I have a used Boss NS 2 with an unreadable serial number (obliterated by Velcro adhesive and nothing in the battery compartment). I was wondering if there is a way to find the date of manufacture (any additional version info) via the PCB numbers. It was made in Taiwan, but has a VCA chip in it, so guessing it may be a more recent version. There are 3 sets of numbers on board; component side (2 locations) and solder side. Also was wondering if anyone came up with a mod for this version to eliminate the distinct gate click/pop when using this pedal with a dialed back guitar on the lowest threshold.
TIA!
Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Last edited by phreedude on Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Are any of the serial number characters readable at all ?
You may be able to date it from the ICs or pots. Feel free to post close ups of any numbers on chips or the pots.
You may be able to date it from the ICs or pots. Feel free to post close ups of any numbers on chips or the pots.
I made some tools to date equipment :-
Boss pedals - Roland stuff - DOD pedals - Ibanez pedals - Pots and speakers
Boss pedals - Roland stuff - DOD pedals - Ibanez pedals - Pots and speakers
Re: Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Ben,
No, unfortunately, none of the serial numbers are readable. I looked at the pots a while ago when I had to draw a schematic to mod some things and they are just stamped with a value code. There is a 4 digit code (0613) and knowing production electronics a wee bit, I wonder if that could be a date code just for the board run, such as January 3rd, 2006 or 6th week of 2013. Another clue is that they used lead free solder, which is clap, and so much fun to try to remove without lifting the traces on a lower cost board. I also researched the IC's somewhat, but unlike CPU's and memory chips on a mobo, I don't believe these are date coded. Any idea what year the Taiwanese Boss factories started using lead free solder? (Sorry I could not include better picks, as these are the only remaining ones before it was heavily modified.)
No, unfortunately, none of the serial numbers are readable. I looked at the pots a while ago when I had to draw a schematic to mod some things and they are just stamped with a value code. There is a 4 digit code (0613) and knowing production electronics a wee bit, I wonder if that could be a date code just for the board run, such as January 3rd, 2006 or 6th week of 2013. Another clue is that they used lead free solder, which is clap, and so much fun to try to remove without lifting the traces on a lower cost board. I also researched the IC's somewhat, but unlike CPU's and memory chips on a mobo, I don't believe these are date coded. Any idea what year the Taiwanese Boss factories started using lead free solder? (Sorry I could not include better picks, as these are the only remaining ones before it was heavily modified.)
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Last edited by phreedude on Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Argh, I just typed a long post and my PC crashed 
The short version :-
I suspect that is a date on the board, its a different font and could be a "shelf life indicator" put on by the board manufacturer. If so it will be in the WWYY format which give the 6th week in 2013. It may be something totally different but if its a date code thats what it is most likely suggesting.
None of the visible chips have datecodes, the possible one on the "thats corporation" isn't actually a date code.
Its a bit of an assumption but my guess would be the board itself was made in week 6 in 2013 and it likely reached the market within a year.
The short version :-
I suspect that is a date on the board, its a different font and could be a "shelf life indicator" put on by the board manufacturer. If so it will be in the WWYY format which give the 6th week in 2013. It may be something totally different but if its a date code thats what it is most likely suggesting.
None of the visible chips have datecodes, the possible one on the "thats corporation" isn't actually a date code.
Its a bit of an assumption but my guess would be the board itself was made in week 6 in 2013 and it likely reached the market within a year.
I made some tools to date equipment :-
Boss pedals - Roland stuff - DOD pedals - Ibanez pedals - Pots and speakers
Boss pedals - Roland stuff - DOD pedals - Ibanez pedals - Pots and speakers
Re: Boss NS 2 year of manufacture and version
Thanks for the info, most likely you are correct. This method of noise reduction is very similar to what dbx was doing in their 166xl rack units right down to the THAT VCA IC complete with the signature pop at low threshold/signal. There is a mod for that that I am working on now and the finished product may be available at Monte Allums soon. Just confirming that these mods will work on a new Boss NS 2 pedal.
Thanks!
Thanks!