T-Von's Boss TR-2 Plus Mod

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Boss TR-2 Plus Mod - This is a decent Tremolo in stock form but suffers from too much
noise and some experience a volume drop with the effect engaged. I've solved both issues by
adding a volume pot and upgrading the signal path in critical areas of the circuit. I have also
incorporated my new Chip Adapter with a Burr Brown OPA2134PA opamp which replaces one
of the cheaper noisy stock TR-2 inline chips. Included in the kit is a Super Bright White LED
which replaces the stock red LED. I also modify a resistor which increases brightness to the
LED.

With the depth control all the way down you can now use the TR-2 as a very tuneful clean boost by utilizing the added
volume pot. The pristine clean tones this pedal produces after the mod are amazingly good! This Tremolo now sounds
almost identical to my 1970s Fender Super Reverb. With this mod Clarity and focus of tone are as good as it gets with
any tremolo.

T-Von

IMPORTANT: You must check the pedal after each component you change. You do not have to reassemble the pedal, just plug the power
and the input and output jacks in. Plug up a guitar and amp and make sure the pedal is functioning properly. Do not call or e-mail me if
you perform all the component changes without checking after each component change, I will not be able to help you. If you
check the pedal after each component change and there is a problem, you'll know exactly which component is causing the problem. If you
perform component changes without checking the pedal after each component change, and you discover a problem, there is no way you or
I can tell which component is causing the problem. SO, PLEASE CHECK THE PEDAL AFTER EACH COMPONENT CHANGE to make
sure it is functioning properly!

Click on Images to Enlarge

NOTE - The TR-2 PC Board is labeled with a letter followed by one,
two or three numbers. The Letter stands for either (C) Capacitor,
(R) Resistor or (D) Diode. Use the pics below along with the chart to
the right to locate and identify the item to Mod. All items to be
Modded are identified by a red circle with a yellow letter. Locate the
circle with the letter on the PC Board and install the Mod in the
chart to the right that is associated with that letter. Click on the Pics
to enlarge them.

Mod - Location - Original Mod

(A) C3, C5, C20, C21- 1uF electrolytic A - 1uF Metal Film Capacitors

(B) C2, C6 - 10uF electrolytic B - 10uF Tantalum Capacitors

(C) C8 - .047uF polyester C - .047uF Metal Film Capacitor

(D) R17 - 1.1k-ohm resistor D - 100 ohm Carbon Film Resistor

(E) IC3 - M5218AL opamp E - Adapter with OPA2134PA

(F) R9 - 20k-ohm resistor F - 10k-ohm Pot Assembly

Mod (E) Chip Adapter Mod - Install the Chip Adapter and Burr
Brown opamp exactly as shown here. Note the orientation of the writing
on the adapter and the Burr Brown opamp. Install them exactly as shown
here. NOTE: The Burr Brown chip will be soldered to the chip adapter.

Mod (F) 10k Pot Mod - Assemble

the pot assembly just like shown here.
One wire will be soldered to one side of
R9 on the PCB and the other wire to the
other side of R9. It does not mater which
wire goes on which side of R9. NOTE:
The 10k resistor will keep the signal from
overloading the opamp causing
distortion. Use the supplied heat shrink
tubing to insulate the ends of the
exposed wire on both ends as shown in
the pic. This will keep the pot assembly
from shorting out other parts of the
circuit. NOTE: The resistors of mods D
& F look almost identical. You can easily
tell them apart. The 10k-ohm resistor
has a very distinctive orange band and
 the 100-ohm does not. Use the 10k-ohm
resistor on the pot assembly.

Parts Recommended - Irwin UniBit

available from Lowes or Home Depot or on
the net. Perfect for drilling the pot hole in
your pedal's casing.

Pot Placement - The best place for the pot is right beside the
input jack on the right side of the TR-2. IMPORTANT - Do Not place
the pot too close to the input jack. Place it far enough away from the
jack so the pot's knob will not obstruct in insertion of the input jack
cable.

Instructions - Use the supplied De-soldering

Braid to absorb the existing solder from the components
being modded. I like to mark the bottom of the PC Board
with a marker before starting so there's no confusion as
to which contact to de-solder. Perform one Mod at a
time. After each Mod hook the pedal up and test it. This
way if there's a problem you'll know exactly where it is.
Each solder contact should be smooth and shiny. Make
sure the solder is contained and doesn't spread into an
adjacent contact or else you will short out the signal. If
you do spread solder into another connection by
accident don't sweat it, simply use the de-solder braid
and suck it up and start over.

Tools Needed or
Recommended - 15 or 30 Watt Fine Pencil
Tip Soldering Iron, Small Wire Cutters, Multi Meter,
Desoldering Braid (supplied), Resin Core Solder
(supplied), Magnifying Glass, Phillips Head Screwdriver,
Needle Nose Pliers, a Dash of Patience, Good Music to
Groove to, Felt-tip Marker, if you're over 40 (like me) a
good pair of +1.25 or +1.50 Reading Glasses.

A - (Hi-Fi & Clarity Mods) Replacing these lower quality

electrolytic capacitors with much higher quality 1uF
Metal Film Capacitors will add clarity and focus to the
effect.

B - (Hi-Fi & Clarity Mods) Replacing these lower quality

electrolytic capacitors with much higher quality 10uF
Tantalum Capacitors will add clarity and focus to the
effect. IMPORTANT - These Tantalum Capcitors have a
positive and negative side. On C2 install the cap with
the side with the most writing facing left in the pic
above. On C6 install the cap with the side with the most
writing facing to the right in the pic above.

C - (Hi-Fi & Clarity Mod) Replacing this lower quality

polyester capacitor with much higher quality .047uF
Boxed Metal Film Capacitor will add clarity and focus to
the effect.

D - (Brighter LED Mod) Replacing the 1.1k-ohm stock

resistor with a 100-ohm Resistor will increase brightness
to the LED. NOTE: The resistors of mods D & F look
almost identical. You can easily tell them apart. The
10k-ohm resistor has a very distinctive orange band and
the 100-ohm does not.

LED Replacement - LEDs have a positive and negative

side. If you look closely at the LED you will see what I
like to call a Flag. When removing the old LED make a
note of the Flag's orientation and install the replacement
LED in the same direction as the old LED. If you install
an LED and it doesn't work, simply turn the LED around
and it will start working. All of the LEDs I sell are of the
clear variety and it is impossible to tell what color it is. A
good way to tell its color is to do this. Take a used 9-volt
battery and drain it's voltage until it reads 2 to 3 volts on
a multi-meter (I usually just place the battery in a pedal
and leave it on until it drains the voltage down to 2 or 3
volts). Once the voltage is this low you can then use it to
test the LED to see what color it is. DO NOT TEST THE
LED WITH A NEW 9-VOLT BATTERY, IT WILL FRY THE
LED RENDERING IT USELESS! I test all LEDs before I
ship to see if they are faulty, so I'll know if you blew it or
not. So please don't e-mail me asking for a Free
replacement if you fry it.

E - (Chip Adapter Mod) Simply remove the stock inline

chip and replace with the Chip Adapter and Burr Brown
Opamp. Make sure the writing on the Adapter and Burr
Brown Chip are installed just like the one in the pic
above.

F - (Volume Control Mod) - By replacing the stock

20k-ohm resistors with a 10k Potentiometer you will now
be able to match the volume of bypass to the effect and
or use the TR-2 as a clean boost when the depth knob is
turned all the way down. NOTE: Boss chose to put two
resistors in R9 in order to add up to a 20k-ohm value.
Make sure you remove both and replace with the pot
assembly.

NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT - I recommend doing each

mod and checking the pedal after each one. This way if
there is a problem you will know exactly where to look.
The key here is to take your time. Some of the Mods are
very noticeable while others are more subtle. Some of
the Mods replacing lower quality components with
higher quality ones will give the DS-1 a more Hi-Fi and
focused tone. This becomes more noticeable when
recording or playing live at moderate to loud levels. You
will notice a tighter more defined tone than before. The
Harmonics will also become more enhanced. It's almost
like removing a blanket from the pedals tone. All of
these Mods when performed together will transform the
DS-1 into an awesome distortion pedal.

DISCLAIMER - My Mods are intended to be

used by individuals that are 18 years of age or
older unless accompanied by a supervising parent
or guardian. Soldering Guns can cause serious
injury if not used properly. Always take the proper
precautions when soldering. Always unplug power
from the pedal when performing these
modifications.