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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
 Posted - 02/26/2006 : 16:12:01
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Hey guys,
I only have a Boss SD-1 (Made In Taiwan [Silver Label]) and frankly I hate it. I've been wanting to get a Made In Japan model for quite a while now, but I was curious as to what changed internally between the 1981 Black Label Japanese One, the Black Label Taiwan One, and the still-in-production Silver Label One. When I see sellers that are selling the MIJ Black Label one they advertise it as having the infamous JRC 4558DD chip. But as far as I can tell, my MIT Silver Label still has that chip. So what changed besides the ACA to PSA Power Supply?
Thanks for any help you can give.
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phostenix
Gold Member
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2006 : 18:14:08
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Strongbad:
"Search but-ten never looked soooo good. Searching through the forums, like you knew it would."
Sorry, I couldn't resist. 
There have been lots of those discussions over the past few months. Check through that stuff and see what you can find. Lots of differing opinions out there.
Grace and peace,
Steve
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2006 : 19:45:03
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I've searched every topic I could find on the forum about this, and I have not found a distinctive VERSION difference solution.
Like we have for the OD-1.
so we could have the:
SD-1a
SD-1b
SD-1c
I just want us to the be the most complete resource possible for Boss pedal knowledge. So from what I have gathered here is all I am guessing at:
SD-1a: Made In Japan, Black Label, 1981, JRC4558D (not DD) ACA Power Supply (Silver screw models exist????)
SD-1b: Made in Taiwan, Black Label, <not sure which chip> <not sure which power supply> Black Screw
SD-1c: Made In Taiwan, Silver Label, JRC4558DD, PSA Powered, Black Screw
Please fill in anything you can. Thank You. I especially have no clue about the MIT Black Label model. Although hearsay says it sounds better than the Silver Label MIT and I'll believe it.
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arcanon1313
Silver Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2006 : 20:32:33
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| I have an MIJ SD-1, with the JRC 4558DD chip. I've A-B'd the MIJ with an MIT SD-1 and there is really no difference. The MIT is slightly harsher, but that could be because of parts in my SD-1 aging. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2006 : 22:33:48
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The SD-1A uses the uPC4558C opamp. This is documented on the schematic dated March 1981. My SD-1 is a SD-1B. It's serial number is 158600 so it probably wasn't made very far into the 80s. I've gone over the components one by one and the only difference I can spot is that the opamp is a JRC4558D.
I also have a fairly new MIT SD-1 and as arcanon said, the differences are minimal. I think that if you hate your MIT SD-1 you shouldn't be looking for another one. They're just to similar. |
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alpine_56
Copper Member
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 05:35:10
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MOD IT!!!
Andrew |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 07:51:43
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I have a MIJ SD-1 and had earlier also a late MIT, compared them and came to the same conclusion that arcanon and Bossarea have. I can�t hear any difference, maybe the MIJ was a tad less harsh.
SD-1 is not a very good overdrive in my opinion, I like OD-3, OD-1 or BD-2 a lot more. I�m not saying it�s bad, just that there are better Boss overdrives easily found.
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lazzrath
Bronze Member
Canada
103 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 10:29:01
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I've got a couple of SD-1's; a silver screw with the 4558C, and the other with the 4558DD. I love these pedals! I think my brain just wants me to believe that there is a difference in tone between the two (because I own two), but in reality, I believe these models all sound virtually identical.
In defence of this pedals tone, I suppose there are some 'better' sounding overdrives (other boss stuff, boutique stuff, etc.) but this pedal really nails a very particular drive. It fits a nice niche in the ever broadening overdrive pallate. I like it...
 Don Hertzfeldt is my hero. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 11:07:20
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I've seen silver screw SD-1s on EBay but never been really sure if the screw was original or not. Do you know if yours is original, lazzrath?
What is the serial number? The schematic says the first versions had a stamped 4 digit number. I haven't seen any SD-1s with that type of serial either.
Oh, and finally: does the PCB in your SD-1 say ...-510A or ..510B? I don't think the change to the 4558D opamp caused them to change the designation. I think it's the version of the PCB so they may have changed something that I'm not able to see on mine.
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Sunburst
Silver Member
427 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 12:02:19
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quote:
Originally posted by lazzrath
I've got a couple of SD-1's; a silver screw with the 4558C, and the other with the 4558DD. I love these pedals! I think my brain just wants me to believe that there is a difference in tone between the two (because I own two), but in reality, I believe these models all sound virtually identical.
In defence of this pedals tone, I suppose there are some 'better' sounding overdrives (other boss stuff, boutique stuff, etc.) but this pedal really nails a very particular drive. It fits a nice niche in the ever broadening overdrive pallate. I like it...
Don Hertzfeldt is my hero.
An SD-1 with silver screw is interesting. Do you have a pic of the screw?
I�ve never seen one with a silver screw, but perhaps there are some oddballs out there, just like there seem to be with the DM-2. |
Edited by - Sunburst on 02/27/2006 12:05:14 |
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lightburst
Silver Member
Germany
158 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 14:16:54
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Talking about the op-amps of the SD-1:
Does anyone know this one wich I found in my old MIJ SD-1?
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
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lightburst
Silver Member
Germany
158 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 16:19:16
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| Thanks bossarea but has anyone here found the same op in his SD-1? |
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lazzrath
Bronze Member
Canada
103 Posts |
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lazzrath
Bronze Member
Canada
103 Posts |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2006 : 20:05:39
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Looking at picture 2 and 3. Is there a washer on the screw or is that metal ring part of the pedal?
The big square hole to the left of the switch is also something mine doesn't have. |
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Topic |
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A History of the SD-1 Super Overdrive
