Boss SD-1 Mod

Boss SD-1 Effect Pedal Mod

Electronic components needed:

• 2 LED clipping diodes
• Jumper wire

I opted to keep the stock 4558DD JRC Op Amp chip, because the basic sound of all these chips and their replacements are manufactured to operate with roughly the same characteristics. You could remove the op amp from the circuit board and install an 8-pin chip socket. Then, with the chip socket in place, you could exepriment with the tone by swapping the chips out. Your call on your pedal. I opted not to do that, because I liked the tonal results of my Boss SD-1 pedal mod.

Personally, I believe there is WAY TOO MUCH HYPE around whether this op amp is sonically better than that one in any given application. While there may be a slight difference in overall tonal output, the difference will be missed when you are cranking it up - out in that great club you always play in! So, that's my reasoning...

DOD YJM308 Mod

I decided to do an effect pedal mod on my DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive pedal. The WARM mod is fairly simple, and changes the clipping diodes. Remember, you are agreeing that you assume all responsibility for your choice to do this work. Please read our disclaimers. They apply here.

Tools and Parts Needed for DOD YJM308 WARM Mod

10 mm Hex Nut Driver (or wrench)

DOD YJM308 Mod Instructions

This effect pedal mod is very simple. Replace the 2 diodes with 2 LEDs. The result is quite nice. WARM pedal mod steps follow:

Ibanez TS5 Mods

The IBANEZ Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal line is a great tone addition to any electric guitarist, even on a limited budget! 

The TS5 and TS7 models are no slouches when compared to other overdrive units out there!   (Analogman said it right when referring to the TS5 pedal as cheesy.)

The Ibanez TS5 (sound tank) is a nice budget pedal when these mods are applied!

Here is the Ibanez TS5 mod in detail:

 I have included a chart of components in this effect pedal mod article.  In addition to the electronic components listed in the photo, I removed the original op amp and soldered an 8-pin chip socket in its place so the chip can be changed out if desired.

MXR Distortion + Mods

Get Electronic components at MCM Electronics

MXR Distortion + (the newer M-104 Dunlop model)

Stock from MXR, this distortion effect pedal comes with a .047uf capacitor (C4) and 2 1n34a germanium diodes (D1&D2).

When I first tested the MXR M-104 Distortion +, I found this distortion pedal to be a bit thin and nasaly sounding, and it lacked my desired bottom end.  The distortion quality also sounds a bit scratchy for my taste.

So I tore into this little dude and figured out the electronic components that I needed to de-solder and change out so I could achieve my desired guitar tone results. 

My tone and distortion + MXR guitar effect pedal mod follows: