ds1 more volume mod

[jpfx88]

Hey guys, I've been asked to mod a ds1 to just I've more output. H doesn't want any tonal changes, just more volume. Anybody on here ever done simple mod like that?

[The Dude]

I've no answers yet, but a couple of questions. 1) Are you talking about the Boss DS-1 distortion? 2) If so, are you looking for more volume always, or only when the effect is engaged?

Also, for reference:

[Jazz P Bass]

Ther are a ton of mods for this pedal.
Just Google 'DS-1 mod volume boost'.

There is not much 'modding' on this forum, though someone with experience with this mod may chime in.

[jpfx88]

Alright, since I've got some spare 1n4001 diodes around, I think I'm going to swap d4&d5 with them. I have heard that they may give a bit more volume, just not 100% on how much it will affect the tone given they are clipping diodes.

[eschertron]

Alright, since I've got some spare 1n4001 diodes around, I think I'm going to swap d4&d5 with them. I have heard that they may give a bit more volume, just not 100% on how much it will affect the tone given they are clipping diodes.

The datasheets for both 1N4001 and 1N4148 diodes spec forward voltage drop at 1.0volts, so I wouldn't expect any significant difference from the swap, volume- or tone- wise. This seems intuitive from the fact that they are both Si diodes.

I have had good results from swapping one or both of the 1n4148s with LEDs. This gives more volume, but at the expense of less "fizz". In fact, I've got one DS-1 with the diodes OUT for a boost pedal. The tone stack still works, otherwise it's a distortion-free clean boost.

[jpfx88]

Yea, I actually decided against my prior decision. It wouldn't make a big enough difference to mess with. I usually swap the d4&d5 for leds as well but this person only wants to improve he overall volume of the pedal and that's it. I been looking and I may just replace r39 with a jumper, that should give me a substantial volume boost, the early ones were wired that way and it's noticeable.

[J M Fahey]

+1 on replacing Si diodes with LEDs .

Si diodes will clip at 700mV peak; LEDs at around 1.9V peak; if too much instead add an extra series diode to each one already present, pointing same way of course; this goes halfway, around 1400mV peak.

[jbltwin1]

I've done mods on a couple of ds-1's and they were scary loud afterwards. I would have to look up the sheets I saved but they almost made them useable in tone but LOUD. They were based on the old Indy Mods mods that used to be out. Mike.

[eschertron]

I've done mods on a couple of ds-1's and they were scary loud afterwards. I would have to look up the sheets I saved but they almost made them useable in tone but LOUD. They were based on the old Indy Mods mods that used to be out. Mike.

I'd like to see that if you can find it!

[Jazz P Bass]

Nothing said about a volume boost but the description of how the circuit works is pretty good.

Boss DS-1 Mods

[jbltwin1]

Here's what I did. changed R16 to 1K from 6.8K, R17 to 1K( I think-can't read my own writing! Geez) D4 to an LED, D5 to a germanium diode. C3 to .1mF, c! to .1 mF, and changed r35 to 2.2k to increase the brightness of the LED indicator... Like I said-loud. Mike.

[Jazz P Bass]

Cool.

Where did you find a Germanium diode?

[jbltwin1]

They're available in a LOT of places. I have always bought stuff in bulk so I usually buy everything 100 at a time. You can get them at Tayda, I'm sure. Mike.