I love my SD-1 but hate the buffer

[johnny5]

I have been through so many overdrives to get a nice, slightly compressed, dirty boost for solos and none I have liked more than my old trusty (early 5 star mod) Boss SD-1. It the pedal I have owned the longest and I plan on holding on to it for a long time.

Problem is that in the recent years I have become a fuzz face freak and the buffer on the Boss pedals anywhere in the chain just screws with them. The SD-1 sounds great when it's on but when it's off it make all my fuzzes sound bright and weird.

Any ideas on either getting this pedal to a true bypass state or something else that can do what it does so well? I am curious about the Keeley Red Dirt as an alternative, love the mini version.

 

[tremolo3]

How about a little true-bypass loop?

/thread

 

[coltonius]

I can true bypass the pedal.. or you can do it. Just depends on whether you want an actual mechanical switch or a clickless system. A TB looper would certainly be the easiest solution- but if you're pressed for space, the mod could be your solution!

 

[johnny5]

I suppose the loop pedal is the way to go. they are pretty small too!

 

[msnes335]

Maybe try the SD-1w, supposedly the buffer is improved, and you still have the same effect, plus the custom effect. And, I've seen them showing up in the emporium for decent prices.

 

[stinkfoot]

To make it work with a fuzz face, an improved buffer won't help - the fuzz face wants so see the pickups head on, so it can load them down. This is why a fuzz face needs to sit first in the chain (with only true bypass pedals, turned off, before it). So if you can't move the SD-1 later in the chain, you'll need to modify it to true bypass.