Which BOSS Distortion Pedals

[devastone]

The answer is, depends on what you are going for, those 3 are very different. Vai, Satch, and Lynch all used the DS-1 to push amps back in the day, Satch used it cranked into a clean amp. But it can be pretty meh at low volumes, especially the new ones, the circuit is very different from the original ones and they can't be modded to be the same.

The MT is it's own thing, you either like it or you don't. Even modded it is going to inject it's own character. The HM can be a good boost, or a decent distortion, we used to use them back in the 80s, but again, it's its own thing.

My go-tos are a Rat or a SD-1 with the output set high pushing already gainy amps (the Rat's distortion is almost off, the SD-1 is between 9 - 11 o'clock).

 

[Chistopher]

But it can be pretty meh at low volumes, especially the new ones, the circuit is very different from the original ones and they can't be modded to be the same.

The only difference between the old and new ones is the old ones have a TA7136AP preamp chip, post 94 they only used opamps. First opamp they used is BA728N, 2000 they used M5223AL, 2006 they switched to NJM2904L. My test bed DS-1 has had all three op amps and I didn't notice much difference. I didn't try the preamp chip because the pinout is different than the newer ones, but I've tried a few MIJ DS-1s and they just sound like DS-1s.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

My Dirt Clod has a green box mode, and while I have used it to goose the Marshall and dig the result, it is not something that I would put in rotation for a gigable tone.

Not sure how you use it, but into a clean channel, a Tube Screamer kinda sounds bad, IMO.

I love my TS808. I just wished it had a bass control. I tried the 805, and it's cool, but it just doesn't sound the same.

 

[Mincer]

Not sure how you use it, but into a clean channel, a Tube Screamer kinda sounds bad, IMO.

I love my TS808. I just wished it had a bass control. I tried the 805, and it's cool, but it just doesn't sound the same.

haha, I love the TS into a clean amp. But I only use gain for a little sustain, and that's it. A TS pedal with a better EQ is really the ticket (like the SD 805).

 

[Rex_Rocker]

haha, I love the TS into a clean amp. But I only use gain for a little sustain, and that's it. A TS pedal with a better EQ is really the ticket (like the SD 805).

Each to his own. I just don't love the clean/dirty blend TS's have going on for a standalone crunchy sound, but I can see working as an interesting sound. It's certainly not a "traditional" crunch sound, but it can be cool if you want that. I bet it sounds killer on bass too.

Yeah, I tend to fall in and out of love over the Duncan. I've had three. One of which was actually signed by Seymour Duncan, but the signature started rubbing off, LOL.

It's a cool pedal for sure, but there's two things I'm not in love with. First, an actual TS808 has slightly more output volume. With hot pickups, that kinda makes a difference, IME. Especially if you're using the pedal as a boost with the gain on 0 and the level cranked. Second, the voicing of the mids isn't the same. It's not the amount of mids. You can dial that in with the EQ. It's just the Duncan is a bit overall cleaner/tighter/more polished. But I sometimes want the voicing of the TS which is a bit ugly and chewy. That kinda gives the Tube Screamer its characteristic flavor, IMO.

If I could just add that bass knob on the Duncan to a Tube Screamer, it would be perfect. Come to think if ot, I kinda need to try a Bad Monkey.

 

[Butch Snyder]

I feel the need to clarify. First, I appreciate all the comments. My original ask was thoughts on those three pedals. I know of many many brands and models. My first distortion pedal was actually the very first pedal I bought. It was a DOD Overdrive Preamp 250. Wish I still had it. It ranks as one of my very favorites. It had the warmth of a good OD pedal but with a gain stage like a distortion pedal but didn't sound fizzy. It had a nice warm girth. I currently use a BOSS SD-1. It does what I need.

My last gig was with a Country band and I didn't need or place emphasis on having a dirty sound. Now, with my Route 66, I use the OD side quite a bit but the gain is all the way down. I use it for putting just a little grit in my sound.

 

[Securb]

Not sure how you use it, but into a clean channel, a Tube Screamer kinda sounds bad, IMO.

I love my TS808. I just wished it had a bass control. I tried the 805, and it's cool, but it just doesn't sound the same.

I have used the TS as a boost into an already overdriven amp; I don't really like it as a stand-alone overdrive into a clean amp. But even as a boost, it is not the 1st or even 7th pedal I will reach for other are other boost options I like better.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have used the TS as a boost into an already overdriven amp; I don't really like it as a stand-alone overdrive into a clean amp. But even as a boost, it is not the 1st or even 7th pedal I will reach for other are other boost options I like better.

What boosts do you like?

I love a Tube Screamer with the amp (or amp sims) that I use, but a lot of the time, I also find it can cut too much bass (for my liking, especially since I'm using pretty tight pickups already and I like my tone a bit dirtier than "modern" standards), especially on more contemporary amps.

I've only found one amp that I like better without a boost, and that's the 5150III, personally.

 

[marcello252]

Modding the EQ section on a DS-1 to boost mids makes it sound completely different and only requrires 4 component changes. No harder than changing pickups. Actually probably easier

actually one resistor only is enough if you accept a bit of compromise

 

[Lovegun]

I voted for the Metal Zone. The other options I have kind of Eye Master and Mooer Ultra Drive which has three modes.

 

[marcello252]

country with a MZ is not impossible but, why selfcomplicate the life?

 

[devastone]

The only difference between the old and new ones is the old ones have a TA7136AP preamp chip, post 94 they only used opamps. First opamp they used is BA728N, 2000 they used M5223AL, 2006 they switched to NJM2904L. My test bed DS-1 has had all three op amps and I didn't notice much difference. I didn't try the preamp chip because the pinout is different than the newer ones, but I've tried a few MIJ DS-1s and they just sound like DS-1s.

We've done side by sides with an old MIJ (they "should" all be the SIL Toshiba chip, even into early MIT production) vs the new version and the original sounded quite a bit warmer and rounder, a much nicer distortion. I wouldn't expect much difference between the opamps, but they are a totally different kind of chip form the original, which is now OOP.

 

[Chistopher]

I could see it being a noticeable difference in a side by side, but with all the other things you can change on a DS-1, bending over backwards to go back to first gen spec isn't really a goal of mine

 

[devastone]

You can't mod the new ones to work with the old chip, the circuit is totally different.

Yeah, I agree, not worth chasing unless it's totally your thing. I like the Rat better, and I don't care if it is the LM308 or the OP07 version, they both sound the same, but I wouldn't say that out loud in a room full of guitarists.

 

[Securb]

What boosts do you like?
.

I've got a bunch of boost pedals in my arsenal, each serving a different purpose and bringing its own flavor to my sound. One of my all-time favorites used to be the classic Morley Power/Wah/Boost pedal. The boost was killer, but lugging around that big old pedal became a hassle, especially since the wah wasn't always reliable, making me nervous about using it live. Luckily, Morley now offers the boost as a standalone unit, and I'm itching to try it out. I'm curious if it's the same circuit as the old pedal.

I've also got a couple of BBE pedals, the Bohemium and FREQ, both clones of the Rangemaster, and they've become staples in my setup. There's something about those classic tones that just work for me.

My heaviest-use boost pedal, though, has to be my MOOG Delay. It's got this variable boost knob that I love using as an EP boost. It adds just the right amount of thickness to my sound, and when combined with the slightest amount of barely recognizable delay to thicken the sound, it's like magic to my ears.

Then there's my trusty Triskelion Harmonic Energizer. This pedal lets me really dive into specific frequencies and tweak the EQ and gain to my heart's content. It's like having a sonic sculpting tool right at my feet.

Overall, each of these boost pedals brings something unique to the table, and I love experimenting with them to find new ways to shape my sound.​

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I voted for the Metal Zone. The other options I have kind of Eye Master and Mooer Ultra Drive which has three modes.

I love my Eye Master.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Metal zone all day.

I haven't spent much time with the hm2, but its good.

The ds1 is just plain ol boring.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

I'd probably go w/ the HM2 though I've never owned one, or played one for that matter. Still it's a great iconic sound.(I have tried an Eyemaster though it does'nt really sound the same to me)

I had a Metal Zone ...never liked it as much as some of the other pedals I used at the time, Too fussy to dial in with the dual knobs and all & it was always overshadowed by my DOD Death Metal/Ibanez Thrash Metal Soundtank etc.. which sounded ballsier & less like a can of bees (even the DOD was less Fizzy if you dialed the treble in right )

The kind of tones I was into (bad ones ) were just easier to find w/ the Death & Thrash metal pedals.

And yeah the DS-1 is boring.

 

[Securb]

sounded ballsier & less like a can of bees (even the DOD was less Fizzy if you dialed the treble in right )
.

That is why I use the boost; it adds more compression, especially for the MXR D+ and DOD 250, which can get gritty by themselves.

 

[Butch Snyder]

country with a MZ is not impossible but, why selfcomplicate the life?

I wouldn't be using it for Country. More for Classic Rock or Fusion.