Boss has unveiled the most recent addition to their acclaimed Waza Craft line: the DS-1W Distortion.
Officially described as a “complete redesigning of the original circuits by the original developers,” Waza stompboxes are refined versions of classic Boss compact pedals, representing the apex of the Japanese firm’s world-renowned ingenuity and craftsmanship.
Easily differentiated by a ‘W’ suffix and kanji logo, the Boss Waza Craft range now comprises the DS-1W Distortion; BD-2W Blues Driver; SD-1W Super Overdrive; DM-2W Delay; CE-2W Chorus; VB-2W Vibrato; TU-3W Chromatic Tuner; MT-2W Metal Zone; DC-2W Dimension C; HM-2W Heavy Metal and FZ-1W Fuzz.
So what new features does the Boss DS-1W Distortion have?
Featuring a revised two-stage gain circuit this analog dirtbox now boasts two modes: Standard and Custom.
In Standard mode, the DS-1W incorporates a discrete circuit version of the original DS-1, delivering legendary tone that ranges from a light boost to heavy gain.
In Custom mode, a thicker, more midrange-focused variation can be explored – something Boss describes as “an evolution of the iconic sound that retains the essence of the DS-1.”
The original DS-1 Distortion – Boss’s first bespoke distortion pedal – was released in 1978, the year after the brand’s now iconic compact pedal format made its debut with the OD-1 Over Drive, PH-1 Phaser and SP-1 Spectrum.
Over the decades since its release the DS-1 Distortion has been spotted on the pedalboards of some of the guitar world’s most influential players, including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Kurt Cobain.
Boss’s best-selling pedal of all time (over 1.5 million units and counting!) the DS-1 Distortion was superseded by the DS-2 Turbo Distortion in 1987 – itself a modern classic.
A collectible version known as the DS-1-4A Distortion was released in limited quantities in a black finish in order to commemorate the pedal’s 40th anniversary.
Visit Boss for more information.
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