If you have problems setting the output higher than or equal to the bypassed signal try this. There is a 47k or 150k resistor connected to pad number 16 on the PC board. Pad 16 connects directly to the top lug of the level control. This resistor sets the attenuation of the output signal in conjunction with the 50k level pot. With a 47k resistor and a 50k pot you have about 50% attenuation. With the 150k you have 75%. Boss changed the value from 47k to 150k around serial 7700. Replace with a 10k or 4.7k and you should notice an immediate improvement in the output level. You can try even lower values to get a little more signal.
Sounds like a good mod. Only worry is that Boss may have had a reason to change the value in the first place.
The service notes(Oct.1978)indicate that the 47k to 150k change was to allow " convenient volume balance between DIRECT and EFFECT sounds.(can be balanced around center of rotation)". This change was to lower the output level and allow the level control to function around the middle of the rotation. I find that with higher output pickups the CS-1 in stock form can't quite get back to unity gain after compression.
hey ironman28....do you have any idea if this mod would work on any other boss pedals because my strat with active pickups has this problem when i use my cs3,ds1,od2 etc.....the output of the pedal can't match the bypassed signal... when i kick in an overdrive it sounds like a 'volume drop'is going on ......or is there a resistor in the circuit board on the strat that could be changed to lower the output to match the pedals......
hey ironman28....do you have any idea if this mod would work on any other boss pedals because my strat with active pickups has this problem when i use my cs3,ds1,od2 etc.....the output of the pedal can't match the bypassed signal... when i kick in an overdrive it sounds like a 'volume drop'is going on ......or is there a resistor in the circuit board on the strat that could be changed to lower the output to match the pedals......
Some pedals are easier than others... On the OD-2 you can try lowering the value of R62. It is a 47k resistor in series with the wiper of the level control. It is on the VR board. A 10k resistor should result in an increased level.
On the DS-1 I am working with the original schematic. I don't have the schematic for the MIT version. Try lowering R18 from 10k to a 2.2k. You can also change R14 to a 1k.
I don't have a Cs-3 schematic available right now but I'll have a look and post again.
Of course I don't know if this will get you enough out put to match your active PUPs. You could pad the output of your guitar to lower the level closer to a passive PU.
What kind of active pickups do you have? If you always use the same pedal first in your chain you could modify that pedal to attenuate the output of your guitar. I wouldn't modify the guitar because you want to keep the high output low impedance signal to drive the cable to the first effect. There are some pedals available that are just a volume control. You could run one of these first in the chain to lower the level when you use your active guitar.
thanks ironman, ill consider this. the CS-1 has a reputation for having volume cut in and out at times and i notice i can only get it at bypass volume with level cranked.
CS-1 volume drop mod
Posted - 09/18/2006 : 19:36:34
