MXR Distortion+ [Rhodes mod]

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Outlaws

Outlaws

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I just modded my MXR Distortion+ to have a toggle for the stock modern silicon diodes or the original script version germanium that Rhodes used. :p

Its awsome. I highly recommend this mod. (including the LED color change) ;)


Here are some pics if you care.

http://berntson.us/guitar/mxr/mxr_mod.htm
 
cool, How would you describe the difference in sound,tone between the two settings?
Where did you get the info or instructions for the mod?
 
Well, for the toggle (DPDT) I just used what I knew about how the signal flows, so there was no instructions really. I just didn't want to loose the current D+ sound and only have one version.


But as for just straight up swapping....you just have to replace the two diodes.
The diodes in the original are 1N270. You can also use NTE109, as they have the exact same specs and are just made by a different company. Whichever is more easy to get a hold of.

The only other things that the original had was a couple different capacitor materials...but being they are still the same values, they don't affect the sound at an audible level.




Whats the difference between stock silicon and the replacement germaniums?

First and formost its not night and day....ie if you just mod it out and don't have anything to refer against the original, then you might not notice it right away.
But at the same time it is a huge change. Its almost like its a bit "fatter". More "raw". A little more "raunchy". A bit more "bite".

I haven't used it in a band setting yet, but I can already tell there will be places where one of them will excel over the other. The silicon is more "focused". The germanium is more "open".

I really do prefer the germanium diodes more, but that might just be because they are new at the moment. Either way, they both are good.

In the end I can see why MXR switched. The silicon ones can be had for $0.20 a pop (probably $0.05 in bulk) where as the germanium is $0.70-$1 a piece (maybe $0.30-0.50 in bulk). So since you need two that tacks on a lot to the overhead cost. And since most people have never heard the original, they are none the wiser.


If you know what you are doing with a soldering iron, here is a little diddy to help you along. If you don't, then I would suggest holding off until you learn because desoldering from the board can be a pain sometimes and if you are down there too long with that iron you can kill the diodes.
(All triangle shapes are to ground)
http://berntson.us/guitar/mxrdiode.jpg
 
Nice to see that you do all these modifications outlaws, and it is great that you can do them yourself too!

I know what you are saying about A/Bing the thing with the original as the differences may only be very small but certainly worthwile.

Seems that this whole modification-idea of pedals is getting more and more popular. Know about Analogue Man and his mods? Well if your pedal has been modified by him it means your pedal is almost worth double the price. However the mods are not cheap, so much better that you can do it yourself.

Talking about the MXR distortion, do you know about the Dan Armstrong distortion? Forgotten its name, as I am mailing from a public place and can therefore not check the pedal, it is one of those pedals you plug straight into the guitar, now the sound of this one is very close to the MXR. Downer with the Dan Armstrong one is that there is no tone or volume control on it, but for studio work this may not be an issue eh? as you have much more control over your overal sound anyway.

Cheers,

Eddie
 
timmerman said:
Nice to see that you do all these modifications outlaws, and it is great that you can do them yourself too!

I know what you are saying about A/Bing the thing with the original as the differences may only be very small but certainly worthwile.

Seems that this whole modification-idea of pedals is getting more and more popular. Know about Analogue Man and his mods? Well if your pedal has been modified by him it means your pedal is almost worth double the price. However the mods are not cheap, so much better that you can do it yourself.

Talking about the MXR distortion, do you know about the Dan Armstrong distortion? Forgotten its name, as I am mailing from a public place and can therefore not check the pedal, it is one of those pedals you plug straight into the guitar, now the sound of this one is very close to the MXR. Downer with the Dan Armstrong one is that there is no tone or volume control on it, but for studio work this may not be an issue eh? as you have much more control over your overal sound anyway.

Cheers,

Eddie
Click to expand...

Thanks. I am familiar with AnalogMan but didn't notice the values double. I have seen a few modded pedals on ebay going for what looked like a premium, but I never followed the auction to the end to see the final values. Robert Keely is another one. Those are some pricey mods. Its like name brand I guess.

Dan Armstrong? The same as the OrangeSqueeze compressor? I will have to look at his website. I didn't know he mods stuff.
I have seen some built in effects for a guitar, but I have never used one distortion long enough to warrant something so drastic. lol Now for changing some of the caps that are in them and adding a toggle setween the two...that is something I am currently looking at. Gibson uses .022 if I recall, and it basically kills all tone when rolled off (I love it on the neck pickup, hate it on the bridge). Hamer uses a different value that I am trying to find still, and theirs supposedly changes the way the tone control works. So a toggle switch between them would be a very useable mod imo.
 
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Yep, AnalogMan's mods stand for "vintage" you know, get your pedal to work better without really changing the tone. They have a Silver Modification for instance for the Ibanez TS 9 and it is a bit like "getting better hook-on wires for your stereo" . The mod. will not radically change your tone however it will improve it but you will not drastically hear the difference until you would A/B the modified pedal with an unmodified one. Worth it? I do not know, it all depends on how you approach these things eh?

As for Robert Keely, I think he does mods. which add something to your pedal, like getting more bass out of a DS1 or something of that kind. Again their mods are not cheap.

The Dan Armstrong pedal I referred to yesterday is the "Blue Clipper" and yes you are right, it is of a similar type as the "Orange Squeezer", you all plug them in your guitar and go from there into another pedal or your amp.

To come back to your tone control mods: Are you looking for a tonecontrol which you can back off without killing the tone? This would be a useful mod.

I have a Satriani Ibanez and this guitar has that feature in it. It works with a push/pull knob on the tone-control. Pull it up and your tone will stay clear even if you roll off the treble. I do like this feature, it is great for wah- wah mimicking ideas.

Seems that you build a lot of things yourself such as A/B boxes and other things. Again it is very useful if you can do this yourself. Over the years I have been seeing so many repairpeople to ask for modifications and requests to build little tools. Usually I ask for practical things as I am not really looking for drastic things. For me to do it myself I would need to get deeper into diy skills and yes I would like this, but there is already enough to be done.

Oh to come back to the Marshall MS 4 [you know our postings from a while ago] I have asked someone about a speakersocket and they had a look at it but felt they could not do it as they were affraid to damage the original print-board.He said it was too fragile to do any work on. I can remember that you did mention that too.

Do you do many modifications for others or is it mainly somehing you like doing for yourself?

Cheers,

Eddie
 
Outlaws said:
I just modded my MXR Distortion+ to have a toggle for the stock modern silicon diodes or the original script version germanium that Rhodes used. :p

Its awsome. I highly recommend this mod. (including the LED color change) ;)


Here are some pics if you care.

http://berntson.us/guitar/mxr/mxr_mod.htm
Click to expand...


Rhodes? Like Fender Rhodes?
 
spoonie g said:
Rhodes? Like Fender Rhodes?
Click to expand...

lol I thought you were joking for a second until I googled Fender Rhodes.

No, like Randy Rhodes.
 
timmerman said:
Do you do many modifications for others or is it mainly somehing you like doing for yourself?
Click to expand...


Well without getting arrested by the Spam Police, I would like to mention to all eve droppers that I did not solicite this.

Clear? We all clear?

Good.

I have been doing it for myself, but I would be open to it for someone else if they ever wanted it. I don't have a business for it though.
 
timmerman said:
Marshall MS 4.....they were affraid to damage the original print-board. He said it was too fragile to do any work on. I can remember that you did mention that too.
Click to expand...


Printboard? Is that what they call the stuff the case is made out of across the ocean? Cause if you are refering the the printed circuit board then there shouldn't be any problems with it being strong enough. The case is what is a bit weak to take getting a 3/8" hole drilled without stepping up from a smaller hole a couple times.
 
Outlaws said:
lol I thought you were joking for a second until I googled Fender Rhodes.

No, like Randy Rhodes.
Click to expand...

oh. worth a shot. ive been trying to find something that could emulate a fender rhodes for a while.
 
Outlaws said:
Printboard? Is that what they call the stuff the case is made out of across the ocean? Cause if you are refering the the printed circuit board then there shouldn't be any problems with it being strong enough. The case is what is a bit weak to take getting a 3/8" hole drilled without stepping up from a smaller hole a couple times.
Click to expand...


Well yes, I did mean the circuitboard and not really the housing of the actual amp, that is the plastic case eh....................so the chap I asked about the mod.thought that the circuitboard was a bit too delicate. I just asked about a speakeroutput and a dedicated preamp output. The headphone output does not give me any level when I want to hook up the amp to another bigger amp. So as it is I have to wait. Sometimes I feel you can want too many things so perhaps it is better to leave the idea altogether. Pity I know, and if you would live closer to here I would be happy just to let you do the job but in this case there is no point to send it over to your place as it would all become a bit too expansive.

Interesting point eh from Spoonie about the "Fender Rhodes" modification. Another example of "wanting to much?" We have guitars here, but I would like it to make a piano sound as well...........................Oh how wonderful life sometimes can be eh? Guess that is why you also have guys who would sometimes like to be in a female body, and yes some even go that far to get that job done :D

Okay all a bit of topic but allas, it all does not really matter that much eh? :)

Cheers,

Eddie
 
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