Boss DS-1 Distortion vs Boss DS-2 TURBO Distortion Shootout

Boss DS-1 Distortion vs Boss DS-2 TURBO Distortion Shootout
One is a near legendary distortion pedal, and the other is TURBO. Turbo is more, and more is more. So this should be distortion goodness.
What I wanted to find out was exactly how different do these pedals sound. The DS-2 has the turbo mode, which gives you more flexibility, but how does the regular mode of the DS-2 compare to the DS-1?
I hope this helps you make up your mind in case you're thinking of getting one of these pedals. Enjoy, and let me know which one you preferred.
Here are the individual reviews of the pedals.
DS-1: • Boss DS-1 Distortion P...
DS-2: • Boss DS-2 Turbo Distor...
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[@MrPolevaulter]

For more Boss pedal reviews, check out this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLNaLwTdlpQNH25G8vg0YCJuhWmpQakiZa

[@marcellofreitas7356]

I have the DS-2 and I don´t regret buying it. It sounds good any time and I even used it in my recordings. You can even make it sound like DS-1 with the right settings. Of course there is the mode 2 bonus... : )

[@bubbasawyerr]

I was scared that was your actual voice at the start, but good review!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@yuri-ub8kk]

Thats exactly what i thought ahhaha

[@lablondejames200]

First 5 seconds I almost left lol

[@CarpeDiem23]

This was the best intro I ever heard, my whole family turn heads to me in the same time, precious moment lol 😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

DS-2 is the pedal that produces rock solid and meaty Distortion without the annoying fuzziness the DS-1 produces. In TURBO mode, the mids are boosted slightly...though not as much mids as SD-1 or Tube Screamer...making it a very useful tone to use for playing Melodies.

[@kostischaveles]

When you turned the the tone knob on the ds1 my cat woke up

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D

[@MundMoriginal]

I personally picked the DS when I was about to buy a distortion pedal, for the versatility alone. I like having a lot of knobs and options, and I was glad to have made that choice despite the higher price.

[@TroyNaumu808]

I own the DS-2. The DS-1 is like a swarm of slightly angry enemic bees buzzing around. DS-2 is better and a bit smoother compared to the DS-1.

[@sinanyarar8696]

Well the tone circuit on the DS-1 actually makes perfect sense. At least it did when it came out un 1978 where people were plugging their Super Distortion equipped Les Pauls into Marshall bass amps with 30 meters of cable in between so the circuitry was designed to dial back the lost high frequencies. I wish BOSS would bring out a stock DS-1 with a toggle switch for selecting between two modes for the tone control, one for the classic buzzsaw and one with a modern, more subtle approach.

[@deankelly9759]

This is the best pedal video I have ever seen! Had me in stitches but very helpful, too.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@heavymetal11]

Finally someone plays a distortion like a distortion. Not an overdrive.

[@bthellam]

Both are great. Both can fail you if combined with incompatible pickups and amps. I am of the school that these Boss DS pedals go great with single coil pickups and medium gain amps (so your Strat and Marshall setup is excellent!) when the amp is set to the Loudness or Pregain sweet spot as loud as you can get it in your space, and then mix in the pedal keeping the distortion and tone controls on the lower half. They don't tend to sound great with clean or cleanish amps, but do with crunch. I wonder how they'd sound with the amp's front end being more crunchy? Totally agree with the DS-2 assessment though, with it having slightly more gain and less scoop in the mids. When plugging a Boss footswitch in the DS-2 to toggle between the modes, it's a great rhythm to lead tool! Lots of mids and cut (though I wish I could customize Turbo's curve a bit).

[@rjc7289]

That's my biggest bone of contention with the DS-1, that you can't turn the tone knob up too high without generating a shitty tone that sounds like you're plugged into a cheap transistor radio. I found that the sweet spot is usually at 10:00 for the tone and distortion knobs, and 12:00 for the level knob. Also, using it with the gain set low to boost an already dirty amp can get you some good sounds. Just don't turn the tone knob up past 10:00, and you should be good to go.

[@marcellofreitas7356]

The best thing in Ds2 is it doesn´t lose the low end when you max the tone out. Ds1 turns ugly and loses completely the low end. I have Ds2 and I use it in my recordings. : )

[@chriscampbell9191]

I agree the DS-1 is a bit shrill with the tone up beyond 12 o'clock or so. I have one, and usually have the tone cranked below 10 o'clock. But then, I use single coils, which are bright pickups. I have read elsewhere a guy said the DS-1 can be used as a type of treble boost in some circumstances... that guy may have been onto something. A good pedal, but obviously has its limits. Your side by side presentation of both pedals has me sold on getting a DS-2. I like its darker overall tone. I actually can get a good tone out of my DS-1 (used with an SD-1, on low output, before the amp), but am looking for alternatives / backups, etc. The DS-2 here sounds 'smoother' in tone. Thanks for posting the vid.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you Chris!

[@whiskerbiscuit6674]

The playing starts at 2:40

[@Bron997]

I have the DS-2. Perfect for my needs.

[@trrzzl]

Ok, i will get the DS-2

[@jorgenkarlsson4220]

I had a DS2 for many years ago, and replaced it against for the OD2, Turbo Overdrive. I plan to buy a new DS2. It's a good distortion pedal.

[@DreidMusicalX]

I have the DS-1 and I keep the distortion down a bit, but just about to that buzzing wasp sound or a broken Plexi and then push it with the BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive Pedal. It does pretty well then. But its not meant for doing Malmsteen or heavy metal, that for damn sure.

[@flatgroundtv7097]

DS-1 Vintage Sounds DS-2 Modern Sounds

[@pcorriveau1982]

You can crank the tone knob to noon with a Les Paul type of guitar and it sounds great! Brighter guitars should keep the tone around 9 o’clock.

[@lolhehe7035]

Watching this with my DS-3

[@voiceofexperience]

Strat + DS1 + Marshall = Perfection. (Guessing this reviewer's Utopia is somewhere in 80s Hollywood.)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Done. Video on the way.

[@ivannamba1]

Great review! Good job

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@DavidRavenMoon]

You can’t put the distortion control all through way up on the DS-1 and expect anything but mush! I keep it at about noon.

[@cyberghost4043]

Thanks for the honest review Sir😊❤Godbless

[@OrkhanJulfa]

Very good video! But I still prefer DS-1

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas :)

[@rodrigomorandi]

Me too!

[@arturq13]

as far as I know DS-1 don't like high output pickups, because of the input circuit (designed in 78'). The tone knob past 9 o clock is mostly unusable. But for me this is a great pedal for stacking with other pedals - its quite disappointing that you are calling it a bad pedal, not even trying to dig with it deeper... Videos like that keep the infamous opinion about the DS-1, but it's really not a bad pedal.

[@Sauce710]

arturq13 agree

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

arturq13 I’ve lately been using it with a Strat, amp set to a light crunch and boosted with a Tubescreamer. I absolutely love the sound of it. I can get Deep Purple, David Gilmour fuzz lead tone and Smashing Pumpkins with it. Just a wonderful sound.

[@Factory_Muff]

Brand new subscriber here man. I was looking for a ds-1 vs ds-2 demo and I found you pleasantly enough. I had a DS-1 as a teenager in the 90’s and it was stolen, and now in my 40’s I’m trying to decide whether to get another one, or a ds-2. DS-2 it is! Thank you for the demo. I do have a question for you. What kind of guitar is that? Beautiful scalloped rosewood fretboard and what appears to be jumbo frets, but I can’t be sure. Great sounding instrument. Thank you again.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks for the sub! That's the guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCoaaNoedSNpbs

[@KyushaStyleTuning]

Cool video. I definitely prefer the ds2 sound. 🎸🤘

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks Matt!

[@gkol69]

Nice comparison! The DS-1 is more "raw", in your face. The DS-2 is more refined and a little "laid back" in the sense that it sounds like it is recorded and played back instead of you playing it. Also, because I have a DS-1, the tone might be harsh in high gain but if you put the distortion knob at 9 o' clock you need to turn the tone to 1or 2 o' clock and you can play some hard rock AC/DC style, rockabilly and even blues! That's the range coming handy, there's a reason for everything!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas 😊

[@LosTreintaMusic]

Agree 100% with your comment, George. the DS-1 sounds more natural, more open, raw, less processed (in my opinion). I feel the DS-1 sits better in the mix and the DS-2 is a bit mushier.

[@MrOzgooner]

there are much much better distortion pedals on the market..all you ds1 lovers have to move on like the rest of us already..sheez

[@gkol69]

@@MrOzgooner Because we say our opinion on this comparison we're "DS-1 lovers"? I've owned a JAM Rattler, a Suhr Riot and an MI Crunchbox. I have experimented with different mods on a DS-1 and, finally, I settled on a... TS-9 boosting the crunch channel of an ENGL Screamer 50 combo or the hi-gain channel on its own. DS-1 is best at early Metallica (Eat 'em All) and early Gary Moore (Corridors Of Power).

[@isbirwan]

I like ds2 coz of the turbo mode II, the mode I (ds1 mode) sounds to muddy for me. So for rhythm i use eq+ds2 mode II...eq set a bit scoopy, for solo i turn off the eq...thats my style. Btw Happy New Year dude 😎🤘🥂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! You have a great 2019 too 😊

[@SteveMavronis]

Love the Rainbow riff. I have the DS-1 from 2005. Never liked it buzzy with scooped mids. The DS-2 sounds much better more mids and fuller. I like midrange sounding overdrive and distortion. Might mod my DS-1 but not sure it's worth it. I use a modded grey spec YJM308 and DIY grey 250 anyways and like them a lot. Happy new year Elmo!!!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers Steve! Happy New Year to you too 😊

[@johnladd5016]

I love the DS2, can do quite a lot with it. I have the Boss OD-20 that includes a DS1 function that you can control more with additional settings, and it sounds brilliant. Could you review the OD-20? I think it would be great to see your take on it.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Do they still make that?

[@johnladd5016]

@@MrPolevaulter no, I picked one up on Ebay. There are plenty about changing hands on Ebay etc.

[@Owen_plays_music1049]

I have a DS-1 and i don't like it, i'm gonna buy a DS2...

[@MundMoriginal]

What's crazy is that they never improve pedals. Why are pedals made for decades the same way? In understand that there's a certain sound you can only create with a certain pedal, so it's nice to always be able to get that again in the future, but in the case of the DS1, there's clearly some redesign required, right? Or maybe not, I don't know.

[@RickyTickyTV]

damn such a great player. You are awesome dude

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@OrkhanJulfa]

Hmmm... it seems like after second watching of this video I start liking DS-2 more. By the way it was my 1st ever pedal. I am regretting that I sold it.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Maybe you need to get a new one :)

[@SamuraiBud]

At the end of the video he boosted the sound which is great.

[@surpriseshoveit3514]

Thought this video is about Dark Souls🙃

[@justincase6151]

I own the DS-1 and it stays in the box. It's ok I guess. I prefer overdrive pedals.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Me too 😊

[@peteyoung7665]

The video starts at 7.20.Having the tone past 10-11 a clock on a ds-1 is the worst sound ever.Turn the tone down you will get one of the best distortion sound ever.Just listen to Gary Moore's Victims Of The Future and Corridors of power.The best guitar sound ever recorded and it's all an old MIJ ds-1.You just need to turn the mids up a bit on the amp because the ds-1 is a very mid scooped pedal.

[@hernantranquillo9160]

Friend, how are you. First of all, thanks for your videos, for newbies like me, they are amazing and educational. now, comes my question 😆. I'm putting together my pedalboard. I bought an OD3 to put at the beginning of the chain, and I already had a DS2 that I put in after my overdrive. The issue is that I feel that the disto is very saturated. maybe the problem is because I don't know how to hide it better. Do you think it's a good idea to change my Ds2 for a Ds1? will it couple better to the overdrive? Again, thank you very much for your videos, they are essential for me. greetings from Argentina!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Hi Hérnan! I'm not sure actually. I have a video on pedal order where I run a DS-1 into an SD-1, and vice versa (if I remember correctly). You could try looking at that.

[@pdepde9648]

Does a DS2 fit to play songs like deep purple and white snake?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Depends on your setup I guess.

[@bobolsen8067]

Why does everyone that demos Boss distortion/overdrive pedals start with the tone knob at 5?!When the tone is at noon that means that its at 5 which is way to much!Start at zero instead and crank it up.The DS-1 sounds great when the tone is around 9 a clock and another thing is that they only like low output pickups.And only use Maxell 9 volts alkaline batteries everything else sounds like crap.Im not kidding.All 9 volts batteries sounds different and not just a little a lot!

[@Harrythe1st]

Ds2 moves me and the face impressions are awesome 😀 happy new year Elmore Yngwie Karjalan wonder

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank! You have a great 2019 too!

[@campadata773]

If you have bad pick ups ds1 rules and also you need to lower the tone for some stupid reason the ds1 sounds amazing on my squier and on my 500 euro PRS it doesn't work as well

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool :)

[@pdepde9648]

Can you please do a review between the boss OS2 and the boss DS2? Thank you

[@MrPolevaulter]

A comparison? I don't have the OS-2.

[@yuri-ub8kk]

Im sorry i cant agree, although its a great review, i prefer the ds1, it has a classic tone, it doesnt has that "puff", i dont really like the ds2 "warm sound", although i like both, surely ds 1 is not perfect yes, but iconic. GET BOTH!

[@MrPolevaulter]

That's cool :)

[@kangaroofoot]

I just got the DS1 and now I also went the DS2 lol

[@LeDucAnhkb]

What is the best for you ???

[@BrianWood]

based on what I hear here I say DS2

[@presentelaw]

Which version is your DS1? Made in Japan or Taiwan?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Taiwan.

[@73prd]

Ds2 cuts through way more

[@gorka7509]

I stankfaced at that phyrgian dominant noodling :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇺🇲❤EHX DOUBLE MUFF ( toggle to the right )......muff two 99.7 %.......muff one 8:50.......find the sweet spot on the pots.......sweet like me😁🎸

[@MrTimjm009]

Get the ds -2 ...

[@elmershiflett8154]

And people give the metal zone crap, please people

[@ErrorlVlacro]

Scared me at first. Had me thinking,” please is this real voice??????”

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@MundMoriginal]

Why is your German voice Kermit?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Dr. Strangelove

[@deHelli]

Das war gar nicht schlecht, Dein German ;-)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Vielen dank :)

[@aleksiskoli7459]

Hetkone, torille

[@sadenb]

I am not buying DS 1 . I will buy the DS 1 X

[@electronic_renaissance]

Suomi perkele

[@Kadotus]

Voisit tulla tänne Manseen keikalle, vaikka Turkulainen oletkin!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha 😂 Just kesällä oltiin Kilven kanssa siellä.

[@lucasvarela9632]

1:39

[@MrPolevaulter]

Me in a nutshell :D

[@jbastidas5373]

Not a serious review. @ 1:40 I left.

[@abdulbasyirmohddahalan3374]

A lot of mid range in ds2 .

[@abdulbasyirmohddahalan3374]

Thanks.i have watch another video that you play malmsteen riff.you great.

[@harirahmat3797]

Lmfao youre fuckin' funny

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Cheers :)

[@conartist267]

Funny man!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@terrygore115]

My choice - DS2

[@Frommel2000]

DS-1 sounds thin...

[@carlitooz357]

What are you doing with that guitar man, playing fast is not playing better.

[@MrPolevaulter]

It isn't worse either. Playing faster is objective, whereas playing better is subjective. Thank you for your insightful comment.

[@carlitooz357]

@@MrPolevaulter Yes it is worse. Just listen at 5:40.

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@carlitooz357 Great. Playing slow is now objectively better. Thank you for clearing that up.

[@MrPolevaulter]

@EntityZero 🤣

[@jasondonald9830]

@@carlitooz357 you're that annoying person who always needs the punchlines explained to you after the fact, still somehow never get the joke.