Boss DS-1 Black Screw (MIJ) review

Review of the Boss DS-1 Black Screw (MIJ) using a Fender Telecaster (50s style) and a Vox Pathfinder 15R. Hopefully this video sheds more light on the tones which can be coaxed out of this pedal, and it's versatility, which has led it to become a legend in it's own right.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• DS1
• review

[malaysianrockers]

bro whats your pathfinder setup??

im using it plus keeley mod ds1..

through squire tele n 51.

actly its kinda weird tht i cnt rele get a bright sound on it, its like super warmm and cnt rele go for a heavy stuff. i rele dono, what should i do, either guitar, amps, or the pedal aswell.. hahaa sory to disturb you hehe ;)

[ErrikWong]

it depends on what the EQ settings on your pathfinder are like. bear in mind there are only two knobs: treble and bass, so try setting both at 12 o'clock and then tweaking them around to get the sound you like.

[ChickenFaeces]

@ErrikWong

In your opinion, does this thing sound really idiosyncratic, or is it just really basic and generic?

[ErrikWong]

@ChickenFaeces bearing in mind that the DS-1 pedals were designed to emulate the sound of an old school amp being turned way up loud to obtain the crunch we all hold so dear, the question as to whether this pedal is idiosyncratic (of all distortion pedals trying to emulate that sound?) kind of answers itself: yes!

That said, I have to ask: what would you consider as the "benchmark of basic and generic"? Is the clean tones obtained from a Roland Jazz Chorus basic and generic?

[ChickenFaeces]

@ErrikWong

I mean, I'm no aficionado when it comes to the crazy, endless world of guitar tone, but by "basic and generic", I mean something like Nickelback, where the distortion (and overall sound) is really plain and bland.

What I want is distortion that sounds interesting, not something that'll fuck my signal up just so I can play heavy stuff.

"basic and generic" is always relative, but I guess that I just want something that's "distortion", but interesting. Not just standard grungy stuff

[ErrikWong]

@ChickenFaeces

tbh I have no idea what setup nickelback uses, but in my mind's eye I reckon it's usually a plethora of pedals fed into a tube amp for live purposes or when recording, simply plugging into protools with some amp simulation plug-in! If you want something interesting, you can always try out the many different distortions from EHX, which IMO have a wide range of organic sounds possible from different boxes. Good luck!

[TheRealRayJ]

You're awesome! Great pedal too.

[furbyunicejafisher]

Is this the vintage one or the reissues selling thesedays?

Want to get one of em, but i'm gettin adviced to get a modded one cos stocks ds1s are terribad. Ones on the market right now, those which cost like 50 dollars are Made in taiwan right?

[smiskf18]

great demo sir!

[kurdt47clon]

Hi, what's the difference between the old made in japan DS1 and the moderns with mods for example keeley? i mean about tone and stuff like that... what pedal would u buy between an old MIJ and a keeley or another one modified? thank u...

[malaysianrockers]

ok noted tht, thx.

hows ur gain setting bro