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calf
Copper Member
1 Posts |
 Posted - 01/03/2006 : 23:16:12
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| Do you like SD-1? Why? It's said that it's very good as a booster, but how about leads and solos? |
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pawnshop_trash
Gold Member
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 06:45:13
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I really like my stock MIJ SD-1 (and also my Analog Man modded MIT SD-1, with stock asymmetrical clipping)  . my guitar amps are all-tube and high gain, so I get most of my distorted sound out of the amp, and use my SD-1 to drive the front end of the amp just a little bit harder. unless I want a 'clean' sound, my SD-1 is on all the time, even for leads (most of the time, I switch pickups and step on a PQ-4 for leads). thus, I'm not sure if my testimonial will really answer your question.
I guess if I could turn the master volume of my amps up past 2 without suffering permanent hearing loss, then I'd probably employ the SD-1 strictly as a booster for lead tones. but the SD-1 functions well to help overdrive a good (tube) amp at tolerable (but LOUD) volume levels. and unlike the TubeScreamer (which has symmetric clipping), to me the SD-1 gives your sound a little bit more of an edge, if that makes any sense. but regardless of what I say, your ears are the best judge. if possible, give one a try (preferably not a current-issue SD-1 -- they sound kind of harsh and treble-y to my ears), and hear for yourself. |
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lightburst
Silver Member
Germany
158 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 12:33:19
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I think the SD-1 is one of the most underrated Overdrives out there! And I like the asymetrical clipping more than the symetrical of the Tubescreamers. And comparing the prices of a SD-1 and a TS-9 (don�t matter if new or vintage) the SD-1 is a big bargain!  |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 14:44:23
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Has anyone of you done A/B tests with older Jap. SD-1's and a newer Taiwanese version?
Have there been many changes in the circuit of the SD-1 with the move from Jap. to Taiwan, changes like the ones we have found on other pedals.
I know Bossarea has recently bought himself a Jap. SD-1, did you have a change yet to do some A/B tests yet between a Jap. and Taiwan SD-1?
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 15:16:47
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| I've been away for a while so I haven't gotten round to doing any tests yet. My Japan SD-1 is also in dire need of some attention as it's missing the spring and a knob. Will need to call Roland and order some parts too. |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 15:23:35
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Hope you had a good and refreshing break Borg, regarding your SD-1, it may take some time before you can give us a report on the A/B tests.
Did you receive your SD-1 in that state? You bought it off ebay isn't it? |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 16:02:46
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Yes, I bought it that way. The Ebay ad showed the condition clearly so the state of it wasn't unexpected. I only paid �10 for it so it was well worth the price though  |
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jallen
Copper Member
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 00:31:27
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I love the SD-1, and I have the MIT one. I use it to provide all of my overdrive thru a clean amp and it does a great job. Yes it rules as a booster, but it stands on its own as well.
I had recently found an OD-1 that pushed my SD-1 to the role of backup. Well, my "vintage find" did not make it more than a week before cutting out (no signal at all). Luckily, I had my trusty SD-1, and I have been back to using that for the past few months. I just ordered an SD-2, but after all we've been through I'll keep the SD-1 around too! |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 07:05:08
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| I have both MIT and MIJ SD-1�s and to tell you the truth they sound very much alike. If I open my ears to maximum the MIT has a hint of more harshness, but that could be explained by the older electronics in the MIJ or that I "want" to hear a difference. All in all there is, in my opinion, no big differences. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 12:06:21
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I just ordered the spare parts to my SD-1 from Roland. I ordered a complete set of knobs + the spring. It came to �5.88 with shipping. Not a bargain price but I can't stand having pedals with an incomplete set of knobs.
While I was on the phone I obviously asked what they'd release at NAMM this year. The girl I spoke to said she didn't know and said she would have told me if she knew. Apparently the parts and spares department never got to know until the last minute. |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 12:26:19
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Goran, thanks for your informations regarding Taiwan and Japanese SD-1's, your posting confirms my idea. Funny how you get a feeling about certains pedals, about their sound, changes and how they perform from just reading information about them and what people do tell you.
I have just a Taiwan SD-1, bought new in 2004,but the pedal was made in March 2003. Bought it during a period when I did the A/B tests with the Ibanez TS 9 and 808, and yep, the SD-1 has more treble than the Ibanez tubescreamers, but same could be mentioned for the Boss BD-2 [ I know you love this pedal Goran] Well all of those pedals do have a lot in common and can sound very similar to each other at some stage, they all do have their slight differences but they are very subtle.
Jallen: Hope you can repair you OD-1, because that is such a GREAT pedal, really from all of the ones I mentioned above, the OD-1 is a winner. But that is just and my love for good old seventies sounds [Read good old Marshall tones!!!]
Bossarea: �5.88 for parts and �10,- for the SD-1 is still a good price eh? Can see your point of having the correct knobs, although I may sometimes give the impression that looks do not really matter that much. Guess if you can get it right you will do so accordingly. |
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audioidkid
Copper Member
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2006 : 21:01:23
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i just ordered an SD-1 yesterday....
looking forward to trying it out! |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2006 : 23:29:58
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I finally got round to do the A-B test with the MIT and MIJ SD-1s.
I was surpised that the difference was as big as it was. Looking at the schematics reveals that their practically identical so the difference in sound might come from component aging or tolerance limits.
They do sound quite similar but there is a distinct difference. The Taiwan pedal sounds thinner and more trebly. The Japan pedal has more bottom end but it is also muddier. For riffing I found the Japan pedal better but for soloing I preferred the transparency of the Taiwan pedal. |
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Boss SD-1
