Has anyone modded a BOSS FZ-5?

[Zack AKA Moose]

Ok, so i went out and bought a FZ-5 2 days ago and can't get my desired sound (i play bass...). Has anyone done a mod on the FZ-5? If so what was it and can you give me some instructions as to how i can increase my lows and get a "fuller" tone.

Thanks guys.

By the way, This is my first topic on ILOVEFUZZ, so i look forward to getting to know all of you.

[Scruffie]

Increase the input and output cap values... if you can work them out on the layout.

[nbabmf]

Yeah, do that... if you can figure it out.

[Scruffie]

Yeah, do that... if you can figure it out.

my original answer was going to be, open it up and then cry for a while, then put it back together.

Simply put... don't bother with it, BOSS pedals are pretty confusing inside especially without schematics and I haven't seen one for that, if you do find one though, by all means give it a go.

If you post a gut shot there is a chance it's a clone or based off something else though and then it might be possible to work it out but there wiring layouts aren't as cut and dry as a standard pedal as there's a ton of stuff thrown in for Bypass switching that'll make it tricky to know where the circuit starts and ends.

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Edit: Upon checking the BOSS website, this pedal uses something called "COSM technology" or Composite Object Sound Modeling (I thought it was CMOS and they got it wrong) but apparently this is some DSP technology they're using now days , so it's a digital pedal so I don't think even opening it is worth it.

[Zack AKA Moose]

Man, now I want to return it and get my $175 back...because it sounds like a dying sea cow on my Ibanez Bass.......

[Scruffie]

Man, now I want to return it and get my $175 back...because it sounds like a dying sea cow on my Ibanez Bass.......

Ouch... that's pricey... yeah if you can return it I would suggest doing so unless dying sea cows are your kinda thang.

Take it back, get a big muff, snip out a set of clipping diodes, Hellloo nice bass tones for about $80-120, or perhaps you can pick a FZ-2 for that sorta cash second hand... I think some bassists like that one, i'm not a bass player really (although perhaps some of the bassists in the gear section can guide you towards something to replace it with, there's some nice products on the fuzzhugger site).

Oh and welcome to the forum

[Zack AKA Moose]

I think I'll take it back Monday....get my money back and order me a Bass Big Muff Pi for $82.35 or can i build one for cheaper? or a clone (green russian/rams head)? Where can i find the parts list for a clone? And thanks for the welcome and help.

[Scruffie]

I think I'll take it back Monday....get my money back and order me a Bass Big Muff Pi for $82.35 or can i build one for cheaper? or a clone (green russian/rams head)? Where can i find the parts list for a clone? And thanks for the welcome and help.

Building isn't necessarily cheaper, alot of people do it because they enjoy it, it can be cheaper sometimes especially if you build something by some boutique builder who is charging high prices for a simple design or you want to build gear that has become rare and collectable now but sometimes it's better to buy the product as it is, DIY is more of a hobby, something you can do for fun or to tailor your gear towards you, but also remember to factor in how much your time is worth to you when you think building is cheaper.

However... if it's your first build, how about picking up a kit? $65 for a Big Muff kit to build any type of big muff.
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/com ... Itemid,45/

Getting into DIY takes a while, you have to get all your kit (soldering iron, solder, wire etc) then find a source for where you want to buy and can do so cheaply, find how you want to build it (are you going to etch your own boards, use vero board to build it up on etc.) then if you want to decorate the enclosure, how will you go about that, do you have the equipment & skills to drill the enclosure and whatever else needs considering when building.

With the kit, you get everything you need (except the soldering iron etc) without having to source parts, you get a drilled and silkscreened PCB that is easy to build on, it comes with build instructions so on and is a good way to dip your toe into DIY effects. But as you progress at DIYing should you choose to (it is highly addictive and you'll probably end up spending alot of cash doing it) you can start to source parts yourself cheaper from other suppliers and customise the gear and then design your own stuff, so on, so on.

[better_information]

I bought a FZ-5 for about $30, and a Russian Big Muff for about $25, both used. Those prices are ridiculous. You need to shop elsewhere.

[devideva]

I just got an FZ5 for 20 bucks. I thought, wtf? But it sucks!!! It's the noisiest pedal ever. I hate it! But I want to mod it or something. I understand it has the big digital chip inside. What can we do to ground out noise and let better tone through - it cuts tone really bad.

[eatyourguitar]

FZ-5 uses COSM modelling. no one will trace it because no one can get those COSM chips with the FZ-5 program loaded from the factory. if you cant build it then your only motivation for tracing is to do mods. even if I traced it, the fix to your problem is probably in software that only boss can make

[devideva]

figured - didn't realize it was cosm until i got it home
gonna have to ebay it

[Achtane]

Return it and get an FZ-2 on ebay!

[devideva]

I bought it for 20 bucks. I wouldn't waste money on a retail Boss with boutique pedals at the same prices. I can't return it. Besides someone will buy it on Ebay for 40 bucks so I am not losing. I was disappointed though because I did the snip on the SD-1 and it sounds if not great, at least usable, and works well stacked as a dirty boost. I had hopes that this pedal would get a wooly fuzzface fuzz type sound. But it's shit. I don't know why I wasted my time when I have a Pharaoh and a Speaker Cranker anyway and they seriously rock! But it's the fuzz jones I guess. I want a Dirt Transmitter now.

[theavondon]

WOAH WOAH THAT MUCH FOR A WHAT?