Keeley DS-1

[marnold]

After birv's thread, I did some research into DS-1 mods. I'd been aware of Robert Keeley's mods since George Lynch (among others) used one. I like the sounds you get, but I'm not sure if I like it to the tune of $129, although it could be cheaper to get my own and send it to him. He has semi-detailed instructions on the changes on his website (http://www.robertkeeley.com/audio6l6/dstech.html). Any idea how hard this would be as a DIY project? Any of you pedal guys (Tung, DVM) try this?

[tunghaichuan]

Thanks for the link to the Keeley site. I have not tried those mods.

I'm planning on trying the Monte Allums mods (http://www.monteallums.com/pedal_mods.html) as described by Vood and the Premier Guitar DS-1 Mods (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Feb/Boss_DS_1_Mods.aspx). What I like about the Monte Alums mods is that the in-line chip is replaced with an adapter which allows the use of DIP chips and sockets.

I let you know how they turn out.

tung





After birv's thread, I did some research into DS-1 mods. I'd been aware of Robert Keeley's mods since George Lynch (among others) used one. I like the sounds you get, but I'm not sure if I like it to the tune of $129, although it could be cheaper to get my own and send it to him. He has semi-detailed instructions on the changes on his website (http://www.robertkeeley.com/audio6l6/dstech.html). Any idea how hard this would be as a DIY project? Any of you pedal guys (Tung, DVM) try this?

[marnold]

Yeah, keep me/us posted. Basically I'd be looking to tame the shrill highs and kill some noise.

[Spudman]

Check this out for a less expensive option. It's from Wampler Pedals (Indy-Guitarist (http://www.indy-guitarist.com/))

You can either do the mods yourself (very easy) or send in your pedal or maybe even buy one already done. There a many DS1 clips somewhere in Brian's site.

[ibanezjunkie]

from what you described Marnold (less shrill highs, less noise) you could look into the Mega Distortion MD-2. Its built for higher gain, so when you use it at lower gain settings (similar sounds to the DS-1) its alot less noisy. It also haas bass and treble controls, so you can cut the treble down or ramp up the bass. The 'Gain boost' on its own can work as a good overdrive, and keeping the gain boost at max and dialing the 'Dist' control up slightly gives you a good almost noiseless distortion.

IJ.

(plus i think its probably cheaper than a Keeley DS-1!)

[duhvoodooman]

He has semi-detailed instructions on the changes on his website (http://www.robertkeeley.com/audio6l6/dstech.html). Any idea how hard this would be as a DIY project? Any of you pedal guys (Tung, DVM) try this?
Haven't done that particular one, though I have done Allums mods on a DS-1 and a BD-2. They're not bad boards to work on. Shouldn't be hard--just a bunch of resistor, cap & diode changes. The desoldering of the original components is the trickiest part.

I'm quite surprised Keeley gives that kind of detail; Allums is VERY protective of the technical details of his mods. Guess Keeley must figure that anyone confident enough to be doing their own mods probably isn't going to be doing business with him anyway--though they could certainly take some away by doing them for their friends. Prolly a drop in the bucket, though....

[tunghaichuan]

The desoldering of the original components is the trickiest part.


Good to know. Lifting traces due to excess heat from the iron are a b*tch.



I'm quite surprised Keeley gives that kind of detail; Allums is VERY protective of the technical details of his mods. Guess Keeley must figure that anyone confident enough to be doing their own mods probably isn't going to be doing business with him anyway--though they could certainly take some away by doing them for their friends. Prolly a drop in the bucket, though....

Keeley probably realized that his mods would be disseminated over the 'Net anyway.

Many of the Boss mods were originally from the many modding sites that have existed on the WWW since the beginning. I'm not putting Allums down, and I plan on buying a few of his mods. Sometimes all the secrecy is about protecting the fact that his mods aren't really "his" at all. I don't think any modder has ever acquired his/her knowledge in a vacuum. He may have experimented with various component values, but he had to start somewhere.

tung

[tunghaichuan]

I compared my MD-2 against my stock DS-1 and a stock DS-2. Out of the three, I liked the DS-1 the best. The MD-2 sounded kind of fuzzy to me. Even with the gain boost and distortion controls backed off. In fact, the MD-2 sounds better with the two gain controls backed off. With them all the way up, it doesn't sound good at all. I really need to try it with a full-size humbucker though.

tung



from what you described Marnold (less shrill highs, less noise) you could look into the Mega Distortion MD-2. Its built for higher gain, so when you use it at lower gain settings (similar sounds to the DS-1) its alot less noisy. It also haas bass and treble controls, so you can cut the treble down or ramp up the bass. The 'Gain boost' on its own can work as a good overdrive, and keeping the gain boost at max and dialing the 'Dist' control up slightly gives you a good almost noiseless distortion.

IJ.

(plus i think its probably cheaper than a Keeley DS-1!)

[ibanezjunkie]

the MD-2 is a little fuzzy (obviously not as fuzzy as a fuzz pedal). But i like that, gives it some classic style dirt.