Celebrate 40 years of one of the most-played distortion pedals ever made, with the BOSS DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion Pedal. Instead of the familiar orange casing, this special edition pedal features a black body with gold lettering, gold-capped knobs, and a vintage silver thumbscrew for the battery compartment. Inside, it packs the same circuit that has made this pedal a hit for so long, with Distortion, Tone and Level controls to explore everything from subtle grit to raging lead tones. Only available in 2017, the BOSS DS-1-4A pays homage to a truly worthy distortion pedal.
Simply put, the BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal is a modern classic. For the better part of 30 years, you've heard this orange box put through its paces on countless top rock recordings - from Kurt Cobain's "Nevermind"-era grunge to the renowned distorted tones of Steve Vai. The DS-1 is affordable, it's incredible sounding, and it's a rock pedalboard staple - the perfect first distortion stompbox and one that may well be your last. Whether you pair it with your guitar's single-coil or humbucking pickups, expect rich, dynamic-laden tone with the BOSS DS-1.
Since the DS-1's introduction in 1978, guitarists everywhere have been snatching it up, putting it in their signal chain, and using it to achieve their signature distorted rock tones. It's great for all flavors of rock - everything from experimental to indie to modern to heavier grunge-infused genres. That versatility, combined with its great price, make the DS-1 the perfect pick for a first distortion pedal - it's a solid investment toward proven tone.
The BOSS DS-1 features three knobs that can take it in a number of different tonal directions. There's a tone knob, a level knob, and a distortion knob. By cranking each up or down, you can pull out a range of different tones - from subtle bite to rich crunch to all-out fuzz. The midrange on the DS-1 is scooped, which gives it a distinct tonal flavor, which many players prefer. Want sonic reference? Give Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" a listen - all that crunch came courtesy of the BOSS DS-1.
"In 1977, BOSS launched the iconic compact series with the OD-1 Overdrive, PH-1 Phaser, and SP-1 Spectrum pedals. In the 40 years since that introduction, the colorful line has been adopted by generations of musicians, with 119 unique pedal models produced to date and well over 15 million units sold. Our pedals are used by players of all levels, from famous touring pros to bedroom hobbyists. In fact, it’s hard to find an experienced guitarist who hasn’t used one or more BOSS pedals at some point throughout their playing career. BOSS stompboxes are renowned for their great sound, rugged durability, and a unique practical design that remains vital four decades on. But while these primary factors haven’t changed, the technology that goes inside the pedals has continually evolved. From the beginning, we’ve maintained a passionate spirit as a sound innovator. Leveraging knowledge gained through persistent research and experimentation, our pedals incorporate everything from old-school analog circuits to high-tech DSP. But while the design approaches differ, there has always been just one goal in mind: to achieve the very best sound possible. The current BOSS compact lineup includes over 50 models that cover the effects needs of guitarists, bassists, and other musicians around the world. We are extremely proud that our pedals continue to inspire creativity in all types of genres, and remain dedicated to leadership in pedal innovation for many decades to come."
The DS-1 Distortion is a true icon in the world of guitar effects. Introduced in 1978, BOSS’s first distortion pedal defined a bold new sound, delivering hard-edged attack and smooth sustain that’s been a staple of players for generations. The DS-1 is the top-selling BOSS compact pedal ever, and its original, unchanged design continues to inspire the creation of great music everywhere. The classic DS-1 tone is behind the signature sounds of numerous rock legends, and is ready to fuel your own signature sound today.
Before the DS-1, most distortion pedals produced harsh, buzzy tones and muddy sound at high gain settings. In 1978, BOSS engineers changed all that by developing a unique distortion circuit for the DS-1 that produces tight, hard-edged gain with rich harmonics while retaining the unique characteristics of different guitars and playing techniques. Hard rock, metal, and punk styles began to flourish in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and the DS-1’s tone had a defining influence on these genres. That trend has endured through multiple generations, and players around the world continue to seek out the classic DS-1 sound.
Unlike typical tone controls that only cut highs, the DS-1’s tone circuit features an innovative design that offers far more range. Turning the knob clockwise increases highs and decreases lows, while going counter-clockwise has the opposite effect. This lets you dial in everything from tight, cutting rhythm sounds to smooth, fat lead voices. The tone control is particularly effective for maintaining low-end definition when using the DS-1 as a booster with vintage-style amps, which often sound muddy when driven with other distortion pedals.
From its modest three-knob interface, many different sound colors can be coaxed from the DS-1. Its pioneering two-stage circuit incorporates both transistor and op-amp gain stages. This approach is critical to the DS-1’s characteristic low-frequency fullness, which is loved by guitarists that play heavy music genres. The distortion knob offers an extremely wide range, from a mild boost for driving amps and pedals to full-throttle gain for monster rock riffs.
Trust the BOSS DS-1 for essential distortion tones - it's a modern pedalboard classic!
