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kidcheesyriffs
Copper Member
USA
24 Posts |
 Posted - 05/24/2008 : 05:54:10
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| I have 2 newer DS-1s that I enjoy, but at times, I find them to be a bit tinny sounding unless I dial the tone to around 10 - 11 o'clock, but if I do that, I risk muddying things up. I would love it if the DS-1 had a wider sweep of useful tones in the tone knob. I do love the level of gain of the pedals and the "grainyness" of the distortion. ... so conventional wisdom dictates that the MIJ DS-1s are warmer sounding, and have less of the tin going on. That sounds like what I'm after, but the problem is these MIJ DS-1s tend to be hard to chase down. On the other hand, HM-2s seem to be more available and more affordable. Would an HM-2 be a good, even-toned "warm" substitute for an MIJ DS-1? |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2008 : 07:38:56
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i wouldn't really describe HM-2's as warmer. they are a tad more muddy if you boost the bass and they have more gain/fuzz. HM-2's also have some feedback issues when playing at high volumes but this is more of a factor with the taiwan models.
MIJ DS-1's are pretty readily available on ebay if you are willing to spend $60-75 shipped. MIJ HM-2's will be more like $45-55 shipped.
if you have 2 DS-1's, i'd recommend trying a mod or two with some cap/resistor/diode switches. i've owned several MIJ DS-1's and they are warmer but what you are describing would probably be best solved by modding your DS-1's or by purchasing some of the higher gain overdrive pedals.
an MIJ OD-2 or an SD-2 come to mind (using the lead/turbo channels). |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2008 : 15:17:30
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If you find your DS-1 too tinny why not use a GE-7, or GE-6, just add a tad more bass, some mids, and slack off the highs and you may be there.
With and EQ you can get any dist. or overdrive pedal to sound how you would like it.
Japanese DS-1's are not per see better. I have a recent DS-1, I guess 2003, and sounds very good. Have two Japs, and one does sound better than the recent DS-1, the other one sounds fairly similar.
all of this Jap/Tawain discussion is very overblown. Even among new pedals there are differences. Each pedal really has its own variety. I have tried and tested too many pedals over the last few years to be convinced by that now. It does ease your mind and your wallet as well! |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2008 : 17:28:22
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component aging seems to warm em up over time.
it'll be interesting to see if a 2005 MIT DS-1 in 2028 will sound like a 1985 MIJ DS-1 right now. i'm even starting to notice "aged" sounds coming from mid 90's pedals.
the reason i'd recommend a mod is that you can open up the tone significantly for about $1 (this will also reduce noise). buying an older DS-1 would cost about the same as an EQ pedal.
with several pedals i've noticed a difference in the pre/post rohs compliance eras as i'm guessing certain components may have changed slightly.
basically, the DS-1 will always have some muddiness in it when it's stock. i usually keep the tone knob down at 9 o'clock or so on stock DS-1's. what you are basically desiring tone-wise is the same gain/distortion type but with a different tone voicing. that basically says you need a different pedal or need to make your DS-1 different... as you seem to be describing a "high gain overdrive" sound.
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kidcheesyriffs
Copper Member
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2008 : 21:49:54
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Thanks very much for the comments.
On the issue of mods, that is certainly something that I've contemplated. Jack Orman has a 2 resistor mod that shouldn't be too difficult for a novice solderer like me. The indyguitarist mods seem worthwhile.
Regarding EQing, that is a good point, and I have used an Ibanez PQ9 after the ds-1 (seems to work better than putting before the ds-1) and achieved decent results, but if I would prefer to be able to achieve the result with a single pedal. Absolutely great point about the versatility and importance of EQ pedals though.
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 01:24:36
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kidcheese:
generally i've found the keeley mods to be fairly well documented.
doing everything except the major clipping diode swaps usually opens up the tone pretty significantly while increasing volume and decreasing noise.
C1, C5, C12 to 0.1 uF cap (metal film)
C2, C8, C9, C14 to 1 uF cap (metal film)
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leonard d rock
Silver Member
Philippines
301 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 02:34:17
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hi kidcheesyriffs. i have both the ds-1 and the hm-2 and both are good pedals. i've had the hm-2 as my main pedal for 20+ years and its main use is to give a heavier distorted sound, and it may not be very versatile. i've had the ds-1 for 6 months and i have already done countless mods on it to find a good sound out of it. i wanted to find a sound between the overdrive of the od-1 and metal distortion of the hm-2. also the tone leaves a lot to be desired. currently i have two LEDS as clipping diodes and i think this is the sound i'm looking for (it may change next week though). if you want to do some modding on it, specially on the clipping diodes, i suggest you install some sort of diode adapter so you can experiment on different combinations of diodes without soldering and desoldering and ruining your pcb. goodluck!
LDR |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 02:38:38
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G'day! I just bought what I thought was a HM-3 on ebay that turned out to be a HM-2 (the body and circuit board were HM-2, the pedal with model number was HM-3).
Anyway, I am now the proud owner of a HM-2 and it sounds a bit... I dunno... "thin and grindy"? Does anyone know the "standard mods" for this beast?
Thanks in advance, Laurie.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 17:01:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
G'day! I just bought what I thought was a HM-3 on ebay that turned out to be a HM-2 (the body and circuit board were HM-2, the pedal with model number was HM-3).
Anyway, I am now the proud owner of a HM-2 and it sounds a bit... I dunno... "thin and grindy"? Does anyone know the "standard mods" for this beast?
Thanks in advance, Laurie.
Hi Laurie
I don't know about "thin and grindy"
I must have a couple of extra special ones then ,
as mine really add some Marshall type tone & bottom end punch to the old Fender amp, even with my Blackie single coil strat.
But I will admit, they sound much better, with my humbucker equipped guitars.
I have read quite a few times that the HM-2 is thin & people can't seem to get a good tone out of their ones.
It's strange, I have the completely 180 degree opposite opinion.
I guess they just sound better Down Under... 
Regards Dr. Bob
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 05/26/2008 17:07:31 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 17:53:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
I have read quite a few times that the HM-2 is thin & people can't seem to get a good tone out of their ones.
It's strange, I have the completely 180 degree opposite opinion.
I guess they just sound better Down Under...
Regards Dr. Bob
Interesting... I'll PM you - maybe there is a difference in the circuit - different spec opamps or something?
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2008 : 07:07:03
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Laurie:
the MIJ HM-2's (3) i've had have been as dr. bob described.
the MIT HM-2's (2) i've had have been more as to what you are describing with almost untameable feedback.
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leonard d rock
Silver Member
Philippines
301 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2008 : 01:57:42
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| hi laurie, guys. surprised to read your hm-2 is thin and grindy. well, it may be grindy which i think you mean "overly distorted?" but definitely my hm-2 is not thin. in fact what some people gripe about is its sometimes being muddy and try to clarify the distorted tone a little by using LEDS in one of the clippers, which is what i did. if you mean "not smooth distortion" like an overdrive or two, then its grindy. i haven't seen any other mods except the ones posted here. hope you find the mods you need to enjoy your hm-2. |
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Caliban
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
145 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 17:56:44
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| I agree with Dr Bob here... the HM-2 has lots of low end. The key is to be daring with the tone settings, and get out of that 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock "sensible" radius that normal controls have. Getting the bassiest sounds means boosting low and cutting high, using the level control to compensate for any perceived reduction in volume. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2008 : 12:11:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Caliban
I agree with Dr Bob here... the HM-2 has lots of low end. The key is to be daring with the tone settings, and get out of that 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock "sensible" radius that normal controls have. Getting the bassiest sounds means boosting low and cutting high, using the level control to compensate for any perceived reduction in volume.
Hi Caliban & Zentropa
It's nice to see that FINALLY! At least 2 people agree with me.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2008 : 15:18:05
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i've also found that you have to open up on the HM-2's to get the low end.
seems like at lower volumes there's like... 0 bass.
at higher volumes it seems to fill in nicely with a very pronounced and well rounded low end.
the MIT HM-2's i owned needed nearly twice as much volume to get half as much low end. at that point they were really tinny and felt like you were being jabbed in the face with a broken bottle.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2008 : 15:41:51
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quote:
Originally posted by zentropa
i've also found that you have to open up on the HM-2's to get the low end.
seems like at lower volumes there's like... 0 bass.
at higher volumes it seems to fill in nicely with a very pronounced and well rounded low end.
the MIT HM-2's i owned needed nearly twice as much volume to get half as much low end. at that point they were really tinny and felt like you were being jabbed in the face with a broken bottle.
Hi zentropa
I hope you're ok now... |
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Topic |
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HM-2 / DS-1 advice needed
