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BOSS Super OverDrive SD-1 Mod

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Modding my BOSS SD-1

I really like my BOSS SD-1 OverDrive pedal. It was inexpensive and worked pretty good.

I would like a boutique overdrive pedal. I don't want to pay for one. I have some soldering ability. I am going to mod my BOSS SD-1.

I have purchased boutique pedals from AnalogMan and they are great pedals. I didn't buy them for myself. I bought them for my son. I seemed to be buying one every year on his birthday.

It was time I had my own boutique pedal. I had a great idea to mod my $40.00 BOSS SD-1. I purchased a mod kit from Monte Allums Mods. It was the SD-808 Mod Plus.

Disclaimer: I am a novice. If you choose to follow any of the directions below you do so at your own risk. I recommend testing after every change. That means every change.

NOTE: all photos are original and can be copied. I took these of my own BOSS SD-1

Removing the first component

I could not wait to get the mod kit so I did some research about mods before I got the SD-808 mod from Monte Allums. I read this post and decided to remove C6 for the desired effect:

"if you noticed, the tone knob on an SD-1 really doesn't do much. C6 is a high pass filter that rolls off treble. if you want more high end punch (although this adds harshness) remove this cap and it will be a flavor closer to the TS9/TS808. its stock value is 0.01uf. replacing it with a higher value rolls off more treble and gives a more compressed distortion sound (JCM900, 5150, etc.). replacing it with a lower value opens up more treble. if you want your tone knob to actually do something, i'd recommend taking it out or replacing it with a lower value (e.g. 47pf). tubescreamers have no C6. "

I did notice a change but a very small one. I also did this as this is part of the SD-808 mod.

Top of PCB with C6 removed 

Bottom of PCB with C6 removed 

Opamps - old and new opamps 

Opamp socket - installed by me 

Replacement Caps 

Finished 808 Mod - outlined all parts replaced 

The "Brown Mod"

The Brown Mod definition from AnalogMan: "What the brown option does is make the effect slightly smoother and a bit less harsh in sound, more like 1960's effects. It is a great option if you use a bright amp like a Fender"

I removed R16 1k-ohm Resistor and replaced it with a 100-ohm Resistor

I removed R17 100k-ohm Resistor and replaced it with a 10k-ohm Resistor

It definitely changed the sound and made it less harsh.

Finished SD-808!

Part of the mod that I received was a blue led. It is pretty cool and sets my BOSS SD-1 apart for the the normal SD-1.

I had a few dicey moments but overall it was a great experience and I would do it again.

My next project is a treble boot pedal from scratch. That should be really cool.

Finishing touch

I added a bit of my own style to the finished mod. I didn't want to stick the Monte Allums sticker on MY creation. After all I did the work.

I got a stencil set and added SD808 to the end of the pedal. Kinda cool that my initials are SD!

Be Careful!

Be careful when removing components. I nearly ruined the whole thing by removing a resistor that wasn't quite desoldered.

Some of the PCB was removed and I had to scrape a little section so that the new solder would make contact.

As I said I am a novice. This is my first attempt at modding a guitar pedail.

Desoldering

is easy with the correct solder wick. I tried it with the solder wick that came with my PC tool kit and that didn't work out too well.

I then tried it with the solder wick that came with my SD-808 Mod kit and that was easy. Made all the attempts with the other wick turn out to be training sessions.

It is hard to see in the photo, but the top soldering wick is the one that doesn't work great and the bottom one is the one that worked great.

Resources for modding BOSS SD-1

here are some helpful links I used to mod my BOSS SD-1
Monte Allums Mods
SD-808 Mod Plus
The Kramer Forum
article on SD-1 Mod
AnalogMan BOSS Mods
mods for BOSS pedals
BOSS US
BOSS Super OverDrive (SD-1)
Erik's Corner
Mods for the SD-1

What did you think of my mod?

Now that you have seem the mod, what did you think?

  • CoachD Apr 16, 2012 @ 3:50 am | delete
    Thanks for being having a usable post. there are a bunch out there that are not user friendly to understand.
  • Jhoff Jan 10, 2012 @ 4:38 am | delete
    This is the kind of content I love to see on Squidoo. Great job on the Lens!
  • Inkhand Jan 9, 2012 @ 12:19 am | delete
    You did a good job at soldering and completing your BOSS SD-1.
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Mod your own BOSS SD-1

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stevewdewitt

I am a software developer from the Pacific Northwest who loves his wife, dog and the blues. I am also an avid peak bagger. I am new to blogging/writin... more »

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