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Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion

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Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion

^# 74

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$289.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (56)

9 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary

6 community setups

3 wishlisted

102 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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5.0 (23)

$289.00 1 available New

$65.00 34 available Used

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Average Price: $218

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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High-end

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Description

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Capture the essence of rock with the Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion, a tribute to the iconic sound that has fueled guitar legends for four decades. This limited edition pedal boasts a distinctive black-and-gold chassis, ensuring it stands out not just in tone but in appearance too. With its classic three-knob configuration, dialing in your desired distortion, from a gentle bite to a roaring snarl, has never been easier. Whether you're a seasoned shredder or just starting your musical journey, the Boss DS-1-4A is a timeless addition to any pedalboard, offering that coveted classic distortion with a modern twist.

Key Features:

Limited edition black-and-gold chassis
Classic three-knob layout: Distortion, Level, Tone
Offers a wide range of tones from light distortion to high-gain saturation
Ideal for various music genres, from rock to metal
Commemorates 40 years of the iconic Boss DS-1 Distortion sound

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	DS-1-4A Distortion 40th Anniversary Edition
Finish	Black
Year	2017
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion pedal?: The Boss DS-1-4A delivers a classic distortion sound that is ideal for rock and blues. It provides a sharp, cutting tone with a strong midrange presence, making it a versatile choice for both rhythm and lead guitar playing.
Is the Boss DS-1-4A suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Boss DS-1-4A is suitable for beginners due to its simple three-knob interface, which allows easy adjustment of tone, level, and distortion to quickly find a desired sound.
How does the Boss DS-1-4A differ from the standard DS-1 pedal?: The Boss DS-1-4A is a limited edition version celebrating the pedal's 40th anniversary, featuring a unique black finish and gold lettering, but it retains the same circuitry and sound as the standard DS-1.
Can the Boss DS-1-4A be used with a bass guitar?: Yes, the Boss DS-1-4A can be used with a bass guitar, although it is primarily designed for electric guitar. It may produce a more aggressive tone with bass, which some players find appealing.
What power supply does the Boss DS-1-4A require?: The Boss DS-1-4A requires a 9V DC power supply, and it can also be powered by a 9V battery for convenience during performances.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Boss DS-1 Distortion 40th Anniversary

ProGuitarShopDemos

BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal Review

Sweetwater

BOSS DS-1 4A with Mike Hermans

ProGuitarShopDemos

Boss DS-1 4A 40th Anniversary Distortion Pedal Demo

PMTVUK

Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal

Swee Lee

Reviews

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PROS

Limited edition black design appeals to aesthetic preferences
Classic distortion sound with versatile tone range
Can be used as a boost/drive for added versatility
Suitable for a variety of music genres, including metal
Affordable price, providing value for money
Through-hole components allow for easy modifications
Complements both solid state and tube amps
Anniversary edition with collector's value potential

CONS

Not ideal for beginners with small, cheap amps
Can produce a glassy, harsh top end if not adjusted properly
Compresses signal excessively beyond certain settings
Looser bottom end may not suit all musical styles

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss DS-1-4A 40th Anniversary Distortion.

Features and functionality

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The Tone knob often remains below noon to maintain a fuller distortion sound, but preferences vary, with some users favoring settings past noon for a different tonal character.
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Mods and upgrades

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The Keeley mod is popular for enhancing the pedal's tone, adding nuance and air, while Analogman's mid knob mod is another favored option for tonal flexibility.
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Switching clipping diodes from 1n914’s to LEDs offers a punchier, crunchier tone with minimal tonal variation.
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The Seeing Eye/Ultra mod requires intermediate soldering skills, involving wiring LEDs/diodes and a switch.
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Some users improve the DS-1's tone by pairing it with a graphic EQ or a mid-boosting overdrive like a Tube Screamer to counteract its mid-scooped character.
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Comparisons

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Considered alongside the RAT pedal, the DS-1-4A was chosen for its distinct distortion, with aesthetics and rarity of the black 40th anniversary version being additional draws.
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Owners note that the DS-1-4A can sound muddy compared to alternatives like the Blues Driver or Russian Big Muff, particularly with certain amp setups.
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The DS-1-4A is humorously criticized as one of the least desirable distortions, despite its collectible status, highlighting its divisive nature among enthusiasts.
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User experience

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Some users report low output volume, even when the pedal is cranked all the way up, indicating potential variability in unit performance.
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Owners frequently mod multiple DS-1 pedals, with some owning five, both stock and modded versions.
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The DS-1-4A is valued for nostalgia and is often used for both playing and recording, delivering a playable and good-sounding distortion.
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A user found the DS-1 sounded great with a solid-state amp but harsh with a tube amp, indicating variability in performance based on amplification.
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Setup and maintenance

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Newer orange DS-1 models feature SMD circuit boards, making them less mod-friendly. Pre-2018 units are recommended for those interested in circuit modifications.
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Use cases and applications

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The DS-1-4A complements musical styles like Red Fang, enhancing pinch harmonics and contributing to a radical sound experience.
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It's suggested to pair the DS-1 with humbucker-equipped guitars and dark amps to achieve a more robust sound.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 56 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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1 star

michael_corneli

136

about 6 years ago

One of the most famous distortion pedals... coming with a limited edition paint job, through hole components and for dirt cheap!

It's a DS1, does it need a review? The pedal gets always downplayed for being fizzy and harsh. Although being harsh, keeping the tone at roughly not more than 1 really helps. You can go from a mild crunch to a full blown distortion if you crank the gain up (try it and don't be afraid). People claim it's not a distortion for metal, but although it's not the most modern distortion (it came out in 1978), it has been used by metal musicians as well such as Peter Steele from Carnivore and Type o negative or Chuck Schuldiner from death. Kurt Cobain is the guy who popolarised it. Another reason to get such a pedal is that you'll get a great distortion for cheap. It's seriously dirt cheap. This limited edition version in particularly was still made with through hole components. So if you don't like the original sound you can still mod it (such as with Keeley mod), but i like mine stock. It's my favourite distortion ever, i prefer it over the rat and i think it's way better than the DS2 under many aspects. Recommended

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Alternative rock Hardcore punk Metal

krakob

288

about 8 years ago

Solid distortion in a cheap and pretty package

Not exactly a new contender, but it's very solid. The tone knob takes it between bass-friendly and shrilling, knife-in-your-ears distortion. The distortion itself can of course go between pretty subtle and "is that even a guitar". I was surprised it was so cheap given that it's an anniversary edition, and the gold on black is gorgeous. That said, it doesn't fit my style of music a lot, but I like it nevertheless.

pkrul

1064

over 6 years ago

Classic distortion sound.

Classic distortion sound. Must have pedal. Personally, I prefer overdrive, but sometimes you have to make this sound. This anniversary edition is black instead of yellow/orange.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

From Gear Setup

stixmations

1033

almost 8 years ago

One of the best pedals to have.

Classic, has that sharp electronic distortion. Gives off that Nirvana sound, it's fun to make new sounds with it. I might use this as my main (distortion) pedal if no other distortion or overdrive beats this. 10/5.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

dannfeltrin

1871

about 9 years ago

Classic!

This is the classic DS-1 with a great and limited edition finish! Amazing classic distortion sound. Paid the same as the original orange version (CAD$70 + tax). Came with a battery inside the pedal, manual and warranty printed.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Rock Pop Metal

alexfirthguitar

192

almost 9 years ago

Amazing Pedal

This pedal is superb. All you need to do is set the tone at noon and put the distortion full on. You can control the amount of distortion via the volume control on your guitar. AMAZING PEDAL!