Band blog

I have started a blog for the band. We don't have a real name yet but the placeholder name is "The Palpatations". Yes it is misspelled. Get over it.

I will post the progress of the band building process e.g. craigslist, bandmix, jams, etc. It should an interesting process for me. I have never been in a formal band before.

The link: The Palpatations

For now this is a wordpress.com hosted blog. If it takes off then I will get a domain name. But for now I don't have the time to manage anything more.

Getting the right tone - part 2

The search for the right tone continues. This time it is my son who gets the gift of tone. He originally got me hooked on the Fender Blues Jr amps. He bought a new tweed version and it sounds great. He has all custom pedals from AnalogMan and they all sound really good through the Jr. 

After my modding of the BOSS SD-1, he got the idea that we could mod his Blues Jr. I have to say I was hesitant. I am a novice at soldering and the SD-1 mod was my most advanced project by far. Lets just say he had more faith in my skills than I did. So he bought several mods from billmaudio.com .

He bought the following

• Standby switch - very easy and one I have ordered for my own Jr
• TwinStack mod - free mod
• Presence control - hard one
• Sparkle control - another hard one
• Basic kit for the cream board - inexpensive but a lot of work

It took us about 4 hours to complete these and we left off the bias pot because it was getting late. Another day.

It came out great! I have to say I was really impressed with the results. I did purchase an expensive soldering station with digital temp. I didn't want to screw this up with my old soldering station. That thing gets way to hot. The new station has a really fine tip as well. Making fine work really easy.

Here is the top with new jack, standby switch, presence, and sparkle controls:

Getting the right tone

It is the tone of a great guitar player that sets them apart. If you hear a few notes of Led Zepplin you now instantly it is Jimmy Page. That tone is so sweet and so distinctive.

Finished SD-808 Mod

I have modded my own BOSS SD-1 in an attempt to get to the distinctive tone I am seeking. I could have purchased a boutique pedal. I could have purchased an already modded SD-1. But like a Jedi Knight I decided to build my own "light saber".

I had a great time doing this and a few very nervous moments as well. I purchased a mod kit from Monte Allums Mods. It was the SD-808 Mod Plus. The kit cost me 21.99 plus shipping. It was shipped right away and came with great directions.

Now I have to use the pedal in battle. I am going to pit it against my sons TS-9 AnalogMan Silver Mod. It is a great pedal and I don't expect him to admit defeat.

I am going to build a vintage treble booster from scratch next. I have ordered the parts and I am now waiting. This is a pedal based on the Dallas Rangemaster. It should sound great with my Epiphone Dot. I have two Lindy Frahlin PAFs in it.

I recommend modding your own pedal if you have the expertise. Even a little experience with a solder iron will be enough. Then you will have a one of a kind pedal and a one of a kind tone.