SD-1 questions

[ClintN667]

Why is the SD-1 so loved with Marshalls? Im asking cause I have a V2 caldera that was just returned to me the other day and this thing is so much fun but I wanted to play around with some extra pedals. I just sold my Leviathan and was really regretting it until plugging this back up. I can do Channel 1 and Channel 2 tones of the Leviathan pretty easy but with the Duality DX's red channel I can do everything the leviathan did for me.

I really want to keep this out of the modern territory though so I was thinking of maybe a Klon type boost but I always see SD-1 mentioned when discussing JCM800's. And since this is like a well balanced 800 I was thinking of giving it a shot. How about the Waza craft version?

Any other pedal suggestions are welcome. I have a BD-2 Im going to try playing with today and I have a Proco rat.

 

[cardinal]

Something about it just seems to work with the voicing of those Marshalls. Like how the Maxon 808 just seems like a natural extension of a Rectifier, the SD-1 just naturally seems to complement that Marshall circuit.

It's not that other boosts can't sound good too. But the SD-1/2204 combo is definitely a good starting point. From there, you can think about whether you want more or less of something and can start looking at what else might get you there.

 

[Racerxrated]

Yep, what Cardinal said. It just works. The Waza version is very good; I'd recommend it over the stock one made it Taiwan or wherever. But, a vintage 80s version is just as good as the Waza and will go up in value. I had the Waza and compared it to the 86 SD1 and they were very similar with the Waza able to leave a little more low end in. But the 86 just has a 'sweetness' in the tone that puts it above the Waza for me at least.
But, as good as it is my #1 is my Boss OD1X. It's chased everything else off my board. Super quiet, adds those Boss upper mids and most importantly leaves your low end alone, and you can add just a little more lows if you want with no flub. I've had most of the VFE pedals come through here and they are all great but none were able to kick anything off my board. I am going to try a Maxon OD9 soon to run with my Triple although the OD1X works great as is.

 

[Riffraff]

I've got a '83 MIJ version I've had forever. It was pure sex with my Plexi.

The guys are right, SD-1's and Marshalls are made for each other. You don't even need to look for a special one. The regular old Made in Taiwan version works just as well. I use one with my Plexi modded YBA-1 and get the same thing from that.

This is with a stock MIM Tele and a SD-1.

 

[cardinal]

I have a pair of early SD-1s that apparently have different diodes and caps or whatever. If I'm totally isolated and cock my head to the left on a Tuesday, I think I can hear a difference between them and a Taiwanese version. Otherwise they sound the same.

 

[braintheory]

Those SD-1 like others said just work with Marshall’s (and other amps too) and probably unbeatable for the price (unless they’ve gone up since I had one). The only pedals I remember outclassing it at what it did were the some of the most expensive ones: a vintage tubescreamer and real Klon Centaur. I’d probably choose an ‘80’s Japanese SD-1 over all the Klon clones I’ve tried

I think the SD-1 will do what you’re asking. It’ll give that boost with saturation and tightness, attack without sounding modern like your Deadweald and others (Fortin, Airis, Highwind, Precision Drive, Mud Killer)

 

[japetus]

I saw you have a Blues Driver. It's one of my favorite boosts/OD. I actually prefer it more as a boost for Marshalls over the SD-1, to me it is a little less nasally/mid humped (although some guys dig the SD-1 for that exact thing) and smoother but can do the same boost/OD levels.

 

[glpg80]

Another vouch for SD-1 here. I run my Taiwan SD-1 with level all the way up, drive to taste, and tone off. It just works with a JCM800 circuit. As others have said you don’t need anything more than the run of the mill off the shelf version, any tonal changes that may exist will be easily overridden with EQ changes so save your money.

Another pedal that seems to get a lot of love is the friendman boost pedal. Don’t own one but it’s been recommended to me before.

Id like to try the Truetone VSXO overdrive. I believe that’s next on my list.

 

[ClintN667]

I tried the BD-2 today and its such an under rated pedal. Im going to grab an SD-1. Im definitely interested. I kinda feel like with those older boss pedals they are just solid pedals(I miss my FZ-2)

 

[japetus]

I tried the BD-2 today and its such an under rated pedal. Im going to grab an SD-1. Im definitely interested. I kinda feel like with those older boss pedals they are just solid pedals(I miss my FZ-2)

Bought mine new like 15 years ago, been my main boost since. Can boost Marshalls, can add a little gain and get a good crunch from Fenders, can fuzz out, great on bass for a little grind. It's one of those pedals that just sticks around forever.

 

[paulyc]

SD1 is the shit with a Marshall. The asymmetrical clipping is part of the magic (Boss has/had ?) a patent on it, which is why TS pedals are symmetrical

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Yeah the SD-1 and Marshall combo just plain works.

I've tried TS pedals (Cusack Screamer, Ibanez, Maxon) and the SD-1 just has that something that works so nicely.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Yep, what Cardinal said. It just works. The Waza version is very good; I'd recommend it over the stock one made it Taiwan or wherever. But, a vintage 80s version is just as good as the Waza and will go up in value. I had the Waza and compared it to the 86 SD1 and they were very similar with the Waza able to leave a little more low end in. But the 86 just has a 'sweetness' in the tone that puts it above the Waza for me at least.
But, as good as it is my #1 is my Boss OD1X. It's chased everything else off my board. Super quiet, adds those Boss upper mids and most importantly leaves your low end alone, and you can add just a little more lows if you want with no flub. I've had most of the VFE pedals come through here and they are all great but none were able to kick anything off my board. I am going to try a Maxon OD9 soon to run with my Triple although the OD1X works great as is.

You’ve been singing the praise of that OD1X for a long time. I need to try one out at some point.

 

[dstroud]

love the sd-1 with my plexi and jcm-800 style amps. tried fulldrive 2, od-820, various ibanez TS, od-1x, Japan version, I honestly like the cheapo taiwan or even the current ones that have micro components the best.

 

[marshallmel]

If you’re lucky enough to score an older SD-1 from the 80’s that would be my suggestion. The newer ones will be good but the older one I have (1982) just has that little something more.

 

[Racerxrated]

You’ve been singing the praise of that OD1X for a long time. I need to try one out at some point.

Highly recommended...just return it if you don't dig it. It's chased a lot of really good pedals away. Easily the quietest boost pedal I've ever tried.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I'm in the minority I'm sure...I much preferred the Duncan 805 over the Waza SD-1 in front of a 77 or 79 JMP (can't remember what year) and the MCII I had. Wasn't a bad OD at all, but the 805 is tighter, crunchier, and just sounded better to me.

 

[Beyond Black]

You’ve been singing the praise of that OD1X for a long time. I need to try one out at some point.

I bought one on his recommendation and it's a killer pedal. It's very aggressive and it loves Rectos.