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Author Topic: Modding effects  (Read 3110 times)

badgermark

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Modding effects
« on: October 30, 2007, 02:34:55 PM »
Howdie, I like to start my threads with a warm welcome. Hence the Howdie!

I really want to pick up some BYOC pedals and build them up, but someone recommended modding before jumping straight into building.

So people, what are some nice pedals to get modding? Tempted by picking up a DS-1 an doing the Keeley mods (found here). Now I'm pretty good with following instructions and with a soldering iron, having wired up many a guitar gubbins.

So is the DS1 a good idea? Ideally I don't want to spend much money, but have something good sounding at the other end that I will actually use, and a nice versatile distortion pedal is what I'm after anyway.

So advice, suggestions and anyone got their own experiences with messing around with pedals?
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WezV

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Modding effects
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2007, 02:53:13 PM »
personally i would rather start off with a BYOC kit and their confidence booster kit.

  I did do lots of wah mods first, personally i find it easier to work with new fresh components than i do old circuit boards and stuff
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gwEm

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Modding effects
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2007, 03:00:27 PM »
wez has a great point and i agree.

i think an sd-1 makes a better first mod than a ds-1, more useful IMO.
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Oli

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Modding effects
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2007, 03:01:28 PM »
I modde my ProCo RAT a while ago:

Swapped out the opamp for a better model (i forget which though), added in a couple of switches (the left hand one adjusts/shifts the tone range, and the right switch changes the distortion characteristics (in the right hand position, the red LEDs glow in accordance with how hard you pick :))). I'd like to pickup another to mod again, but have more tonal options, as i don't really change the distortion type anymore.

Quite a fun little project, i'd say it's best to start out with something like a boost or a fuzz- time based effects are too complicated to mod really, it's not worth the hassle :) Keep us posted with your travels with it.
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Elliot

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Modding effects
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2007, 03:25:54 PM »
Well I was the one who recommended modding from kits first and i'll stick with it - the basic learning curve I got from doing kits paid off big time (I have an A level in Electronics from 1989 but hadn't done anything technical for 15 years) and gave me the confidence to do bigger stuff (like pedals from scratch on breadboard or the technical hell that is the Fender Blues Junior).  I don't think I would have bothered with a BYOC kit if I got one straight away as I had forgotten how to do basic wiring.

I would only bother, howver, if you can pickup cheap items on ebay or as junk - i got a utterly trashed DS1 for £12, so i modded that - in its natural state it is a horrible whiny thing.  With the various diode mods it is a distortion beast - totally different.  I got an Ibanez TS7 for £14 - its a great pedal stock, but the mods really lift it.  The only mod I have done to a full price pedal is the Allums mod to the Boss graphic equalizer, which is pretty cool.
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AngusYoung01

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Modding effects
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2007, 08:07:12 PM »
I definitely want one of those BYOC kits
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Ted

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Modding effects
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2007, 08:50:05 AM »
I'd personally start with BYOC, its much much more rewarding and if it doesn't work out you can mod that!

The PCB's are easy to work and tough.

Try the Rat (Mighty Mouse) clone from BYOC that has a shite load of mods available to keep you occupied...

I just built the Shredder (Marshall Shredmaster clone) but I am not happy with it so I have to try modding it.



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WezV

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Modding effects
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2007, 09:54:42 AM »
i would start with oneof the byoc kits with less knobs - they do try to sqeese a lot into some of them and thats adds complications

teds is very neat - thats easier to do if there are less parts squeezed in
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Ted

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Modding effects
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2007, 01:16:24 PM »
The shredmaster is NOT a beginner's project.

I'd start with a distortion + or a fuzz. They're easy.

Thanks Wez you thought I was neat - check this out... fully modded Tube Screamer... I wish I had the patience to do that!

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badgermark

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« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2007, 01:43:44 PM »
Thinking about a Mighty Mouse BYOC, based on a Rat pedal. Doesn't seem TOO bad, neither does the delay kit. Shall save my pennies and have a go. Really like Ted's kits though. Awesome job.
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Ted

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Modding effects
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2007, 02:42:01 PM »
Quote from: badgermark
Thinking about a Mighty Mouse BYOC, based on a Rat pedal. Doesn't seem TOO bad, neither does the delay kit. Shall save my pennies and have a go. Really like Ted's kits though. Awesome job.


The Tubescreamer is NOT MINE.... I'm not that anally retentive  :P

The Mighty Mouse is an awesome kit. If you feel brave take this on...

http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/FKR/images/MightierMouse.gif
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badgermark

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Modding effects
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2007, 03:21:00 PM »
Quote from: Ted
Quote from: badgermark
Thinking about a Mighty Mouse BYOC, based on a Rat pedal. Doesn't seem TOO bad, neither does the delay kit. Shall save my pennies and have a go. Really like Ted's kits though. Awesome job.


The Tubescreamer is NOT MINE.... I'm not that anally retentive  :P

The Mighty Mouse is an awesome kit. If you feel brave take this on...

http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/FKR/images/MightierMouse.gif


Now that looks mighty. Shall build a basic one first then see about the sexy mightier mouse.
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pagan7

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« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2007, 09:05:13 PM »
Check this site also  http://www.guitartone.net/
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badgermark

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Modding effects
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2007, 02:35:13 PM »
So I picked up a 2nd hand DS-1 on Friday, and spent all of Saturday afternoon modding it to the Keeley Seeing Eye spec. After a slight problem (slightly misheard advice from a dude in Maplins, got all the polarised caps round the wrong way...) it's together and working nicely. Still not a GREAT pedal though, only found one good sound, but gosh it's better than stock. Plus the ultra-bright green check LED is sexy.

So I'm on a modding binge, decided to try find something to do to my HM-2. Found something online, but can't seem to find the FET buffer, apparently sounds better with this yoinked out.

 Has anyone bought the indyguitarist mod book? For $15 it doesn't seem so bad...
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