The Boss DF-2 Super Feedbacker & Distortion is a distortion pedal with a built-in feedbacker, produced from 1984 to 1994. Compared with the DS-1, Boss says it offers higher gain and a smoother attack character, and its party trick is the feedbacker: hold the pedal switch down and the pedal generates controllable amplifier-style feedback, even at volumes where natural feedback would be impossible1234.
What it does
The DF-2 is a two-mode pedal: the pedal switch toggles between distortion and feedback. In distortion mode it is a higher-gain, smoother-attacking take on the DS-1 formula. In feedbacker mode, holding the switch produces sustained harmonic feedback, which Boss describes as the feedback of a cranked amp at any volume, including practice sessions with headphones2634.
The Overtone control shapes the simulated feedback, which can shift into octave-up territory for screaming lead lines2.
"Hold it down and the DF-2 generates controllable amplifier-style feedback, even at volumes where natural feedback would be impossible."
The circuit
Boss built the DF-2 around a PLL (Phase Lock Loop) IC borrowed from synthesizers, a chip more at home in tuning circuits than in guitar pedals. Rod Brakes, writing on Boss's own articles site, credits it with delivering on players' wishes for controllable feedback, and calls the pedal one of Boss's most innovative creations2.
From Super Distortion & Feedbacker to DF-2
The circuit did not start life as the DF-2. JHS Pedals' Josh Scott traces it to around 1983 or 1984, when Boss released it as the Super Distortion & Feedbacker. DiMarzio, already manufacturing a Super Distortion pickup, sent a cease and desist letter, and Boss rebranded the pedal as the DF-2 Super Feedbacker & Distortion6.
The DF-2 was discontinued in 1994, so every unit on the market today is used. JHS Pedals notes it is pretty easy to find on Reverb and Sweetwater52.
Where it lives now
The DF-2 is no longer made, but the effect model carries on digitally: Boss includes the DF-2 Super Feedbacker & Distortion as one of the effect models in its PX-1 Plugout FX multi-effects pedal, with the same higher gain and smoother attack relative to the DS-1 model, and the feedbacker activated by holding the pedal switch or an external footswitch78. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson lists the 1984 DF-2 among Boss's legendary original and early pedals gathered into the PX-198.
For players comparing it with other Boss distortions, the DF-2 sits apart from the DS-2 Turbo Distortion, MD-2 Mega Distortion and MT-2 Metal Zone in that none of them offer the held-switch feedbacker; see the Distortion Pedals type page for the wider field734.
Videos
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Stompbox Breakdown
Questions
How does the feedbacker on the Boss DF-2 work?
Hold the pedal switch down, or an external footswitch, and the DF-2 generates controllable amplifier-style feedback, even at volumes where natural feedback would be impossible. Boss describes it as the sustained harmonic feedback of a cranked amp at any volume, including practice with headphones. The Overtone control shapes the simulated feedback, which can shift into octave-up territory for lead lines.
What power supply does the Boss DF-2 need?
The DF-2 runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 10mA. That is light enough for any standard pedalboard power supply or daisy chain.
Is the Boss DF-2 analog?
Yes. RockBoard lists the DF-2's circuit type as analog.
When was the Boss DF-2 made?
Boss produced the DF-2 from 1984 to 1994. The circuit first appeared around 1983 or 1984 under a different name, before a cease and desist letter from DiMarzio led Boss to rebrand it.
Why was the DF-2 renamed?
Boss originally released the circuit as the Super Distortion & Feedbacker. DiMarzio, already manufacturing a Super Distortion pickup, sent a cease and desist letter, and Boss rebranded the pedal as the DF-2 Super Feedbacker & Distortion.
Where can I find the Boss DF-2 manual?
The English owner's manual is available as a PDF from Roland's CDN at cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/DF-2_OM.pdf.
Sources (9)
- DF-2 Super Feedbacker & Distortion by BOSS, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- The PX-1 Plugout FX: Timeless BOSS Pedals Reborn, BOSS (articles.boss.info), 2025-06-06
- 10 misunderstood guitar pedals that became modern classics, Guitar World, 2026-07-17
- BOSS - PX-1 | Plugout FX, BOSS (boss.info)
- HOW TO COLLECT PEDALS, JHS Pedals
- BOSS PEDALS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF, JHS Pedals
- BOSS - PX-1 | Plugout FX, BOSS (www.boss.info)
- BOSS - PX-1 | Plugout FX, BOSS (boss.info)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-08-28
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