Boss DS-1W: The original 1978 distortion gets a tone makeover
New Waza Craft version of the classic orange distortion pedal
4,1 / 5,0 | 
Boss DS-1w has been announced and adds an extended version with the typical Waza Craft switch at the Waza Craft price. Taking the original 1978 distortion circuit and adding a more refined drive tone option.
The original Boss DS-1 is one of the most famous distortion effect pedals in the world. One that can be heard on many recordings and used on stages around the world. No one can deny the pedal a place among the most important distortions in pedal history. Now, there is an all-new Boss DS-1w with Waza Craft refinements and the option of the original distortion tone or a new Custom Mode. Boss states this new mode provides fatter distortion tones with a focused midrange and increased touch response.
Now with Custom Mode
Standard vs. Custom
The official list from Boss states that it has the following enhancements:
- Revised two-stage gain circuit with discrete analogue components
- Standard mode offers the original DS-1 tone
- Custom mode provides fatter distortion tones with a focused midrange and increased touch response
- The versatile Tone knob provides a wide-ranging frequency control fine-tuned for each of the modes
- Premium buffer for clean and clear tone when bypassed
Is it worth the upcharge?
Now, you have to work out if this updated DS-1 circuit is for you or not. I personally have been using a Keeley modded DS-1 with the Ultra Mod and Seeing Eye LED circuit for about 15 years and that covers all I require. Therefore, I would like to compare the new DS-1W to my pedal in a real-world test and see if it offers anything more.
Original vs Waza Craft
Though, I must say that I really do like my Boss SD-1W overdrive pedal and think that it offers some useful nuances over the original SD-1. The DS-1W is essentially double the price of the standard DS-1 pedal, but you do get twice the tones. Therefore, it could potentially be useful to many guitarists.
More Information
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- Now with Custom Mode: Boss
- Original vs Waza Craft: Boss
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One response to “Boss DS-1W: The original 1978 distortion gets a tone makeover”
I have a DS-1 that I modded with the Fromel Supreme kit and it’s such a cool pedal now. It’s quite a bit different than the stock sound and it was definitely worth the $30 for the mod kit. I don’t care much at all for the current stock DS-1 tone. Maybe I’d like a vintage DS-1 better? This Waza version has me intrigued as I’m sure the new Custom mode would land me somewhere else than what I now have in the Fromel circuit. At any rate I’m glad that BOSS is still showing some love for this ubiquitous pedal. I think we all take these little orange boxes for granted when in fact they make the perfect platform for circuit experimentation and modded-out tonal exploration. I can’t wait to hear some demos of the new Custom mode and the revised standard mode. Better yet I hope to play this new pedal soon!