SD-1 Modding project

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Markn951
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SD-1 Modding project

Post by Markn951 »

So, I bought an SD-1 because its 40 dollars and it's very similar to a TS-9 circuit, plus asymmetrical clipping (which I wanted anyways). However, while it sounds great for 40 dollars, I'm way past that stage right now. So I decided to make a Tubescreamer killer out of it. And thus: the BB-1 Big Bird Overdrive was born. I call it the BB-1 cuz its Big Bird yellow :P So far only two changes have been made (because I haven't been able to go down to rat shack yet). I will keep you guys up to date on the status, as of right now, here's some pics of the stock SD-1.

I found it very interesting that the SD-1 uses a JRC4558DD OpAmp...as you know this is basically the same chip used in the original TS808 and TS9...I was gonna get an RC4558P just because I thought the stock chip would be some random chinese shit but since it isn't...I'm not sure if I want to replace it!

Mods done as of August 15th are: C6 removed, R2 changed to 1MOhm. Basically increased note definition, clarity, took out some muddiness. Now it sounds like a TS9 with a bit more drive and a bit smoother clipping.
Mods wanting to be done: replace the stock diodes with 1N4001's, put some low-end in (a few caps changed to 0.1uF), maybe switch out the opamp?

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Last edited by Markn951 on Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Mike
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Post by Mike »

Some detail on the mods?
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Post by Markn951 »

Mike wrote:Some detail on the mods?
edited in there :P
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Post by Mityushikha »

I wish I was doing this when I was 15 instead of modding fanta bottles for cannabis consumption...

Have you had a chance to compare it to a TS808 yet?
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Post by Markn951 »

Mityushikha wrote:I wish I was doing this when I was 15 instead of modding fanta bottles for cannabis consumption...

Have you had a chance to compare it to a TS808 yet?
not yet, and I don't know anyone who owns an 808, but my best friend owns a TS9, completely stock, so I will record a comparison one day when I'm done and it's really the BB-1 :P

As for the cannabis consumption...I'm starting to get into that now hehe ;)
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Post by Mityushikha »

Ha, I wasn't encouraging it!! There are far better things to be doing, like modding pedals. I very rarely do it anymore.

I look forward to hearing a comparison but I don't think it matters too much, a long as you like the sound of it it doesn't have to sound like the original.
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Post by Markn951 »

Mityushikha wrote:Ha, I wasn't encouraging it!! There are far better things to be doing, like modding pedals. I very rarely do it anymore.

I look forward to hearing a comparison but I don't think it matters too much, a long as you like the sound of it it doesn't have to sound like the original.
Well as I said it's not quite done yet, and yeah, I described what it sounds like right now in the OP. If you have 40 bucks lying around, seriously, you can make a kick-ass pedal out of an SD-1!
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