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I've recently been having GAS for Boss distortion pedals, in particular the DS1, DS2 and OS2. Does anyone use any of these?

I heard that kurtd cobairns used one once.


I don't really like the ds2 I had. there are surely better distortions out there.

The DS-2 on mode II is one of my favorite pedals, i have a modded DS-1 which is also okay and the HM-2 has a cool filter/eq on it. They are what they are but like Hurb says there are better options.
They do their thing though that many cool bands started out with in the 80's; Ride, MBV, Swervedriver, etc. albeit simplistic. Perhaps the Fuzz Face and Tonebenders of their generation?

I really, really hate the DS-1 and DS-2. They're garbage.

I bought a DS-1 for £20 on sale once to make a demo and mod it. Listen to how shit it is:
[youtube][/youtube]

Thanks Mike, i'll have a watch when I get home later.

Fran wrote:The DS-2 on mode II is one of my favorite pedals

+1

I always hated my DS-1 though. I've got a OD-2 at the moment which is fucking ace and can be had for around £20.

I'd have a Blues Driver again but apart from that.... MEH.

I used to have an OS2 which was kind of sterile and rubbish but had one great setting which, truth be told, only replicated a Blues Driver anyway.

I had an OD3 so not technically distortion but it was decent.

Mike wrote:I really, really hate the DS-1 and DS-2. They're garbage.

I bought a DS-1 for £20 on sale once to make a demo and mod it. Listen to how shit it is:
[youtube][/youtube]

In their defence, like Tubescreamers, at low volume in your home they are pure garbage.
Most of these pedals only come to life at rehearsal/gig volume with a reasonable amp.

Maybe so, but if you WATCHED MY BLOODY VIDEO you would have learned I tried it at rehearsal with my Marshall half stack and it sounded like Garbage.

Admittedly i did'nt and presumed it was a home demo but i get where your coming from on this anyway.
Sometimes they work well, sometimes they dont.

*Edit* That sounds awesome Mike!!

The ODB3 is the only Boss distortion I've kept. I've had loads more but they've all been one up'd except that.

King Buzzo agrees.

I thought my DS-1 was pants ...so i punted it on and bought a BIGMUFF...

wwrrss wrote:The ODB3 is the only Boss distortion I've kept. I've had loads more but they've all been one up'd except that.

King Buzzo agrees.

Aye. I was going to pip up and say this too. I think it's more an incredibly heavy overdrive than a distortion. It can do fizzy, but that's not really its character, it's more very heavy, crushing overdrive that stays detailed and crunchy sounding. I love my Behringer copy of it.

I like my SD-1 quite a bit, though it does lack bass. That's kind of how it gives the mid heavy sound though, so there's not a lot you can do. If it was just a little bit less sucked out though it'd sound amazing.

The only boss distortion I like is the HM-2... I really like them they can sound almost fuzz like. Oh and they sell for next to nowt on t'internet.

BacchusPaul wrote:

wwrrss wrote:The ODB3 is the only Boss distortion I've kept. I've had loads more but they've all been one up'd except that.

King Buzzo agrees.

Aye. I was going to pip up and say this too. I think it's more an incredibly heavy overdrive than a distortion. It can do fizzy, but that's not really its character, it's more very heavy, crushing overdrive that stays detailed and crunchy sounding. I love my Behringer copy of it.

Hey Bacchus, which Behringer Pedal is the ODB3 clone? ODB as in Bass Over Drive?haha

It's the BOD100. The purple'un. Well worth getting. I used to have a friends ODB3 knocking around and meant to A/B demo them, but didn't.

I actually liked using the DS-1 for bass before... for guitar, nope.

- Steve

Some of the Boss Distortions have a much fuzzier character when used with Bass. It's that slight fuzziness that probably causes people not to like them though, as it sounds "Solid State". RATs are pretty fuzzy too, probably fuzzier, but I guess they're warmer voiced.

I love the HM-2 personally.