Keeley DS-1 thoughts...

heffergm · #1 05-04-2007, 07:20 PM

Well, I just got my Keeley'fied DS-1. And while he obviously does good work, here are my thoughts:

I play through a JSX head/Avatar 2x12 cab w/V30's:

- it sounds like ass through the clean channel. I pretty much expected this, since the stock DS-1 sounds like ass through the clean channel as well. I guess it sounds like better ass, but it's still ass if you follow.

- when I drop the gain on either the ultra or crunch channel and dial it in to a sounds I like, I get to a point where I think "yeah, that's nice". Then I put my original settings back on the JSX, turn off the DS-1, and think... well damn, that sounds just as good, but with more clarity.

I do hear some of the harmonic overtone to the distortion which is nice, but the JSX, driven hard, especially on the Ultra channel, exhibits a bit of the same.

Bottom line, I don't really know if I should have bothered. Between the Crunch and Ultra channels on the JSX, I think I've got things covered.

Anyone else using a DS-1 as overdrive care to share opinions? Or if anyone wants to buy a brand new Keeley DS-1, feel free to chime in as well.

JJEMMER777 · #2 05-04-2007, 08:19 PM

I love my Keeley

It does sound crap over the clean channel, but it's not meant for that. Also, I wouldn't use it as an overdrive pedal for ALL leads. It has it's place just like any other effect. I use it during certain melodic parts of songs. Love the space age Vai tone and the sustain is ~FOREVER~

It'll always be a part of my set up

If your just looking for a lead boost, just get an overdrive pedal (or something of the sort

BTW - I play through Marshall (and always will)