Product ReviewsBoss DS-1 Distortion Effect Pedal

Victims of the future & Corridors of Power cd's = Gary Moore, DS-1 Strat / Marshall

Gary Moore used it on Victims of The Future and Corridors of power albums. All he used was this pedal, a marshall and a stratocaster. He got some decent sounds out of it and it's a great pedal behind a loud clean amp. don't expect the same results on your 10 watt transistor amp at home. It's a good pedal as a starting point for exploring distortion. It works well in a gig situation. If you are confident, I recommend getting one modded, or find the tone sweet spot and roll back the distortion to 3'o clock.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

The BOSS DS-1 is like toothpaste - it's cheap but its essential

It's a Boss pedal - so it will outlive you and I. I have an original 1st edition made in Japan late 1970's DS-1 also. This is NOT the same pedal. It's still a great pedal. I bought this pedal to modify for bass and/or the "Marshall in a box" sound IE the Keeley Seeing Eye mod, etc. I paid $51 AUD including delivery. For a pedal of this quality - that's a bargain. I have way too many pedals, have been gigging for decades and so I feel I can offer advice here as I am a working musician and not someone who only plays at home (not that that is a bad thing but my perspective is from a underpaid performers perspective). The Boss pedal is only $10 more than the Behringer rip off and is WAY WAY better quality. Behringer make some really cool stuff at ridiculous prices (Some of their rack gear and their mixing desks are actually quite good) but their pedals - stay clear. Don't get me wrong, they sound bang on the money compared to the originals. But the sound isn't the only consideration. The knobs feel like junk - too loose or too tight but never smooth and secure, they are a bugger to modify because they use surface mount components - the Boss DS-1 uses normal, old school components and the circuit board is is well labeled: it looks like it was made to be modified. The LED's Behringer use will burn a hole right through your eyeball when used on a darkened stage. BOSS use a FET buffer - not true bypass - thank God. I have a bunch of BOOOTEEK pedals that all use true bypass. Take it from me, you need a buffered input somewhere in your signal chain or you will have NOOOO trebles by the time you get to the amp. I always have at least 1 Boss pedal near the beginning of my pedal chain - even if I never intend on using it, just to use the BOSS FET buffer. Buy the DS-1 for this alone and the $51 is still worth the money. Heck cut the two distortion diodes and just use it a boost for your solos and you still have a bargain that will last way beyond the time when you and I are just a pile of dust. Hope this review helps. Rock On - JaseOnBassRead full review...

pro gear, beginner price

Great tone modulation, from light pop fuzz to ultimate crunch. Adjustable level allows great overdrive for killer solos. There's a reason all the pros have these...Easily one of the best value for money pedals around.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: southcoastmusic...

Doesnt work

Not in VG condition ... Should have just bought brand new one

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: supernamsguitars

buy a old one!

the Boss Ds-1 Japan is awesome! love it, if you are going to buy a Ds-1 make sure you look around and get a japanese if you can, they sound so much better then the new models and they look amazing when aged.

problems with the 1983/4 Ds-1 i bought because of its age(it's around 30 or so years old) i found that it swiches on and off because the connection to the batteries is old, but that can be fixed with an easy replacement.

other then that it is awesome, best buy ever!!!!!!!!!!!!Read full review...

not happy wasted money

Thanks for the opportunity to review this product.. Obviously got it to enhance my sound.. It worked perfectly the first three times i used it but now the internal on off switch doesnt work so it is useless. good paper weight. It didnt come supplied with the power pack so battery is the only option..
looked new but now am not sure.. to late for refund or to complain.. my opinion a waste of money.. not sure if i was conned or not... wouldnt buy from them againRead full review...

Sounds like the 90s

DS-1
Like 90s grunge... don't need a K$$lon... they didn't.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: perfect_pixels

A solid base for distortion tone. A great back stop pedal.

The Boss DS-1 is a classic pedal. It provides a boost to my valve amp so I can get a touch of distortion or plenty more. It is simple to use and effective for a lot of tone settings.

Boss ds1

Good value for money

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: pottovh86

Value for money ..... is GOOD

This is a good quality product, very robust.
It is a basic distortion box and you can have a lot of fun with it.
But it is at the entry level.
It runs off a 9 volt battery which doesn't last very long when you forget to remove the input lead, so you need to buy a power supply and that will cost you another $40.Read full review...