#ds-1

[fuzzkaizer]

D. & M. - model DS-1 DISTORTO

cred: intagram.com/goodfuzzysounds

[bandchat]

I'm always annoyed when I come across videos like this one, where it, and the comments, indicate that the Boss DS-1 is a terrible pedal. Then why is it used effectively by so many musicians, and is a best seller year after year? Maybe because it works well if you don't set its knobs either all the way clockwise, counterclockwise, or at noon? Here's my rendition of Nirvana's "School" using the DS-1. While the tone has a base that's screams Bleach, my style (metal!) and equipment setup gives it a sound that's uniquely me. So while "sound like your favorite player" videos like this are interesting, please take my advice and find your own sound! End note: no, I did not run my amp "at the edge of breakup," like so many others claim is critical to getting good sound out of the DS-1...

[contac]

Pedals and wires.

[gasstationdietconsultant]

Shining a light on projects yet to be completed.

[fuzzkaizer]

Boss - DS-1 Distortion

pedal extension

“ lights on the foot switch (are) optical sensors “

cred: facebook.com/Konstantin Koslovsky

[worldsbiggestcadillacvseriesrfan]

boss ds-1 into gnx4 into twin reverb aka the best tone possible

[adamharkus]

BOSS DS-1w Distortion Review. Worth the Upgrade?

The BOSS DS-1w is a premium, made in Japan Waza Craft version of the Legendary BOSS DS-1. But is it worth the upgrade? Before we start with the BOSS DS-1w, please check out my BOSS DS-1 review for some background info. Why did I upgrade from a BOSS DS-1 to a BOSS DS1-w? I had a soft spot for the DS-1. It was a present from my wife, and, as detailed in the original review, I loved its…

BOSS DS-1w Distortion Review. Worth the Upgrade?

[bandchat]

These days the humble distortion pedal tends to get overshadowed by overdrives and fuzz(es). But nothing gets the guitar community riled more than the Boss DS-1. It's good! It's terrible! You're using it wrong! It has to be used into an amp on the edge of breakup!

I was ignorant to all this when I bought my DS-1 back in 1993. At the time I was using a DOD American Metal and Peavy Special 130 amp, looking to branch out into different sonic territory. Since two guitarists I dug, Dave Navarro and Kurt Cobain, used it, I said what the hell, and bought one.

My first surprise was how different it was than the DOD pedal. While perhaps obvious to most, at the young age of 23, and having only played guitar for four years, I still wasn't quite aware of what all this different equipment did. It took some mental adjustment to get used to the overall less gain and different tone profile, but after a while I grew to enjoy those changes.

This brings me to my main point: explore what a piece of gear can do, and focus less on what you want it to do. The DS-1 has a very specific sound, and is always going to sound like a DS-1, so set expectations accordingly. But it is easy to forget that since every musician has unique gear, the DS-1's tone will vary depending on that choice of gear and how each of its options are set. This is one reason why some people say it's great and others say otherwise.

This doesn't mean that the DS-1 can't be tweaked, so don't be afraid to shape its sound! The obvious thing to do is to use the tone knob on the pedal for this. But don't forget about the EQ knobs on your amp. On my Fender Twin Reverb the "treble" and "middle" dials immensely change the sound of the DS-1. One can change the DS-1 tone further with additional EQ, usually provided by a pedal like the Boss GE-7. One complaint people have about the DS-1 is it's too mid scooped, and using EQ can add those frequencies back in.

Another trick I've recently used is to boost it with another pedal. I use an Ibanez Tube Screamer for this, and find it gives the DS-1 a little extra punch, even with the Screamer's overdrive set all the way counter-clockwise.

So what's going on with all the people who say it has to be used with an amp on "the edge of breakup?" It's worth noting that Boss themselves say otherwise ("It's great as a prime distortion for clean and mildly driven amps and works equally well with higher-gain amps."). My take is that this statement comes from people who don't like the general tone of the DS-1, and thus find it works better as a boost into their preferred tone. This will add some frequencies that their main tone is lacking. It also adds compression, which will favorably accentuate certain aspects of their playing. Single note riffs, which previously felt a bit lifeless, will now be punchy.

I knew back in 1993 that Dave and Kurt didn't like junk. If you take all that I've written here into account you'll likely conclude the same thing. Happy riffing!