Boss DS-1

[Strat Avenger]

So I have a Boss DS-1 that I got years ago. It's the third one I have owned in my life. It's always had a decent sounding distortion and it's been modified, but one thing I've never been happy with (before and after the modification) is the glassy high-end. I don't know what frequency it is but it must be 10k or higher. It's almost too "hi-fi" for electric guitar.
I run the "Tone" knob a little left of center but that seems to just cut the upper mids while still allowing the "glass" to come through, so it's not a simple matter of adjusting the tone control.
I just wonder if anything could be done to tame it while keeping everything else the same.

 

[Spud]

So I have a Boss DS-1 that I got years ago. It's the third one I have owned in my life. It's always had a decent sounding distortion and it's been modified, but one thing I've never been happy with (before and after the modification) is the glassy high-end. I don't know what frequency it is but it must be 10k or higher. It's almost too "hi-fi" for electric guitar.
I run the "Tone" knob a little left of center but that seems to just cut the upper mids while still allowing the "glass" to come through, so it's not a simple matter of adjusting the tone control.
I just wonder if anything could be done to tame it while keeping everything else the same.

Get the Keeley Orange?

 

[xld]

I really like the “IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost guitar preamp pedal”. (They also make a desk top unit for the studio.) I understand the “Z-Tone” center knob is basically changing impedance. The effect feels like a “warm to bright” control, and all smooth sounding, not harsh. That and a bonus boost switch.
It was like “the missing link” for me.
Amazon has them for $100 now.

 

[Spud]

I have a Japan DS-1 that I took the diodes out of more of a boost now,haven't used for quite a while.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Okay, I guess I should have done some research before creating this thread. The information I've seen says that if I change the C10 capacitor to a different value, I can reduce the extreme highs.

"If you like the general sound of the DS-1 but are looking for less highs and more of a tonal range, change C10 to a capacitor with a larger value. Stock is .01uf for a frequency roll-off of 7.2kHz."

.015uf for 4.8KHz cutoff
.022uf for 3.2KHz cutoff

 

[mayfly]

0.015uf should do the trick in that position. A lower cutoff will make it sound muddy.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Okay, I finally got around to modding my DS-1.
I removed the C12 capacitor, and changed R14 to a 3.3k ohm.
I am quite pleased with the results. The highs are slightly tamed, and the midrange is no longer so "scooped" sounding. The lows are no longer so prominent and muddy when the Tone control is turned left of center.
The pedal also got louder, so I had to back off the Level control slightly.
'Sounds pretty dang good.