have. SD1+OD1X is even better, but not a huge jump. I imagine those expensive boutique pedals maybe work better with low gain blues stuff, where you might notice a difference. I had a Wampler Pinnacle that was great with a plexi, but just OK with a 2203/4. No better than any cheapo pedal out there IMO.
 
I have a first year 1981 Boss SD-1, but it's been modded, found it at a Guitar Centre for $60 one day.

Mods:
- JRC4885 chip
- tone caps replaced with high quality metal film type
- blue light
- One three-way toggle switch on the side that goes from Diode (left) -> Lift (middle) -> LED (right).
- Gain knob seems to have a ton of gain compared to stock

I don't know which of the toggle modes would be considered "stock" mode, they sound very similar but I like "Diode" mode best. Anyone know what the difference is here between these modes?

 
I think that one is for asymmetrical clipping and the other symmetrical. I had one similar to that, a 3 position switch. I think its a Keeley mod of some type. So one way is similar to a tube screamer, one is stock sd1 and one is stock sd1 with more bass. But I'm not 100%.......
 
I've had 10 of them or so over the last 20 years. I keep selling them off, and keep coming back to them later. I keep one in my gigbag just in case, because I've been able to get great tones with an SD-1 through less-than-great borrowed amps at jam sessions.

I recently got the SD-1w, which at first seems kind of silly - you're paying about 3X the normal cost for one with another switch - except that "Custom" mode on the SD-1w gives you just a bit more of what you normally get from a stock SD-1. A bit more clarity, a bit wider range. Really great pedal.
 
I use a maxon od808 but got a Taiwan sd1 for $20. Modded it for $40 and it's so cutting and amazing I wouldn't change it. Great tone stock as a boost but the mod that added some low end to match the roar made it worth it's weight in gold. I would like to try a bad monkey if it has a buffer like stated above.
 
I have a MIT and MIJ SD-1. Both sound great as is!!
 
Diode is stock. 2 19N14/1418 diodes going one way and one the other for asymmetrical clipping.
LEDs is two 3mm or 5mm LEDs symmetrical. The same clipping configuration in the Turbo Rat and Marshall Guvnor. Typically called a 'Marshall' sound as it's more open and less compressed.
Lift is no diodes. Only the opamp is clipping the circuit. A loud cleaner volume boost.
This 3-way clipping arrangement was initially found on the Landgraff L'DO. It's a simple and neat way to add extra voicings to a TS style circuit.

nigelpkay":97fh7df4 said:
I have a first year 1981 Boss SD-1, but it's been modded, found it at a Guitar Centre for $60 one day.

Mods:
- JRC4885 chip
- tone caps replaced with high quality metal film type
- blue light
- One three-way toggle switch on the side that goes from Diode (left) -> Lift (middle) -> LED (right).
- Gain knob seems to have a ton of gain compared to stock

I don't know which of the toggle modes would be considered "stock" mode, they sound very similar but I like "Diode" mode best. Anyone know what the difference is here between these modes?

 
Great thanks for info, I thought diode mode sounded like stock so glad I guessed right. The others aren't all that different, just a bit more open.
Asymmetrical is the best, really love the harmonic overtones that adds and what makes the SD-1 what it is.
I find it sounds best through older amps though, really needs to be in front of a late 70's or early 80's Marshall.
 
Maiden22":2gef8u38 said:
I have a late model SD-1, never used it until 2 weeks ago with a 2555sl and it sounded great but had a strange artificial sound to it. Looked it up on google and found the C6 removal mod. After that it now just sounds like natural distortion and has now convinced me that a medium gain amp boosted is the way to go!!! No more high gain monsters with 7 preamp tubes!!!!!!!

Level - cranked
Tone - noon
Drive - 8 or 9 o'clock (up just a bit)

I also removed c6, and I don't think it changed the pedal too much?? but what it did is cool. To me it seems to have smoothed out the top end just a bit.
 
I have a keeley sd-1 (made in Taiwan).....sounds great into Fryettes
 
Anybody compare the SD-1 to a Maxon 808? I would be using it to boost an amp.
 
dstroud":1whbi3w3 said:
now see what you all went and did. I drank the Kool Aid and went on ebay and bought a MIJ 1985 SD-1 :lol: :LOL: I'm curious to see what I find!!!! I do love gear and I think the chase is half the fun :thumbsup:
So what is the verdict between the mij and mit?

As to the bad monkey, nice pedal, but I personally didn't like the buffer on it much.

I think for boosting that cheap ods work great. It's into a clean amp where the more expensive ones tend to shine....
 
leib10":hrsagrxu said:
Anybody compare the SD-1 to a Maxon 808? I would be using it to boost an amp.

I do that all the time. It's like comparing a Snickers bar to a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!!!! :D
 
leib10":3hdvaliw said:
Anybody compare the SD-1 to a Maxon 808? I would be using it to boost an amp.

I got them both. Different flavours for sure. The od808 is smoother and a little darker sounding, while the SD-1 is crunchier, with more bite to it... I could take either one and be happy. It depends on my mood. I think the sd-1 has a bit more cut to it, but that is probably just due to it's brighter tone??
 
I've got a 1984 SD-1 with the Keeley mod and it sounds great with my SLO and Bogner's. I'm usually NOT a fan of Keeley mods but this one sounds great! I think you need a TS9 as well to understand and hear the differences in the SD1 and TS9. One has "asymmetrical" and the other has "symmetrical" clipping which works with some amps and not with others.
 
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