Boss DS-1 Distortion

This thing is a great peal! There are only three knobs. Tone, Level and Dist. The level knob is just a volume control. The instuction book tells you enough to get started and has a few sample settings which can be helpful.

It has a nice distortion. It didn't take me long to get the sound I wanted. The sample setting fir fuzz is my favorite, I just turn up the tone and ist. knobs a little more than they tell you to get a real fuzzy sound. This thing goes from real fuzz to a crunch sound although I wouldn't recomend it for music that requiers a heavy distortion (i.e. heavy metal) it's not weak like some DOD pedals, just not real heavy! I use it through a 75 watt Fender and and som times a 45. I like the sound I get best when the amps drive channel is off (Makes the distortion a little more heavy). This pedal isn't noisy either.

I would use it on a gig without a back up but I don't need this pedal for all of my songs anyway. The only thing I would do is to make sure that you have a fresh battary before you take it on stage. I haven't had this pedal for a real long time but the battary hasn't shown any sign of wear yet.

It's a boss so Idon't think you need to worry but just in case they give you a sheet with the pedal that has an address to write to if it breaks.

I really like this pedal, I play mostly rock and this thing is great for adding some distortion clips to your songs and works great for riping out solos. I can get my lettle orange friend to make 60s fuzz to some newer styles from the 90s I you are looking to start a collection of effects this is a great start. I compared this thing to an Ibenez tube screamer and a boss XT-2 Xtortion and this pedal came throught the only way I wouln't recomend it is if you want a really heavy distortion. If it were lost or stolen I would buy another one.

When I first got this thing, I had just learned what effects pedal was... and about 2 minutes after hooking it up I was already past simply playing with it and was starting to duplicate the sound of cream, zep, beatles, etc. Just three knobs to it, and one of those is volume. Don't even bother with the manual until you get bored enough to read it.

I've got a pretty cheap Peavy Rage amp, and a cheap as all hell Peavy Predator guitar, and I still managed to get a pretty good sound out of the thing. It's not very noisy on it's own, but it will take any existing noise and turn it into a lawnmower (not it's fault though, it's distorting whatever you give it, noise and all). As for it's power, it's not exactly a heavy- metal style cruncher, but it does put out some pretty nice plain distortion and fuzz effects. In fact, it puts out a damn near perfect high-tone fuzz. It can make a novice guitar player sound like clapton from his cream days... until they screw up anyway.

This thing is built like a sherman tank. If this city got nuked, I'd bet the only things left in my apartment would be the cement foundations and this pedal. I don't tend to stomp on the thing, but anything with a metal casing this thick isn't going to break down without some serious abuse (like a mac truck running over it). I'm more of a hobbyist so I don't play gigs, but if I did I'd feel secure about this thing working on me.

If anyone has actually had to call customer support, I want a picture of the remains of their box... and the bear that got at it. Far as I know they don't even have any customer support.

I was a novice when I got it, so I guess I wasn't making a very informed decision, but now that I've actually built up some experience on the thing I'd say that if canadian terrorists stole it I'd probably go get the same thing. It's a good basic box. The only thing I think it lacks is a heavier distortion, but that's more for a specialized box. It's a good for general distortion effects, and has a decent quality level for it's price.

Simple, as all good distortion pedals are. Twist the little knob thingies and push the switch, woo!

kind of noisy, nice sound though, they're all noisy. oh, and I thought I should mention that when everyone was saying that Kurt Cobain used this for all his popular songs, well, this is not a 'grung' or 'fuzz' box, much of the time he was using his Big Muff for those famous tones (I have one of those too), they're great, but anyways, back to this one.

solid, but I refuse to say 'it's a boss'

I just said it's dependable

nice, just don't forget if you're really looking for the Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins sound, they both used a Big Muff alot.

You can't get easier than this folks. Three knobs, tone, level and dist.The instuction book gets you right on your way from setting it uo to examples of differant controll settings. It even has a memo section so you can write down you own combos!

It has a nice distortion but it's not to heavy. I'm using it with an epiphone and sometimes a harmony strat throught a fender chapion 110 and a squier champ. The type of distorion can be changed from really muddy to tinny or in between for that crunchy sound. It's pretty quite and it't great for solos. If you turn up the dist and tone you can get a nive vintage fuzz.

I just got it but it's a Boss! I don't think you need a backup, it's very tough!

I haven't had to deal with them but who has too! it's a Boss!

It's a good overall pedal for all types of music except metal or punk, of course I don't play that typ of music but it doesn't seem heavy enough. If it were lost or stolen I would probaly buy it again althought I might upgrade to a Boss MT-2 metal zone.

Simple! How much tone, how much distortion, the output volume, plug it in, stomp it, Result: Distortion! I usually leave the setting as they are, so when I want to use it, all I've got to do is jump on it. Manual is good. Also give you suggested setting and a place where you can write in your own.

I have a Hamer slammer series (Californian) with a Peavey pracky amp. Sounds excellent, very little unwanted noise. One problem though it is a touch more difficult to get feedback compared to my Zoom or my amps built in distortion. But still a brilliant distortion

Toughest bloody thing! I kick mine around, jump off my amp onto it. the Battery lasts forever. I put all the dead batteries from my Zoom into it and it still goes forever!

N/A

I play punk/grunge/metal/alternative and it is brilliant! I've been playing for 2 yrs and have 2 electrics (hamer + el cheapo) and 1 acoustic. If I lost the pedal it would definitely be on my shopping list... but not before I checked out the DS-2. Anyone wanting a mean distortion which is completely reliable and reasonably cheap I suggest this pedal!

Three knobs only. It's not rocket science, you know! What does suck is the level knob is tough to rotate because all the knobs are bunched together.

I use a mustang through a performer1000 driving a marshall 4x12. It sounds AWESOME!!! I can get the ultimate Nirvana, Pearljam, FooFighters, and AIC sound out of my "little orange guy". Extremely versitile in all areas. Any other effects sound rich with him. Only complaint is he is noisy. I also have a X-tortion and this thing hisses but no noise. Same company, different problem. Can't figure it out.

I'm not even gonna bother, OK!! Reliability my @&&.....

I got some free stuff from them and they're a great guys to hoot.

Two thumbs and two toes up for my " little orange guy ". He is my favourite pedal. I've had him for a year now and I've never been dissapointed. I can't see myself playing any other pedal. I also have a x-tortion and a ds2 and the ds2's distortion isn't as full. Again, great pedal.

this unit satisfied at the start( about 6 monthes ago.) Then i bought a zoom 1010 and discofered th perfect use for this unit- as a distortion boost. connect this to any distortion and youre away! The range is massive- nearly any distortion will come out.

As i stated- i use it as a boost, so i do get large amounts of feedback. i havent noticed any hiss. I get a cool Nirvana or Led Zep sound. The tone control changes it from muddy to tinny , and i try to ignore

Its a boss. Ive thrown it against several walls, and have no problems with lending it to people for gigs. I like the recessed dials. Only problem is the batteries get used when some thig is plugged in, even when its off.

i met them at a show once. very knowledgable people, knew which pedals kurt cobain used and i wanted, gave me many freebies such as stickers. Generally uk support is well better than us support

better than a tubescreamer, very proffesional, top gear. I will buy boss again.

So damn easy, it's almost funny. Only 3 damn knobs, Level, Dist., and Tone.

I use it with my Fender Strat and a Marshall amp. It sounds great! Barely any sound when your not playing (although you can add feedback). It sound terrific! Can get some really nice Nirvana sounds out of it. Wouldn't really recommened it for those that play Metal, though. Still, you can get almost any sound out of this little box.

Let see, I've kicked it more times than I can remeber, it fell downt the stairs twice, kicked into my wall a few times, and it still is A-OK. This thing is immortal.

Boss probaly dosn't have a customer support line 'cause they make such dependable pedals.

I must buy! While it may seem like a cheap pedal because of the price, the sound would make you think it was an 80 dollar box! I was thinking of getting a DOD Grunge befor because I wanted a more grunge sound, but this one has just as good of a sound, plus it's more dependable, plus it was 40 bucks less! Can't go wrong with this thing.

Real easy to use. Has 3 knobes- Tone Dist. Level. The manual gives you some sample settingswich you can use to tailor ypur sound.

The best sounding pedal yet. Has a good Dist. which I play for any thing-STP, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana. Has a good sound from wisper soft to screming loud. I use it to play in my punk band and i can't go wrong.

Very reliable. I've had it for 3 months and it gives me no problems.

If I had to buy this pedel again I would. I played the DOD Grunge and this pedel is 100% better. This pedal gets a variety of soungs and is suitable for almost any one.

It's the easiest freakin' pedal EVER! Just three knobs that are easy to identify. The manuel, however, is totally worthless.

I hook it up to my Fender Start and my Fender amp. Sounds very good on it and dosn't have that much feedback. However, the distortion is kinda weak. It's not as distorted as I would like it, even when the distortion is turned all the way up. I play mostly grunge and alternative. Still, for 40 bucks, you can't go wrong.

You can stomp on this thing all day and it wouldn't break. Hell, I would go as far to say that you could throw it out of a 2 story house and it would be alright.

Let me ask you this: How many of you had to call Boss?

It's a very good distortion pedal for beginners or those looking for a bargain. I would bring it to a gig. Still, for my style of music, it dosn't seem to have enough distortion. I'll probaly get a DOD Grung pedal, but until then, the DS-1 is perfect.