The Boss DS-1 has been around forever — and somehow, it's still here. That alone says something. Whether it’s good or bad depends on what you expect from a bright orange box that costs less than dinner in a mid-sized city.

The sound? It’s unapologetically sharp. Some call it fizzy. Others say it cuts through a mix like a box cutter through packing tape. Either way, it’s not subtle. If you're after smooth overdrive, look elsewhere. If you're into that gritty, borderline-trashy distortion that punk and early alt-rock thrived on, then yeah — it still works.

The build is classic Boss: tank-like, indestructible, and built to live forever on pedalboards or in junk drawers, waiting for their moment. You can find one in nearly every guitarist’s closet, whether they admit it or not.

Is it the best distortion pedal on the market? No. Has it influenced thousands of players, for better or worse? Definitely.

Pros:

• Affordable

• Classic sound with nostalgic bite

• Built like a literal brick

Cons:

• Can sound thin or harsh

• Not super versatile

• You either like it or you don’t

Verdict:
The DS-1 is a pedal you try, forget, then come back to years later — only to realize it still sounds exactly the same. Whether that’s a compliment or a warning is up to you.