LordovChaos modded Boss SD-1

Ease and Features: Simple SD-1 controls. Easy to use not much to talk about. Only new thing is the added diode-switch to access two different sound modes

Reliability:The regular SD-1 is allready bulletproof in my experience and i guess it won't be different here. Might be even better because of the modded/added components

Value: Not much when talking money, but priceless in my quest for ultimate tone. Couldn't have a better deal on this(since i didn't have to pay german custom fees this pedal cost me only 5€ more than a stock new SD-1).

Customer Support: I guess calling Boss after it was modded is kinda pointless, but Joe(LordovChaos) is a very nice guy to deal with and i guess if something ever happens i could ask him for help.

Expressiveness/Sounds: Here is where the fun starts.

Overall:More punch,balls,clarity,tightness and drive than with a stock SD-1. Now onto the two different modes.

Diode-switch up: Monster-kickass-booster! This thing seriously tightens up both my Engl Powerball and Sovereign. Very clear tone but no unpleasant mid-hump or overly fizzy sound like a stock SD-1 had in front of my Engls. Ideal for droptunings and sevens since the pedal tightens everything but the added bass and balls from the mods retain the heavyness we all love from our sevens. It really comes to live when adding some gain from the pedal and not just using it as a clean boost(Joe was dead-right about this). This mode is best for droptuned rhythms played with humbuckers, just pure evil tone. This thing turns my rather nice Sovereign into a pissed of Savage 120 on channel 4

Diode-switch down:Warmer and smoother while still retaining the same gain levels and punch. Great for smoother leads or rather thin pups like some more trebly buckers or singlecoils. The basic feel remains the same but everything has more body to it. As tight as up-position and also great if you are looking for a more lead-orientated sound or are playing in standard tuning. I found it to work great as a stand-alone in front of a clean channel to reach a very nice blues crunch.

Overall Rating: i finally found the ultimate OD for my tone and my Engls. I went through so many different pedals and none of them were to my liking, but now i think I'll never gonna need another OD again. Maybe a second one like this to have a backup but nothing else. Joe did some great work on this and also gave me a sweet deal on his. I'd recommend his pedals to everyone who's looking for an OD geared for droptunings or who plays an Engl.
My rating: