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BOSS DS1 Distortion Pedal
Product Videos :
YouTube Video
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.
Features
• 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
Specifications
Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu
Input Impedance: 1 M ohm
Nominal Output Level: -20 dBu
Output Impedance: 1 k ohm
Recommended Load Impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
Controls:
• Pedal switch
• TONE knob
• LEVEL knob
• DIST knob
Connectors
• INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• DC IN jack
Power Supply: Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61) or Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22)
Current Draw: 10 mA
Features
• 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
Specifications
Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu
Input Impedance: 1 M ohm
Nominal Output Level: -20 dBu
Output Impedance: 1 k ohm
Recommended Load Impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
Controls:
• Pedal switch
• TONE knob
• LEVEL knob
• DIST knob
Connectors
• INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• DC IN jack
Power Supply: Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61) or Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22)
Current Draw: 10 mA
Media
Youtube video product demo
Q & A
Question: Does it need a power supply and if it does. Does the cord come with the unit?
- asked on Apr 2, 2024
- asked on Apr 2, 2024
Answer: This pedal works with an Alkaline 9 volt battery (9 V, 6LR61) or Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22). It can also work with a Boss PSA-120 power supply, not included: https://www.long-mcquade.com/12543/Guitars/Guitar-Accessories--Parts---Tools/Boss/PSA-120-Power-Adapter.htm>
No cables included
- answered by roy shermack, Edmonton Highlands, Alberta
No cables included
- answered by roy shermack, Edmonton Highlands, Alberta
Reviews
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More chunk than hair. 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
Features
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Value
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Cambridge, Ontario
Watch some JHS Pedals Show &/or the Pedal Show to help understand where it may fit in best.
In short, it's supposed to be like a cranked early late 70s to early 80s amp. So loud there's barely a floor (sustain) and overdrive (gain) is almost a full-or-not type flutey switch.
In long,
With 1/3 or lower gain, lower PU hotness or reduced input volumes allows pick attacks to go from slightly fuzzy clean to a chunky rock honk with clarity (solid state amp).
The tone control is fairly strong & sweeps the strength of the effect similar to a tube screamer (but it's a scooped EQ, shrugs).
I prefer the tone about 10:30ish & have the treble strings sound even On/Off via the level @ under 1/3 distortion.
I usually put my effects pedal into that because that's the majority of my music taste's use of the era.
This lends to its "more loud than overdrive" type of hard clip distortion.
Couldn't find many, if any, likeable stacks with other OD pedals or even the amp OD channel.
But I have other pedals anyways and have a way to blend signals, so can mix & match.
So, the recap, as a singular use pedal meant to emulate a cranked amp, I love it.
I hope to try a tube amp with it 1 day as that's where its EQ versatility shines.
Posted by Jay on Oct 31, 2024
Needed for my pedalboard 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Kingston, Ontario
It took me a while to figure this out with my Marshall amp, but Once I got it dialed in I was in bliss heaven. I have a Blues Driver for Overdrive and a Super Overdrive (both also by Boss) and I swap them in and out depending which guitar I'm playing at the time.
Posted by Derek on Jul 9, 2024
Great distortion 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Campbell River, British Columbia
This pedal sounds great when used right. For a heavy distortion sound, I like having the tone around 10-11, level around 1-5, and distortion around 2-5, with the volume on my guitar at 9 or 10. For a little bit of a lighter sound, I put the distortion at 9 and the volume on my guitar at 6. It is really versatile if you remember to adjust your guitar and amp!
Posted by Josh on Mar 19, 2024
Boss DS-1 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
I initially bought the L'il Rat because it would better fit on my pedalboard, and I don't need an "arts and crafts" session to get Velcro to stick to the bottom of it. However, the little knobs on the pots and not marking the knobs so you can easily tell where it's set made the pedal pretty much unusable, especially when it required changes when you changed guitars. So I brought it back and bought this one instead.
First, the DS-1 sounds better, just what I was looking for (you can never tell what a pedal will sound like until you try it with your rig). It's easier to adjust (bigger knobs, readable). It needs a lot less adjustment when you change guitars. It stacks well with my boost/OD pedals. It was $13 cheaper to boot!
If you're looking for that classic rock / 90's grunge distortion sound, look no further.
Posted by bp66 on Apr 5, 2023
boss ds1 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton North, Alberta
This is one of the best pedals I own, its so cheap to so if you are looking for a cheap distortion pedal, you should think of this almost immediately. This pedal also features a great tone for blues, jazz, rock, hard rock, and metal. This pedal is also a top competitor for a really good tone in the market. And as a bonus, this pedal is great for rhythm and lead playing.
Posted by anonymous on Dec 3, 2022
Great pedal!! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Amazing , was exactly what I was looking for, you just gotta turn the Tone Knob almost all the way down and sounds Fuzzy/distorted , the guitar sings for lead and also get a nice grunge Rythm tone, Happy with this.
Posted by Ale on Oct 19, 2022
CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR 3 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Victoria, British Columbia
I once saw a video of Steve Vai agonizing over which pedal had served him well (the best) over the years. The DS1 was a close second to the DD8 - but he almost chose the DS1.
So if it works for him...
Posted by Kevin B. on Feb 4, 2021
Why Are You Here? 12 of 16 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Vancouver, British Columbia
I don't know why you're here reading a review for this pedal, you already either own it or know everything there is to know about it. Everyone does, it's been around since the dawn of time and that's the beauty of it. That monolith the monkeys went crazy over in 2001: A Space Odyssey? It was the shadow cast by a DS1 a mountain top. Seriously though, this thing has been around forever. It's not the most versatile pedal in the world, but what it does, it does well. Apparently this was the only distortion effect Prince ever used. Need I say more?
Posted by Tyrone P Biggins III, Esq on Jul 8, 2020
Absurdly ok 0 of 12 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
Nothing really amazing about this pedal.
Quality is really good, but the distortion and everything is just meh.
It's saving grace is it's low price.
Posted by Michael on May 6, 2020
perfect for noobs and pros 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Surrey, British Columbia
beautiful grunge/punk sound for its price. highly versatile. amazing beginner pedal.
Posted by kegan on Jan 23, 2020
The world is ending and I've got 10 of these. 26 of 27 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Got a friend who's dad plays guitar? He's got one of these in his den. Know a guy who plays bass? Probably has one in his closet. Professional violinist? They've got one in their backpack, for whatever reason.
This pedal is absolutely essential for any musician. It's unbelievably cheap, and sounds like a million bucks. This is usually the only pedal I use, because it just works. Stop reading this review and go buy this pedal before all the musicians who are already buying them cause a resource drought in the earth, driving these pedals to become extinct from the inability to manufacture them and in turn forcing the companies who create the internals to turn the gorgeous tone-making components into a baby-monitor.
Posted by Zack on Oct 13, 2019
Boss DS-1 6 of 6 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Ottawa, Ontario
There's a reason this thing has been around forever. It's cheap, and it's plentiful, but it can snort. Plug it in to a slightly dirty tube amp, keep the tone knob between 9-10 o'clock, and adjust the distortion to your liking ( varies using single coils or humbuckers). The problem is people plug it in to solid state or transistor amps and expect it to sound awesome. Well, that and you have to use the tone knob sparingly.
Posted by Sean on Jul 14, 2019
Fantastic pedal! 3 of 4 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
I'm surprised how low priced this pedal is compared to the rest of the Boss pedals, especially since this one has the same classic Boss quality. Classic rock, Punk rock, or metal, this pedal does the job well. Definitely worth the price!
Posted by Zack on Jul 9, 2019
Great Pedal!!! 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Abbotsford, British Columbia
I got this pedal because I was jamming with my friends and wanted to sound more like a rock guitar. This pedal did that perfectly. It has a great price for a metal case pedal.
Posted by anonymous on Jun 24, 2019
Not what I expected 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Oshawa, Ontario
I thought it had a smoother gain sound and it sounded more like a fuzz
Pretty good sound but not what I expected but still sounds objectively good
Posted by anonymous on Aug 2, 2018
PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS, FUN FOR VETERANS! 6 of 7 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Toronto (Bloor St.), Ontario
I've owned this pedal for over a decade now. It's been through a lot and all I've ever had to do is change the battery - it's so solid!
No, it's not the most versatile but for a fun, dirty distortion it can't be beaten for the price.
If it's good enough for Kurt Cobain, it's good enough for you.
Posted by Robbie on Oct 1, 2017
Perfect beginer pedal 3 of 6 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Sudbury, Ontario
If you're just starting to get into using pedals and are looking for a good distortion pedal to start getting used to using, look no further. For the price, you can't go wrong. Do it.
Posted by Jaws on Sep 11, 2016
WHAT A GREAT FIND!!!! 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store North York (Steeles), Ontario
For a long time, I've been looking for a good distortion sound. Tried many pedals, but still had no luck. I picked up the Jemini
distortion/overdrive pedal from Ibanez on E-BAY, because I loved Steve Vai's sound. But still, there was something missing when I tried it on it's own. So then I picked up a used BOSS DS-1 for $40 to see how it would sound. Then by hitting both pedals at the same time by mistake, had this great sound. I tweaked both distortion knobs to half and BINGO!!!!!!!!. There was my sound I was looking for, added a little chorus and delay and now have a nice warm distortion tone. The DS-1 on it's own is also great, a good sounding distortion. The only draw back on the DS-1 is, I wish it had a MID control knob to tweak the sound. I was playing through a Fender Ultra Chorus, solid state. ROCK ON!!! So by adding this pedal, it gives you more color to your sound.
Posted by Clemens on Sep 4, 2016
Basic boost pedal for clean tube amps, etc... 3 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Abbotsford, British Columbia
Although this pedal has almost doubled in price in the last 2 years, it its almost a requirement if you want basic overdrive on a clean tube amp. Should not be used with solid state or distorted channels as it will likely reduce tone quality.
Posted by Guitar Envy on Jun 15, 2016
Good for the price 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store St. Catharines, Ontario
The pedal is great for the price and would highly recommend everyone buying one of these, BUT you have to keep in mind that it can get fizzy and sound over pushed if you crank the distortion. If you want something to push distortion I would say get an Ibanez Tube screamer... my preference is the Tube Screamer Mini...
However this is great for a beginner to start with, or a seasoned pro who wants to just push the rig a little farther to get it to start to break up.
Posted by Anon on May 29, 2016
Great pedal 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Edmonton North, Alberta
This pedal really adds that extra power to my guitar. Amazing pedal.
Posted by Keenan on Sep 23, 2015
Great sound for the money 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Moncton, New Brunswick
This pedal is a work horse. I use it to boost the distortion on my Marshall TSL-100 Crunch channel and smooths it out nicely. Great pedal, great value and a mainstay in any pedal board.
Posted by M. LeBlanc on Jan 31, 2015
Sound 2 of 10 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store North York (Steeles), Ontario
This was my first pedal and when I got it a while when I first started playing. It was good at the time but now I just really don't like it. You're very limited with this pedal and the sound is not very pleasant. The distortion built into most amps is much better, even low end amps. Would not recommend unless you're a beginner and your amp doesn't have a distortion channel.
Posted by anonymous on Jul 3, 2014
IGNORE BAD REVIEWS 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
you don't need an expensive Dunlop or Line 6. although built in distortion on the amps is usually a better bet, this little stomp kicks ass! there is lots of customization to the sound, especially if you throw an overdrive in with your rig. It's built pretty tough and never fails!
Posted by Kalen on Mar 29, 2014
For gigging only 2 of 11 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Nanaimo, British Columbia
I've heard this piece of equipment at small live gigs at high volume and it works well to make the guitar cut through the mix over drums and bass, but if you only use this at home hoping to complement the quality sound of a good tube amp it's a poor choice. Fizzy, cold distortion.
Posted by anonymous on Dec 18, 2013
Ewww... Ughh... Urghhhh... 2 of 20 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Markham, Ontario
This was just... As the title implies, terrible. Fantastically horrid, if you ask me. Really, it sounds just BARELY decent on a tube amp, and sounds like a rabid dog attacking a garbage can on a solid state. If you ask me, just get some more money for a dunlop fuzz face or something decent.
Posted by anonymous on Oct 22, 2013
Amazing Pedal 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Royal Vista, Alberta
I actually have one that I got way back around 1984 or 85 and it still is a hugely important part of my pedal board. Such a solid piece of hardware, even all these years later!
Posted by anonymous on Sep 8, 2013
N/A 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Toronto (Bloor St.), Ontario
Been playing with it a lot and I love it.
Posted by anonymous on Aug 26, 2013
Great Pedal for an amazing price 1 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
Posted by anonymous on Aug 15, 2013
perfect distortion for any guitar or rig 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Windsor, Ontario
I've had this pedal for almost 2 years now, and its still just as awesome as the first day I got it! it can be used for so many genres like punk, rock, alt, even can do some great metal. I find it a perfect fit for and rig, especially for grunge. perfect for any nirvana songs. it is very durable and perfect to take on the road for gigs (used for a few small gigs myself). great pedal and amazing price
Posted by anonymous on Aug 1, 2013
The first I got, and the only one I need 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Toronto (Bloor St.), Ontario
This is the first pedal I ever got, and it's the main sound of my rig into a clean fender mustang. I play mostly punk rock so it's a great fit. It's also a tank, it was accidentally thrown across a stage by the stage crew, and the only mark was a small chip of paint in the corner. It's amazing.
However, if you want a clean boost/just a touch of gain, this isn't for you. (But then again, you're probably looking for overdrive, not distortion)
Posted by JKG on Jun 18, 2013
Where is TONE in the Ratings? 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Winnipeg (Wall St), Manitoba
This is a Boss pedal, so the quality is the best but the tone is not something I particularly like about this pedal. It has enhanced highs and lows, which really scoop the mids (which is the heart of the guitar). Some like that sound - I don't.
BUT - this pedal is a modders dream. Sure - it voids your warranty, but that is not the point. Boss still uses traditional parts in this pedal (not surface mount) so it's an easy job. I settled on the IndyGuitarist (Wampler) vintage mod, but there are dozens of others that work as well.
Posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2013
N/A 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
This pedal is REALLY good. With the right settings, it can make any guitar sound great. You can get vintage or modern tones, a sharp punch or warm sustain, anything really.
Posted by Mark on Feb 12, 2013
Old Reliable 4 of 4 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton South, Alberta
I hear people basing this pedal but i really cannot see why... There's tonnes of pedals out there, but seriously this is all you need unless you really want something very specific. It gives you a good distortion, or if you turn the gain lower it gives you a nice boost/crunch. Everything else is in your fingers!
Posted by anonymous on Nov 14, 2012
N/A 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Saint John, New Brunswick
i own a lot of pedals and for 60 bucks you'll never find one better
Posted by anonymous on Jul 14, 2012
ROCK 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Grande Prairie, Alberta
For a basic pedal, or any pedal really, this thing produces solid, throaty punch. Offers both 9v and 110v options (wall plug sold seperate), like usual. Doesn't distort when it's not supposed to - when the pedal is off, there's no buzz or any audible indication that it is plugged in. Just a solid, affordable piece of tech.
Posted by kb on May 30, 2012
Perfect 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Moncton, New Brunswick
I've had this thing for about two years, used the hell out of it. Couldn't ask anything more of it.
Posted by Brandon on May 2, 2012
Awsome 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Abbotsford, British Columbia
The best one out there, trust me, try it out!
Posted by anonymous on Apr 10, 2012
Rental rates
This product is normally available for rental. Please contact your preferred location for further information.
1 Day from $2.00
1 Week $3.00
1 Month $6.00
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
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Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
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| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| DS1 Distortion Pedal | 4219 |
