All user reviews of 4/5 for the Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan)

Distortion pedal for 80 years, analog.
Certainly the pedal sold in the world!
This version is Made in Japan (mine date 83) and is much better than priori the latest Taiwan.

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration, no need for manual, it's so Boss indestructible.
I love the orange side yard on my pedalboard, it does not take place,
Surprising having the volume set differently than the boss SD1, not a problem ...

SOUND QUALITY

Pass at her, I use a telecaster or stratocaster with a tube amp 60s and a vox ac15c1 from time to time.
I hesitated to buy it because I'm pretty adept with overdrive! I figured at worst, she would boost ...
First, respect the guitar is complete! The sound is always clear and sharp oriented medium. Most users grows and the rule to Nirvana, often with a drive very thorough. My usage is different: little or no drive / tone 9h/volume 12. In this configuration, it does wonders, just what I expected ... Beyond half drive, it becomes Grunge classic and I understand those who critique: On a Gibson set to hide funds for the lack of heat from a transistor amp, other saturations would probably be better, even if it password with a synthetic side really 90 years!

OVERALL OPINION

I recently started using in my rock band style indie pop. She dethroned my overdrive classic I've tried a good thirty times more expensive. If someone had told me one day that I have played a one DS1, I hallucinating! For my use, this is excellent, it serves overdrive and I do not regret my purchase. My use: single coils + amp + Boss DS1 bulbs mini set, I CARE! For another use, I'll let you judge ...

Analog distortion pedal. Boss standard format box, power supply 9v battery or adapter type Boss ACA.
An inlet, an outlet.
"Tone" is the general tone of the effect, gradually increasing the rate of treble.
"Level" volume effect when displayed on a clear, mix with the rate of unprocessed sound when added to a saturated sound.
"Dist" rate of gain.

My only complaint from an Sd-1 or 3-Od is the provision of knobs. This is the "Tone" is touched less often: why not be placed in the center, like other pedals on the range?

UTILIZATION

Simple arch-general configuration as usual at Boss, editing is very simple ways, it will just find the setting of "tone" and gain that suits you best!

SOUND QUALITY

Remember Joe Satriani in the late 80's: it is open. Saturation big American rock 80's, but a synthetic hair shiny and full of punch. This is why I bought it and I do not regret. The comparison with the Taiwanese version is loud and clear: the Japan is better, more bass, the mids and treble as always, but most music on it.
It makes anyway much better than some "lights" of aujourd'ui!

I prefer a clean sound, this can be interesting on a saturated to bring out its full of harmonics when the gain is set low, but hey, the overdrive already doing very well!

Beware though, the tone gets really too aggressive after a certain point in clean. Treat your settings!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 weeks. Although I'm a fan of the crunch config + overdrive, I wanted a good disto for the situation or I would not have my amp.
I already have an OD-1 japan which I am more than satisfied and I wanted to offer me his little sister upset. I had the chance to buy it for thirty euros, at this price go for it! When it will be worth 120 used, I do not think more than that really worth the shot, the sound is very distinctive and somewhere, a prisoner of time, but attention is also what makes its charm!
I'm more than eager to test it in a big two-body lamps, and can easily enjoy the sound clear.
I would do that choice even if I had to pay its actual dimension!

THE orange box does it need to be submitted? Well, ok, we do it anyway ... The DS-1 Japan (known as Black Label) is one of distortion pedals that are the most famous. It's a stompbox everything from classic. The technology is analog. Jack 1 IN, 1 OUT, 1 DC 9V power supply jack from home boss, nothing too surprising. Note here that the pedal is analog, it is less subject to concerns arising from the use of another power supply that Boss digital pedals. Some even used this pedal with 12V DC: I think she can survive, you will probably win something in sound, but hey, attention is a collector, now ... 3 knobs: drive, tone, level ... What sutrprise! I put 9 for the location of the stack at Boss ... Note that my switch begins to suffer (at the same time, it has almost 25 years, these pedals are still virtually indestructible)

Edit 21/06/2011: attention is the Boss ACA! In fact my problem came from that switch.

UTILIZATION

So we wonder if the config is simple, I say so, should not have been normal sup 'to understand the Bestio, CA. It could not be more simple Similarly, the Tone knob is reactive, the Progressive Drive well and Level can really boost your sound if you wish. Manuel ... I challenge anyone to find me a manual DS-1 Black Label (attention no cheating!): I think it must be rare, especially since it has never served anyone. Whoever takes me a picture of such a genuine piece of paper, he came to Lille and I pay a Tripel Karmeliet pressure!

Edit 21/06/2011: I'm not a big fan of Karmeliet. chouffe one?

SOUND QUALITY

Let's see if you feel the question his quarter century of the beast ... Ben ... Yes and no! Yes, because the sound, although mat has an unmistakable color, and no, because if we compare with the current DS-1 is the day and night! The distortion sounds great, very even. The foot is not cut for the very big sound, but it's still a distortion: the drive with the kids, imagining still not make a clean boost ... For those to whom the difference between distortion and overdrive escapes, which I understand completely, you should try a DS-1 and TS than taking courses in physics: the OD is a special case of the distortion, the rendering is completely different. To be mild, still means that it is not an OD. Personal I like to couple the two for a little stoner sound, it works well (it depends mostly on stuff around actually). Although that'm a fan of the overdrive or fuzz when it's necessary, this distortion is one of the few that really convinced me. Of course, there are distos heavier for those who prefer, more modern too. But hey, with a Start and a small amp, it's still not bad. Although with low too.

This pedal is really great versatility, which is one of the two strengths, the other being that it is hard to get tired and almost impossible to get rid ...

Edit:
I return to the versatility. Since I changed my amp, this pedal I use less often. I like it, but I have heard and OD distos that really convinced me. More expensive, of course.

Edit 21/06/2011: I emerged, I like it, this small, it blows a little, but hey, it's not unpleasant

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, I found it on Ebay for 80 euros. I like its texture, versatility, mythical side as well, we do not hide. Besides this aspect a bit irrational not be overlooked: it is that makes you feel good and once we play a little better! Besides this side a little mystique is very common among addicts Tubescreamer (I understand), they invoke the JRC 4558D chip as a god and are willing to pay 120 euros for a reissue TS9 when this component is approximately 25 cents ...

To return to the DS-1, I tried a few other distos before, but it was the most accurate, the hottest too. As I do not play metal is perfect for me. I agree with a previous opinion regarding the purchase. Better not to rush: the increasing scarcity makes him appreciate in value, but hey, when I see the argus set at 110 euros, I'm not sure I would have bought at that price ... Mine? No I do not claim!

Edit:
The Argus has declined somewhat since then, and that's fine. Clearly, the DS1 Japan is much better than his cousin today. But between that and a T-Rex Mudhoney, I return my jacket fissa.