solder heat gun, torch, or "baking" method

good luck!

might want to get some crappy SB16s to try this on too

if you find another CT1770 with both the CT1748-SBP and the CT1745A-S chips for cheap, let me know.. I want to get one for actual use (the one I have is brand new and for collection purposes 😉 ) or at least one with the CT1748A/CT1745A-TBP combo will do, as long as DSP is 4.05 of 4.13

It would be a better idea to get a SoundBlaster 16 with DSP version 4.05, and I think the only SoundBlaster 16 to have said DSP version is the CT1740. I don't think I've seen any SoundBlaster 16s with the CT1748-SBP on it, though. The SoundBlaster 16s I most often come across are those with the CT1747 combo ISA bus/YMF262/YAC512 chip, which I'm quite certain lack the CT1748-SBP. But if I do find one of those, I'll let you know.

The only problem will be the DSP version. Even v4.13 is affected by the dreaded hanging notes bug. Seems the only DSP versions unaffected by the bug in any way, shape or form are v4.05(I think the only SoundBlaster 16 model to have this DSP is the CT1740. Correct me if I'm wrong) and v4.16(found on the later single-chip SoundBlaster 16 WavEffects, maybe even the SoundBlaster Vibra16 with the Vibra16C chipset). Typically, if you find a SoundBlaster 16 with DSP version 4.16, you will lose the authentic OPL3 FM Synthesis and get the CQM clone. With DSP version 4.05, the sound quality is typically poor, at least from what I've seen.

On Saturday or Sunday, I'll go back to the flea market and pick up the SoundBlaster AWE32 I was told about over the weekend. The booth owner has several different variations of the SoundBlaster 16, so I'll gather up some information on all the different models of the SoundBlaster 16 and report back on what he's got and whether they do or don't have the CT1748-SBP and what mixer chip is on the sound cards.

I never noticed a hanging note problem on my CT3900... and it has the 4.13 DSP.... I'll live with any minor bugs for better SnR from the newer/better mixer chip
my CT2230 (2nd gen SB16 MCD) has the 4.05 DSP.... noisy as hell, and got worse once I damaged the amp... I'm pretty sure the CT2770 has the 4.05 DSP too... pretty much any 93 to early 94 card should have that (this means the early CT1770/CT1779 builds should have this DSP too)

I'll make note of that for when I go pick up the SoundBlaster AWE32 I was told about. I'll take a look at all the SoundBlaster 16s the booth owner has and take any of those with DSP version 4.05 and with the CT1745A-TBP and/or CT1745-S mixer chip.

like I said... you're not going to find those newer mixer chips with an older DSP... just not possible
4.13 is the only way to go if you want the better/newer mixer chip

I've got a SoundBlaster AWE64 Value model CT4500 I can swap out the mixer chip from if I find a SoundBlaster 16 with DSP version 4.05(It has the CT1745A-TBP), so there's no problem there. The card's been abused to the point of having a corner cut out so it would fit inside an IBM Personal Computer 300PL(the card is usually too wide and too long to fit in said computer because it hits the plastic pieces meant to hold the CPU in place - the computer has a Slot 1 motherboard), so I don't mind stealing its mixer chip if I find a SoundBlaster 16 with a v4.05 DSP.

On that note, would it actually be possible to swap out the DSP on a SoundBlaster 16 or SoundBlaster AWE32? Or will that cause a problem with the sound card?