software

I just got this pedal in the mail and was extremely excited to finally try it out and see if it lived up to all the forum hype. I will not get to try it through my cranked JCM 800 until my next band practice but I was able to use it with my pod xt, peavy classic 50/50, vht cab setup. The guitars that were used were my ESP Viper (Screamin Deamon and 59n) and SG (EMG 81-85). My first impression of this pedal is WOW, Zakk Wylde should have sent his SD-1 to John instead of have his signiture pedal made. This pedal's tone is all BALLS and ****. I have a TS-9 modded by John which I compared it too (pretty high standard to meet). Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges because both are great pedals, but I generally like apples better and I prefer the SD-1 to the TS-9 for most situations. The Spina's TS-9 has a great thick tonal range with tons of mids; however I usually limited it's use to a solo boost because the mid hump made my tone too smooth for rhythm work. On the same settings Level 2:00, Tone 1:00, Drive 9:00 the SD-1 has a different character which I prefer. This pedal has a hotter, crunchier, rawer, and more defined tone than the TS-9. I would say it sounds like the TS-9 on steroids. The SD-1 does not have a huge mid spike like the TS-9; instead it sounds like the treble and bass are increased more than the mids which translates into a more jagged tone than the smooth tone of the TS-9. I have to say that I think that a single coil type guitar like a strat might benifit more form the characteristics of the TS-9 but I like the SD-1 through the humbucker equiped guitars that I tried. These statements are just my opinion and keep in mind I have not had more than one hour to test these pedals out. I will have to test it through the Marshall to be sure but I think that I will be using this pedal all the time as a pre-amp buffer pedal (like some use the DS-1). I really need to stop playing and typing and get to studying, but I just wanted to give John credit where credit is due. He really made this pedal sound much thicker tonally than the stock pedal, and now I have exactly what I want. I know that John hears how great his work is all the time but I also know that it feels good to hear it again. Thank you John for helping me get better tone.

I forget to play my John-modded SD-1 enough, but it's a doozy!

and for those who haven't seen my page, I have a few clips of my modded SD-1 and DS-1 here:
John's mods

wow...level 2 and there is no volume drop?!?!?!? i have to crank my stock ds-1 to the max for the level to be the same as the amp on clean! Hmm interesting indeed!


Originally Posted by strat_masterwow...level 2 and there is no volume drop?!?!?!? i have to crank my stock ds-1 to the max for the level to be the same as the amp on clean! Hmm interesting indeed!

There is more than enough volume on my Spina DS-1, I woudl imagine that his SD-1 would be the same...


Originally Posted by strat_masterwow...level 2 and there is no volume drop?!?!?!? i have to crank my stock ds-1 to the max for the level to be the same as the amp on clean! Hmm interesting indeed!

I meant 2:00 like on the clock which would be like level 6-7 out of ten.

well 6 out of 10 is sitll better than my full ten! if i lwoered it a bit it would loose alot of output.


Originally Posted by heavydutysg135I just got this pedal in the mail and was extremely excited to finally try it out and see if it lived up to all the forum hype. I will not get to try it through my cranked JCM 800 until my next band practice but I was able to use it with my pod xt, peavy classic 50/50, vht cab setup. The guitars that were used were my ESP Viper (Screamin Deamon and 59n) and SG (EMG 81-85). My first impression of this pedal is WOW, Zakk Wylde should have sent his SD-1 to John instead of have his signiture pedal made. This pedal's tone is all BALLS and ****. I have a TS-9 modded by John which I compared it too (pretty high standard to meet). Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges because both are great pedals, but I generally like apples better and I prefer the SD-1 to the TS-9 for most situations. The Spina's TS-9 has a great thick tonal range with tons of mids; however I usually limited it's use to a solo boost because the mid hump made my tone too smooth for rhythm work. On the same settings Level 2:00, Tone 1:00, Drive 9:00 the SD-1 has a different character which I prefer. This pedal has a hotter, crunchier, rawer, and more defined tone than the TS-9. I would say it sounds like the TS-9 on steroids. The SD-1 does not have a huge mid spike like the TS-9; instead it sounds like the treble and bass are increased more than the mids which translates into a more jagged tone than the smooth tone of the TS-9. I have to say that I think that a single coil type guitar like a strat might benifit more form the characteristics of the TS-9 but I like the SD-1 through the humbucker equiped guitars that I tried. These statements are just my opinion and keep in mind I have not had more than one hour to test these pedals out. I will have to test it through the Marshall to be sure but I think that I will be using this pedal all the time as a pre-amp buffer pedal (like some use the DS-1). I really need to stop playing and typing and get to studying, but I just wanted to give John credit where credit is due. He really made this pedal sound much thicker tonally than the stock pedal, and now I have exactly what I want. I know that John hears how great his work is all the time but I also know that it feels good to hear it again. Thank you John for helping me get better tone.

Great review and yes,I always enjoy the feedback from all of you! Alot of guys think the TS9 and the SD1 sound and act the same,but they are different animals..The SD1 has more gain and is tighter and crunchier.The TS9 is compressed,has the midrange hump,and isn't as tight in the feel...You can do tighter chord crunches with the SD1,where as the TS9 is good for single note soloing...Glad the pedal sounds good for ya...