The Front Desk Review

BOSS · Updated August 2026

BOSS DS-1 Distortion: price, specs & release date

BOSS DS-1 Distortion, released 1978. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.

Source: boss.info verified STALE · 2026-08-01 ✓ corroborated verify in ledger

On the Recordsourced & dated · eligible
See BOSS DS-1 Distortion on Amazon Live price at the store — may differ from the dated listed price above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
BOSS DS-1 Distortion — BOSS
Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Is the BOSS DS-1 Distortion a good buy?

At $70, the BOSS DS-1 Distortion is the cheapest of the 14 guitar effects pedals we track, where the median is $198. On the spec sheet, its power draw ma of 10 is below the median of the 8. By release date, it is the oldest of the 11 we date.

Specifications

Price (US)$69.99 BOSS does not publish a US MSRP on its own DS-1 spec page. West Music, a US retailer, lists "$69.99", consistent with widely-advertised US street pricing for this pedal.
BrandBOSS
Released1978
Effect typedistortion
True bypassNo
Power draw ma10
Preset count—
Stereo ioNo
Tap tempo—
Midi supportNo
Expression inputNo
Dimensions (in)2.9 x 5.1 x 2.4

Source: boss.info (read 2026-08-01) STALE · 2026-08-01 · corroborated by en.wikipedia.org (read 2026-08-01). BOSS's official DS-1 spec page confirms "10 mA" current draw, dimensions "73 mm (2-7/8 in) W x 129 mm (5-1/8 in) D x 59 mm (2-3/8 in) H", a 1978 introduction, mono in/out, no MIDI/expression/presets (fixed-control analog pedal), and 9V battery or optional adapter power. Wikipedia's DS-1 article corroborates the 1978 release and explicitly states the pedal uses buffered bypass, not true bypass: "the signal will pass through the input and output buffer stage of the effect, and this is the key differentiating factor between Boss pedals and 'true bypass' pedals." Weight and tap tempo are not applicable/stated. Image manually verified to depict this exact pedal (orange chassis, "Distortion DS-1" branding, Tone/Level/Dist knobs).

Is the BOSS DS-1 Distortion worth it vs cheaper guitar effects pedals?

BOSS DS-1 Distortion against its closest cheaper and pricier guitar effects pedals on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 14 ranked

ProductPriceEffect typeTrue bypassPower draw maStereo ioMidi support
BOSS DS-1 Distortion this$69.99distortionNo10NoNo
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi$83fuzz / distortion / sustainer—3NoNo

Frequently asked questions

How much does the BOSS DS-1 Distortion cost?

The BOSS DS-1 Distortion has a US price of $69.99 (BOSS does not publish a US MSRP on its own DS-1 spec page. West Music, a US retailer, lists "$69.99", consistent with widely-advertised US street pricing for this pedal.), as of 2026-08-01.

How does the BOSS DS-1 Distortion compare on price?

At $70, the BOSS DS-1 Distortion is the cheapest of the 14 guitar effects pedals we track, where the median is $198.

When was the BOSS DS-1 Distortion released?

The BOSS DS-1 Distortion was released 1978.

What are the BOSS DS-1 Distortion's key specs?

BOSS DS-1 Distortion (BOSS): effect type distortion, true bypass No, power draw ma 10, stereo io No, midi support No. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-08-01.

Price of record: $69.99 at boss.info, 2026-08-31. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:

See BOSS DS-1 Distortion on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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