Boss remakes the DS-1W Waza Craft distortion pedal with Custom mode

August 14, 2024 · 3 sources

Boss has announced the DS-1W Distortion, a Waza Craft edition of its DS-1, adding a Custom mode alongside a Standard setting and a revised discrete analog circuit¹. The pedal is based on the DS-1 Distortion released in 1978¹, which Guitar Player describes as the first distortion pedal Boss released².

The DS-1W carries tone, level and distortion controls plus a switch for Standard and Custom modes, with input, output and power jacks and an LED indicator. Boss lists a five-year warranty³.

Standard mode is described by Boss as delivering the sound of the original DS-1, with a two-stage gain circuit and a tone control that boosts and cuts the low and high ends of the frequency spectrum¹³. Custom mode is described as a thick, mid-focused voice with the tone control retuned for richness and presence, 6 dB more available level and greater input sensitivity¹³. Boss says the pedal has a premium buffer for clean tone when bypassed³.

Guitar Player's review states that the Standard setting replicates the post-1994 DS-1 rather than the earlier version with the Toshiba TA7136AP preamp, and that Custom mode adds better filtering, no fizz, a more mid-forward tone and 6 dB more level². The review calls Custom mode "a vindication of the post-1994 unit" but says it "rectifies rather than progresses the DS-1 story," and notes the pedal is priced where it is "outclassed by both other Boss pedals and competitors"².

The DS-1W is available at $149.99 in the US¹.