Saturday, 18 October 2014

Boss DS-1 Distortion

There's very little point in building a 1:1 clone, as you can score the original unit for peanuts as used. Possibly even cheaper than what the parts alone would cost you to build one. But instead of going through a painful bypass operation on a Boss box and having your way with the circuit, you can build your own and mod it to the perfection for yourself. There are a number of mod ideas on the web for this circuit.

The original units use Mitsubishi M5223AL SIP chip and 2SC2240 transistors. Since M5223 is still just a pretty standard dual opamp, any of our usual choices (JRC4558, TL072, NE55532, etc.) will work fine. Or in some cases, even sound way better than the original. The second transistor (the one on the top on the layout) is your first gain stage, so i do recommend socketing that one and the opamp to try out what suits you the best. The size of the board is slightly bigger than what i usually go for, but since it's 17 rows in height, this'll fit nicely in 1590B if you mount the board sideways. I built one already to see if the layout works and made a few value changes on it. 2N5088 + JRC4558 gives a mean, nearly sadistic texture for the distortion, upping certain cap values will add a ot of bass content and 5mm yellow LEDs for clippers make this one sick fuzz..



Posted by at 22:54
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42 comments:

  1. Unknown19 October 2014 at 02:34

    I was just thinking I would like to build a ds 1 from scratch with the Keeley mods. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown19 October 2014 at 18:36

    it will be soooo much to ask about te mod? in vero?

    thanks a lot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mirosol19 October 2014 at 19:04

      Way too many different things, so i don't see much sense in doing 10 new layouts with each different set of mods.

      So. Check these out:
      Schematic - http://cdn.tonegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/Boss-DS-1-schematic.png
      Wampler's notes in Premier Guitar - http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/boss-ds-1-mods-1?page=2
      Pretty comprehensive list of mods - http://freestompboxes.org/members/5thumbs/Build%20Your%20Own%20DS-1%20Distortion.pdf
      (You may need to be logged in to see the FSB link)
      +m

      Delete
  3. Lee Oswald20 October 2014 at 05:27

    I'd like to offer a suggestion - While I am not a fan of wampler in the least, his "18" mod and Plexi type mods for the DS-1 are far superior to the Keeley mods, and simpler to install. They can be found in the Premier Guitar article listed by Mirosol. The old style Marshall/Plexi can also be found in the book available for download at Freestompboxes, also linked to by Mirosol.

    I strongly you check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lee Oswald20 October 2014 at 05:28

    Er, I meant strongly SUGGEST you check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. soupboneguitar28 December 2014 at 21:09

    Hey Lee.Do you have a link for the Wampler "18" Mod?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown19 August 2015 at 04:58

    I built this one! Nice sound !!

    I can only hear any difference in the distortion knob after 12 o clock.

    Is that right???

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown20 August 2015 at 04:20

      Did you use the correct taper potentiometer? It asks for a 100KB.

      Delete
    2. Unknown20 August 2015 at 20:03

      Yes, I did.

      I am using 100K lin pot.

      Have you ever built this pedal ?

      thank you

      Delete
    3. Unknown21 August 2015 at 04:56

      If the distortion is acting only after 12 hours, it represents about 50K ohms, right?

      What would happen if I put one potentiometer of 150K lin? Before 12 o'clock I would already be in the sound's saturation region, then the distortion would act before 12 o clock??

      Does it make sense for you ?

      Delete
    4. Unknown21 August 2015 at 05:54

      Well,

      I think it isn´t a problem. If you watch this video you will notice that the distortion knob do not change the sound until 12 o clock.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ev_-DkMT_0#t=2m35s


      What do you think ?

      Delete
  7. Ciaran Haslett21 August 2015 at 10:54

    Yeah that looks like whats happening. You could try changing the pot to a C taper (Reverse Log)

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    Replies
    1. Unknown21 August 2015 at 15:52

      Hello,

      I changed the 100K lin distortion pot to a 200KB.

      I strongly recommend this changed if you want a more fuzz sound close to the end of the pot rotation. I hope this information could help who wants a more aggressive distortion

      Delete
  8. Unknown11 September 2015 at 06:01

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown11 September 2015 at 13:26

    May I use any other value replacement of 250pF Capacitor........???
    and
    May I use 100K/50k (lin) replacement of 20k.......???

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown14 October 2015 at 10:50

    Hello ,
    I built this layout!. but when dist &tone is 3 o, clock is very very loud and noisy.
    when I touch guitar strings sound like hum and noisy ??? is anyone build this layout ??

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dimi Nalbantov22 January 2016 at 11:10

    hmmm, build it yesterday . Sounds like a Fuzz. Nothing like the original:(
    Flabby lows and fuzz like distortion.
    I've got 13. 2n3904 and tried different combination but still the same.
    Tried 072 ICS and 4558.. its the same. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Luis Zuñiga28 February 2017 at 06:57

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Luis Zuñiga28 February 2017 at 06:58

      I know this is a year old post, but i'm having this problem to, sounds like a fuzz with a dying battery, did you solve the the problem?

      Delete
    3. Dimi Nalbantov8 January 2018 at 12:49

      So anyone compared it with the original....still sounding like a fuzz, Some bias problem ?

      Delete
    4. at.c22 May 2019 at 07:19

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  12. resistance3 February 2016 at 17:54

    hi thank you ! is it possible to change the 250pf cap?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unknown18 March 2016 at 03:19

    Hello!
    I have a real one. With my new guitar it lacks of volume. What if I replace the R22 on the schematic linked below with a lower value? It's next to the output.. Maybe it could help with the issue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown18 March 2016 at 03:19

      Thanks!

      Delete
    2. Unknown18 March 2016 at 03:20

      Schematic: http://cdn.tonegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/Boss-DS-1-schematic.png

      Delete
  14. pakkee6612 March 2017 at 08:41

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. pakkee6612 March 2017 at 08:43

    built with Moden Hi gain and Brett Miller 'PHLAT' mod, still test with socket, gonna like it sound, thanks for the layout. share my board pic:http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg569/pakkee66/DIY%20PEDAL/Boss%20DS-1%20Moden%20gain%20mod%20Brett%20Miller%20PHLAT%20mod._zpsk6ugm7yc.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  16. lukeadik27 March 2017 at 10:15

    Mr miro, could you help me. I have a problem with the noise (sound like "prattttttatatatattt"), it's only come out when i stroke my guitar and it's gone if i use tl072 (the noise vome out if i use jrc4558, ne5532, and tl082). I use 2n3904 with hfe 331 for all transistors.

    Sorry for my bad english, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Er cinese27 July 2018 at 23:37

    Hi there is any reason why the C2 (470n) is not in this vero? Studying the schematic and trying to understand. Thanks

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    Replies
    1. at.c22 May 2019 at 08:41

      yes plus 100k to the +4.5v
      I think it says at start it not a 1:1 build

      Delete
  18. Lucas144824 July 2019 at 14:32

    Hellow! For the bypass I just wire it like a regular true bypass circuit?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Elijah-Baley5 January 2020 at 18:24

    The Boss DS-1 is a very affordable pedal but I got the DIY DS-1 fever, and I'm searching a verified layout of the original schematic, I can change the values and mod it later, but the schematic has to be the real one: not bufferless, alternative, similar or simplified version.

    I noticed that somebody got several problems with this layout. How much of us really built it succesfully with no issues like noises, fuzzish sound or weird pot taper?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frug2 June 2020 at 16:30

      hey, any luck? im planning on building this.

      Delete
    2. ManicStrat21126 June 2020 at 08:13

      I built it with the tl072 and it sounds killer, but it's a bit quiet...maybe just a hair below unity gain at max volume. It sounded horrid with the jrc4558...at least mine did. I'm working on solving the output issue.

      Delete
  20. Jun d14 April 2021 at 09:34

    Nice circuit . Ds 1 is far more aggressive distortion. Mine with 4558 is superior!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jun d17 April 2021 at 10:50

    Very vintage and unique circuit ds1.works fine with me with tlo72 and 2n3904 transs
    More power regards fr Philippines.Jun

    ReplyDelete
  22. Grid University20 September 2021 at 19:15

    Just finished building this circuit. Seems to work, but the output volume is very low (even with the pots turned all the way up). Any ideas on ways to troubleshoot, or is this expected with this circuit?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jun d21 March 2023 at 04:24

      Check for possible unsoldered path.the circuit is verified so its gonna be your build. Or damage transistor maybe

      Delete
  23. j-pee29 September 2021 at 18:28

    it works, all is cool about the layout, it is perfect :)

    finished it, didn't work at all... then I did the "usual" debugging... and after clearing about 3 unwanted contacts, spending about 3 hours... it works now and I love it, totally...

    unfortunately, a vero board is like a landing field for unwanted "bridges"...
    especially at this complexity: 24 cuts (!!!!!) ...

    love it, totally!

    ReplyDelete
  24. j-pee6 October 2021 at 20:50

    "BREAKING" :)
    I'm very pleased with this pedal...
    but I feel it's not so versatile..
    and I'm ready to experiment... (and we know there are all the mods)

    BUT: what I just red at FSB:

    by analogguru » 30 Jun 2008, 18:48

    "BTW, can you please check the value of the capacitor in the feedback loop of the 2nd opamp ?
    Somebody claimed that it should be only 10p."

    here: https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?p=30810#p30810

    and the answer:

    by Bernardduur » 30 Jun 2008, 19:47

    "The cap is 100p [...]"

    I knew that 10p was not enough!!! :)

    (cause it is supposed to smooth out the distortion to some extent, and what I hear is just not smooth enough -- meaning at the lowest gain level, of course)







    ReplyDelete
  25. Unknown20 January 2022 at 22:23

    Hi has anyone modified with the jhs synth mod

    ReplyDelete

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