Boss SD-1 Yes/No? Or TS7?

[HeadCrusher]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a Boss SD-1 to boost my JCM 800 2210 with. Unfortunetaly I have to remain within a ~50 Euro budget for this so afaik the only alternative would be an Ibanez TS7.

My tech said the SD-1 lacks bass and sounds a little bit harsh but it could be modded (to Keeley specs). He also said that the TS7's bypass sucks. My local shop doesn't carry the TS7 so I can't compare the two pedals. As I don't really have any experience with overdrive pedals I'm asking you guys what you think.

In general I like the feel of Boss pedals and I could power the SD-1 from my TU-2. Don't really know about the Ibanez stuff.

I would like to use the pedal to get four instead of two sounds out of my amp.

1. Clean sound (Amp)
2. Pushed clean sound (Amp's clean channel + Overdrive)
3. Overdrive/Distortion (Amp)
4. Pushed Overdrive/Distortion (Amp's overdrive channel + Overdrive; For solo boosts or when more distortion is needed during certain parts)

Any suggestions?

 

[Mikaël-ange]

Never tryed a TS7 but I have a TS9...
You can power this with a TU2 without any problem. Probably same for TS7 (boss like pin btw)

 

[Sweetnothing]

I use a sd1 with my 6505...the other guitar player in the band uses a ts9 with his triple rec.
We did put them side by side, the sd1 was adding some bite and dirt where the ts9 just did the filtering thing ( at zero drive). I couldn't even push the drive on the sd1 because of crazy feedback, where the ts9 didn't added as much apparent drive.

Sorry if it sounds like a contradicition, but it's my experience with them

 

[HeadCrusher]

Well that would actually be a good thing for the SD-1 for my needs.

 

[thefyn]

What do you tune to? It is too piercing for standard, but great for low tunings.

 

[HeadCrusher]

Then that's a con. We're in E Standard.

 

[PhilTheBeard]

i dig the sd1 it works great with marshall and the mesa stiletto

 

[HeadCrusher]

Iirc someone on here once said that the SD-1 is pretty close to the TS9 in terms of schematics but I can't remember who said that and wether or not the forum has come to the conclusion that this is true or not.

 

[thefyn]

I have a JCM800 and tried a lot of boosts. Do you get BBE Green Screamers over there? They can be snagged for cheap used and for the lower priced ones I treid out that was the best.

The top 2 i tried are CMATMODS Tube Slammer and a Maxon od9. If you want BASS I discovered a snarling dogs very tone is a baaadass boost if you switch off all the options and just volume boost it. Really thickens up the JCM for me.

 

[53Crëw]

+1. The SD1 is pretty harsh sounding to my ears.

 

[zakky]

i would say save up and get both very good pedals...i have a ts7 now and going to get a boss too.....get them used very cheap!

 

[HeadCrusher]

I have a JCM800 and tried a lot of boosts. Do you get BBE Green Screamers over there? They can be snagged for cheap used and for the lower priced ones I treid out that was the best.

Yeah, BBEs can be ordered but the Screamer is twice my budget.

This particular CMATMODS pedal you named doesn't seem to be available though.

There's some interesting things on the SD-1 in the Tubescreamer FAQ in the Production sub forum btw. (And of course on the TS7 as well.)

 

[nuclearass]

SD1 is a bit more harsh than the TS9, and IMO it eats even more low end. However, I think it actually sounds just as good as the TS9 with a 2210 ...different, but good. I prefer TS9 with any other amp. Somehow they just seem to work really well with JCM800's.

 

[Rockchops]

you can also mod the SD-1 to match the TS-9 or 808

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

I've heard enough clips done with the SD-1 to make me pretty sure its grainy quality isn't for me, but I'm curious to try the OD-3 (not like I've been at all disappointed with my trusty TS7 though ) And once again, for the TS7/TS9 decision...

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/547317-shootout-ts7-vs-ts9-vs-808-vs-mt2.html

 

[abt]

I've got an SD-1. I don't like it. I'm surprised so many people like it, to me it is excellent for playing blues and that about it. I never use it. I like the OS-2 overdrive way more plus you can dial in some distortion if you need it.

 

[Harry Hughes]

How easy is it to mod an SD-1 to TS specs?

 

[SuperD]

I've been using an SD-1 with my block letter for years and I am TOTALLY jonesing for a TS-7!!! Not complaining about the SD-1 at all, mind you, I like it LOTS...for $40 I could have thrown a TS-7 in the mix anytime, never felt the urge/need...
until now.
great.
want.

 

[bogchop]

I have a TS7 which I modded to TS808 spec, using only 2 resistors and 10 minutes of my time. Total cost was $65 AUD, including shipping from eBay. Otherwise, $150AUD in stores.

It was either that, or pay $400AUD in-store for an actual TS808.

Fuck you, Australia. Just fuck you.

 

[HeadCrusher]

you can also mod the SD-1 to match the TS-9 or 808

How? You got any schematics?

Can anyone please comment on the bypass of the SD-1 and the TS7? I won't be using them "on" all the time so that matters quite a lot actually.