Boss DS-1 Distortion

Submitted on July 12, 2005

Pictures

black editionblack edition
black editionblack edition
DS-1-WH 2024DS-1-WH

This is the classic distortion pedal launched a million guitar solos. Known by professional guitarists the world over as "that orange BOSS distortion," the DS-1 Distortion is still in production to this day, thanks to its distinct growling-yet-warm tone and bite. Plug it into your favorite stack and see what we mean.

Boss Japan

A classic! Add some hard-edged distortion while preserving the subtle nuances of your playing dynamics. A Tone control is provided for easy sound shaping.

Boss USA

The classic DS-1 Distortion pedal provides a harder distortion effect for guitar and keyboard sounds. Instead of toneless, fuzzy distortion, the DS-1 faithfully reproduces all the subtle nuances of playing dynamics--at any volume.

Classic BOSS Distortion tones for guitar and keyboard
Reproduces dynamics of playing, from soft to hard
Distortion, Level and Tone control to tailor overall sound as desired

Video

(2007-10-26) Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal by World Music Supply
(2008-10-22) BOSS DS-1 Distortion [BOSS Sound Check] by Boss
(2009-01-16) Boss DS-1 Distortion by ShortScale.org Gear Demos
(2009-01-17) Boss DS-1 Distortion (modded) by ShortScale.org Gear Demos
(2009-02-01) Boss DS-1 Distortion by MadeByMike
(2009-02-01) Modded Boss DS-1 Distortion by MadeByMike
(2009-06-12) Boss DS-1 Distortion by pedaltone.co.uk
(2009-07-05) Boss DS1 Distortion Pedal by Nevada Music UK
(2009-07-23) BOSS DS 1 MOD BY TANAPATR DEMO BY CHATREEO by Chatreeo
(2010-02-15) Boss DS 1 Japan Demo by koliok
(2010-02-22) BOSS DS-1 GUIATR EFFECT MOD BY GUILOXUR by Chatreeo
(2010-04-20) BOSS DS-1 TRI MODE MOD BY THANAPATR by Chatreeo
(2010-06-08) Boss DS-1 Distortion: Stompbox Walkthrough Video by GearWire
(2010-06-24) Boss DS-1 And Ampeg B2R: Bassist Matt Spatial Of The Julia Dream On His Gear by GearWire
(2010-07-08) Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal Demo by lynchsandman
(2010-12-01) BOSS DS-1 DISTORTION PEDAL DEMO by Chatreeo
(2011-01-19) Distortion shoot out Boss DS-1 vs MXR Classic Distortion by Willie Vega
(2011-03-06) Boss DS-1 Distortion Demo by Tibbon
(2011-04-22) DS-1 vs Hot Head----Willie Vega, www.ThatGuitarShow.tv by Willie Vega
(2011-10-18) Boss DS-1 stock vs. modified by RST Custom Effects
(2012-01-15) Rockbox Boiling Point vs Vintage Boss DS-1 Sivler Screw by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-15) Vintage Boss DS-1 Silver Screw by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-17) Vintage ProCo Rat 86 vs Vintage Boss DS-1 Silver Screw Japan by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-18) Vintage Boss DS-1 vs Pete Cornish G2 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-18) Vintage Boss DS-1 vs Pete Cornish SS3 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-21) Vintage Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-21) Vintage Boss DS1 vs New Boss DS-1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-01-21) New Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod by Shnobel Tone
(2012-02-13) Vintage Boss DS-1 Black Label Made in Japan by Shnobel Tone
(2012-02-25) Fulltone 70 Fuzz vs. Vintage Boss DS-1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-04-09) [????] 339? Todays Gear ??(Boss) ??? ???? DS-1 by Today's Gear
(2012-04-26) Distortion DS-1 Boss - Turbo Guitar #20 by TurboGuitarChannel
(2012-05-02) Boss DS-1 Distortion Demo by marshallkiller
(2012-05-25) Vintage Boss Over Drive OD1 vs Vintage Boss Distortion DS1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-07-11) Mesa Boogie V1 Bottle Rocket vs Vintage Boss DS-1 Les Paul by Shnobel Tone
(2012-08-06) Zvex Box of Rock vs Vintage Boss DS-1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-08-13) Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808HW vs Vintage Boss DS-1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-08-30) Timmy vs Vintage Boss DS1 by Shnobel Tone
(2012-08-31) T Rex Spindoctor 2 vs Vintage Boss DS1 by Shnobel Tone
(2013-02-16) Boss DS-1 "Sonoran Dog Mod" by Pedal Projects
(2013-03-02) Boss DS-1 Distortion Bitesize Review - 30 Days, 30 Pedals - WIN! by sonicstate
(2013-05-16) BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal Demo by Pete Thorn - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater Sound
(2013-08-16) DS-1 Shootout by Tone Ranger Effects
(2013-10-15) Boss DS-1 Distortion Review by Cameron Johnson
(2013-11-30) Boss DS-1 - Review by PedalBoxReviews
(2013-12-10) ??????BOSS DS-1 Distortion?BOSS COMPACT PEDAL 100th ANNIVERSARY!!? by Chuya Online
(2014-05-29) Boss Pedal Review 11: DS-1 Distortion by Cameron Johnson
(2014-06-24) BOSS DS1 Distortion parte 1 by arielpozzo
(2014-06-24) BOSS DS1 Distortion parte 2 by arielpozzo
(2015-01-09) BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal review and demo by Krachwerke
(2015-04-19) SoaringTortoise Electronics Modified Boss DS-1 Distortion Effect Pedal by SoaringTortoise
(2015-04-22) BOSS / DS-1 Distortion?????? Vintage Effector File Vol.18? by digimartnet
(2015-05-22) Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal Demo by Poor Man Pedals
(2015-08-13) Boss DS-1 Distortion by reverbmarket
(2016-02-21) Boss DS-1 demo by Pair of Pandas
(2016-05-26) Boss DS-1 Vintage Distortion by PedalOfTheDay
(2016-08-11) What was the very first BOSS Distortion Pedal? The DS-1 of course. Here is a classic #TBT video for you to enjoy. http://www.bossus.com/products/ds-1/ by Boss
(2016-09-02) Boss Distortion DS-1 - DEMO by vhtargino
(2016-11-18) Boss DS-1 [Bass Demo] by Patrick Hunter
(2016-12-26) The #boss #ds1 roof drop!! Most durable #guitarpedal ? Link in description! by Magpie Pedals
(2017-01-17) DS-1 Distortion by Boss
(2017-02-11) HB01 and DS-1 by Poor Man Pedals
(2017-02-26) HB01 and DS 1 Distortion Before Wah by Poor Man Pedals
(2017-04-22) Boss Distortion - Boss DS1 Distortion vs DS2 Turbo Distortion by DS Gear
(2017-05-02) BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal Review by Sweetwater Sound
(2017-05-19) Boss DS-1 VS Keeley Modded DS-1 by Pedal Fight
(2017-05-19) Boss DS-1 VS Way Huge Fat Sandwich by Pedal Fight
(2017-05-19) Monoprice 611613 VS Boss DS-1 by Pedal Fight
(2017-06-29) BOSS DS-1 Distortion on a synth and keyboard by Nevada Music UK
(2017-07-06) THE BENCHMARK IN GUITAR DISTORTION. https://www.boss.info/global/promos/40th_anniversary_compact_pedals/ Introduced in 1978, BOSS?s first distortion pedal defined a bold new sound, delivering hard-edged attack and smooth sustain that?s been a staple of p by Boss
(2017-10-23) BOSS DS-1 - "Dirty Secret" Mod by Anarchy Audio by Leon Todd
(2018-01-12) Nerdy Circuit Stuff.... Comparing the Boss SD-1 with the DS-1 by Wampler Pedals
(2018-01-23) OVERDRIVE SHOOTOUT - Fulltone OCD Vs. Boss DS-1 by NstuffMusic
(2018-05-18) Will the BOSS DS-1 change my mind? by Budget Pedal Chap
(2018-05-21) Boss DS-1 vs Angry Driver JB2 by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-06) Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal | Gear4music demo by Gear4music
(2018-08-07) BOSS DS-1 vs Catalinbread DLS Mk III by Symbiosis Effects
(2018-08-25) Bass Into Boss DS-1 Distortion by Poor Man Pedals
(2018-09-15) La DISTORSION !! Une BOSS DS-1 meilleure qu'une MAXON SD-9 ?? by Tone Factory
(2018-09-15) How to sound like David Gilmour on a budget - Boss DS-1 by BjornRiis
(2018-09-19) Boss DS1 in the Effects Loop of a Marshall?? by The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show!
(2018-10-26) BOSS DS1 Clone&Modify by CircuitFX
(2018-10-26) Clone&Modify BOSS DS1 (Tone:4 ,Gain:10) by CircuitFX
(2018-11-16) BOSS DS 1 VS DS 2 ????????????????????????? by Chatreeo
(2018-12-02) ????? BOSS DS-1 3???????????? !!! by Chatreeo
(2018-12-20) Is the Boss DS-1 The Best Distortion Pedal Ever? Boss DS-1 Demo & Review by Nevada Music UK
(2019-01-23) Boss DS-1 vs Keeley Modded DS-1 - Song 1 - Hot Rod Deluxe by Pedal Fight
(2019-03-03) Boss DS-1 VS Proco Rat by Pedal Fight
(2019-04-12) Vintage Boss DS-1 Comparisons by Jim Jones' Cult Of Tone
(2019-06-22) If You Don?t Like The Boss DS-1, Try This One Simple Trick by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2019-08-05) ??????? BOSS DS-1 v.4 ?? 2019 ????? 580 ??? by Maxz
(2019-08-10) Get your Grunge on || Repair Shop Demos || MIJ Boss DS-1 by Stonegate FX
(2019-08-13) Boss Distortion DS-1 Made in Taiwan (No Talking) by Zep Pedal
(2019-08-19) Boss DS 1 - Distortion pedal demo with clean and dirty amp by Pair of Pandas
(2019-09-06) Pedal Stacking: Boss DS-1 Into A Tubescreamer by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2020-03-26) Boss SD-1 Vs DS-1 For Gain Stacking by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2020-05-07) Comparativo Boss Distortion DS1 x Boss Turbo Distortion DS2 by Loucos por Pedais
(2020-05-08) How to use the Boss DS-1 - Stop using it wrong! - Amazing tones with iconic distortion by We As A Company
(2020-06-03) Unusual Boost Pedals ? Distortion vs Fuzz Face into dirty amp | Boss DS 1 vs Dunlop FFM2 Germanium by Pair of Pandas
(2020-06-05) Boss DS-1 Style Pedals Shootout (Boss DS-1, Keeley Mod, Digitech Hot Head, MXR Custom Badass '78) by We As A Company
(2020-09-09) Can the HX Stomp take on this classic distortion? - Boss DS-1 - Stomp V Stomp - Pedalboards of Doom by Pedalboards Of Doom
(2020-09-28) The Legendary Boss DS-1 by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2020-10-12) Pedais de Baixo Custo ? Distortion Boss DS1 by Loucos por Pedais
(2020-11-28) Boss DS-1 In The Effects Loop? by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2020-12-21) Boss DS-1 Distortion Versus Nobels Distortion Special by DS Gear
(2021-01-30) Comparativo Ibanez Distortion DS7 X Boss DS1 by Loucos por Pedais
(2021-02-24) Old Distortion-Off... Boss DS-1 vs Nobels DT-1 by The SuperFunAwesomeHappyTime Pedal Show!
(2021-03-13) Demos in the Dark // BOSS FX DS-1 Tips & Tricks // Pedal Demo by Demos In The Dark
(2021-03-15) BOSS DS1 japan review by Gresik Pedal
(2021-04-07) Talk with BOSS - #2 DS-1 Distortion (Archive) by Boss
(2021-05-23) Tip: Como usar un Boss DS1 Distortion by arielpozzo
(2021-06-13) JHS Pedals | TINY Ibanez TS808 & Boss DS1 w/ Pedal Pawn Gypsy Vibe by Pedal Pawn
(2021-07-03) How to get the Nirvana Distortion Tone with a Boss DS-1 by Guitar Bonedo
(2021-07-12) El Boss ds1 es el mejor pedal del mundo by Pepis Music
(2021-08-10) Somando Drives! Boss SD1 + Boss DS1 by Loucos por Pedais
(2021-08-17) I PLAYED THE RAREST PEDAL IN THE WORLD - Boss DS 1 GOLD by TheGuitarGeek
(2021-08-23) Boss DS-1 old vs new! | Made in Taiwan 2012 vs Made in Malaysia 2021 | Through Hole vs SMT compared! by Pair of Pandas
(2021-09-02) Arion MDS-1 Distortion vs Boss DS-1 Distortion by MfMod Custom Pedals
(2021-09-05) Review pedal BOSS DS1 Zen Mod - revisited by Revolt!
(2021-09-19) VOX MV50 Clean with Boss DS-1 - Demo by Musiker TV
(2021-10-04) Stacking A Boss DS-1 With A Proco Rat: A Match Made In Tone Heaven? by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2021-10-17) Boss DS-1 old vs new! | MiT 2012 vs MiM 2021 | 5 string Jazz Bass + Orange OR15 amp + Hesu 110 cab! by Pair of Pandas
(2021-10-22) You're Using Your Boss DS-1 All Wrong! [No Really, You Are] by That Pedal Show
(2021-10-24) The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal Review | How Good is it? by intheblues
(2021-12-17) EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas vs Electro Harmonix Triangle Big Muff (+ Boss DS-1) - Sound like Boris by We As A Company
(2022-01-23) TIP OF THE DAY: Work with what you?ve got. BOSS DS-1 by dannyunderwood3d
(2022-03-07) Are you Missing Out on the Boss DS-1?! by Pedalboards Of Doom
(2022-04-30) BOSS DS-1 by Matt Foy
(2022-06-08) Boss DS-1 Demo ? by Cameron Johnson
(2022-07-02) Boss Fight: time for a DS-1 shoot-out! by Pedal Experiments
(2022-08-24) The Boss DS-1 Makes No Sense... by Dipswitch Demos
(2022-08-28) The Boss DS1 is AWESOME! by Jack Fossett
(2022-09-23) Is the Boss DS-1 for me? by Dipswitch Demos
(2022-09-26) Best Beginner Guitar Pedal? Boss DS-1 v Boss SD-1 by Budget Pedal Chap
(2022-10-07) Vintage MIJ Boss DS-1 Demo by Cameron Johnson
(2022-10-22) Comparativo Marshall Jackhammer JH-1 entre Boss DS1 e Proco RAT by Loucos por Pedais
(2022-11-08) Matamp GT120 + DOD250 Overdrive + Boss DS-1 Distortion!??Does Giza work with guitar too?? by Does It Doom
(2022-11-23) RIDICULOUS - Boss DS-1 Mega Shootout (1979 V1 vs WAZA craft) by TheGuitarGeek
(2022-11-28) Revisiting The Boss DS-1: I like it, but do I love it? by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2022-12-01) Revisiting The Legendary Boss DS-1 by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2022-12-09) Vintage Vs Modern (Small Clone, DS-1, Meat Box) With Rob Scallon by JHS Pedals
(2023-01-03) Short Demo DS-1 BOSS Distortion Guitar Pedal three settings by Sketchy Pedals
(2023-01-13) The Boss DS1 ROCKS #shorts #guitar @BOSSinfoglobal by Jack Fossett
(2023-01-25) Moderate Bass Grind with the Boss DS-1 by Bassic Gear Review
(2023-02-04) Absolute rock from the Boss DS1 #shorts #guitar #bosspedals #guitarist by Jack Fossett
(2023-03-03) Digitech DF-7 vs. Boss DS-1 by Chuck's Guitar Geekery
(2023-03-08) What Makes This Pedal Great? Boss DS-1 by Wampler Pedals
(2023-03-10) Fat crunchy rhythm tone! Boss DS1 into a Fender Blues Junior #guitar #bossds1 #bosspedals #fender by Jack Fossett
(2023-05-06) Boost In - ibanez TS9 ou Boss SD1 + Boss DS1 by Loucos por Pedais
(2023-06-29) Boss OS-2 Vs DS-1 by Pedalboards Of Doom
(2023-07-02) The Most ICONIC Distortion Pedal - But Which Sounds BETTER!? by GuitarGuitar UK
(2023-09-11) 3 iconic Distortion Pedals: Maxon SD-9 vs. ProCo RAT vs. Boss DS-1 #shorts by Guitar Bonedo
(2023-09-23) Boss Ds2 VS Boss Ds1 #efekgitar #bosspedals #bossds2 #bossds1 by DS Gear
(2023-10-22) BOSS DS1 Distortion - Colemans Music by cranbournemusic
(2023-10-24) Boss DS-1 Tone Control Trick #guitar by Renzo Sound
(2023-11-04) Mini Set Boss SD1 + DS1 + CE5 + DD3 by Loucos por Pedais
(2023-11-16) How to sound like Nirvana with the Boss DS-1 by TheGuitarGeek
(2023-11-17) Boss Blues Driver vs Boss Distortion! by AndertonsMusic
(2024-06-04) The Boss DS1 Distortion: The Legendary Pedal Loved by Music Icons by Bassic Gear Review
(2024-06-28) POV: You're 14 and Play a BOSS DS-1 For the First Time by Leon Todd
(2024-09-04) Overdrive vs Distortion | Boss DS-1 & SD-1 Comparison by GuitarGuitar UK
(2024-10-02) efek distorsi terbaik di bawah 1 jutaan __Review Boss DS-1 dan MXR Distortion iii by DS Gear
(2024-10-13) Some Boss DS-1 Sounds | #guitargear #guitarpedals by Sketchy Pedals
(2024-12-01) The Week in Gear 64 | Gibson Hummingbird EC | Boss LTD ED DS-1 by TheGuitarGeek
(2025-01-08) Boss DS-1 Distortion, Overdrive & Boost Comparison! | Any good in 2025? | TRUTH about popular pedals by Pair of Pandas

Reviews

myFXDB user reviews

11 reviews, average score of 7.23 / 10

Date	User	Version	Score	Positive	Negative
2018-09-12	monstereleven	Diode Mod	8/10	A classic on everyone's board	Hard to dial in a great tone
2018-04-20	ziaziala		4/10	Great for learning to mod?? With that said, I haven't liked any mods I've done enough to stop modding it. Good experience nonetheless.	I find it just sounds like its adding noise on top of my tone and it's not even a noise that I remotely like. Not for me.
2016-06-21	nic8895	Blues mod	8/10	Great bluesy distortions	Little muffled
2016-03-06	teske		7/10	...	...
2015-06-13	chambs89		5/10	Classic distortion.	Difficult to dial in a good setting without mods.
2015-02-23	Zombie78	1984 MIJ + 2008 MIT	8/10	Good all around workhorse distortion.	Can be kind of spikey or shrill with single coil pickups.
2014-10-19	tonybosca	Keeley Ultra Mod	8/10	...	...
2014-03-07	LievenDV	Keeley Ultra Mod	7/10	cheap, straightforward, trustworthy, easy to use	little tone shaping options
2014-01-19	Shantman	MIJ	10/10	...	...
2014-01-15	Rev-M		8/10	...	...
2013-11-01	Effectology		6.5/10	...	...

Documentation

diy project (Tonepad)
manual available at Roland US
mods (Erik's Corner)
mods (Overdrive Spider)
mods (Robert Keeley)
schematics (Free Info Society)
schematics available at Schematic Heaven

Where to find one? Ads!

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Boss DS-1 Distortion

Pictures

Controls

Information

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