New BYOC Kit--Boss DS-1 Clone

[duhvoodooman]

This looks like a REALLY cool kit, with all the DS-1 vintage appointments and a ton of available mods to sweeten the highs, firm the lows and add a lot of flexibility the original never had. Of particular note is the fact that Keith at BYOC was able to obtain a cache of genuine NOS Toshiba TA7136P IC's, same as were used in the original DS-1, not the less desirable version Boss makes today. As a big fan of "dirt boxes", this is one I'm definitely looking forward to trying out. Plus, as the BYOC kits go, it's relatively value priced at $79. Check it out:

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/orange.html

[thearabianmage]

Mmm. . . . tasty. . .

[piebaldpython]

WOW!! It comes with a boost at the beginning???? So, like your ZYS II in that sense, right? And, a Big Muff component.....plus, other mods commonly used........plus, the possibility of a DVM specialty mod in there too!!

OK, I gotta go sit down....feelin' light-headed and woozy. :happy

Needless to say, we need a FULL report and CLIPS when you're done with this baby. :french I'll be interested in how you like the boost and Muff components.

Oh yeah.....and how you'll customize the enclosure too!! :drool

[Commodore 64]

There's a DS-1 on local CL for $25, but it must be one of the new ones.

[marnold]

So DVM, could you theoretically make a Keeley-ified version of it?

[duhvoodooman]

Well, certainly something very much along those lines. The shortcomings of the DS-1 are pretty well known and the various modders (Keeley, Analogman, Allums, etc.) tend to go after the same things, though in slightly different ways. I won't know the details until I see the kit directions, which haven't been posted as of yet.

[duhvoodooman]

WOW!! It comes with a boost at the beginning???? So, like your ZYS II in that sense, right?
"Not exactly", as the commercial goes. In the ZYS, the boost is a completely separate circuit, which actually follows the overdrive circuit in the stock layout. I modify it by wiring in a switch that lets you run the two stages in either order.

What the DS-1 has (all of them, not just the BYOC kit) is something fairly common in distortion effects--a "pre-gain" transistor that boosts the signal as it enters the circuit, before the real signal processing begins. For example, the Big Muff does this, too--it has four transistor stages: pregain, first clipping gain stage, second clipping gain stage, and then a "make-up" gain stage that compensates for the signal loss through the tone stack.

The BYOC design makes two improvements to the stock pre-gain. First, rather than being a static gain boost, it introduces a control pot to let you adjust the amount of pregain to taste. Second, it lets you build the pre-gain stage to be identical in layout to the gain stages of a Big Muff. This is a better circuit design that cuts down on the DS-1's tendency to sound flabby in the bass.

BTW, the BYOC Orange Distortion instructions are posted now, for anybody who wants to look the circuit over and see exactly what's going on:

http://buildyourownclone.com/orangedistinstructions.pdf

[piebaldpython]

Note to self............maybe some more distortion, reduction of shrill highs, add midrange and Muff Mod. :poke :drool :drool :drool

[duhvoodooman]

I'm gonna socket all the optional component spaces, so that I can try 'em all....

[Tig]

I'm gonna socket all the optional component spaces, so that I can try 'em all....
DVM, you might be interested in the Z. Vex Inventobox (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Jun/Z_Vex_Inventobox_Pedal_Review.aspx)!
"DIY-in-a-box effect, the Inventobox, includes Fuzz Factory, Super Hard-On and Tone Stack modules that can be tweaked a little or a lot, plus room for your own invention."

[/URL][URL="http://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=15ED8DDC-51C3-425E-88CE-B1069A1F70F1&Image_Type=image"]http://www.themusiczoo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/zvex-1-590.jpg (http://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=FD292D84-5126-44A5-8829-C49914B7D7F8&Image_Type=image)
http://www.themusiczoo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/zvex-2-590.jpg
http://www.themusiczoo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/zvex-3-590.jpg

[duhvoodooman]

Not for $400.... :rolleyes:

[duhvoodooman]

I received the new Orange Distortion kit last Saturday and built it over the weekend. With the mods, it's a nice sounding distortion box--a little on the bright side, but very open sounding. I did some of the mods included in the BYOC instructions (parts are provided), and also added a couple of my own (naturally!). You can read all the gory details HERE (http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=25575) at the BYOC Forum (WARNING! Major pedal geek content!!).

I haven't painted the sucker yet, but here's a shot of the pedal innards:

http://www.duhvoodooman.com/miscimages/musical/FX/orng_dist_DVM.jpg

[piebaldpython]

OMG Vood, you got the Orange to flatline!!! lolol

OK, really cool work and graphs that you did. But to a layperson like myself...and the others who ALREADY have the Rabid Rodent.....does the Orange tread on territory that the RR doesn't cover??? If so, tell us what the Orange does that you can't get out of the RR. Thanks.

[Neal]

I ordered the new BYOC kit a few days ago. Going to jump on it as soon as it comes thru the door.:happy

[duhvoodooman]

OK, really cool work and graphs that you did. But to a layperson like myself...and the others who ALREADY have the Rabid Rodent.....does the Orange tread on territory that the RR doesn't cover??? If so, tell us what the Orange does that you can't get out of the RR. Thanks.
The Rodent (modified Rat clone) has more available gain and a heavier sounding distortion--more compression, more sustain. Definitely heavy on the mids, so it has no problem cutting through the mix. Kick it in with a neck humbucker and you've got that quintessential "woman tone".

The Orange Distortion (DS-1 clone) is less compressed, more open sounding, not nearly as much available gain, and is a bright sounding pedal--too bright for my taste, bordering on harsh, if built stock. It also has a scooped mid-range, as previously mentioned. But the BYOC kit mods let you manage those shortcomings nicely, if you view them as such (I do, but not everybody does). It's innate characteristics make it match up well with darker sounding guitars, where the Rodent shows best with brighter ones.

BTW, here's my initial finishing concept. What do you guys think?

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744c0968c5acb23.gif

[riverrick]

I have a wah, tuner, and 5 different effect pedals....does it matter what order they go in???

[piebaldpython]

Great mock-up design Vood!

[duhvoodooman]

Coupla photos of the finished pedal:

http://www.duhvoodooman.com/miscimages/musical/FX/o-dist_top.jpg http://www.duhvoodooman.com/miscimages/musical/FX/o-dist_gut.jpg