I need a good distortion pedal to run through just a pa system , thanks for input!

Never cared much for the sound of a guitar run through a PA system unless it has some modeling amp processor between. If it did, would probably also have a distortion feature on it.

The Boss DS-1 is one of the few Boss pedals that I don't care for. I own one and never use it. It is noisey and very harsh sounding. It's an example of getting what you pay for.

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The quintessential sound of 60/70's R&R:
Fender Tube Amps
Gibson Guitars

the only guitar i run thru a PA is an acoustic. my experience with a DS-1 has left me never wanting to own one again.. i had one for about 2 months and hated it. its more noisy than a single coil strat hooked up to a diesel engine driving through a saw mill in a hail storm during a Van halen concert. the distortion is there, but so is all the racket. i'd say get something better. you always get what you pay for and the DS-1 is like $40.

just compare the DS with other stomps in ur local store. you'll see what i mean.

ALSO, unless you ABSOLUTELY NEED a distortion pedal, try getting a boost pedal so boost signal into your drive channel, making it a little more fierce. thats what i do. i turn a 2 channel amp into a 3, or a 3 channel amp into a 5 or 6 channel amp(depending on how much boost you prefer). works best on tube amps.

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Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4

it depends what music you play..... as they said, its a very noisy little bugger but i like that because i play grunge which is a very sloppy sound

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Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

i never got into grunge, had a close encounter of the pop punk kind, but quickly escaped into rock territory.. been safe here ever since. i like to keep my signal clean, clear and naturally over driven.

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Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4

I agree with everyone here - save your money. The Boss BD-2 (Blues Driver) is a MUCH better sounding pedal, as is the Ibanez TS-9.

I have a DS-1 and I love it.
I also use a DF-2, a discontinued pedal that has the DS-1 distortion with a fake feedback feature that I also like.

The pedal is versatile, and with some experimenting can accommodate a variety of sounds, from a stinging boost to a soft distortion.

Experiment with one, don't just slap it on and turn up the knobs. Depending on your guitar, amp, other effects and your playing style, settings that work for one person, may not work for another.

I use both with different settings, sometimes choosing one, sometimes the other, and sometimes both.

I also have DOD FX-53 Classic Tube which is a warmer sounding distortion, and any combination of 1, 2 or all 3 of the pedals give usable sounds based on the song you're playing.

I would have no qualms about going for it.

(And oh yeah--none of my pedals are modded, and they will stay that way.)

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

I use a Ds-1 and although you need to exerement with the settings to get what you want, like any pedal, I find it a useful tool. I play rock and blues btw.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

With tone, amplitude, and volume controls... the DS-1 "can" be a versatile pedal. While not as smooth and creamy as some more expensive offerings, you do get a pedal that will give you gain and crunch at the lighter settings without destroying your eardrums.

If you're using a modeling amp, it is a lot more adjustable than just flipping a switch to overdrive.

If you want minutes of sustain and an unheavenly grinding train-wreck sound... that's there for you too if that is your cup of tea. So, as they say... you could do better. But for $40, you could do worse. I like mine but do not use it very often.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

For $40, my friend found a used ProCo RAT (made in 1996 so it still has the good LM308 chip ^^). It's mine now, and may I say it's way better than the boss DS-1. The DS-1 is alright, I just don't like the extra noise. If you decide to get one, buy used, there's many out there and it'll be only $20 instead of 40

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Took the words out of my mouth.

I have the pedal too and I also like it. The trick it getting to know the pedal and trying out different settings to nail the right tone. That's pretty much what you have to do with any piece of gear you pick up. The pedal is versatile and I've been able to get a good range on it myself.

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I tried to think of something clever to put here but- OH! Something shiny!!!

Always nice to see some agreement. (From others in this thread as well.)

Not every pedal will work for every guitarist, as we come in various shapes, sizes, abilities, and we have different guitars, amps, playing contexts, additional pedals, songs, etc, etc.

But I do get tired of people who tried a DS-1 for a few minutes who put it down, or have a friend of a friend of a friend who heard they were lousy.

Yes, this does not describe all those who don't like them, but I have come across a lot that do fir my description above.

No piece of gear will work for everybody.

But that's a good thing, and gives music variety.

When everybody sounds the same--it's boring.

If anyone hasn't tried a DS-1 and can pick one up cheap--go for it.

If it's not for you, it didn't cost too much, and you can mod it, or pass it along or sell it.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

I agree with RVM lead unless it going through the line out of a modeling amp I can't see a distortion going through a PA and giving you a good sound.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Absolutely I agree. I put one of those after my Delta Lab multi effects and run it through my drive channel. If there's too much noise, I just turn the level down. It's a great pedal.

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'07 Squier Affinity Sunburst Strat SE
Fender Frontman 25R
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Danelectro D-2 Fab Overdrive
Delta Lab Multi Effects

Distortion into a PA, as much as i dislike it, is a very usable sound. After all it is how the Beatles "Revolution" was recorded. If thats the sound your looking for, you want a TubeScreamer or some sort of overdrive.

-Vince

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-Fender 92' Telecaster unknown
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- 2008 Fender Supersonic
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