Boss DS-1

[Stratcat]

Re: Boss DS-1

I can't believe the thrashing the venerable, ol' DS-1 is taking here! It's a $39 pedal, folks! You'll never get the ultimate "dream crunch" from any $39 piece of gear. However I have to admit that the DS-1 I bought back in '86 or '87 is probably the best gear investment I've ever made. I got tired of it a few times in those years and tried other things. But there's something about that $39 pedal (actually i could have swore it cost me more back in '87) that keeps me coming back for more. It got me through my 80's metal phase, my Yngwie phase, the Shrapnel years, the grunge years, and most recently it's helped me achieve some Robin Trower-like classic rock tones with my new Strat.

I look at it this way: If you're expecting a meal out of the DS-1 you'll go hungry. If you're using it to spice up an already decent meal, you're in for a gourmet feast!

Good point,
If you are looking for one of the great Boss distortion/overdrive pedals, check out the SD-2 Dual Overdrive. http://www.bossarea.com/loadpage.asp?file=boxes/sd2.xml

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Boss DS-1

the stock ds1 is ok. If i where you i would go for a robert keeley moded ds1 ultra.

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Boss DS-1

The Bad Monkey is a modeling pedal and may have the digital sound you don't like. edit: I thought the Bad Monkey was a digital modeling pedal. I'm not sure if its analog, but I know its probly a Tubescreamer rip-off (mabey not, I've never tried one)

The bad monkey is completely analog, its kinda like a tubescreamer without the mid honk, a lot of people actually prefere the bad monkey, its a great pedal and with the right amp it can be used for the most heaviest of music, as it indeed is an overdrive pedal and not a distortion pedal.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

What kind of amp are you using with the Modded DS-1 to get the "Marshall JCM 800 on Steroids"? Or, does it give this tone through any amp?
Thanks for any info. :13:

LOL.....I play through my great sounding ole Marshall 50 watt head into a V30 Marshall 4x12 cabinet with the head set for clean...What do you use that you are doggin' the DS1 there buddy? :laugh2:

George...Sorry buddy,but the Modded DS1 puts your MXR Double Shot to shame brother! LOL...Did you ever sell that thing?

All in fun,so don't take this stuff to heart... :wink:

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

the stock ds1 is ok. If i where you i would go for a robert keeley moded ds1 ultra.

Tell us what the Ultra DS1 sounds like and what does Robert charge you guys? Maybe I need to crank my rates up about $20? LOL :newangel:

Just kidding... :dance:

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

Topple doodle do

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Boss DS-1

The DS-1 is MY FAVORITE overdrive/booster pedal of all time.

(The Duncan Pickup Booster is my favorite "clean" boost of all time.)

Once you learn to use a DS-1 you can leave it on all the time and go from "rock clean" to overdrive with just your guitar's volume control.

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai used and still use the DS-1. That alone should tell you it's a great pedal.

The MIJ version might be a little nicer but the MIT version is totally fine and I doubt most people could tell the difference.

Steve Vai has said that even he can hear only a very slight difference between the Japanese and Taiwanese versions.

IMO, those who say they get a harsh or shrill sound out of one shouldn't blame the pedal.

(Blame yourself for not turning down the DS-1's tone control! :laugh2: About 9:00 - 10:00 works well.)

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Boss DS-1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64417&item=7304277383&rd=1

Looks like a nice one to buy cheap and have sent directly to STRATDELUXER.

 

[TheJangus]

Re: Boss DS-1

My DS-1 got sent out to Mr. Spina today!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

My DS-1 got sent out to Mr. Spina today!

Cool....And I'll take great care of it for you..Appreciate that!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

What kind of amp are you using with the Modded DS-1 to get the "Marshall JCM 800 on Steroids"? Or, does it give this tone through any amp?
Thanks for any info. :13:

George...I always use my old 50 watt Non-master volume Marshall head into a V30 Marshall 4x12 cab..I always use a strat and mostly the bridge postion first..After that I make sure my SG and Les Paul guitars are doable after the mods...

The DS1 is pretty hard to beat for a cheapo $40 pedal...Even modded,a guy can still stay well below a $100 pedal...

John

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

Bump

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Boss DS-1

George...I always use my old 50 watt Non-master volume Marshall head into a V30 Marshall 4x12 cab..I always use a strat and mostly the bridge postion first..After that I make sure my SG and Les Paul guitars are doable after the mods...

The DS1 is pretty hard to beat for a cheapo $40 pedal...Even modded,a guy can still stay well below a $100 pedal...

John

Thanks for the info buddy,
I tried a stock DS-1 through my Fender Deluxe Reverb, and it did not have the tone I was looking for, my Marshall Bluesbreaker II pedal works well with the Deluxe for some reason. I have not heard the DS-1 though a Marshall? Does the DS-1 sound different plugged into your Marshall, than one of your Fender tube amps?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

Thanks for the info buddy,
I tried a stock DS-1 through my Fender Deluxe Reverb, and it did not have the tone I was looking for, my Marshall Bluesbreaker II pedal works well with the Deluxe for some reason. I have not heard the DS-1 though a Marshall? Does the DS-1 sound different plugged into your Marshall, than one of your Fender tube amps?

Well....The pedal retains it's character,but yes,the preamp and different amps you plug any pedal into is going to change the tone a bit...I think if you like a pedal though,you like it through any good amp...I have a 67 BF Deluxe Reverb amp and everything I Plug into that amp sounds good...The Bluesbreaker is an overdrive pedal and the DS1 is distortion..I get the feeling you dislike the extra gain and maybe you hear some harshness in the DS1 that you don't hear in your favorite overdrive pedals...That makes perfect sense...If you're like me,you don't use alot of gain and you like to retain the initial character of your tone,but just drive it harder..

I only use my own DS1 for some alternative stuff we do,but for the most part,my tone is based around the clean fender,Plexi Marshall,and a Vox...I also use a heavier,smoother tone like an old Boogie for some Allman Brothers and Santana type stuff also...

Maybe you'd like an overdrive pedal but one that has the ability to give you more gain? The Sparkle Drive was a nice pedal overall and I managed to get quite a bit more gain out of it...Maybe you could score yourself one?

Sparkle Drive

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/46643

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Boss DS-1

Well....The pedal retains it's character,but yes,the preamp and different amps you plug any pedal into is going to change the tone a bit...I think if you like a pedal though,you like it through any good amp...I have a 67 BF Deluxe Reverb amp and everything I Plug into that amp sounds good...The Bluesbreaker is an overdrive pedal and the DS1 is distortion..I get the feeling you dislike the extra gain and maybe you hear some harshness in the DS1 that you don't hear in your favorite overdrive pedals...That makes perfect sense...If you're like me,you don't use alot of gain and you like to retain the initial character of your tone,but just drive it harder..

I only use my own DS1 for some alternative stuff we do,but for the most part,my tone is based around the clean fender,Plexi Marshall,and a Vox...I also use a heavier,smoother tone like an old Boogie for some Allman Brothers and Santana type stuff also...

Maybe you'd like an overdrive pedal but one that has the ability to give you more gain? The Sparkle Drive was a nice pedal overall and I managed to get quite a bit more gain out of it...Maybe you could score yourself one?

Sparkle Drive

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/46643

Good points John,
The stock DS-1 did sound harsh through my rig. I have heard great things about your mods though, and will have to try one when I get a chance. Not to change the subject, but did you ever get the Tonebone British pedal?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

Good points John,
The stock DS-1 did sound harsh through my rig. I have heard great things about your mods though, and will have to try one when I get a chance. Not to change the subject, but did you ever get the Tonebone British pedal?

That's another great pedal that does the "Marshall In The Box" thing really well....No I didn't buy that because I bought a Duncan Pickup Booster and this Vox head instead...That Tone Bone is a pretty pricey sucker! :burnout:

The Pickup Booster is great for fattening up and boosting your volume during soloing or for just when you need fullness..Great pedal..So many great pedals,so little money! LOL

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Boss DS-1

That's another great pedal that does the "Marshall In The Box" thing really well....No I didn't buy that because I bought a Duncan Pickup Booster and this Vox head instead...That Tone Bone is a pretty pricey sucker! :burnout:

The Pickup Booster is great for fattening up and boosting your volume during soloing or for just when you need fullness..Great pedal..So many great pedals,so little money! LOL

10 4 good buddy,
Now I will have to fork out some more cash for the Duncan Pickup Booster. :smack: :burnout:

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boss DS-1

10 4 good buddy,
Now I will have to fork out some more cash for the Duncan Pickup Booster. :smack: :burnout:

This pedal isn't that expensive and it was a simple solution on my board...Like the way it beefs up the tone and boosts the signal,plus you control the amount of boosted signal..

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Boss DS-1

This pedal isn't that expensive and it was a simple solution on my board...Like the way it beefs up the tone and boosts the signal,plus you control the amount of boosted signal..

Sounds like a good bang for the buck.