software

how do you recognize one? does it have a really obvious MIJ stamped on the bottom of it?

I'm not sure if its true for all of them but most have a metal battery compartment screw versus the plastic on the new ones.

It'll say made in Japan on the label. My buddy AJ has a made in Taiwan DS-1 that he was going to sell. He gave it to me to try and I loved it. After I showed him how to use it he decided to keep it and it's always on and always part of his effects chain. So I found a MIJ DS-1 for myself. But I don't really hear much difference between my MIJ version and his Taiwanese version. The diff is subtle IMO. The way to use one, IMO, is to keep the effect subtle and use it as a boost and tone conditioner...not as a stomp it on and off distortion generator. Lew


Originally Posted by LewguitarIt'll say made in Japan on the label. My buddy AJ has a made in Taiwan DS-1 that he was going to sell. He gave it to me to try and I loved it. After I showed him how to use it he decided to keep it and it's always on and always part of his effects chain. So I found a MIJ DS-1 for myself. But I don't really hear much difference between my MIJ version and his Taiwanese version. The diff is subtle IMO. The way to use one, IMO, is to keep the effect subtle and use it as a boost and tone conditioner...not as a stomp it on and off distortion generator. Lew

Lew, Have you ever used two DS-1's like I've heard that some do?


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadLew, Have you ever used two DS-1's like I've heard that some do?

Yes. It's a cool way to generate alot of overdrive. But that's not the way I like to use a DS-1. I use it more as a Pickup Booster/Tone Conditioner. I set it so when my Strat or Tele guitar's volume is on quot;10quot; I get a nice boost that sounds a bit more like a humbucker overdriving a Marshall and so I can lower the volume on my guitar to quot;5quot; and the tone cleans up for almost crystal clean chords when I play rythym. Experiment...it'll be worth it.

Nice tips, thanks Lew. I will experiment with that.

I been weening myself form playing with the strat volume on 10. I've been setting the amp with the guitar on 2-5. This has been creating better guitar driven dymanics for me. I'm sure the DS-1's will add and improve my options.


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadNice tips, thanks Lew. I will experiment with that.

I been weening myself form playing with the strat volume on 10. I've been setting the amp with the guitar on 2-5. This has been creating better guitar driven dymanics for me. I'm sure the DS-1's will add and improve my options.

The nice thing about the DS-1 is that once you find the settings that work for you, you can lower your guitar's volume to 5 or less when you're playing rythym and the rock rythym tone is ballsier but somehow clearer than it would be without the pedal...and you'll also retain the sparkle and treble without the tone getting overly dark and muddy. It'll also improve the tone of other overdrive and fuzzy effects (like the Big Muff) when they are plugged into a DS-1 set up that way. The DS-1 is a great pedal if you're a rocker who has to play at lower volumes than you'd like to. Like I said, IMO, it's kind of a Rock Tone Conditioner.

i used Lew's method in the past and i think he describes it perfectly.....it really is a nice sound, and for so few dollars, its a big time deal

the 9v mains socket is a different design as well between MIJ and MIT pedals.. or is it the different power schemes?

tom

PS - i have the MIJ SD-1... i reckon i could 8/10 times tell the difference between mine and a stock one, it's a bit creamier..

tom


Originally Posted by Impthe 9v mains socket is a different design as well between MIJ and MIT pedals.. or is it the different power schemes?

tom

PS - i have the MIJ SD-1... i reckon i could 8/10 times tell the difference between mine and a stock one, it's a bit creamier..

tom

Maybe so. Steve Vai has said that he can hear a slight diff between the MIJ DS-1 and the MIT DS-1 and I think I can hear a very subtle diff too. Still, when you're wailin' and the band is rockin' the diff between the two is negligable, IMO. But quot;yesquot;...there is a slight diff in tone between the two. In truth, if you're sensitive enough and your ears are good enough, there might be a slight diff between any two, whether made in Taiwan or made in Japan. Lew

Gotta second everything Lew said....

I think the thing to remember is that alot of the classic dirtboxes were deigned around the idea of making an existing tube amp drive harder or adding a bit more gain to what was already available (kinda like how early quot;high output pickupsquot; were used the same way). They were not meant to be used as stand-alone boxes with your amp basically being a quot;transparentquot; PA. Though later on I think that's the (wrong, IMO) perception that people got.

when you dime the volume, and drop the gain low, a DS-1 will def add some great tones to your existing tube amp. Just like a SOD, or Rat, or TS9. Run it through the clean channel of your brand X and dime both knobs and she won't sound too good (without a mod)..raspy, brittle...yukkkk

If you can pick up Gary Moore's quot;We Want Moorequot; live CD you will hear just how versatile (and GOOD) a DS-1 can sound. He milked that thing for all it was worth. From slightly gainy to brutal saturated distortion and all points in between, through his Marshalls and vintage Strats.

i just picked up a DS-1 at a pawn shop for $25, It's made in Taiwan and I think it'll be great for me. I hope to either get a second DS-1 or a SD-1.

many sources say the DS-1 is the best bang for the $$'s pedal, I think I got a good deal.


Originally Posted by Guitar Toadi just picked up a DS-1 at a pawn shop for $25, It's made in Taiwan and I think it'll be great for me. I hope to either get a second DS-1 or a SD-1.

many sources say the DS-1 is the best bang for the $$'s pedal, I think I got a good deal.

$25? That's a great deal for something that good and that'll last you many, many years. Shoot...dinner and a couple of shots or a glass or two of wine will cost you $25 and the next day you'll have nothing to show for it. Lew