Grateful Dead Music Forum

I am building an OD-1 clone and would love to know which version he had.

I would think that to be an unknown, out of all my research I have yet to come across info concerning his effects mods. I think they are standard pedals, maybe upgraded (like the GE7) to get rid of hiss. I would assume it to be the stock vintage chip in the OD-1 that everyone hails to be the best circuit, and is why they go for $150-200. Maybe that's why no one talks about it, it is unmodded?

As far as i know from all the scriptures It hasn't been modded. Presently, all I have to go by is the time of it's first appearance which is the early Eighties, when He retired his MXR Dist+ and Analog Delay and switched over to Boss pedals and a Digital Delay rack unit. My best guesstimation for that time period is the JRC4558 opamp.
I am hoping someone with insiders info will eventually come foward and shed some light on the subject.

I think you might mean the late 80's? All my favorite years in the 80's (through '88) are with the MXR (although not too sure about '88).

My favorite distortion sound is mid 80's for sure. Listen to a Samson from '84. That's my favorite.

Jim

You are right, My mistake. He did switch in the Mid Eighties. The OD-1 was made until 1986 or 1988. He probably has the 4558 chip unless he bought it earlier.

Hello --

Been lurking here a while enjoying all the great information. You folks have really done a lot of research and development.

Saw a post in another gear-related forum that may shed some light on the issue.
The fellows over there are generally a very knowledgeable and good-hearted crew.

http://www.bossarea.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9347

I guess it might come down to: Was Jerry's OD-1 a "Silver-Screw" pedal?

Cheers
Disco Stu

Thanks Stu. That was a helpful resource. I'm leaning towards the JRC4558. Jerry Probably bought his OD-1 long after the quad chip was replaced with the dual.

bdhact1 wrote:You are right, My mistake. He did switch in the Mid Eighties.

You're getting warmer. As jim stated, JG finally switched from the MXR Distortion+ in the late 80's, either late 88 or early 89. And I agree with Mr. Shank that the + was his best distortion sound.

Ah, but then there was the black MXR Distortion+ (M-204) pedal that has the blend control. It lets a lot of the bite and attack of the clean signal mix with the buzz of the distortion. Probably '84 through '87 at least. So many times I've thought the distortion sounds like it still has some of the qualities of the clean signal or that it's kinda distorted but also kinda clean (more harmonics, etc) as opposed to the distortion sound of the early 80's which is more of a full on buzzy distortion. Compare the 1986 Frost Samson & Delilah with an early 80's version and you'll hear what I'm talking about.

Acutally you can get this effect with a blend/loop pedal and your favorite distortion pedal. Sparkle Drive is one modern pedal that has a blend control built in. The black MXR Distortion+ (M-204) is super rare and almost impossible to find though.

Jim

Has anybody tried this:

http://www.whirlwindusa.com/fx.html

The Whirlwind Gold Box?

So it was late Eighties, and not when he was recovering from his near death experience. Maybe the life changing experience compelled him to make a total sound change and dump his Dist + and buy 4 Boss pedals. He must have bought either a final run OD-1, or he had it sitting around for a while. I'll use the 4558 chip. I really like the "Without a Net" sound.