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Ladies and gentlemen, today we have the legendary Boss DS-1 distortion pedal on review. Most likely, when you started out as a guitarist, the Boss DS-1 was your first distortion pedal, just like me (the author of this review). But why is this pedal "legendary" and the best-selling in the entire world? - Let's tell you in our article, and also look at all the features and sound of the DS-1 pedal.
This distortion pedal, which is the subject of this review, has long been a legendary pedal among guitarists and has been produced since 1978, which is an indicator of its relevance today. It can be found in the arsenal of world-famous guitarists, and despite its relatively low cost and simplicity of settings, it can easily help you achieve a high-quality guitar sound. But before we get to the Boss DS-1 review and take a look at all its features and sound, let's start, as usual, with the unit's specifications.
SoundGale.com CEO CommentaryThe Boss DS-1 was my first effects pedal. 15 years ago, when I was still in high school, I saved the money my parents gave me for school lunches to buy this distortion pedal (I was a fan of Nirvana's sound and read in a magazine that Kurt Cobain used the DS-1). And after three months of my first savings, I went to the nearest music store and bought a Boss DS-1. The feelings of joy I had when I purchased this legend are still with me today. I like the classic distortion of the Boss DS-1 very much and maybe I won't give up music thanks to this pedal and its sound. If you are a fan of analog synthesis, you can also try the Boss DS-1 as an analog effect in the chain with your synthesizer.
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Best Price on BOSS DS-1 Distortion Guitar Pedal
The Boss DS-1 delivers a classic distortion sound that is instantly recognizable. It provides a raw, aggressive tone that is perfect for rock, punk, metal, and other high-energy genres. |
Classic Package
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Let's start our Boss DS-1 review with a bit of backstory. The Boss DS-1 is a legend in its own right, having been the first true distortion pedal released in 1978. All that came before were either boosters and overdrives or fuzzes. The ProCO RAT, released a year earlier, was a diode distortion, but its simple circuitry made it sound too "fuzzy" with an obvious fuzz tint. Then the BOSS engineers thought about it (they took the ProCO RAT and EH Big Muff developments into account) and decided to make an effects pedal that would give you a mountain of overdrive and sustain, but with a controlled sound. And guitarists loved it: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Lynch, Kurt Cobain, and many others.
The BOSS DS-1 went through several iterations of components, amps, and cabling until the early 2000s. But since the early 2000s, the circuitry hasn't changed. The only thing that has changed is the brand box and packaging. We ordered a new Boss DS-1, especially for this review, and as you can see in the picture below, we are greeted by a new leather-styled box. This is the box that Boss now uses for all of their effects pedals, we want to note that before there were only informational prints on the boxes, no style and stylization under the leather. We definitely give BOSS a "LIKE" for their box redesign!
Inside the box, we are greeted by the Boss DS-1 distortion pedal wrapped in a thick plastic bag and information leaflets: "Using the Unit Safely", "Important Notes", and "Information". It is worth noting that all Boss pedals come with a factory-installed 9V dry alkaline battery, unlike most other manufacturers who do not include batteries with their pedals.
The design and appearance of the unit has not changed since 1978, the pedal is built in the signature Boss style. To this day, the look and feel of the DS-1 has remained consistent with all other BOSS pedals. The Boss DS-1 features the classic Boss pedal design: a compact, rugged metal chassis built to withstand the rigors of live performance and heavy use. There are no complaints about the build quality, nothing is loose or wobbly (yes, yes, that Japanese pedantry and attention to detail). The bright orange color is instantly recognizable, and the pedal's tank-like construction ensures that it can withstand years of stomping without a problem. Controls are on the top, with a 9V battery compartment under the footswitch, input on the right, and output on the left.
Changing the battery is simple. You need to loosen the thumbscrew. When the screw is loosened, the pedal will open and you can change the battery.
The DS-1 is simple in terms of features but effective in its execution. Key features include:
Here we get to the main section of our Boss DS-1 review, so let's get into the sound of the pedal. Originally, the Boss DS-1 was made in Japan and is considered a classic, but today, like all modern BOSS products, it is made in Taiwan, and there is much debate among guitarists about the difference in sound between these two pedals. Some of them claim that the difference in sound is big and try to buy original Japanese Boss DS-1 on the second-hand market, others are quite satisfied with the quality of modern copies and think that the difference in sound is exaggerated. We also believed the stereotype that modern Boss DS-1s don't produce a classic sound until we saw guitarist Steve Vai play a concert on a stock DS-1 and he sounded amazing. (Remember, the main thing is the ability to play, not the cost and quality of the gear.) Prices for old Japanese copies are quite high, and whether it is worth overpaying is up to you.
Many beginners talk badly about Boss DS-1, accusing it of having a flat, sandy sound and failing to understand why it is so loved by professionals. Their main mistake is that they usually plug it into cheap transistor amps, where it really doesn't sound good. The Boss Distortion DS-1 was designed to rock a tube guitar amp, and it sounds completely different. Plug the Boss DS-1 into the clean channel of a Fender Twin amp, for example, and you get a recognizable, dense, readable distortion in the mix that is perfect for both rhythm guitar and solo guitar parts. It is quite demanding on the amp, and the experience of using it will tell you which one is best for it.
Another convenient feature of the BOSS DS-1 is that it can be "warmed up" with an additional overdrive pedal, providing an extra level of overdrive and compression for solos.
Now for the sound. Based on our observations and extended use, we can say that the BOSS DS-1 produces a thick classic distortion effect and sounds good with both humbucker and single-coil pickups. It responds well to the position of the volume knob on the guitar, and by turning up the volume a bit you can reduce the overdrive level to a nice overdrive. The best position of the tone control can be called 9 - 12 o'clock, as the sound becomes a bit harsher, but when playing in a band, the additional brightness of the sound can be a positive thing and you won't get lost in the mix.
The sound itself can be described as a classic distortion effect, which is perfect for rock, punk rock, hard rock, and heavy metal styles. For more extreme styles, it's definitely not for you, and you'll be better off with other distortion-oriented plug-ins. The BOSS Distortion DS-1 is a great example of how you can get a professional guitar sound for a little money. Give this pedal a try and you might find it in your arsenal for a long time.
After reading the guitarist forums, we also found an interesting opinion:Many guitarheads note that the DS-1 is unlikely to make a rhythm guitarist happy, as a tight crunch cannot be achieved with this pedal, no matter how you turn it. Everything disappears under the transistor "sand". If you remove the tops, the sound becomes excessively deaf, and if you set Dist a little less than maximum, the crunch disappears completely. In general, you can still chop a rare power chord, but intensive rhythmic work is out of the question.
From the above, you might think that the Boss DS-1 is not suitable for rhythm parts, but rather for solo parts. But unfortunately - this opinion is a bit wrong. For rhythm parts, you should use the DS-1 with good tube amps, as already mentioned.
To summarize the "sound quality section" we have selected two videos with sound examples of Boss DS-1:
We hope you enjoyed the videos we selected. You can also visit the official BOSS website for an interactive player where you can turn virtual knobs, set parameters (even choose guitar and amp), and see how the DS-1 pedal changes the tone.
The circuitry of the Boss DS-1 board is very simple and has served as an example for countless clones. The circuit lends itself perfectly to modding. You can experiment in all stages, the most common mods are:
Mods can make a more interesting overdrive structure, and at the same time increase the output volume of the amp. The original circuit, alas, sounds rather quiet.
To be honest, we didn't mod the DS-1 ourselves, we're happy with the sound out of the box. But if you google “Boss DS-1 modding” you will find a ton of material on this subject with detailed guides. To understand how the DS-1 board and circuit work, we've attached a video below.
From this, we can conclude that the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is "Modding Friendly"!
Q: Is This Distortion Pedal Worth Buying?
A: We can safely recommend this pedal for purchase. If you've never had a distortion pedal before and you play genres such as classic rock, punk, grunge, rock, etc - it's at least a masterpiece pedal to familiarize yourself with distortion effects and if you don't like the sound you can easily sell it on the secondary market, the DS-1 is in high demand. Also, the pedal has excellent workmanship & a fantastic price/quality ratio. The cost of the pedal is quite low ~$60, we can compare it to the cost of dinner at a nice restaurant. Dinner in a good restaurant or an effects pedal that will stay with you for life - it's up to you!
Q: How Does It Sound?
A: The sound is great! For more information on sound quality, please read our "Sound Quality" section where we explain everything in detail.
Q: Boss DS-1: Who Is This Pedal For?
A: The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is for guitarists who appreciate its iconic, vintage-inspired distortion sound and want a reliable, no-frills pedal that delivers a punchy, cutting tone. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned player looking to capture that classic distortion sound, the DS-1 is a versatile and enduring choice that continues to be a favorite among players worldwide. Once again, here's who the DS-1 is for: Rock, punk, grunge, metal guitarists, etc; Beginners and budget-conscious players; Players looking for a classic, vintage-inspired sound; Lead guitarists; Players looking for a distortion with boost capabilities; Pedalboard minimalists; Studio musicians looking for a classic pedal sound + Analog synthesis enthusiasts.
Q: Who Might Not Find DS-1 Ideal?
A: Jazz or Blues Players: The DS-1’s bright, aggressive tone might be too harsh or edgy for genres that favor warm, smooth overdrive sounds. Players Looking for Modern or Transparent Distortion: The DS-1 has a distinctive voice that can overshadow the natural tone of your guitar, which might not appeal to those seeking a more transparent or amp-like distortion. Musicians Needing More Versatile EQ Controls: With only a single Tone knob, the DS-1 lacks the detailed EQ options that some players might need for precise tone shaping.
Here we are at the end of our Boss DS-1 review, and it is time to summarize the results. The Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal remains a staple for guitarists seeking a reliable, aggressive, and affordable distortion pedal. Its classic tone has defined the sound of many rock, punk, and metal records, and its rugged construction makes it a reliable choice for gigging musicians. While its mid-scooped character and bright, edgy tone might not suit every player or musical style, the DS-1’s ability to cut through a mix and deliver a powerful, distinct distortion sound is undeniable.
For those looking for a no-nonsense distortion pedal with a legendary pedigree, the Boss DS-1 offers excellent value and performance. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first distortion pedal or a seasoned player in need of a reliable workhorse, the DS-1’s classic sound and durable build make it a great addition to any pedalboard.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Boss DS-1. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own a DS-1 distortion pedal, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about this pedal. If you're a fan of the experimental genre, we also recommend checking out BOSS's wonderful SY-1 pedal, which we have a great review of.
Pros
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Cons
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9.2
/10
Our Score
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