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Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal

Onboard Tone control. Reproduces all the subtle nuances of your playing dynamics.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
 
 

"This unit kicks ass! Nevermind the negative reviews left by inexperienced users!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 4/28/2005

 

 
Feature:
No accessories were included. All the features I need are there. I dont need any more or less, considering the price of the unit. If this pedal wasnt so good, it wouldnt be around after 27 years. It truly stands the test of time, being the most popular distortion pedal of all time.

Quality:
This unit (as well as all Boss pedals) is built like a tank! I've owned many other bands and Boss just cant be beat for their reliable quality construction that will last a lifetime when taken care of properly.

Value:
Worth every last penny! Definitely more bang for the buck!

Desirability:
I definitely dig the orange color and the old style knobs that have remained the same since it first hit the market. The practicality is a must and I still get an erection just looking at it. ;)

Sound:
I've compared the DS-1 to just about every pedal since the early '80s and the DS-1 produces less noise and more bite for the money. I dont need all the EQ parameters of other distortion pedals that have hit the market over the years since I primarly use it with a Roland MC-202 MicroComposer for some badass acid lines. The tone knob is all I need, since any further EQ adjustments can be made from my mixer. As for playing guitar, I would naturally add a Boss EQ pedal at the beginning of the effects chain to gain all the characteristics most of these inexperienced kids seem to whine about. :p

Support:
I never had any problems with the DS-1 or any other Boss pedal for that matter, but I've ordered parts for other used Roland gear and had no problem with those orders.

Overall:
The DS-1 will always keep me satisfied. I wouldnt replace it, but I'd definitely supplement it with more effects units. This unit entirely meets my musical goals. If it were lost or stolen (which I highly doubt) I'd replace it with the same exact unit. What I like most about it is the fact that it gives me plenty of distortion with minimal noise. Theres conflicting stories that the early Japanese made units are better than the current units made in Taiwan, so I'll have to pick up a vintage DS-1 and compare for myself.

9 of 9 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"Absolutely perfect for grunge, alternative, and punk rock guitarists! A favorite of Kurt Cobain and many other musicians! It's j"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          8 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from bellsouth.net
Submitted: 4/29/2005
Style of Music: Grunge, alternative, and punk rock
Location: Chapel Hill, NC

 

 
Feature:
This product is to good for "extra accessories." It's sound, sturdiness, easy storagebility, and overall simplicity makes up for anything you were hoping to get along with the stompbox.

Quality:
Amazingly sturdy. It's sturdiness is probably the best part.

Value:
It was a steeeeeeeeeealllllll!!! Don't raise the price though, more people will buy it just the way it is! Don't change a thing! Leave this pedal exactly like it is, its PERFECT!

Desirability:
I just love the orange color, it goes great with it's sound! It's also small and easy to store.

Sound:
The sound quality is awesome, just like almost everything else about it. It really captures yoour nuances and holds them out there. I love NIRVANA, and considering that even Kurt Cobain used this and the DS2, it is the perfect pedal for grunge, alternative, and punk rock. I is perfect for my style of music and, I'm sure, for many others as well.

Support:
It has a 5 year warranty, but I dont think I'll need it at all! Thanks though.

Overall:
This is the perfect distortion pedal! It's younger sister, the DS2, is a very close second!

2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"best distortion pedal for anyone"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 1/10/2007
Style of Music: van halen
Musical Experience: good at guitar
Location: chicago IL

 

 
Feature:
doesn't have any fancy knobs or anything, just distortion. its built like a tank too.

Quality:
built like a tank. if you throw it out the window it won't break

Value:
for 30 bucks you cant get a better distortion bedal

Desirability:
i only got it because i had no idea about what amps and pedals were good (i just started playing). now that im good at guitar i realize how great it is

Sound:
This was the first pedal i ever got and i am not going to ever throw it out. you can get any sound you want from the beatles to metallica

Ease of Use:
only 3 knobs. how hard is that?

Support:
never needed it

Overall:
this pedal, along with a good lead channel from an amp, can get any sound you want. this is the first pedal i ever got and its not going to leave my pedalboard. for 30 bucks you should get it anyway, whithout trying it out.

2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"Great sounding pedal for Cheap"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 12/29/2007
Style of Music: Alternitive, metal, grunge, classic rock
Musical Experience: Active musician
Location: Grant, Michigan, USA

 

 
Feature:
3 knobs, a input and out put and a battery compartment pretty simple. though it would of been nice if it had a AC adapter but if you use multiple pedals you should get a 1spot daisy chain sort of thing

Quality:
very well made and sturdy with it being made of metal you can really stomp on it

Value:
39 bucks is way worth the money instead of buying one of those 100 digitechs

Desirability:
it likes so awsome next to my crybaby and DOD chorus I like the color orange on it

Sound:
This pedal is one of the best pedals I've played up to date. when the tone level is at the bottom it sounds kinda bluesy. when it's at 12'0 clock it sounds realy high gained like grunge or metal when its at the end it sounds more like a overdrive. It's good for a lot of nirvana type music

Ease of Use:
just turn the knobs to your liking pretty simple

Support:
Dont know I've only had it for 4 days

Overall:
my greatest pedal I own sounds great and a really good price

1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"THE BEST"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from aol.com
Submitted: 3/28/2006

 

 
Feature:
simple controls yes but it isn't an aeroplane your flying is it. there's enough there to get alot of different tone's. the basic control's work with your guitar, not against it. just look at some of the pro's who have relied on this baby.

Quality:
you could switch it on and of with a tank and this beauty would still work fine. its solid and built to last. its a boss after all

Value:
you won't find a pedal of this build and quality at a better price anywhere

Desirability:
yeah, thats why i've already got it

Sound:
don't listen to reviewers who say this pedal is crap. there the type who think it all sounds crap unless its ear splittingly loud and irritating. i've had this pedal over a year and it rocks. used properly it can drive your amp to the brink. i don't need another distortion

Ease of Use:
walk in the park. ideal for any level of player

Support:
never needed them but i bet there customer support centre isn't busy

Overall:
i wouldn't trade this pedal for any other. what ever music you play this thing can do it. don't listen to the negative reviewer's, they obviously haven't set there guitars/amps right. this pedal is a rock legend. don't ignore it

1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"A Great Buy"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 8/5/2004

 

 
Feature:
The features aren't numerous, but why would they be? Everything it has is all it needs

Quality:
It's solid as a rock

Value:
For forty bucks, you get alot of pedal. Well worth the money because of its versatility

Desirability:
It's a guitar pedal...

Sound:
Really good sounding lead distortion for any 70's-80's song. Goes from fuzzy to sharp with a twist of the knob. Great for solid rythms too. it's not bad for punk either.

Support:
Never had to call em

Overall:
It's a great Pedal

2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"The full review on a marvelous pedal."

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          5 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          7 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: I dont want any awards
Submitted: 6/4/2003
Style of Music: Alternative; System of a down kind of stuff and Ac Dc stuff also I like to mix it up
Location: Sonora california

 

 
Feature:
Not great, but provides a great range of Dist.

Quality:
"Very reliable and hard" is what you think of it after you have stepped on it thousands of times and nothing falls apart. It is also very easy to change backup batteries.

Value:
It is totally worth its price because it is only 50 bucks with the power cable and its great sound

Desirability:
it does look kind of cool in a way doesnt it?

Sound:
This is a great solid, cheap, first-time pedal. I first heard it on a Peavey Blazer 158, and the sound was perfect! The dist. on it is great. It sounds the best on any peavey amp, but others, I would rate it a 6. Also, it is great for palm-muting.

Support:
I dont know about support of Boss because I didnt need any help with the pedal! All i know is that they make the very best of the best in Quality, and great sounding and looking pedals.

Overall:
I love it and there is nothing acceptionaly bad about it. I thingk it will last with me throughout my guitar career.

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"this is the top distortion there is."

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from comcast.net
Submitted: 6/9/2004
Style of Music: hard rock mettle
Location: baltomore maryland

 

 
Quality:
i think this product is made great.

Value:
i think the price is great but i think u can make it more price

Sound:
i love this distortion pedel is has great sounds for all my songs it realy makes my song sound better than it was.

Support:
the people i bought it from they were helpfull and friendly

Overall:
i think ill keep this distortion pedel for 1 year than get a better one when im better.

1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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"Every Guitarist needs this pedal, from beginner to expert."

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 2/5/2008
Style of Music: Everything!
Musical Experience: Session Musician
Location: Brighton, England

 

 
Feature:
go from blues t metal just by changing the pickup selector!!

Quality:
had it over 4 years now and its never let me down

Value:
Like i said i would pay over £200 for this bad boy ad i picked it up for £30!

Desirability:
its orange...

Sound:
This is one pedal every guitarist needs in their arsenal. I prefer the sound to this over any product, other then the fulltone mosfet but thats almost £170 more exspensive!

Ease of Use:
3 knobs. all that needs to be said

Support:
never had to use it!

Overall:
there is a definate reason why steve vai and joe satriani use this. its amazing.

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"Distort your mind now!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 1/9/2007

 

 
Feature:
Not a lot to play around with.

Quality:
It's a beauty inside and out.

Value:
I've tried a few pedals in it's price range and nothing comes even close.

Desirability:
When I saw it I was like a girl looking at a pair of designer shoes - I had to have it.

Sound:
Damn! Sounds better than a chainsaw!

Ease of Use:
Thumbs up for the manual. However, the controls are so simple you don't need a manual.

Support:
No problems so far but I asked about it in the shop and they said it's covered.

Overall:
It's so good that if I ever go looking for a new pedal it will be BOSS again.

12 of 13 people (92.31%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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