Boss DS-1 Distortion
Intro

This guide will help you become familar with the different versions of the Boss DS-1 that were made along with some recommended settings, including Joe Satriani's. The DS-1 can be had for a very low cost making it a big seller, the rare 'Made in Japan'  Black Lable DS-1's will cost you double or triple of the brand new Tawian version. I like the Tawian after it has been modified, I use Keeley Electronics and can really hear the difference of a stock DS-1 vs a modified unit. There are alot of folks who can do their own mods and save money as well. The stock DS-1 is fine too and is fun to get new sounds out of you guitar and amp.

The Boss DS-1 Distortion is a great low cost unit that really allows your playing dynamics to shine. If your lucky enough to find a Black Lable MIJ version it will cost you more but I really like the sounds it produces. I also like combining this effect with others such as a Boss OD-3 and Boss BD-2 this technique know as "Stacking" allows a greater choice of tones.

This is truly a classic distortion pedal. It produces a distortion sound with a hard edge and is known to have a very low noise level compared to other distortion pedals. Many people swear that the older "Made in Japan" models sounds better than the newer "Made in Taiwan" models. The DS-1 has over the years been used by a lot of great guitar players. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani are two players who has voiced their praise over this pedal. Steve use's a Robert Keeley Modified DS-1 and Ibanez TS-9.

Modified DS-1's

I have the Keeley modifed DS-1 which is called the Ultra Mod and it is a great unit for hard rock or you can back off the Distortion setting raise the volume and play the blues ~ Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page style. I also own the Japan version which has the black label and a Silver Screw which means this was one of the first one's made in Japan. It has a greater amount of distortion available than the Taiwan or even the Keeley models and the distortion is smoother throughout the range.

Here is the skinny on modification; With a diode Toggle Switch you have the DS-ULTRA! Huge tube like tone, switch back and you have the classic Seeing Eye Mod (SEM) version of the pedal for high gain, tube like distortion!

* Extra mods to increase the distortion range at maximum settings.

* Mods to correct the bass response and give you a fuller, more powerful tone. Perfect for Strats now with this mod!

* Larger Silver Mica Cap installed to further smooth the overall sound.

* Comes with Cool Knobs!

* Toggle Switch Up - Our Standard Seeing Eye Mod.

* Toggle Down - Adds another LED to the clipping circuit for a Large Fat Tone.

The Extra LED increases the volume output of the pedal a bit, great for using the DS-1 as a pre-amp to push the amp or to fine tune a low distortion sound on the unit. The way we engineer the mod, it is has increased 2nd order harmonics and tube-like qualities.

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Version differences
The design of the DS-1 was changed somewhat around 1994. The main change was that the Toshiba TA7136AP opamp was replaced with the Mitsubishi M5223AL. The DS-1 has also gone through a number of cosmetical changes. The earliest version had a silver thumb screw and the D in DS-1 placed directly underneat the t in Distortion. The D in DS-1 soon ended up under the i in Distortion where it remains today.

Boss Guitar Effects Guide Book vol.11 (1995):

The DS-1 provides a harder distortion effect for guitar and keyboard sounds.lnstead of toneless, fuzzy distortion, the DS-1 faithfully reproduces all the subtle nuances quiet to screaming loud. The onboard Tone Control allows you to tailor the overall sound to your liking.

Mild distortion: This setting gives you mild, mellow distortion. For best results, use your pickup closest to the neck. (Fig. 1: Tone 0, Level 4, Dist 4)
Hard distortion: For this setting your should use your bridge pickup. When the TONE level is raised, highs are strengthened and a powerful distortion effect results. Adjust the amp and guitar volume carefully to avoid excessive effect depth. (Fig. 2: Tone 4, Level 4, Dist 7)
Joe Satriani Settings ~ I got to meet and talk with Joe Satriani after a show about the settings he prefers on the DS-1 and if using a Japan model he likes the Tone 10, Level 12, Dist 2 on the Taiwan model he recommended to me that the Tone 9 and Dist on Max helps that model get closer to his sound.

Specifications

Controls: Tone, Level, Dist
Connectors: Input, Output, AC Adaptor
Current Draw: 4 mA (DC 9V)
Weight: 400 g (15 oz.)
Nominal Input Level: -20dBu
Input Impedance: 470kOhm
Nominal Output Level: -20dBu
Output Impedance: 1kohm
Recommended AC Adaptor: ACA or PSA Series (depending on production year)

Labels

Black - Made In Japan
Silver - Made In Taiwan
The DS-1 was sold from June 1978 to present.

Here are a few pics of a DS-1 Japan first issue Siver Screw and a Keeley Modded Ultra DS-1 and myself and Joe Satriani talking about that good ol' Boss DS-1 Distortion effect.

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