The DS-1 is the top-selling BOSS compact pedal ever, and its original, unchanged design continues to inspire the creation of great music everywhere. The classic DS-1 tone is behind the signature sounds of numerous rock legends, and is ready to fuel your own signature sound today.

The Boss DS-1 is a distortion pedal for guitar, manufactured by the Roland Corporation under the brand name Boss since 1978. The first distortion effects unit made by Boss, [1] it has become a classic effect, used by many notable guitar players.

Dec 6, 2011 · Simply put, the BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal is a modern classic. For the better part of 30 years, you've heard this orange box put through its paces on countless top rock recordings - from Kurt Cobain's "Nevermind"-era grunge to the renowned distorted tones of Steve Vai.

Jul 19, 2004 · In 1978, BOSS engineers changed all that by developing a unique distortion circuit for the DS-1 that produces tight, hard-edged gain with rich harmonics while retaining the …

Arguably the most popular distortion pedal of all time, the ubiquitous Boss DS-1 is bulletproof, classic and affordable. Nearly every guitarist has had (or should have) at least one on his/her board at some point.

The Classic BOSS Distortion, Enhanced with Waza Craftsmanship. Introduced in 1978 among the earliest models in the BOSS compact series, the orange DS-1 redefined the sound of distortion and remains as influential today as ever.

Armed with an innovative BOSS circuit design, the DS-1 redefined distortion by bringing tight, aggressive high-gain tones to the pedal world for the first time.

For over 30 years, the BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal has been the go-to stompbox for guitarists seeking a bold, crunchy tone. This legendary effect pedal continues to inspire legions of musicians with its affordable, road-tough design and dynamite sound.

The BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal is a timeless distortion pedal and a staple on the pedalboards of beginners and legends including Steve Vai and Kurt Cobain. Here are the basics of setting up: To use the BOSS DS-1 pedal, power it on with a 9V alkaline, carbon battery, or a DC power supply.

May 10, 2024 · The BOSS DS-1 delivers a versatile spectrum of sound thanks to its pioneering dual-stage circuit that incorporates both transistor and op-amp gain stages. The pedal’s three-knob interface is intuitive and adjusts tone, level, and distortion.

Mar 9, 2025 · Read the full review: Boss DS-1. Compare the Boss DS-1 and DS-1w. Use the compare buttons to put the two DS-1s side by side. The table includes updated pricing as of Sun, March 09th, 2025 and the most relevant guitar pedal specs.

Jan 21, 2025 · While we love the sheer simplicity of the classic BOSS DS-1, this updated Waza Craft version offers a whole new level of dirtbox versatility. A 2-way switch allows you to swap between standard mode — the standard DS-1 — and …

With the tone knob and a bit of eq from your amp you can get a wide range of distortions suitable for many genres. What I am very pleasantly surprised about is how good it works in conjunction with other distortion pedals and even the boost channel from my amp.

The Boss DS-1 is a distortion guitar pedal released in 1978 by Boss. It was the first distortion pedal made by Boss with a distinctive hard-clipping sound perfect for high gain rock and metal still keeping the character of the original guitar.

The Classic BOSS Distortion, Enhanced with Waza Craftsmanship. Introduced in 1978 among the earliest models in the BOSS compact series, the orange DS-1 redefined the sound of distortion and remains as influential today as ever.

Apr 19, 2018 · In my Boss DS-1 review I'll cover how I've tested and used the pedal, where it has worked and where it has failed. These scenarios took me through a number of tests with the DS-1, where it performed adequately in some areas, but seemed completely out of place in others.