This is a MONSTER - The BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive Pedal Review

[@intheblues]

Thanks for all the great comments! There are more re-reviews of Boss Pedals coming up. Let me know what you think of the SD-1 Overdrive. Check it out below. ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/P0myzY ►Thomann - bit.ly/30PHPGX ►Sky Music - alnk.to/4Xq3bkG (affiliate links)

[@tomblaze2]

My favorite overdrive with a 335 or Fender style guitar

[@user-kt7hq9hn9f]

and only about 50 bucks brand new - can't beat it.

[@stepvanjoe3469]

Good demo Shane this was the deciding factor on purchasing this pedal

[@toasteroverdrive1097]

This pedal is very musical and inspiring to play. It also sounds like a lot of classic recordings because....well it was probably used in the studio by known guitarists.

[@bensmartinez4661]

2021 is about to end and I can’t believe someone is making a demo on this pedal. SD1 honestly sounds good! Great job Shane! 🤘🏻

[@Mr.D34]

I think that it's nice to see a new video of an old Boss pedal. Especially now in the era of boutique pedals, guitar players are needed to be reminded of how great these pedals sound for a friction of that price.

[@bensmartinez4661]

Indeed!!!

[@MetalHeart8787]

I prefer the DS1 but many people seem to dislike it, I think it's a Good Pedal & is Better than this SD But this sounds very Good especially if you are playing regular Rock music

[@jimmyjames7946]

🤘 Kali ayenta suprato

[@guitareveryone]

I hope Boss gets rediscovered and get the credit they deserve. Nobody builds a better design for starters. And their Super Overdrive and Blues Driver pedals are among the best out there without the “boutique” prices. And no folks it’s not the same an Ibanez Tube Screamer which I own among other clones and I prefer the Super Overdrive. Nothing wrong of course with the Tube Screamer but for me it’s more muddy sounding than the Boss Super Overdrive.

[@benlogan430]

Exactly correct! And at $49 usd (SD-1) you can’t go wrong. Boss pedals are the stuff and the buffer helps too. Gots to have a buffer if you’ve got a chain IMO?

[@gunkanjima3408]

Boss is and has undeniably been the best bang for your buck. They aren’t getting overlooked. Both the SD1 and BD2 are on my board

[@austinfailz]

The two are essentially the same circuit, but the parts differences between the two give them a unique tone.

[@mikecorey8370]

When did Boss vanish? Alive and well, still making great pedals and selling thousands of them. Guitar snobs knock Boss. Guitar players love Boss.

[@thetanman2233]

@@mikecorey8370 they really do make some amazing stuff. I’ve got a lot of em in my collection and two of them always on my board. Been thinking about grabbing one of their equalizers

[@corneliuscrewe677]

I’ve been playing for over 30 years, I’d never even tried one until I bought one on a whim a little over a year ago. Absolutely love it.

[@markanstey2654]

Ive tried everything else and keep coming back to the SD-1. Still using the one I bought in the 90s. Brilliant and super reliable.

[@RubricoA.]

so it's true that it is a bombproof pedal due to it's remarkable reliability

[@bobpike8050]

Right? My first rig was just a JCM 800 and an SD1. 20 some years later I went back to electric music and bought a Fender ProJr ( with EL84s). After trying a slew of overdrives I dragged out my old battered SD1 and time travelled to my happiest core memory.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

this is some of the best tone ive heard from this channel, Marshall really takes pedals so well

[@Santaheckler]

I think what is best from Boss pedals is that I don’t have to aim for some little button while playing on stage. They make the pedal activation super solid and definitive. The knobs are out of the way too…a lot of pedal companies miss this live playing functionality imo.

[@50Something]

You knocked it out of the park with your melodic intro solo Shane! I'm scrambling to find my SD-1 as I type this.

[@TOANhound]

I’ve had that one on my board for over 20 years now. So versatile, and stacks well with others. I also think the price hasn’t changed much since the time I bought it. BTW - props on using a guitar with a matching color scheme!

[@daddyosink4413]

Same here..... it lives next to a TS and a Rat. If you need more gain than that, you have a bad cable😂

[@zap7759]

It was $30 online pre-2010, same with the DS-1.

[@lukassmida4885]

Versatile? :D It's probably the best high-gain overdrive, but really not versatile.

[@DeadlySpecies]

I stack it with my Boss BD2, they cover a lot of ground individually and together

[@trioguitar]

Relatively speaking, this pedal is absolutely dirt cheap (price wise, living in Australia). Can''t get better value for money.

[@robwebb9413]

12 hours ago I was playing this pedal through my Fender Vibrochamp and thinking, "I wish Shane would do a review of this pedal." One of my favorite things to do with this pedal is to have the gain between 8:00 and 9:00 and then use the level to push the front of the amp and it breaks up in huge tones without getting over the top. Thanks Shane!

[@thetanman2233]

That’s exactly how I use mine. I’ve got C6 clipped out as well. Best drive pedal ever

[@44scoots]

@@thetanman2233 can’t mod the new ones.

[@russelllucas1043]

The opening solo with the Les Paul P90 sounded amazing !!! Killer tone !!! Great playing too Shane !! 👌

[@terryrigg3079]

What is the name of that song?

[@highaway8800]

@@terryrigg3079 he was just jamming along with the backing track he created with loops

[@billtice5057]

I’ve been playing one of these since 1985, it’s still my favorite drive I own, including my high-dollar boutique drive pedals. It’s just that good, I always get a great usable tone out of it!

[@LS-wc6mr]

Best OD pedal ever! I have an early 80s model for many years and it's my favorite pedal of all time. I once compared it to a brand new one to see if there was a tone difference and I was shocked that there wasn't!

[@gabriellima9012]

Boss rules,just got one this month and it rocks so hard,maybe the best overdrive pedal out there

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Find a two knob old one, then compare that.

[@stockholm1752]

@@DANTHETUBEMAN Are you thinking about an OD-1?

[@shaniwoods5923]

Same here

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

@@stockholm1752 yes, the two knob overdrive, no tone know needed.

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

Still haven't found an overdrive that I like more than my SD-1. Many tried to take it's spot on my board. Whether it be boosting my amp for Thrash metal tones, bluesy overdrive, or just rock tones with that extra something. The SD-1 just works.

[@DennisJPolson]

This really is a classic and a quite popular pedal. That intro is 🔥!! Great demo and playing, Shane.

[@ficothecroatianrocker]

It's a great pedal, I use it to add more gain for the solos and it's really amazing, it gives that warm vintage tone

[@jswart3179]

Man that first solo you did with the Yellow Gibson was soulful and very well done. Excellent Job man.

[@WesPaul2000]

That opening jam was magic. Beautiful, man.

[@garthosborn6597]

Great demo! This pedal has been in my arsenal for 15 years or more. For a long time I played Strats and was able to get nice fat tones. I now play an Epi Les Paul and the high end you mentioned keeps things from getting muddy. Compression increases with increased gain settings, offering great singing tone when playing lead, and especially playing slide. I love this pedal. I have a Rat if I need a more aggressive sound, but the SD-1 covers 90% of my dirty tones.

[@J1Z06]

Since the mid 80's, I've loved this pedal! It is awesome and is versatile!

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

I have this pedal. I like it. I find that most overdrive pedals can be made to sound about the same by adjusting the drive and tone controls. Even my Rat 2 can be used as a smooth overdrive by keeping the distortion very low. Thanks for the video.

[@thedeadxtras9927]

Yep still loving the SD1 after so many years it’s still well up there and sounds great for me especially for it’s low price and it’s excellent build quality, you can’t go wrong with it! It’s just got plenty of bollocks and subtle aswell if you want it.

[@Grungegarage1955]

I use this pedal to help my boss ds one distortion to feed back through my amp without having to crack my amp and it’s great for anything!

[@gilaubin929]

I absolutely love this pedal!!! It’s my “go to” for playing songs needing overdrive. This combined with my MXR compressor and DD7 delay and my tone for soloing is set. So much fun!!

[@Rypsolisti]

One of my favorite overdrive pedals if not the favorite. I use it the otherway round, level at about 3:00 o'clock or 4:00 and and drive around 8:00 o'clock, gives nice cranked sound.

[@benspicer7470]

Agreed. The SD-1 makes a great semi clean boost pedal

[@samballesteros5422]

I’ve had one in every rig combination since I started playing in the mid 80’s for a reason.

[@rachellebertol2947]

Folks watch also his old demo of this pedal thats the demo that convince me to have one, i think that video is around 9 or 10 yrs. Luv from PHILIPPINES shane!!!GOD BLESS!!!

[@UKULELERIGA]

My favourite guitar pedal! Sounds great with other pedals to me, as well! Overtones come out even on small speakers.

[@gudge_22]

I’ve owned most of the green overdrives and always came back to old yellow.

[@davidmeroth2405]

I never needed another overdrive. Bought my SD1 in the late 90s. Always added the perfect amount of musical grime. 10/10(mine didn't go to 11)

[@howardcunniffe8738]

A friend got me this same pedal for my Birthday 6 years ago. Still have it today. The Boss rules.

[@barukpj6020]

One of the best overdrives I've ever played, I own one, and already had 2.... THIS OVERDRIVE IS AMAZING

[@paulmoonmusic]

Been playing for around 25 years and only bought one of these earlier this year. That’s 25 years of good tone I’ve missed…

[@gabriellima9012]

Just got one this month,its the best overdrive i have ever tried,such a beautiful tone... I've been playing led zeppelin nonstop volume 13 oclock,drive as well and tone at 14 oclock

[@Wooburnmusic]

Had this pedal on my board for years and also the dual overdrive SD2 for more years than that ! Boss pedals are excellent wether in session or gigging, they sound so good through my 79 Marshall mk2 master volume combos.i stopped looking years ago when I found BOSS.

[@Musicology1975]

This pedal is outstanding since the 80's.

[@nicholasgarric2522]

I brought one from cash converters in about 94 for $30 and I’m still using it. SD1 absolutely rules!!!!!!

[@DetroitWrecker666]

This had been on my floor for many many years! I own several of them, and I'm about to mod one over the winter. I am currently using a Keeley Filaments and I LOVE it! It's the only pedal that is capable of replacing my Super Overdrive and giving me the extra gain I have been looking for over the years.

[@ix-Xafra]

Had one since da 80s. Works great as a gain boost for a Strat into a Super Reverb. Nice intro playin'!

[@MrClassicmetal]

Dude, that's one _hell_ of a sales pitch!😳 Fantastic guitar solo, you absolutely ROCK!!!🤘🏼😎🤘🏼

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Thanks for giving this pedal some love. People often feel that if they pay more for something that it’s the best. This pedal clearly defies that logic. I know. I used to be one of those people. Spent thousands on various dirt pedals and guess what’s back on my board. Lol.

[@danieljones8706]

I love the SD-1. So many good tones in that little pedal!

[@stu-j]

Mine sounds absolutely amazing through my blackstar ht1rh home rig through a 2x12. Such a classic sounding pedal that gives a wonderful blusey tone. Stack it with something like a klon and boy oh boy it kicks you in the nads! Probably one of the best pedals ever made.

[@timwhite5562]

I swear the reason Boss aren't thought of as highly as they rightfully should is the look of the pedal itself. Even after 30 years, having owned countless Boss pedals, I still find they look like toys.

[@Mujcanal]

I have to disagree, its most iconic pedal shape ever. pedals with too much or silly graphics looks more like toys. Its just my opinion.

[@timwhite5562]

@@Mujcanal it's the knob layout and large button, they remind me of something like Fisher Price "my first stompbox." Those graphics you're talking about are a relatively new thing. You see the old EHX pedals with the bent sheet metal enclosures, they look almost industrial. Even the MXRs, they have a minimalist utilitarian look. It's my person impression. I've played enough of them long enough to know that they sound good and the large button makes them easier to kick on and off, but I just can't shake that thought when I see them, especially when I see a board with only them. Though they don't even come close to being toys as the plastic Danelectro pedals. I've rehoused many of them over the years for people, they kind of have to be if you intend on them lasting more than a few gigs. A few of them I find to be REALLY great circuits, easily as worthy of being cloned as anything else. Hell, they clone Distortion+ pedals, and those are hands down the worst sounding dirt pedals I've ever tried.

[@Mujcanal]

@@timwhite5562 thanks Tim for detailed explanation, Funny enough I’m on the other side, I would put all other pedals into boss type enclosure, but hey, because different opinions, we have different pedals at our disposal and everyone can be happy. Cheers

[@stoffls]

There is a reason I have had it on my board for years. Especially the tone control is very useful to soften the stingy bridge single coil sound of my Tele.

[@benstern997]

Not really the genre for this channel, but this pedal is splendid with the gain turned all the way down, the level all the way up, tone set at noon, and pushed through the front of the high gain channel of a Mesa.

[@keithanderson8488]

I bought this pedal because I got a killer deal on it, but never used it, because of you, today I am going to try it.thanks for the kick in my lazy butt.great video.

[@davidkastin4240]

I have at least 10 pedals on my board and this is my favorite one. I've had it over 20 yrs. You can search but you won't find any one better imo. As a test I bought another OD pedal that everyone raved about. The Clone Klon. Tried it for a few minutes and put the Boss right back on the board. This pedal Rules!

[@cyberpunk409]

I've got a Klon KTR. To be honest, it's really not that good of an OD pedal. A FANTASTIC clean boost, adds a certain sparkle and boost like no other pedal can, but the actual OD did not work with my Fender Blues Junior or my current Marshall SV20, regardless of what guitar I was using (single coils, humbuckers, Firebird pickup, etc). This is my new favourite OD pedal, and I even have a 14-pin chip Boss OD-1

[@poprip]

A left handed brother who has also a channel about micro four third cameras, and owns a flying V lefty identical as mine? I am a fan!!

[@TheTexBlues]

There’s a reason Boss has been around for so long.. Their designs are simplistic aesthetically and user friendly and pedal board friendly .. Not to mention tough.. I use the Boss TU-3 tuner by far the best pedal tuner I’ve used and presets for different tunings yep it was probably the best investment for my pedal board besides my power supply lol.. I also have the Blues Driver and Super Overdrive great tone and quality built and reasonably priced 👍🏼

[@Twirlyhead]

Among other uses (they sound and play great in general) these are great if you are using it as basically a drive channel for a single channel amp; switching from clean to a fully developed overdrive tone.

[@brownie_the_3rd]

With all these amazing boutique pedals out there it can be easy to forget that Boss make some fantastic pedals.

[@adriancooper8192]

Stunning playing Shane, such wonderful phrasing. Another great video. Thank you

[@ATreeForFive]

I've owned/played a lot of very good ODs but i always get back to my stock SD1 : definitely one of the greatest ODs ever made ! If it had a proper tone stack (B-M-T), it would easily be considered the greatest OD of all time.

[@hamishmichie3287]

I have an ‘83 SD-1. I remember buying it used from Guitar Crazy in Coogee, Sydney, in ‘87. It’s the only pedal I will never part with. I’ve had loads of pedal board set ups since then, but my SD-1 has always been the gold standard for OD pedals, no matter what the guitar or amp. Just brilliant.

[@Mr.D34]

Great video Shane, keep these Boss videos coming 😀 Another pedal that i rediscovered recently. Yes it can sound a bit "steely" as you've mentioned but that's only if you have a bright amp. My amps are darker sounding and with the tone turned down a bit it just screams, especially with a tele. I would also advice using an eq to add some more bass. I find that it sounds amazing with a beefer bass presence. SD-1 is really an amazing pedal, it stacks great with every other type of drive pedal, my favorite being with a fuzz. It just gets wild 😀

[@klaatuklaatu1]

I have had one since 1985 and have not used it in decades. I always used it in my high school band as extra distortion with my MXR distortion. Funny I used the boss SD-1 in a totally wrong way! Ha ha… I have not used it since High School.. I finally learned how to use it correctly.. I am glad I still have it…

[@proteus2103]

Great transparent boost to gritty overdrive, and great playing as well.

[@gs5616]

Love these reviews of the old classic pedals that we all have or can easily afford to pick up. Would like to see how you would use the Boss DS-1 - another affordable classic.

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

Brother, that LP Jr, you were feeling it!!!!!! You were officially in your element!!! Much love from the states

[@mercedesescobarmusic]

Wow, that insight about the SD-1 taking off where the BD-2 ends, was a great piece on info! I just got the BD-2 today, and I love it. Thanks to you, I also know I made the right decision between the two. Thanks!

[@chrishammonds72]

My favourite pedal and not just Boss pedal and it’s the only overdrive pedal I need. I’m a big fan of simplicity and these things are pretty much indestructible.

[@godfreydaniel6278]

I did the Monte Allums mod to mine - easy to do, inexpensive, adds clarity and gives symmetrical and asymmetrical clipping options. Absolute no-brainer. This pedal is family now - never going anywhere...

[@ZJMusic1990]

I have a Boss Blues Driver and just ordered an SD-1 can’t wait to start using it!

[@blackstormer95]

that was my first pedal ever, only thing I could afford back when I was a teenager, I still have it on my main pedalboard

[@robertbikers9502]

I have the SD-2 Dual Overdrive, it has a permanent spot on my board, right after the tuner. I love it for its "dirty clean" tone. The red channel is like a mesa in a box, so that's a nice extra that's fun once in a while..

[@BossDM-2]

I know this was posted almost year ago, but great demo. I used to have a TS9, then a friend gave me on of these to try. I spent an entire band practice A/B back and forth, one and then the other. I traded green for yellow. And your playing has gotten better from s few years ago. Thanks.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Righteous playing (as always)! Great pedal, it's on my board! Sounds great for what I need it to do. The best thing it's 1/4 the price of most boutique OD pedals.

[@numberkruncherr]

I cut my live playing teeth at a jam where the house guitarist had one of these. The great thing about them is that you can set it for max distortion and then with the volume control on your guitar you can go from clean to full out rock, with usable sounds all the way through.

[@TeleCS]

Just got the Limited Edition. Perfect in my AC15 👌🏻

[@shaniwoods5923]

Still have my 80s one match made in heaven with my lp deluxe and 1984 x Marshall

[@gcoudert]

Well, you made me want an SD-1 so I bought a second-hand one with a PSU and it came yesterday. I bought it because my Roland JC-22 hasn't got an overdrive channel, for the simplicity and efficiency of the SD-1's controls and for the resulting quick workflow. I became fed up spending ages tweaking virtual amp/cabinet models on-screen that never really sounded 'right' to my ears. Thank you!

[@enzonipales]

Love the SD-1! And that intro tune with the subtle "Soulshine" inspiration ...

[@sungminpark1819]

Bought one cuz of this video lol. On another note, it's super cool to see how much your vid quality has improved over the years. Transitions/lighting/etc. But sound has been spot on since the beginning. Hope you keep making more!!

[@davidgoode7416]

Excellent demo, thanks

[@intheblues]

Thanks!

[@ericwarrington6650]

Awesome 👍 job w this Shane!! That yellow special of yours is the sweetest one you play imo.. unbelievable sweetness and warmth

[@fishingnorfolk]

I have, the original 12v aca powered sd1 into a bd2, it sounds huge. So much tone and versatility. Never sounds dated awesome pedal.

[@odyssey6684]

Super Overdrive stacked into a Blues Driver really works. Hard to go wrong.

[@gilesscrafton-hart3453]

Any settings tips when stacking the two? I play rhythm using a ES339 or a Les Paul.

[@kevlynnmusic1401]

It sounds great! When I can I’ll have to get one!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@jasonkrupp2326]

A good trick with it is also to turn the gain all the way down, level and tone all the way up. Makes a really nice clean treble boost.

[@ChristopherThomasVillano]

Very beautiful and awesome sounds and tone I really enjoyed it thank you for sharing. Always Love, Brother Christopher. ☮️❤️😃

[@JohnnySnappleseed]

That intro solo was perfect for I'd Rather Go Blind. Awesome!

[@scottdunbar4898]

My 1991 Turbo Overdrive has been serving me well for thirty years but I just ordered one of these to see if it was worth the hype. Should be interesting. Thanks for the great demo.

[@jmvmike]

9:16 you may not know where you were going but I was enjoying the direction you were heading! God bless you and Stay Strong! Freedom and Liberty for all Australians! We love good people of Australia 🇦🇺

[@rockandrollmd541]

To me, it sounds best with humbuckers at a lower gain setting. The clipping style gives it a top end bite that differs from the green pedals.

[@landonbailey]

Classic pedal! That's been on my pedal board for years. I don't find it works with all types of pickups, but with some it sounds great :) Also the budget price is pretty good.

[@thejeffersonlee]

The opening jam was pure, end-of-concert jam material.

[@intheblues]

Thanks mate! :)

[@luisvergarafernandez5881]

Dat intro! Great playing!

[@sinkenthusiast2572]

Just picked up one of these bad larries. Love it lots! Gonna keep it as long as I play I reckon. Great alternative to the ibanez jet driver or the truetone jekyll and hyde, from what I found. Highly reccomend!

[@recringerator]

The intro jam is 🔥🔥🔥

[@thejuggernaut5327]

One of my favorites, I pair it with my Blues Driver and run either or both as needed.

[@steventhomas231]

Nice lead play on the les Paul. More on the Les Paul please😀

[@roscius6204]

Boss pedals are awesome early days I had my SD1 punching a BluesBreaker into a 50W Marshall. and I still have them I've since bought all sorts of great pedals and rack gear but honestly that original combination still holds it own..

[@juniorgorini5963]

Awesome playing and Demo, thanks Shane! ✌️😎🎸

[@tommelville4968]

I love this pedal. I find it can do a nice edge of breakup thing if the gain is basically just past zero, at around 7.00.

[@christopherhansford6876]

Oh, such beautiful tone! You got me with the very first phrase. I reckon those P-90's help. Damn it, I'm having enough trouble deciding on overdrives as it is!

[@6stringsofgrace]

I did the Monte Allums mod on mine about 15 years ago. Still using it.

[@sh4rkbyt3]

Nothing worse than trying out a boutique pedal at the store and then getting it home and finding out you overpaid for a piece of hype, happens often but people refuse to admit their mistake. There are some out there that definitely have earned their price range but I always wind up coming back to the one solid pedal that always works for me. BOSS, BOSS and BOSS. Best thing is they're still reasonably priced and if one should ever break (hasn't happened yet) I can get an exact replacement from ANY music store! And with that, I already know my settings also! Usually with the GE-7, SD-1, and the BD-2 I can get about 90% of the sounds I need.

[@motorrebell]

Awesome ICONIC classic overdrive pedal , i use it as a Boost for my Marshall origin 20 , Theres a reason why Every pedal manufacturer copies it !

[@mikepretorius6350]

Preaching to the converted, have to agree keeps on surprising me this pedal 💪👍