Boss DS-1

elms2988

elms2988

New member
i'm looking for a good distortion or overdrive pedal that doesnt cost too much. what experience does anyone have with the boss ds-1? i dont want a pedal that has that plastic digital sound. other pedals i'm looking at are the DOD 250 overdrive preamp and the digitech bad monkey, though i think the bad monkey may be a little too weak for my tastes. any input/other suggestions is helpful, thanks.
 
Re: Boss DS-1

The Bad Monkey is a modeling pedal and may have the digital sound you don't like. I'm not sure about the DOD pedals. You may want to try a bunch of boss pedals. Alot of people hate these, but they are solid designs, and are very useable, even if they don't cater to everyone's taste. Also, check out the MXR Zakk wylde dist. I own a taiwanesse DS1. It has it's flaws, but I haven't gotten rid of it in 6 years, so theres something about it that I like. All of the above mentioned pedals are under $100. (I think)

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)
 
Last edited:
Re: Boss DS-1

Stock, the DS-1 is harsh & shrill to my ears. The tone & distortion controls don't have a good range either. I'd never use one out of the box.

Fortunately, Stratdeluxer97 (a.k.a. John Spina) does fantastic mods on these pedals for his forum brothers. It's a hobby and labor of love - not a business for him BTW. If you search this forum for "DS-1", you'll see lots of enthusiastic reports from happy users of "Spina modded DS-1s".

Chip
 
Re: Boss DS-1

i don't like my DS-1 just one bit. even my fender champ 30 amp sounds better with the gain channel. how much is it to get it modded??
 
Re: Boss DS-1

jetjoe002 said:
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)
Click to expand...

It's all analog. I have one, and it's the best Tubescreamer I've ever tried.
 
Re: Boss DS-1

seanguynj said:
i don't like my DS-1 just one bit. even my fender champ 30 amp sounds better with the gain channel. how much is it to get it modded??
Click to expand...
PM STRATDELUXER97 with all of your questions.
 
Re: Boss DS-1

a DS-1 and one of John's mods will get you a very good distortion for less than $100 .. my modded SD-1 and DS-1 hold up well against my Fulltones, and Maxon OD820 and DS-830

you can check a couple of my DS-1 clips here:
DS-1 clips

*my standard disclaimer: I'm just an average player* :)
 
Re: Boss DS-1

I think that a MIJ DS-1 is an OK box, the MIT versions just sound bad to me. Everybody has already said it, but STRATDELUXER does some killer mods on a DS-1 and it sounds lots better to me. You can buy a new DS-1 for $39.00 and have John re-work it for you and for a total of less than $100.00 you will have a tone machine. If you search I did quite a long revies of mine...it really is a great pedal, and I have 8 or 9 different overdrive and distortion units right now, over the years I have had over 2 dozen...I'll be keeping this one. I put John's DS-1 up there with high end boutique pedals...and before you ask, Yes I have tried the keeley mods...I like Johns better!
 
Re: Boss DS-1

Thanks for the compliments all...
Better caps,metal film resistors,tweaked component values and a better chip,does alot for the DS1...Kind of a Marshall JCM 800 on steroids..That's how people describe it.

John
 
Re: Boss DS-1

I have a MIT DS-1, but I never use it. Everyone's right about it shounding shrill. I like the tones from my Ibanez TS9DX better. It can go from very smooth and creamy to a nice full overdrive/distortion. It retails for over $100, but you can probably find one on Ebay for cheaper...
 
Re: Boss DS-1

idunno. Since I've been following lew's way of using my stock DS-1 I've been quite happy with it. Love being able to roll off the guitar volume and get a nice rockin rhythm sound.
 
Re: Boss DS-1

but I am probably gonna send one out to Spina soon. So many rave about them, I better get one before he stops moddin!
 
Re: Boss DS-1

TheJangus said:
but I am probably gonna send one out to Spina soon. So many rave about them, I better get one before he stops moddin!
Click to expand...


The mods are enjoyable,I'm not getting rich by doing them,but I'm having alot of fun with it..I'm not planning on stopping the mods until you all tell me to and lose an interest... :)
 
Re: Boss DS-1

While everyone's jumping all over the stock MIT DS1....
I'm a huge Satch/Vai fan, both of whom used the MIJ DS1 on some of their earlier stuff. They now both have a keely modded DS1, and they both use them live. (I think) Just to clarify, as soon as I have the spare cash I'm gonna get a keely 'ultra' mod on my DS1. I would agree with everyone else, if you get a DS1, have it modded.

PS - From what I understand, keely does not change the chip inside, resulting in a more 'stock' sound. (which I actually prefer over the analogman mod, because he changes the chip). I've never tried stratdeluxer's mods, but I'm sure they sound great!
 
Re: Boss DS-1

jetjoe002 said:
While everyone's jumping all over the stock MIT DS1....
I'm a huge Satch/Vai fan, both of whom used the MIJ DS1 on some of their earlier stuff. They now both have a keely modded DS1, and they both use them live. (I think) Just to clarify, as soon as I have the spare cash I'm gonna get a keely 'ultra' mod on my DS1. I would agree with everyone else, if you get a DS1, have it modded.

PS - From what I understand, keely does not change the chip inside, resulting in a more 'stock' sound. (which I actually prefer over the analogman mod, because he changes the chip). I've never tried stratdeluxer's mods, but I'm sure they sound great!
Click to expand...

I don't copy anyone else's mods and I have my own ears and ideas from years of playing and listening...The chip doesn't have to be changed,but I personally like the change...The pedal has to satisfy my fussy ears before I can expect anyone else to like it also... :13:
 
Re: Boss DS-1

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Thanks for the compliments all...
Better caps,metal film resistors,tweaked component values and a better chip,does alot for the DS1...Kind of a Marshall JCM 800 on steroids..That's how people describe it.

John
Click to expand...

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:
 
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!
 
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