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PeterUK
Copper Member
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
 Posted - 10/08/2008 : 14:19:05
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I've just had my CE2 modded with a Monte Allums CE2 kit and for a whole host of reasons I elected to have the work done by Monte Allums UK installer (he was 10-mins away from my place of work).
I used the modded pedal for the first time in anger - band rehearsals - on Sunday and I'm still overwhelmed with disappointment. I bought my CE2 for not alot of money from eBay and it was described as well used and the LED didn't work. When I got it, it was horrible and sticky and when I opened it up, seem to have had a pint of dried Guiness in the battery compartment and some in the electronics case. I gave it a good clean, liberally sprayed it with switch spray, plugged it in and....Wow! Lovely tones and the LED even worked.
I'd always intended to mod it and chose the Monte Allums kit because I simply love the sound clip on the MA website. About the same time, I changed to a Burkey power supply with the Tonebone mod and mysteriously the LED stopped working.
The MA UK guy - great guy and visited his home - modded my pedal and on Sunday I did an AB test with a standard CE2 and now I feel disappointed. The modded one sounds sharp, hissy and very, very trebley. Yuk! I can't roll off the trebley sharpness with the tone control of the guitar either so I'm back to looking for an unmodded one.
Is there anything I can do to reduce the trebly sound? My expectations were that it would sound fuller and fatter but it sounds exactly the opposite - thinner and weaker.
My gig set up is a rewired PTP Fender Deluxe RI (just serviced and new valves) and I use the two channels of the amp - often blended together (lovely tone) using a Radial Switchbone AB/Y pedal.
Additional info: I used to use the CE2 behind an AC2 acoutic pedal but with the modded MA it sounds horrible. My (main) guitar is my much loved Fender Broadcaster replica http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/22112373.
Maybe a lesson? If it ain't broke, don't fix it? 
I'd welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Peter |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 10/10/2008 11:35:47 |
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happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 14:43:52
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i have a modded one brought back to life by a certain someone  but now i too miss the old tone :( |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 14:47:05
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quote:
Originally posted by PeterUK
Maybe a lesson? If it ain't broke, don't fix it?
Hi Peter! The consensus for the CE-2 seems to be exactly that...
I've only done one Monte Allums mod (my CS-3) and it was also a bit underwhelming. The mods are well thought out, but it just didn't take it where I wanted it to go - took a lot more research and work to get to to how I wanted it.
Anyway, you can always put your CE-2 back to how it was before - the service notes are readily available and the original components easy to get. How are your soldering skills?
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 15:13:25
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Hi PeterUK
quote:
Maybe a lesson? If it ain't broke, don't fix it?
I think that these are the wisest words ever spoken, when it comes to the CE-2.
PeterUK, your pedal is probably an older ACA 12V unregulated type, if it's the only-first pedal that you are running on an 9V Regulated supply, the LED will appear to be off.
Lots of us here, do a simple ACA 12V to PSA 9V mod, on all our older ACA pedals.
Or use the ACA pedal as the second pedal, connected with a daisy chain power lead, read this article by stinkfoot.
Powering ACA pedals with a PSA power supply:
http://www.bossarea.com/other/aca.asp
HappyPlucker
I believe that you still have all the old parts?
You could always perform an ANTI-Mod.
If you are really looking to mod a CE-2
The only possible mod you should ever do, is the mod that allows the rate to be slightly increased.
Or increasing the input & output caps, to make is usable with a Bass.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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PeterUK
Copper Member
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 16:23:04
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Thanks guys!
I like this place for its friendly, but sometimes brutal honesty! 
I'm afraid I just love to tinker but in future I'm going nag myself with the mantra "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"! 
Anyway, this is what you should do with a Guinness! 
I want my Guiness flavoured CE2 back.
Peter |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 17:32:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Hi PeterUK
quote:
Maybe a lesson? If it ain't broke, don't fix it?
I think that these are the wisest words ever spoken, when it comes to the CE-2.
PeterUK, your pedal is probably an older ACA 12V unregulated type, if it's the only-first pedal that you are running on an 9V Regulated supply, the LED will appear to be off.
Lots of us here, do a simple ACA 12V to PSA 9V mod, on all our older ACA pedals.
Or use the ACA pedal as the second pedal, connected with a daisy chain power lead, read this article by stinkfoot.
Powering ACA pedals with a PSA power supply:
http://www.bossarea.com/other/aca.asp
HappyPlucker
I believe that you still have all the old parts?
You could always perform an ANTI-Mod.
If you are really looking to mod a CE-2
The only possible mod you should ever do, is the mod that allows the rate to be slightly increased.
Or increasing the input & output caps, to make is usable with a Bass.
Regards Dr. Bob
Hi Bob! The Monte Allums mod I did had the standard ACA/PSA conversion as part of the mod - so it's probably done on this pedal? |
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PeterUK
Copper Member
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2008 : 17:37:28
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quote:
Hi Bob! The Monte Allums mod I did had the standard ACA/PSA conversion as part of the mod - so it's probably done on this pedal?
Yes, that's correct! The good news is that the LED works with the footswitch now! 
So that's good then! 
Peter |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 00:59:39
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| i got the monte alums cs-3 opto plus mod kinda sweet a heck of alot less noise |
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 02:22:08
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quote:
Originally posted by PeterUK
Is there anything I can do to reduce the trebly sound? My expectations were that it would sound fuller and fatter but it sounds exactly the opposite - thinner and weaker.
Don't know if this is what your looking for but C14 on a CE2B is a .012 instead of the .033 |
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happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 11:30:26
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dr bob, ive long thought about doing it, but youve seen my soldering. id rather have a working pedal than a dust gatherer.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 14:24:58
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quote:
Originally posted by happyplucker
dr bob, ive long thought about doing it, but youve seen my soldering. id rather have a working pedal than a dust gatherer.
Hi happyplucker
Did you ever find the mod sheet?
We-I could always un-mod it.
If you remember, It only basically cost you,
the price of a large family Pizza, to get to OZ & Back to the UK.
Plus the shipping time.
But I guess it's not having it while you're recording.
If you even want it modded back, I know you still have all the stock parts, Well you said you did.
I could always compare it to my little collection of CE-2's, & figure out what & where was changed.
I was brutally honest & told you that I didn't like the way it now sounded, Although I don't remember it sounding shrill & hissy, like PeterUK's one seems to be now sounding.
Perhaps, the guy modding his pedal mis-read a capacitor, & but in one that is making his pedal sound that way.
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 10/10/2008 11:12:55 |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 16:59:25
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| Hmm, I just ordered that kit to upgrade my CE-2b, so I'll keep you guys posted on that one, it should arrive somewhere next week. |
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PeterUK
Copper Member
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 19:00:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Dirk
Hmm, I just ordered that kit to upgrade my CE-2b, so I'll keep you guys posted on that one, it should arrive somewhere next week.
Don't do it! Save yourself!
To be fair to Monte Allum and Gary, his recommended UK pedal modder, they've sent me a few e-mails and in Monte's latest e-mail he recommends the following:
quote:
You can tame the highs on the CE-2 by replacing the Burr Brown chip with a JRC4558 or RC4558 chip. The Burr Brown has more high end which some like but it will add presence. Replacing it should get you the tone you are looking for.
To be honest, he could have provided that advice in Arabic and it would have made as much sense. 
A very good friend of mine is an electronics expert, and he's offered to have a look at it for me.
I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime, I'm holding back on the plans to mod my DS1.
Time for another Guinness!
Peter |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 19:25:39
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quote:
Originally posted by PeterUK
in the meantime, I'm holding back on the plans to mod my DS1.
Now THAT's a pedal that needs a good solid modding. The Keeley all-seeing eye mod is one of the standards and is in the public domain. Every DS-1 I've done it to has sounded subsantially better.
Beware though... this will probably hook you on modding. Before long it will be time to buy a soldering station and take an evening electronics course
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PeterUK
Copper Member
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2008 : 20:02:21
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quote:
Beware though... this will probably hook you on modding. Before long it will be time to buy a soldering station and take an evening electronics course
My soldering is pretty good but I'm desperately colour blind so struggle with circuit boards and their associated components! I do fancy having a go at the DS1 and I've come across he Keeley all-seeing eye mod thanks to this excellent site
Peter |
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happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2008 : 10:23:35
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| exactly, we finish recording next weekend, so i may try looking for the parts. and i may take you up on that bob. i didnt find the mod sheet however, so i'll have another look for that... excellent news! |
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Topic |
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Monte Allums & Other CE2 mods
