Guitar players are affraid a mass produced pedal will make them sound like everyone else. Instead, some are convinced a "boutique" pedal will somehow differentiate them. That's not how it works. Soul/Brain/Ears/Muscles/Fingers and a whole lifetime of playing is how we learn to sound like ourselves. Some just figure this out sooner than later.
Dude, boutique pedals are variations on pedals that already exist. If you have more money than sense, go for it. I’ll build my own or modify a boss. Tom Scholtz is my hero.
Most of the people who slag the DS1 probably agree that Nevermind -- which has the DS1 ALL OVER it -- is one of the best rock albums ever. But you're too good for it? gimme a break
I agree with you. Don't get me wrong, I can make this pedal sound like cr** 😂 but there is plenty of utility in this pedal. DS-1's are not designed for Millenial mindsets I think. But for everyone else who actually enjoys putting in a bit of work to dial it in with a thoughtful set up - DS-1 is actually brilliant.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Its exactly right!! That stack in front of a light OD is so true!! I put the DS1 or DS2 into a RC Booster, it sounds amazing!! How can people doubt about the DS1 considering the amount of great albums it has been on? Such a great demo man.
I've tried some more expansive boutique pedals, and they sound good, but my two favorite pedals are the two cheapest. Just a newer Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes and a 69 or 70 Electro-Harmonix LPB-1, each were $60. People need to give some of these cheaper pedals a chance and not just hate on them because they aren't expensive. Never tried a DS-1, but might have to now. Another great demo, love your channel.
I recently bought my first DS1. I own a ton of dirt boxes but this one surprised me! It sounds killer! For the price it's going for its an absolute steal. Not a bad tone in there! Great demo man!
Like most Boss pedals, the DS-1 does what it's designed to do very well. It's a great sounding distortion pedal when you use it properly. And yes, stacking it with a mid-focused overdrive makes for a killer sound. I picked up the Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop OD as a result of your "transparent overdrive" review, and I run the DS-1 into it. Ha! Waves of awesome tones!!!! Also, like most Boss overdrive and distortion pedals, The DS-1 smooths out beautifully when you roll back the volume knob. Tons of tones to be had with lots of sustain and rich harmonics. I don't really go beyond 12 o'clock on the distortion knob. I use it with the distortion set low and find the volume level to slightly boost my overdrives. Then I use my guitar volume to vary the tone. I have lots of control. Lot's of versatility. I've played lot's of different OD's including so called boutique pedals, and the DS-1 stands up to any of them, in it's own way of course. : ). I love it and I use it. It's a staple on my board.
The DS 1 and SD 1 should be in every player's arsenal! Boss puts so much R&D into these pedals that they really have the versatility to work with nearly any guitar & amp combination. Also, a vast majority of our favorite rock songs had these "bottom of the barrel" pedals all over them (as well as the tubescreamer and some primitive fuzz pedals).
Had a DS-1 and ran it into a Fulldrive 2 Mosfet as my main sound for a while. Loved that combo. I’ve moved both pedals on now, and often think about getting them back. Definitely right about the gain, keep it low and it sounds much better.
I bought a DS-1 40th Ani Edition last week and I didn't know how to use it. It was also my very first pedal. I like your ways of using it. And, thank you very much.
Great video! My first pedal was a Digitech Hot Head, a DS-1 copy with 2-band eq. It sounded as cheap as it was, but the Low and High controls - which feel like active cut/boost IMO - gave lots of different usable gain sounds. I sold the first one, but have bought two since with plans to mod them... until I discovered that they're tiny surface-mounted components on the inside. Last year I scored a Keeley Ultra/Seeing Eye modded DS-1, and love it. All the DS-1 variants I've tried have been impressive, use-anywhere grit on your signal. The tone control on the original could have been fine-tuned a bit more for usability, but it's been getting the job done for lots of different players, and for a looooong time.
Totally agree with everything said, especially about using with a mid-focused amp. I do think the newest DS-1 sounds fine though -- just keep the tone knob low (9 'o' clock or less). Cleans up pretty well too.
For distortion, i choose this. Its my alltime fav, and it good too when blending in with a overdriven amp or dist amp channel. Ive been trying all the “boutique” dist pedal and stuff and always coming home to this orange box...maybe its the color 😊😊😊 And ur timmy make the ds1 muddy...maybe try sd1 or od1....🍻🍻🍻🍻
I run my amp a little cooler than yours, a tele and a DS-1 set about the same as you. Every time I'm blown away hiw cool this distortion is as an 'overdrive' or even a clean boost. Its gonna sound crazy but roll the volume off just a touch on the guitar and that clean up make my heart sing!
"so....go do that." I...I did. I couldn't help it. Someone making teenage me's first FX pedal sound....good? Found an '86 and they took the Hail Mary low offer, guess it's time to put on the board! Great tips, always killer playing!
@@caddiganfilms There’s a handful sitting on Reverb in the 150ish range, saw one from a seller pretty close to me, pulled the “Heres my offer, I’m also okay with Paypal so you don’t eat the fee” and ended up with it out the door in the $100 range. I was content with that for the older hardware, but if they balked I’d probably just grab a $50 new one, or one with a Keeley mod maybe.
@@deadoctopi5070 nice. I recently bought an Analogman pro mod version for a little over 100 and still wonder if I should have gone for a MIJ instead. I love it but haven’t heard a MIJ so there’s always that curiosity.
@@caddiganfilms So just to update, I’ve been fiddling with the DS1 since it came in and there’s a LOT less shrill, clippy, top end even with the gain past noon, my OD200’s approximation of the DS1 and the Katanas approx of the pedal are more in line with the harsh sounds we all know and openly mock on reddit lol. and Ryan’s tip about the Tone just on either side of noon is a killer and apt way to work the pedal. I’d say that’s the sweet spot of the EQ sweep.
It’s the highest selling pedal of all time… it gets hate cuz it’s most players first pedal so they set everything at noon and it sounds like shyt with everything at noon especially since it’s usually in the hands of a beginner.
This amp works the best to push a overdriven amp into distortion. I prefer to us mine with humbucker equipped guitars, because single coils sounds very fizzy. At least on my rig that is! But I love my DS1 prefer it over the Proco Rat.
Looks like these old 80's black label DS-1's require 12v power, so a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power with a standard connector won't cut it, I'm guessing....Any insight? I'd love to grab a vintage one, which is just personal OCD probably because a newer model seems to sound about the same...
It's a good pedal...with cooler pickups. Hi-output/"Metal" pickups compress it too much and make it fizzy (the pedal doesn't have a ton of headroom for that kinda shit). I'd say single coils, low output humbuckers, p90s, Jazzmasters, and whatnot.
03/22/2023: I have this DS-1 pedal, and I really dislike it. It does not sound anything like what you have in this video. I use a Peavey Bandit 100w Transtube Series 112, made in US (2000-2004) with Sheffield Speaker. The DS-1 does not sound great. All other pedals I use sound really good. I even used the DS-1 on a Fender 100w and Randal 100w solid-state amps, and no difference. I do not think it is a defective DS-1, but maybe it would sound great with a tube amp. Anyway, keep mine in the back of my closet and never use it. I won't sell it, per I would feel bad, per it is not a great pedal.
So, obviously BOSS sent out free pedals for every CZcamsr cause every single one is flogging the DS-1 Ike it’s new. “You’re using it wrong!” It’s a pedal. 🙄🙄🙄 Just stop.
Guitar players are affraid a mass produced pedal will make them sound like everyone else. Instead, some are convinced a "boutique" pedal will somehow differentiate them.
That's not how it works. Soul/Brain/Ears/Muscles/Fingers and a whole lifetime of playing is how we learn to sound like ourselves.
Some just figure this out sooner than later.
They are afraid to sound like everyone else so they are buying everyone else's mass produced "boutique" flavor of the day pedal of choice
@@otonarboleda3281 HA! Yes. "Ironic" Hipsters.
Dude, boutique pedals are variations on pedals that already exist. If you have more money than sense, go for it. I’ll build my own or modify a boss. Tom Scholtz is my hero.
Most of the people who slag the DS1 probably agree that Nevermind -- which has the DS1 ALL OVER it -- is one of the best rock albums ever. But you're too good for it? gimme a break
i'd say there's a lot of truth there!
I Believe it’s the ds2 on nevermind. but bleach? for sure the ds1. However it was a “silverscrew” made In Japan model
Never liked Kurt's tone, too buzzsaw-ey, terrible. But I do love some Satriani tone and he used the DS1 a lot :)
I agree with you. Don't get me wrong, I can make this pedal sound like cr** 😂 but there is plenty of utility in this pedal. DS-1's are not designed for Millenial mindsets I think. But for everyone else who actually enjoys putting in a bit of work to dial it in with a thoughtful set up - DS-1 is actually brilliant.
Yes! If people only know how many of the 80's most iconic guitar orientated songs were recorded with a DS1 distortion.
I’m always finding myself having to defend this pedal on different forums. I’ve always thought it to be a very useable drive on almost every amp!
good on ya. forums are brutal!
@alexwood8555…I prefer an MXR Distortion +, but I like the DS-1 too, but mine ain’t stock.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Its exactly right!! That stack in front of a light OD is so true!! I put the DS1 or DS2 into a RC Booster, it sounds amazing!! How can people doubt about the DS1 considering the amount of great albums it has been on? Such a great demo man.
This is one of the best DS-1 videos. Use it sparingly and learn how to add flavour and colour with it. Thanks kindly much appreciated
Seems I've found a quality channel. I like the editing, the style, and the music. Great work!
thanks much!!!
stacking DS1 and SD1 is heaven
That’s what I do. The sd1 solves all the ds1’s problems like magic.
I've tried some more expansive boutique pedals, and they sound good, but my two favorite pedals are the two cheapest. Just a newer Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes and a 69 or 70 Electro-Harmonix LPB-1, each were $60. People need to give some of these cheaper pedals a chance and not just hate on them because they aren't expensive. Never tried a DS-1, but might have to now. Another great demo, love your channel.
so true, ryan. thanks!
Hot tubes is a great pedal for sure 👍
I just clipped my D4 and D5 diodes and That’s all I ever wanted and needed now it is perfect
I now want to go buy a DS-1 to try out all the tips you just recommended!
I recently bought my first DS1. I own a ton of dirt boxes but this one surprised me! It sounds killer! For the price it's going for its an absolute steal. Not a bad tone in there! Great demo man!
Mine is a 2004. It's been in the drawer forever. I may get it back out to experiment with my current setup.
Like most Boss pedals, the DS-1 does what it's designed to do very well. It's a great sounding distortion pedal when you use it properly. And yes, stacking it with a mid-focused overdrive makes for a killer sound. I picked up the Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop OD as a result of your "transparent overdrive" review, and I run the DS-1 into it. Ha! Waves of awesome tones!!!! Also, like most Boss overdrive and distortion pedals, The DS-1 smooths out beautifully when you roll back the volume knob. Tons of tones to be had with lots of sustain and rich harmonics. I don't really go beyond 12 o'clock on the distortion knob. I use it with the distortion set low and find the volume level to slightly boost my overdrives. Then I use my guitar volume to vary the tone. I have lots of control. Lot's of versatility. I've played lot's of different OD's including so called boutique pedals, and the DS-1 stands up to any of them, in it's own way of course. : ). I love it and I use it. It's a staple on my board.
The DS 1 and SD 1 should be in every player's arsenal! Boss puts so much R&D into these pedals that they really have the versatility to work with nearly any guitar & amp combination. Also, a vast majority of our favorite rock songs had these "bottom of the barrel" pedals all over them (as well as the tubescreamer and some primitive fuzz pedals).
boss designed the ds1 in 1978 to give extra gain to amps of those era.
Still haven't figured out the DS1, but the SD1 is golden. Awesome sounds!
Had a DS-1 and ran it into a Fulldrive 2 Mosfet as my main sound for a while. Loved that combo. I’ve moved both pedals on now, and often think about getting them back. Definitely right about the gain, keep it low and it sounds much better.
I bought a DS-1 40th Ani Edition last week and I didn't know how to use it. It was also my very first pedal. I like your ways of using it. And, thank you very much.
Run mine at 10:00 in front of a SD-1 at 9:00. Tone at 11 on both. Heaven.
What’s to hate? Sounds great Ryan. I miss all my old Boss pedals lost over the years 🙁
I was going to complain that it was a very dark video and I could not see anything, then I read the channel name haha
DS1 is a great pedal on its own and in a stack with a mini tube screamer or BD2. You just have to experiment a bit and use a good amp.
You get a huge sound on your demos… have you ever done a video taking us through the mixing process that you use?
He's DEF. using "other things" for his tight crisp sounds. His guitar and amp matters too.
I normally run my ds-1 into a tube screamer so I can add some mids whenever I want them
Great video!
My first pedal was a Digitech Hot Head, a DS-1 copy with 2-band eq. It sounded as cheap as it was, but the Low and High controls - which feel like active cut/boost IMO - gave lots of different usable gain sounds. I sold the first one, but have bought two since with plans to mod them... until I discovered that they're tiny surface-mounted components on the inside.
Last year I scored a Keeley Ultra/Seeing Eye modded DS-1, and love it. All the DS-1 variants I've tried have been impressive, use-anywhere grit on your signal. The tone control on the original could have been fine-tuned a bit more for usability, but it's been getting the job done for lots of different players, and for a looooong time.
Totally agree with everything said, especially about using with a mid-focused amp. I do think the newest DS-1 sounds fine though -- just keep the tone knob low (9 'o' clock or less). Cleans up pretty well too.
For distortion, i choose this. Its my alltime fav, and it good too when blending in with a overdriven amp or dist amp channel. Ive been trying all the “boutique” dist pedal and stuff and always coming home to this orange box...maybe its the color 😊😊😊
And ur timmy make the ds1 muddy...maybe try sd1 or od1....🍻🍻🍻🍻
I run my amp a little cooler than yours, a tele and a DS-1 set about the same as you. Every time I'm blown away hiw cool this distortion is as an 'overdrive' or even a clean boost. Its gonna sound crazy but roll the volume off just a touch on the guitar and that clean up make my heart sing!
yup! i love rolling the volume down. so good!
Absolutely epic riffage at 4:03😎
Outstanding work. I really dig what you do. Keep it up!
hey thanks! i appreciate it!
Great video! Nice work my dude
thanks much!
I used it in front of Sunn Model T preamp pedal and it was Goooood, very Goooood.
i bet!!!!
Stacked with the Timmy was 🔥
Great video. Tasty playing!!
this pedal is cool , can benefit from some mids, EQ pedal or stacked w/ mid hump type pedal
I love my 1984 ds-1 … 🤎♥️
Nice tip of running the DS-1 into the Timmy - sounds sweet
yeah! in hindsight, i should’ve used something a little more mids forward, but ya get the idea. 😂
@@DemosInTheDark I like it! But yeah Timmy is kinda scooped
I love this channel, very informative
you just made my day. thank you!
I recently picked one up for $20 and use it as a boost for solos and it sounds great!!
RIGHT?!?
Great channel !
Check out the crazy DS--1 Evil Pumpkin mod.
How do you feel about the DS-1 vs the 78 distortion from MXR
"so....go do that." I...I did. I couldn't help it. Someone making teenage me's first FX pedal sound....good? Found an '86 and they took the Hail Mary low offer, guess it's time to put on the board! Great tips, always killer playing!
heck yeah!!!
Just curious, what was the offer?
@@caddiganfilms There’s a handful sitting on Reverb in the 150ish range, saw one from a seller pretty close to me, pulled the “Heres my offer, I’m also okay with Paypal so you don’t eat the fee” and ended up with it out the door in the $100 range. I was content with that for the older hardware, but if they balked I’d probably just grab a $50 new one, or one with a Keeley mod maybe.
@@deadoctopi5070 nice. I recently bought an Analogman pro mod version for a little over 100 and still wonder if I should have gone for a MIJ instead. I love it but haven’t heard a MIJ so there’s always that curiosity.
@@caddiganfilms So just to update, I’ve been fiddling with the DS1 since it came in and there’s a LOT less shrill, clippy, top end even with the gain past noon, my OD200’s approximation of the DS1 and the Katanas approx of the pedal are more in line with the harsh sounds we all know and openly mock on reddit lol.
and Ryan’s tip about the Tone just on either side of noon is a killer and apt way to work the pedal. I’d say that’s the sweet spot of the EQ sweep.
It’s the highest selling pedal of all time… it gets hate cuz it’s most players first pedal so they set everything at noon and it sounds like shyt with everything at noon especially since it’s usually in the hands of a beginner.
This amp works the best to push a overdriven amp into distortion. I prefer to us mine with humbucker equipped guitars, because single coils sounds very fizzy. At least on my rig that is! But I love my DS1 prefer it over the Proco Rat.
You're an amazing player bro!
dude, i appreciate that! thank you!
Muy buen video!! Me gusta mucho como suena así!!! Saludos!!
Sold a DS-1 with Keeley Ultra Mod a few years back. Ah, regrets. 🤔
Looks like these old 80's black label DS-1's require 12v power, so a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power with a standard connector won't cut it, I'm guessing....Any insight? I'd love to grab a vintage one, which is just personal OCD probably because a newer model seems to sound about the same...
there’s a wire that you lift to make the old ones compatible with 9v supplies. if you google it, you’ll find it. super easy.
It's a good pedal...with cooler pickups. Hi-output/"Metal" pickups compress it too much and make it fizzy (the pedal doesn't have a ton of headroom for that kinda shit). I'd say single coils, low output humbuckers, p90s, Jazzmasters, and whatnot.
yeah, high output ceramic pups kinda do one thing well, drive an amp.
Overlayed video is the best demo.
Which came first the DS-1 or the Rat? I thought one was a 'copy'of the other...
same year, one in michigan and the other in japan. i don’t believe either aims to replicate the other.
They're not the same thing.Altough they overlap on tone on same settings.
Sounds awesome! I'm telling you, get a Crate GX40 and see if you can make it sing! Alternatively, cheap pedals, uncover hidden gems.
hahaha! maybe!
Great pedal, I run mine into a Marshall Shred Master Pedal and I get the JCM800 sound.
hell yea!
The turbo distortion is even better.
The DS1 is not really scooped. It's pretty flat depending on the tone setting.
I always wanted a ds1 but just never got around to buying one
This video basically sums up, why Im not fan of this pedal. It works, at certain circumstamences.
Something like Angry Charlie works everywhere.
Everyone has that guitar/rig set up.
Moooooore gaaaaaaaaaain!!! 😬
👍🏿🤘
Let’s be honest, nobody’s buying this to play classic rock. Ofc is sounds like shit with high gain when you’re playing those kinds of riffs.
Lmao! Comparing the DS-1 to Nickleback!!!
03/22/2023: I have this DS-1 pedal, and I really dislike it. It does not sound anything like what you have in this video. I use a Peavey Bandit 100w Transtube Series 112, made in US (2000-2004) with Sheffield Speaker. The DS-1 does not sound great. All other pedals I use sound really good. I even used the DS-1 on a Fender 100w and Randal 100w solid-state amps, and no difference. I do not think it is a defective DS-1, but maybe it would sound great with a tube amp. Anyway, keep mine in the back of my closet and never use it. I won't sell it, per I would feel bad, per it is not a great pedal.
I don't like ds1, depend of amp
So, obviously BOSS sent out free pedals for every CZcamsr cause every single one is flogging the DS-1
Ike it’s new. “You’re using it wrong!” It’s a pedal. 🙄🙄🙄 Just stop.
boy, not a fan of fun eh? too bad.
also, no, boss did not send me a vintage ds1