StompBoXed - The Guitar Pedal Builders Repository: Modify a EH Soul Food - Bass Contour and Diode Mods

Here an italian forum member from (jamble.it) does some modifications to the EH Soul Food , a pretty good sounding "klon clone".

These are derived from the JHS mods originally done to this pedal.

These mods include Bass Contour , and Germanium Diode switch mods. The Germanium diodes found in the original Klon are vintage 1N34A diodes, or their russian equivalent the D9E.

In general, the improvement (soundwise) is subtle. And at its best at moderate to full gain.
The mods explained below are not my mods.

The board is SMD based. It is very easy to damage this board by applying the mods below. And it is difficult to de-solder components without applying to much heat if you don’t have the right tools or experience

Procedure:
Removing the EHX Nano knobs:
First I learned a hard lesson to apply even vertical force when removing the EHX Nano size knobs.
The best way to do it is gently heating the knobs using a hair dryer, and put two spoons or shoe laces to force\pull the knob from the pot shaft.
Be careful here, you can easily rip the shaft out of the original pots. (At least I did) See picture.

Disassemble the board (the adapter input and the switchboard connector are easily damaged).

Diode Mod: locate the Schottky-diodes below the tone pot on the backside of the pcb.
De solder the diodes using a copper desoldering wick or desolder tool.
Gently pull out the diodes using a small screwdriver first to widen the gap between the board and the original diode.(while applying moderate heat). finally clear the remaining solder holes.

Now you can replace the diodes with the diodes of choice or connect it to a diode switching board (i.e.Guitar PCB).

Note there is not much room on the left side. See my modification to mount the diode switch below the buffer switch.(you also need to adjust the 3dtp switch for more room to accommodate the diode switch board).As an alternative , you can solder the diodes direct to the switch (Search for examples on the internet).