The BOSS SD-1 produces the warm, smooth distortion of an overdriven tube amplifier while maintaining the subtle nuances of your picking technique. Unique asymmetric overdrive circuitry delivers a genuine overdrive effect for a classic guitar sound. A Tone control is also provided for precise tonal adjustment.
Unlike the symmetrical clipping employed by its green Japanese-made competitor, the BOSS SD-1 makes use of asymmetrical clipping. The difference is subtle yet significant. Symmetrical clipping generates odd harmonics for a round, compressed, smooth-sounding tone. Asymmetrical clipping produces both even and odd harmonics, yielding a deeper, clearer, more textured sound. Asymmetrical clipping tends to sound louder as well. What's more, many guitarists here at Music Experience prefer the tubelike feel of asymmetrical-clipping overdrive pedals like the BOSS SD-1.
More than 10,000,000 BOSS guitar and bass effects pedals have been sold to players worldwide, including such top players as Yngie Malmsteen, Dave Navarro, John Petrucci, Marty Friedman, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani. You've also no doubt heard BOSS pedals recorded and onstage beneath the feet of bands of all genres, including Muse, The Killers, and Silversun Pickups. The reason for the success is clear: not only do BOSS effects pedals sound great - but they're also built like tanks and designed with serious use in mind. Each BOSS pedal is housed in a stomp-ready metal box and features a rubberized stomp area and base, to help safeguard against slipping. So, whether you're a fresh-out-of-the-gate beginner, an axe-veteran designing your dream pedalboard, or anywhere in between, you can depend on BOSS's proven line of pedals to craft your tone.
Since its release in 1981, the workhorse SD-1 Super Overdrive has been the core gain pedal for generations of players across every musical genre. Based around the revolutionary asymmetrical clipping circuit from the OD-1 Overdrive—one of the three original BOSS compact pedals from 1977—the SD-1 delivers rich, smooth, and highly musical overdrive tones that continue to inspire guitarists everywhere.
In 1977, BOSS created an entirely new stompbox category with the OD-1, bringing natural overdrive in pedal form to guitarists for the very first time. Producing a signal rich in even-order harmonics, its unique asymmetric clipping circuit replicated the pleasing sound and feel of a driven tube amp—but at controllable volume levels. Four years later, this breakthrough design evolved into the more versatile SD-1, which added an active tone control for shaping the treble response and subtle enhancements for more low-end body.
The SD-1 allows players from beginner to pro to get inspiring sounds right away, thanks to its natural behavior and the subtle mid boost that's part of its design. It gives your tone a push where it matters most, ensuring your guitar always sits perfectly in the mix with warmth, clarity, and rich presence. Lower drive settings are great for rhythm parts, while higher settings are ideal for fat, singing leads. The SD-1 is also very sensitive to input gain, letting you dial in different shades of overdrive simply by adjusting your guitar's volume control.
With its organic character and responsive drive and tone controls, the SD-1 delivers the right sound for just about any style of music. Kick on the pedal with your favorite clean or slightly driven amp for mild-to-moderate overdrive that’s ideal for everything from classic rock and gritty blues to pop, country, jazz, and beyond. The SD-1 also shines as a booster for high-gain amps and other drive pedals, providing mid focus, tight bass, and smooth top end that's perfectly suited for heavier sounds and solo playing.
