Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the newer $40-$50 SD-1, and the ones on ebay that are made in Japan going for around $120? I don't use pedals hardly ever, but it seems like this is the pedal everyone prefers so I guess I'll start with this one. Thanks
I've always heard from people who have actually worked on them and dissected them that there is no difference. Cork sniffers like to say there is, but I don't think that is the case. Get the cheaper one!
Just got one from musiciansfriend $39 free shipping. Has a nice crunchy midrange sound to it. Another good one I recently got is the Bad Monkey ($28 used on eBay). Its got a tighter sound and flat response, not as loose and midrangey as the SD-1. They both have their place.
Here is the difference in tone between the older Japan made ones, and the newer Taiwan made ones: Nothing. None. Zilch. Zero. Nada. 0%. Grab the cheaper one. Period. Have a nice day.
It's made in Japan, it has to be better. Better than anything MIA even. Because it's MIJ, it should be more than $120!
i feel the opposite, the bad monkey with nearly the exact same boosting attributes has this distorted grit air to it that the SD-1 does not, its tighter but for a price. the lows and highs of the SD-1 our about as smooth as i can imagine a overdrive pedal needing to be. i have both and ive had the bad monkey longer.
The older MIJ SD1's have better quality caps ....to my knowledge this is the only difference with the two , they have very close specs component wise , with only a few minor changes over the years . I can tell you from my own experience ( for what its worth !! ) that after you complete a good mod on either a MIT or a MIJ unit , you will forget all about where it was made !!!!!!! Long live the SD1 !!! !! still one of my fav OD boxes !!!!!!
Yeah just get the $39 one from MF. It sounds awesome just like a good Tubescreamer. I have one and I love it! Nice midrangey crunchy tone.... but still has plenty of depth. I also have a Bad Monkey and I love that one too.
I just picked up a black label MIT SD-1 for $29 at GC, works perfectly, as Boss pedals usually do. I've modded it already though, with great results. I think Hot Tubes mods would make a HUGE difference. The biggest problem I had with the SD-1 and other ODs is how much they cut off the lows. Simple mod on the SD-1 fixes that.
I had an SD-1 and liked it. Then, I performed. TS-808 mod on it and loved it. The mod really low.ed up a new flavor to it.
Love the SD-1, but I am trying out the OD-3. Heard good things about it, I'll let you know what I think.
